With so many successful New Zealand ecommerce websites like GrabOne and Dose & Co., it’s easy to see why many entrepreneurs are rushing to build their own brands. With so many ecommerce platforms in the market, it’s quite difficult for someone new to the industry to choose the right one.
In this article, I’ve gathered the top eCom platforms for creating online stores in New Zealand. I’ll guide you through each option, helping you choose the right platform for you.
Here are the top e-commerce platforms for businesses in New Zealand:
In the following sections, I will explain each platform more deeply by giving you a professional opinion on each with pros and cons.
For most, Shopify is the first name that comes to mind when building an online store, especially in New Zealand. Shopify has an awesome user interface that makes running an online ecommerce business a breeze, and it’s an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes.
Price: Shopify plans start at $29 per month, but they offer a 14-day free trial to get you started.
Who should pick Shopify: Shopify is Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that want an easy-to-use platform with a variety of templates and integrations without the stress of constant technical maintenance.
Who should avoid Shopify: Large enterprises with complex needs might find Shopify’s customisation options limited. Its technology stack (Liquid and Ruby) is not widely used, so it’s harder to find skilled developers to implement custom features. Furthermore, the platform's scalability can be a concern for businesses expecting significant growth, as transaction fees and app costs can add up quickly, potentially making it less cost-effective in the long run.
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For more details on how to build a Shopify store, check out our step-by-step guide.
WooCommerce is the world's leading e-commerce software platform, with over 39% market share recorded as of 2023. It is built on top of WordPress, an open-source content management system, making WooCommerce highly customisable and perfect for those who are already familiar with WordPress.
Price: WooCommerce is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, themes, and plugins. Hosting can start as low as $3.95 per month, depending on the provider.
Who should pick WooCommerce: Best for small to large-sized NZ businesses that want complete control over their website’s customization, fees and hosting.
Who should avoid WooCommerce: Those who are not familiar with WordPress or do not want to handle the technical aspects of website management. WordPress requires constant maintenance and often breaks down without good expertise.
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Learn how to create a website with WordPress and WooCommerce in our comprehensive guide.
BigCommerce is another hosted eCommerce platform like Shopify, but unlike Shopify, it allows for more customisation and provides a wide range of built-in tools to enhance your e-commerce site and simplify inventory management.
Price: BigCommerce plans start at $29.95 per month with no money-back guarantee. They do offer a 15-day free trial if you’re feeling unsure and just want to test the waters.
Who should pick BigCommerce: BigCommerce is Suitable for businesses that need robust features and scalability without relying on third-party apps.
Who should avoid BigCommerce: Starter/Smaller businesses or those with simpler needs might find BigCommerce too complex as it offers everything a complex ecommerce site owner could dream of.
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Wix eCommerce offers a versatile platform with drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to build and manage your online NZ store. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, you’ll find it extremely easy to work with and maintain.
Price: Wix eCommerce plans start at $23 per month. They offer a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Who should pick Wix eCommerce: Best for small businesses or individuals who want a simple and easy-to-use platform and do not want to concern themselves with anything technical.
Who should avoid Wix eCommerce: Larger businesses with more complex needs will find Wix ecommerce limiting as it’s not meant to be extremely customisable.
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Squarespace Commerce, just like Wix, is known for its easy-to-use builder and stunning ecommerce design templates. It’s a great choice for creative professionals and small New Zealand businesses who do not know how to code, want a cheaper website due to low design complexity, and need a simple way to sell products online.
Price: Squarespace Commerce plans start at $27 per month with no money-back guarantee. They offer a 14-day free trial.
Who should pick Squarespace Commerce: It is Ideal for businesses that prioritise simple design and low-cost maintenance over complex functionality.
Who should avoid Squarespace Commerce: Big businesses that need extensive customisation options.
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Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is a powerful e-commerce platform designed for enterprise-level businesses with complex needs and larger budgets. It offers unmatched customisation and scalability when compared to platforms like Shopify.
Price: Magento Open Source is free, whereas Adobe Commerce uses customised pricing (you have to contact them).
Who should pick Magento: Best for large enterprises that need advanced features and have the budget for custom development.
Who should avoid Magento: Small businesses or those with limited budgets and technical expertise.
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Weebly eCommerce offers an easy-to-use platform with a range of features suitable for small businesses and entrepreneurs with no technical skills. It excels in setting up basic online stores quickly without advanced or custom features.
Price: Weebly eCommerce plans start at $13 per month, but they offer a free plan with basic features.
Who should pick Weebly eCommerce: Ideal for small businesses or individuals who want a quick, easy-to-use, and affordable e-commerce store.
Who should avoid Weebly eCommerce: Larger businesses with complex needs might find it lacking due to a lack of integrations and custom code support.
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If you’re still unsure which ecommerce platform is right for your business, our team at Take2 Elevate can help. Send us a message, and we’ll guide you through the selection process and ensure you choose the platform that best fits your needs.
Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you elevate your online presence.
Choosing the best e-commerce platform in New Zealand depends on your business needs, budget, and technical expertise.
Whether you’re a small business owner looking for an easy-to-use solution or a large enterprise needing advanced features, there’s a platform for you.
Remember, the right choice can make a significant difference in your online success.
An e-commerce platform is software that allows businesses to create, manage, and operate an online business. It includes tools for listing products, processing payments, managing inventory, and more. An ecommerce platform can be either free to use or subscription-based.
To choose the right ecommerce platform in New Zealand, consider the size of your business, budget, technical expertise, and the features required. With this information, evaluate different platforms and select the one that best fits your requirements.
Popular e-commerce platforms in New Zealand include Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix eCommerce, Squarespace Commerce, Magento, and Weebly eCommerce.
Look for features such as ease of use, customisation options, scalability, integrated payment gateways, inventory management, SEO tools, and customer support when choosing an e-commerce platform in New Zealand.
