Updated 31 October 2026 · About our coverage
Start with the business, then the software
Write down what you sell, where you sell and who will run the store. A small catalog of physical products creates different work from subscriptions, digital downloads or wholesale orders.
Make a requirements list
Split requirements into essential and useful. Include payment methods, shipping regions, product variants, tax workflows, accessibility and integrations with your existing tools.
Calculate a working budget
Account for the subscription or hosting, payment processing, extensions, themes, maintenance and implementation. Ask which costs change as your store grows.
Test everyday work
Add a product. Process a test order. Try a refund. Export data. Give the people who will operate the store a chance to try these tasks before deciding.
Make a shortlist
Use our platform directory to find options, then compare them against the same requirements. Document the trade-offs so you can revisit the decision later.