5 Best Free Online Store Creation Platforms in 2024

In 2024, creating an online store has become essential for those looking to start a business without wanting to open a physical shop or for those wanting to expand sales into the digital market. With free online store creation platforms that are easy to use and feature-rich, small businesses or beginners can start selling products online immediately. This article will introduce you to the 5 best free online store creation platforms in 2024.

Wix

Wix is the most popular website and online store-building platform for beginners. Its ease of use comes from the Drag-and-Drop tools and essential features for online shops.

Advantages

• Easily create and customize your store without any coding skills.
• Supports the sale of various types of products, including online and physical goods.
• There are many beautiful templates to choose from for online stores.
• Supports payment via credit card and PayPal.

Disadvantages

• Online stores on the free version will have Wix ads displayed on the website.
• To use the advanced features, you need to upgrade your package, which comes at a cost.

Suitable for: Those who want to open an online store that is easy and has a straightforward setup.

Weebly

Weebly is another website-building platform that supports a comprehensive E-commerce feature. It offers a Drag-and-Drop website builder and various tools suitable for online selling.

Advantages

• There is an easy-to-use inventory management and ordering system.
• Supports payments through PayPal, Stripe, and Square.
• There are SEO tools and blog features to enhance visibility in search engines.

Disadvantages

• In the free version, Weebly ads will be displayed on the website.
• The customization features and connectivity with other tools may have limitations in the free version.

Suitable for: Those who want to create an online store with basic features for selling products online without incurring high costs.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a platform suitable for those who want to sell a small number of products or for artists looking to sell niche items. It offers a free service plan that supports the sale of up to 5 items.

Advantages

• Easy to use without the need for technical skills.
• Supports payments through PayPal and Stripe.
• There are no additional selling fees, other than the payment processing fees from PayPal or Stripe.

Disadvantages

• The free plan supports a limited number of products, only 5 items.
• The customization features and marketing tools have limitations in the free plan.

Suitable for: Artists, designers, or those who want to sell a small number of items and need a simple platform.

Ecwid

Ecwid is a platform that supports online sales of products on both websites and social media, with a free service plan that allows you to quickly and easily create an online store.

Advantages

• The free service plan supports a maximum of 10 items.
• Connecting online stores with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram is easy.
• Are there plugins that can be installed on existing websites like WordPress or Wix?

Disadvantages

• Advanced features such as email marketing or advanced analytics require a paid plan.
• The free plan has limitations on customizing features.

Suitable for: Those who want to sell a small number of products and connect their online store with social media.

Shopify (free trial period)

Shopify is a platform specifically designed for online stores. Although it is not a completely free platform, Shopify offers a free trial period during which you can create an online store and try selling products.

Advantages

• A comprehensive store management system that covers all aspects, such as inventory management, payment systems, and transportation systems.
• Supports sales through multiple channels such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
• Many add-on apps enhance the capabilities of stores.

Disadvantages

• After the trial period ends, you will have to pay a monthly service fee. 
• Some features, such as advanced analytics, require an additional fee.

Suitable for: Those who want to try out a comprehensive store platform with features ready for future expansion.

Choosing a free online store platform depends on the needs and size of the business. If you are a beginner and want ease of setup, Wix or Weebly might be good options. For those looking to expand sales across multiple channels, Shopify and Ecwid are also interesting choices.