Cheapest online store website builder services for small business

In today’s digital world, having an online store is essential for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established retailer, building an eCommerce website is the key to reaching more customers, increasing sales, and boosting your brand’s visibility. However, not everyone has the technical skills or the budget to hire a professional web developer. That’s where affordable online store website builders come in.
These platforms allow you to create and manage your own online store without the need for coding knowledge, offering a cost-effective way to bring your products to the web. But how do you choose the cheapest website builder without compromising on features and functionality? In this guide, we’ll explore the best options on the market and help you determine which one is right for you.
1. Why Opt for a Cheap Online Store Website Builder?
Before diving into specific platforms, let’s first understand why a cheap website builder might be the right choice:

• Cost Efficiency: If you're starting with a limited budget, opting for a low-cost website builder can help you get your store online without breaking the bank.
• No Development Skills Required: These platforms often provide easy-to-use templates and drag-and-drop features, allowing you to design a professional website without any coding expertise.
• Fast Setup: Many of these builders allow you to set up your store in a matter of hours, compared to the weeks or months it may take when working with developers.
• Support and Maintenance: Website builders often include hosting, security, and technical support, meaning you won’t need to worry about maintaining your site yourself.

Now, let’s dive into the best options for building a cheap online store.
2. Top Cheapest Online Store Website Builders
a. Wix eCommerce
Wix is well-known for its affordable website-building services, and their eCommerce option is no different. With Wix eCommerce, you can build a fully functional online store that’s easy to manage and customize.

• Pricing: Wix offers various plans, with the cheapest starting around $23 per month for their Basic Business plan. This includes all the essential tools like product galleries, secure payments, and unlimited bandwidth.
• Features:
• Drag-and-drop editor for ease of use.
• Integrated payment gateways.
• Customizable templates for a variety of industries.
• Marketing and SEO tools included.
• Pros: Easy for beginners, quick setup, flexible design options.
• Cons: Transaction fees can add up, some advanced eCommerce features are missing at the lower price tier.

b. Shopify Lite
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms, but not everyone knows that they offer a “Lite” version that can be a more affordable solution for small businesses or entrepreneurs.

• Pricing: Shopify Lite is available for just $9 per month. This is perfect if you already have a website and only need to add basic eCommerce functionality like accepting payments and invoicing customers.
• Features:
• Integrates easily with an existing website or Facebook page.
• Ability to sell directly through social media.
• Secure payment processing.
• Pros: Very low price, integrates seamlessly with other platforms.
• Cons: Limited functionality compared to the full Shopify experience; not ideal for building a standalone online store.

c. Weebly
Weebly is another user-friendly platform that offers a low-cost solution for building an online store. It’s particularly good for smaller businesses and personal projects.

• Pricing: Weebly offers a free version, but their paid plans for eCommerce start at $12 per month, which is one of the cheapest options on the market for a fully functional store.
• Features:
• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder.
• Integrated shopping cart and checkout system.
• SEO and marketing tools.
• Pros: Low cost, beginner-friendly interface, and generous features for the price.
• Cons: Limited scalability, basic customization options.

d. Big Cartel
Big Cartel is specifically designed for artists, makers, and small-scale businesses. If you have a limited number of products to sell, Big Cartel might be the best cheap website builder for your needs.

• Pricing: Big Cartel offers a free plan that allows you to list up to five products. Their cheapest paid plan is $9.99 per month, which allows you to list up to 50 products.
• Features:
• Simple design interface.
• No transaction fees for most plans.
• Ability to manage orders on mobile.
• Pros: Extremely affordable, ideal for small inventories, no transaction fees.
• Cons: Limited to small stores, fewer customization options.

e. Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its visually stunning templates, making it a great choice for those who want an aesthetically pleasing website without spending a fortune.

• Pricing: Squarespace’s eCommerce plans start at $23 per month, which includes everything you need to run an online store, from inventory management to integrated payment options.
• Features:
• Professionally designed templates.
• Integrated analytics and marketing tools.
• Secure checkout.
• Pros: Beautiful design options, easy integration with third-party apps, great customer support.
• Cons: Slightly more expensive than some other options, fewer advanced eCommerce features at lower price tiers.

3. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cheap Website Builder

• Budget: Make sure the platform fits within your financial constraints, not just for setup but also for monthly fees and any potential add-ons.
• Ease of Use: Look for a platform that offers a simple interface and tools that match your technical skills.
• Scalability: While you may start small, it’s important to choose a platform that can grow with your business. Check whether the website builder allows you to upgrade your plan easily.
• Customer Support: Some cheaper website builders may cut corners on support. Ensure you have access to reliable customer service if you encounter problems.
• Payment Gateways: Make sure the platform integrates with the payment processors you plan to use.

5. Post-Launch Considerations: Maintaining and Growing Your Ecommerce Website

Launching your ecommerce website is just the beginning. To ensure long-term success, small businesses must continually monitor, maintain, and optimize their websites. Post-launch considerations include:
a) Regular Maintenance
Routine maintenance is essential to keep your website running smoothly and securely. This includes:

• Software Updates: Regularly update your ecommerce platform, plugins, and security features.
• Backup Systems: Implement automated backups to protect your data in case of technical issues.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor website speed, uptime, and other performance metrics to identify and address issues promptly.

b) Marketing and SEO
Driving traffic to your ecommerce website requires ongoing marketing efforts. Key strategies include:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Continuously optimize your website content, product descriptions, and meta tags to improve search engine rankings.
• Content Marketing: Create valuable content, such as blog posts, videos, and social media updates, to engage your audience and attract new visitors.
• Email Marketing: Build an email

 

Conclusion: The Vital Role of Cheapest online store website builder for small business

In today’s highly competitive digital marketplace, an effective Cheapest online store website builder is essential for small businesses seeking to establish and grow their online presence. The design and development of your ecommerce site are not just technical tasks but strategic efforts that can significantly influence your business’s success.