In today’s world, more and more Australians are buying things online. From clothes and shoes to gifts and groceries, the convenience of online shopping has changed how people shop every day. Because of this, many business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are looking to start their own online stores.
But with so many platforms available, it can be confusing to know which platform is best for your online shop. Some are easy to use but offer limited features. Others are powerful but require more technical knowledge. In this article, we will explain the best platforms to build an ecommerce store in Australia in simple language so you can decide what works best for you.
What Is an Ecommerce Platform?
An ecommerce platform is software that helps you build and run an online store. It allows you to list products, take payments, manage orders, handle delivery options and keep track of your customers. Instead of building a website from scratch, you use tools provided by these platforms to create your store.
Ecommerce platforms differ in terms of cost, features, ease of use and how much control you have over how your store looks and works. Let’s look at some of the best platforms used by people in Australia today.
Best 7 Platforms to Build a Ecommerce Store in Australia
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the world. It is a fully hosted platform, which means Shopify takes care of hosting, security, and software updates so you can focus on selling.
Why It Is Popular in Australia
Many Australian businesses choose Shopify because it is easy to use and quick to set up. It supports local payment methods and works well with Australian shipping solutions. Because Shopify is cloud based, you do not need to worry about technical details. Everything is managed for you.
Main Features
- Pre‑designed templates that you can use to design your store
- Easy tools to upload products, set prices and accept payments
- Built‑in marketing and analytics tools
- Mobile friendly designs for customers who shop on phones
Ideal For
Beginners and small to medium businesses that want an all‑in‑one solution.
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an ecommerce plugin for WordPress. WordPress is a popular content management system that many websites use. Adding WooCommerce turns a WordPress website into an online store.
Why Australians Use It
WooCommerce gives store owners total control over their site. Because it is part of WordPress, you can use many themes and plugins to customise your store. This makes it a good choice for people who want flexibility.
Main Features
- Complete control over design and functionality
- Thousands of plugins to add extra features
- Great for search engine optimisation (SEO)
- Works well for content‑rich websites
Ideal For
People who are comfortable with WordPress or want a highly customisable store.
3. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another all‑in‑one ecommerce platform similar to Shopify. It offers many built‑in features that help you grow your store without depending too much on third‑party apps.
Why It Works for Australian Sellers
BigCommerce supports multiple currencies, which is useful if you plan to sell outside Australia. It also provides strong tools for managing inventory and selling on different channels like eBay or Amazon.
Main Features
- Multi‑channel selling tools
- Built‑in SEO and marketing features
- No transaction fees
- Support for large product catalogues
Ideal For
Growing businesses and stores with many products or plans to sell internationally.
4. Wix eCommerce
Wix is a website builder that also offers ecommerce features. With a visual editor, you can drag and drop elements to design your store exactly how you want.
Why It Appeals to Small Businesses
Wix is very beginner friendly. You do not need any coding knowledge or technical skills to start a store. It is a good option for small businesses or those just starting online.
Main Features
- Drag and drop store builder
- Templates designed for ecommerce
- Easy setup and management tools
- All‑in‑one hosting and support
Ideal For
Small stores or beginner sellers who want simplicity and affordability.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace is known for beautiful and modern designs. While it began as a website builder, its ecommerce features have improved over time. It is often chosen by creative businesses, artists and boutique stores.
Why Australians Use It
Many users choose Squarespace because its templates look good out of the box. It also has basic ecommerce tools like product management and payment options.
Main Features
- Stylish templates
- Integrated ecommerce and blogging tools
- Simple setup without technical effort
- Mobile responsive designs
Ideal For
Creative businesses or smaller stores that prioritise visual design.
6. Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Magento is a powerful ecommerce platform used by larger businesses with complex needs. It offers full control and flexibility, but it is more technical than other options.
Why It Is Used
Magento can handle large product catalogues and complex ecommerce requirements like custom inventory systems. It is often used by enterprise level companies or stores with dedicated developers.
Main Features
- Highly customisable
- Supports large online stores
- Advanced product options
- Great for complex business needs
Ideal For
Large businesses or those with technical expertise or a developer team.
7. Big Cartel
Big Cartel is a simple ecommerce platform designed for smaller and creative sellers. It is not as powerful as others but it is easy to use and budget friendly.
Why It Is Used
Artists, makers and hobby sellers often choose Big Cartel because it lets them create a store without paying high fees. It offers a simple store setup without many complicated features.
Main Features
- Easy to create and manage products
- Simple and clean interface
- Affordable pricing for small sellers
- No need for technical skills
Ideal For
Creative sellers, artists, and small independent shops.
How to Choose the Right Platform
Choosing the best ecommerce platform depends on your business goals, budget, technical skills and future growth plans. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
How Many Products Will You Sell?
If you have a small range of products, platforms like Wix or Big Cartel may be enough. For larger product catalogues, Shopify, BigCommerce or WooCommerce may work better.
Do You Need Full Control?
If you want full control over every part of your site, WooCommerce or Magento might be best. But if you prefer a platform that manages everything for you, Shopify, BigCommerce or Wix are easier.
How Comfortable Are You with Technology?
If you are not confident with technical tasks like hosting, updates or security, hosted platforms like Shopify or Wix handle these for you. WooCommerce and Magento require more technical involvement.
What Is Your Budget?
Different platforms have different cost structures. Hosted solutions like Shopify and BigCommerce charge monthly fees. WooCommerce is free but you still pay for hosting and extra tools. Wix is affordable at smaller plans but may need upgrades as you grow.
Final Thoughts
There is no one perfect platform that fits everyone. The ideal choice depends on what you need, how much time you can invest and how big you want your store to become.
If you are just starting and want an easy setup, platforms like Shopify or Wix are great. If you want total flexibility and control, WooCommerce might be a good option. For fast‑growing or larger businesses, BigCommerce or Magento can support more advanced needs.
The good news is that many of these platforms offer free trials. This means you can try them before paying to see which one feels right for you.
Starting an online store can be exciting and challenging. With the right platform, tools and mindset, you can build a successful ecommerce store in Australia that reaches customers near and far.