best ecommerce website builder australia
A clear, practical comparison of Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace — and a modern subscription alternative for Australian small businesses
If you sell locally or nationally, pick a platform that balances cost, local SEO, and how quickly you can go live. Below you'll find concise pros and cons and a short recommendation for common business types.
In this comparison
Quick comparison — at a glance
| Platform | Pricing signal | Ease of use | SEO | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $29–299+/mo + transaction fees | Very easy for store setup | Good; apps required for some optimisations | Growing stores, payment & inventory heavy |
| WooCommerce (WordPress) | $0 core + hosting ~ $10–40/mo | Flexible but technical | Excellent if configured (SEO plugins) | Content-led stores, custom features |
| BigCommerce | $29–299+/mo | Similar to Shopify; built for ecommerce | Strong built-in SEO controls | Mid-market to enterprise merchants |
| Wix | $23–49+/mo for business plans | Very easy; drag-and-drop | Basic SEO tools; good for simple stores | Small shops, quick DIY sites |
| Squarespace | $23–49+/mo | Easy; design-first | Decent SEO basics; limited advanced control | Design-focused stores, portfolios |
| Subscription & managed builds (modern) | $30–49/mo all-inclusive | Extremely easy — text or message changes | Built-in local SEO & schema | Busy small businesses, tradies, local shops |
Shopify — Pros & Cons
Pros: Fast store setup, solid payments, scalable checkout, large app ecosystem and good Australian payment options.
Cons: Monthly plans plus transaction or app fees can add up; some SEO controls require apps; customisations sometimes need developers.
WooCommerce (WordPress)
Pros: Highly flexible, excellent SEO potential, huge plugin ecosystem, cost-effective hosting options.
Cons: Requires hosting, security, updates and sometimes developer time; steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
BigCommerce
Pros: Strong SEO features out of the box, fewer apps needed, good for multi-channel selling.
Cons: Pricing tiers can climb with revenue; interface less intuitive for absolute beginners compared with Shopify.
Wix
Pros: Fast DIY, intuitive editor, low barrier to entry. Cons: More limited for large catalogs and advanced SEO controls.
Squarespace
Pros: Design-led templates, solid checkout for small catalogs. Cons: Less flexible for complex ecommerce and integrations.
Managed subscription builds (modern alternative)
Many Australian small businesses now choose a managed subscription: a monthly all-inclusive plan that covers domain, hosting, unlimited updates and local SEO optimisations for a single predictable fee.
Key advantages: near-zero technical overhead, fast launch times, ongoing local SEO and quick content changes via simple text or messaging—useful for tradies and service-based sellers who update prices or specials frequently.
Which platform fits your business?
Marketplaces & growing stores
Shopify or BigCommerce are strong choices when you expect rapid growth, need robust inventory and multi-channel selling.
Content-driven stores
WooCommerce on WordPress gives the best SEO control and content flexibility if you're comfortable managing hosting or using an agency.
Small local shops & tradies
A managed subscription build (all-inclusive) often delivers better ROI: fast local SEO, included hosting and unlimited updates for a predictable monthly fee.
Design-first boutiques
Squarespace or Wix provide attractive templates and a simple editor for small catalogs and visual brands.
Short recommendation
There is no single "best" ecommerce builder for every Australian seller. Choose based on:
- How much time you can invest
- Your budget (including transaction and app fees)
- Whether local SEO and quick content updates matter to your business
For busy small businesses and tradies who need predictable costs, strong local SEO, and rapid updates without learning new tools, an all-inclusive managed subscription approach is often the most cost-effective choice. It reduces technical overhead and keeps your site optimised for local search — two factors that frequently drive conversions for Australian sellers.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform has the best SEO?
Are managed subscriptions more expensive long term?
Can I switch platforms later?
Ready to compare hands-on?
Try a demonstration or chat through which platform fits your Australian business. Quick demos show setup time, SEO basics and a clear cost outlook.
No obligation — get a clear, practical comparison for your store and local SEO needs.
