Choosing the right eCommerce platform is critical when setting up a print-on-demand business with Printful.
The platform you choose will determine how you manage your products, handle payments, and create an overall seamless experience for your customers.
With so many options available, it’s important to understand which platform best suits your needs and goals.
In this article, we’ll explore the top eCommerce platforms that integrate with Printful, helping you determine which one is right for your business based on features, ease of use, and pricing.
Platform | Best For | Ease of Use | Features | Pricing (Starting) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shopify | eCommerce beginners | Very Easy | Inventory management, payment gateways, customizable themes | $29/month |
WooCommerce | Experienced WordPress users | Moderate | Highly customizable, open-source, plugins | Free (plus hosting costs) |
Etsy | Handmade and print-on-demand products | Very Easy | Built-in marketplace, simple setup | $0.20 per listing + transaction fees |
BigCommerce | Growing businesses | Easy | Advanced SEO, scalable, no transaction fees | $29.95/month |
Squarespace | Design-focused brands | Easy | Beautiful templates, basic eCommerce | $12/month |
Wix | Small businesses | Very Easy | Drag-and-drop editor, customizable templates | $14/month |
Ecwid | Adding eCommerce to existing websites | Very Easy | Multi-channel selling, free plan available | Free |
Weebly | Small businesses | Very Easy | Simple eCommerce features, affordable | $6/month |
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular platforms for print-on-demand businesses, especially for beginners.
It’s designed for eCommerce, offering a wide range of apps, themes, and integrations, including seamless integration with Printful.
Shopify’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to set up your store and manage products.
- Best For: Beginners and businesses that need a fully integrated eCommerce solution.
- Features: Inventory management, multiple payment gateways, customizable themes, and a vast app marketplace.
- Pros: Easy to use, great for eCommerce, excellent customer support.
- Cons: Transaction fees, if not using Shopify Payments and monthly cost.
2. WooCommerce
If you’re comfortable using WordPress, then WooCommerce might be the right choice for you.
WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns any WordPress website into a full-fledged online store.
It offers deep customization and thousands of plugins to extend your store’s functionality.
- Best For: Businesses with experience using WordPress or those wanting more control over customization.
- Features: Full control over design and functionality, thousands of plugins, open-source.
- Pros: Highly customizable, no platform fees, huge WordPress community.
- Cons: Requires technical know-how and hosting fees.
3. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace specifically for handmade, vintage, and print-on-demand products.
It’s perfect for sellers who want to list products without building a full website.
Etsy integrates easily with Printful, allowing you to automatically sync and fulfill your Printful orders.
- Best For: Small businesses and creatives looking to sell unique items.
- Features: Built-in marketplace, easy setup, strong customer base.
- Pros: No need to build a website and access to a large audience.
- Cons: High competition, listing fees, and transaction fees.
4. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is an excellent choice for businesses that are looking for a platform with powerful built-in features.
It offers seamless Printful integration, making it easy to sell and manage print-on-demand products.
BigCommerce also includes advanced SEO tools, multiple payment gateways, and no transaction fees.
- Best For: Growing businesses and larger stores needing more built-in features.
- Features: Advanced SEO tools, no transaction fees, scalable platform.
- Pros: Robust built-in features, no additional transaction fees.
- Cons: It can be expensive as your business grows.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its beautifully designed templates and user-friendly interface.
It’s a great choice if you want a professional-looking store without dealing with too many technical aspects.
Printful integrates seamlessly with Squarespace, allowing you to sell print-on-demand products easily.
- Best For: Design-focused brands and creatives.
- Features: Beautiful templates, easy drag-and-drop editor, basic eCommerce features.
- Pros: Stunning designs, easy to use, includes built-in SEO tools.
- Cons: Limited advanced eCommerce features, higher pricing.
6. Wix
Wix is another drag-and-drop website builder that offers eCommerce functionality through Printful integration.
It’s a flexible platform suitable for beginners who want to quickly set up an online store without needing coding knowledge.
Wix also offers hundreds of templates from which to choose.
- Best For: Small businesses and beginners looking for a quick setup.
- Features: Drag-and-drop editor, app marketplace, customizable templates.
- Pros: Easy to use, affordable, no transaction fees.
- Cons: Limited scalability, fewer advanced eCommerce tools.
7. Ecwid
Ecwid is a popular option for businesses that want to add an online store to an existing website.
It integrates with Printful seamlessly and can be embedded in various platforms like WordPress, Weebly, and Wix.
Ecwid offers a free plan, making it attractive for startups.
- Best For: Small businesses or individuals who already have a website.
- Features: Multi-channel selling, embeddable on existing websites, free plan.
- Pros: It can be added to any site, has a free plan, and is easy to use.
- Cons: Limited features on free plans can get expensive on premium plans.
8. Weebly
Weebly is an intuitive website builder with simple eCommerce functionality.
It integrates easily with Printful and offers basic features like product listings, shopping carts, and checkout pages.
Weebly is ideal for small businesses or individuals who want to set up a shop quickly.
- Best For: Small businesses or entrepreneurs looking for a simple, low-cost solution.
- Features: Easy drag-and-drop editor, mobile-friendly templates, basic eCommerce features.
- Pros: Simple to use, affordable.
- Cons: Limited features compared to other platforms.
Conclusion
Each eCommerce platform offers unique advantages based on your business needs, experience level, and goals.
Whether you’re looking for ease of use, advanced customization, or a marketplace like Etsy, Printful integrates seamlessly with all these platforms.
Be sure to choose the one that aligns best with your store’s growth potential and technical capabilities to ensure a smooth print-on-demand experience.
FAQ
1. Which eCommerce platform is best for beginners?
For beginners, Shopify and Wix are great options. Both offer drag-and-drop functionality, seamless Printful integration, and user-friendly interfaces.
2. Can I customize my online store with WooCommerce?
Yes, WooCommerce offers full customization options. However, it requires technical knowledge, and you’ll need to manage hosting and security yourself.
3. Does Etsy require building a full website?
No, Etsy is a marketplace that doesn’t require you to build a full website.
It’s perfect for sellers who want to list products quickly and tap into Etsy’s existing customer base.
4. Are there any transaction fees on BigCommerce?
No, BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, which makes it a good choice for businesses with a high volume of sales.
5. Is Squarespace a good platform for eCommerce?
Squarespace is a good platform for businesses focused on design and branding.
However, it may lack some advanced eCommerce features compared to platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce.
Benjamin Shemesh is an ecommerce enthusiast and a digital marketing expert.
He loves surfing the ocean