What are the best platforms for building an e-commerce website? This is one of the most common questions we hear from our clients. Your choice of platform influences how fast you can launch, how smooth the customer experience will be, and how easily you can scale later.
From simple drag and drop builders to more powerful tools for complex stores, there are several options to consider depending on your goals, budget, and technical comfort. Here is a clear breakdown to help you decide.
For many startups, Shopify is the preferred option. It is a complete ecommerce platform that manages hosting, payments, inventory, and marketing features in one place, and it has been trusted by millions of online sellers. It is especially appealing because you can set it up without any coding experience and customize your store with hundreds of themes and extensions.
Shopify also introduced an AI powered store builder in 2025 that creates a full online store from simple keyword prompts, making setup even faster for new businesses.
Best for: Startups that want a fast, hosted solution with strong app support and reliable integrations.
If you already use WordPress or want full control over your store, WooCommerce offers a flexible and highly customizable option. It is technically a WordPress plugin, but powerful enough to support everything from simple shops to advanced ecommerce systems with deep SEO control.
Since WooCommerce is open source, you can extend it with numerous plugins and custom features, and you retain full ownership of your data. The tradeoff is that it usually requires more setup effort and ongoing maintenance.
Best for: Content driven brands or founders who want maximum control and customization.
Wix began as a general website builder, but it has evolved into a strong ecommerce platform for beginners and small businesses that want creative control without technical challenges. Its drag and drop editor makes designing a visually appealing store easy, and it includes built in tools for selling through platforms like Pinterest.
It may not scale as deeply as Shopify or BigCommerce, but it is great for founders who want a simple, straightforward launch.
Best for: Creative founders or startups that want a fast, visually engaging store with minimal setup.
For startups expecting rapid growth or needing advanced features such as B2B tools, multi store support, or deeper analytics, BigCommerce is a powerful choice. It offers the simplicity of a hosted platform combined with enterprise grade capabilities.
It can feel more complex than Shopify or Wix at first, but it is well suited for businesses planning beyond a basic store.
Best for: Growing startups or mid size businesses preparing for scale.
Squarespace is ideal for brands that prioritize design and visual identity. Its designer made templates offer a polished aesthetic, and its ecommerce tools are solid for small to medium stores.
It supports flexible checkout options and subscriptions, though its customization depth may be more limited compared to Shopify or WooCommerce.
Best for: Creative brands that value strong design and storytelling.
Depending on your needs, these alternatives may also fit well:
Choosing the right platform depends on how much control you want, how quickly you need to launch, and how far you expect to scale.
Your ecommerce platform directly influences your
• speed to market
• ability to customize features and design
• long term maintenance and operational cost
• integration with marketing, inventory, and analytics tools
For many founders, this decision becomes their first major strategic step when building an online business.
If you find yourself stuck between platforms or unsure how to adapt one to your specific business needs, this is often where expert guidance makes a real difference. Working with an experienced development partner can help you go beyond default templates and build an ecommerce setup that truly supports your growth plans.
At Dihardja Software, teams help founders evaluate platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce based on real business requirements, then customize them with the right integrations, performance optimizations, and scalable architecture. If you are comparing partners or want clarity on what strong technical teams should offer, this overview of the Best Software Development Company in Indonesia provides helpful benchmarks as you move forward.
As you shape your online presence, it helps to remember that technology is a tool, not the entire strategy. If your plans involve custom features, complex integrations, or fast scaling, the next step is to choose a development partner that understands both your business goals and the platforms that support them well.
Our guide on the Best Software Development Company in Indonesia offers useful benchmarks for evaluating strong technical partners.
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