Easiest Ecommerce Platforms for Beginners

Starting an online store shouldn't feel like you're trying to decode a foreign language or cost you thousands to get up and running—especially if you're an independent artist, maker, or small brand just dipping your toes into selling online. 

Your focus should be on creating amazing work, not wrestling with complicated tech or dealing with unexpected fees. You need an ecommerce platform that makes the process simple, so you can focus on your craft.

Let’s break down what Big Cartel, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and Square Online really offer when you strip away the marketing hype—focusing on what actually matters: simplicity, fair pricing, and tools that make sense for your creative work.

Understanding your ecommerce needs

Most people dive headfirst into feature lists—but that's like signing up for a gym with Olympic training facilities when you only need access to free weights, a couple of machines, and to attend a class once a week.

Before getting lost in ecommerce website platform comparisons, forum discussions, and countless open tabs in your browser, take a moment to ask yourself what you really need from your online store:

• What are my immediate goals? Am I trying to build a primary income source, create a side hustle, or just test if people will buy my creations? Do I need to sell 10 items or 1,000?

• How tech-savvy am I, really? Do I want to tinker with code and API integrations or would I rather have everything ready to go with a website builder?

• What's my actual budget? What can I afford for both startup costs and ongoing monthly expenses?

• How much customization do I truly need? Do I want complete creative control, or am I happy with good-looking templates that are easy to use and help me launch faster?

Each Small business has its own unique needs, and your answers will help narrow down which hosted ecommerce platform might be your perfect match. Remember, the goal isn't finding the most popular ecommerce platform with the most features—it's finding the one that makes your life easier and matches your online business needs.

How to choose the ecommerce features that actually matter

When you're running a creative business, your time is money. Every hour spent figuring out complex ecommerce features or configuring webhooks for 3rd party integrations is an hour you're not creating, marketing, or connecting with customers.

The most valuable ecommerce platform isn't the one with flashy features and big promises—it's the one that gets out of your way and lets you do what you do best.

Here's what actually matters for most independent creators:

Easy setup and management

Look for ecommerce platforms with intuitive setup. You shouldn't need a computer science degree or hours of tutorials just to list a product in your online store.

Straightforward integrations and apps

If you use tools like Instagram, Pinterest, Mailchimp, or popular shipping services, your ecommerce platform should connect easily. Avoid solutions that make integrations feel like an IT project.

Transparent pricing

Hidden fees can quickly eat into your profits. The best ecommerce platforms are upfront about exactly what you'll pay, with no surprises when you get your monthly statement.

Customization options

You want an ecommerce platform that lets you easily customize themes, templates, and layouts to reflect your brand identity.

Reasonable scalability

Your ecommerce platform should grow with you—but only as much as you actually need. Look for one that can handle more products and sales over time without forcing you into expensive plans with features you won't use.

Built-in discoverability

Your online store needs to be found! Ecommerce platforms with basic SEO tools built in help your products show up in Google searches without extra work on your part.

Mobile-friendly everything

Your online store should look great on phones (where most shopping happens), and you should be able to manage it from your own device when inspiration strikes. Your ecommerce solution should have a mobile app to make it easier to use on the go.

Simple, secure payment methods

Customers expect easy checkouts with options like credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Your ecommerce platform should provide these options without requiring complicated setups or third-party plugins.

How to determine your real cost of selling online

When comparing the best ecommerce platforms, you need to look beyond the advertised monthly fees. Here's what affects the true cost of your ecommerce store:

• Monthly subscription fees (the obvious one)

• Transaction fees (percentage taken from each sale)

• Payment processing fees (separate from platform fees)

• Add-ons and apps (extra features not included in the base plan)

• Premium themes (if you want a specific look)

• Domain name costs (for your custom web address)

Ecommerce platforms with simple, flat-rate pricing are more affordable in the long run than those with lower base prices but fees attached to every transaction, add-on, and feature upgrade you use..

Easy ecommerce platform comparisons at a glance

Let's break down how the most popular ecommerce platforms stack up for independent creators:

Why Big Cartel is the best ecommerce platform for beginners

Big Cartel was built specifically for artists and makers—not for huge corporations or complicated retail operations. This focus on creative entrepreneurs means:

True ease of use

You can set up your entire online shop in an afternoon, not weeks or months. The interface is clean, straightforward, and designed for anyone to use, not only developers. There are no unnecessary features cluttering your dashboard or complicating your workflow.

Illustrator Jose Roda shares, "It’s been 10 years and I’m still using it for the same reasons: it’s very useful and easy to manage. It’s intuitive, easy to use and allows many personalizing options without the need of coding, providing also useful and clear information about your sales.”

Transparent, creator-friendly pricing

Big Cartel's flat-rate pricing means no surprises. You pay one monthly fee based on the number of products you want to sell—not how successful your business becomes. There are no transaction fees taking a percentage of every sale, which means more money in your pocket as your business grows.

Even better? Big Cartel offers a free plan with up to 5 products to test the waters before upgrading to a paid tier. Paid plans start at only $15/month.

Ecommerce software built for the creative community

As a 100% independent company, Big Cartel truly understands the needs of independent creators because we operate with the same values. We've helped artists and makers sell more than $2.5 billion of their work online—without the tech headaches or corporate feel of larger ecommerce platforms.

The right ecommerce platform, balancing simplicity and functionality

Big Cartel proves you don't need to choose between ease-of-use and having the features that matter. You get:

• No transaction fees eating into your profits

• Beautiful, customizable templates that make your work shine

• Built-in discount codes and inventory tracking *

• Real-time stats to understand and manage your business

• Custom domain options *

All without needing to hire a developer or spend hours watching tutorials, making it a great choice for small businesses that want to start running an ecommerce business.

* Features marked with an asterisk are available on paid plans.

Finding the best ecommerce platform for beginners

Choosing an ecommerce platform for small businesses is a personal decision based on your specific online selling needs. What works for one business isn’t always the best option for yours. For most independent creators, the winning formula combines:

• Straightforward, no-surprises pricing

• A quick, painless setup process

• Tools that handle the basics easily

• Room to grow without unnecessary complexity

If that sounds like what you're looking for, Big Cartel offers the sweet spot of affordability, functionality, and ease-of-use that lets you focus on what you do best—creating amazing work.

Ready to get started?

Setting up your ecommerce site shouldn't be the hardest part of running your creative business. Big Cartel makes it easy to start selling online without the tech stress or hidden costs.

Ready to open your shop without the hassle? Give Big Cartel a try today—it's free to get started