eCommerce websites are different from normal websites such as blogs. They need much more resources to operate properly because of the large number of products stored, the number of simultaneous interactions the customers would make, and the complex code involved. That’s why it is very important to use an e-Commerce hosting service instead of going for the typical hosting types such as Cloud, VPS, etc. This will ensure that your eCommerce website runs smoothly even under extreme traffic.
Top 10 eCommerce Hosting Services
So to help you out, we have been testing different eCommerce hosting services in the industry and analyzing their features. After testing out almost all of their aspects, and going through several customer reviews, we have prepared a list of the top 10 eCommerce hosting services for you.
1. Shopify
Shopify is the perfect eCommerce hosting solution that provides everything an eCommerce website would need. From the basic hosting stack to the advanced customization tools, Shopify has everything you need as an eCommerce business owner. They have a completely customized eCommerce hosting stack specifically made to cope with high traffic sudden traffic surges.
So unlike many other hosting solutions where you will have to manually tweak the server, you do not have to do anything except adding products and promoting your website. A perfect platform for anyone looking for an eCommerce hosting solution.
Features
- Extremely powerful hosting
- Dedicated software for eCommerce
- Can hold millions of visitors easily
2. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another eCommerce hosting and web builder that can be used to create your dream eCommerce project. Not only it provides a powerful hosting solution but also delivers a set of tools to design your eCommerce website, integrate it with the popular services, promote it to gain sales, analyze the sales, and use it to grow the platform, etc. BigCommerce also delivers industry-level security to your website along with expert support that is available 24/7 to assist you with any of the problems that you may face with your website.
Features
- Extremely easy to design eCommerce sites
- Analytic tools to grow your business
- Integration with hundreds of services
3. Siteground
Siteground is not a dedicated eCommerce hosting service. They provide a range of hosting types from WordPress hosting to dedicated hosting servers. The reason why they are on this list is because of their high-performing servers and superior customer support. If your primary goal is having an extremely supportive customer care, Siteground is the perfect choice for you. We will not recommend their shared hosting as there are some limitations like Inode usage. But their cloud and dedicated servers are suitable for any type of eCommerce websites.
Features
- The best customer support
- cPanel based hosting for ease
- A huge list of pre-installed software
4. Wix
If you don’t know much about Wix, you should read our Wix review. We explained the platform in detail and listed almost all of its features. Wix can be used for various purposes including hosting your eCommerce website. It has a feature-rich page builder allowing anyone to create stunning websites. You do not need any technical or designing knowledge to craft excellent eCommerce designs using Wix. The websites will perform great on their hosting and the rates are also affordable compared to many others in this list. The perfect combination of a page builder and an excellent eCommerce platform
Features
- A powerful page builder
- Very easy to use
- Free website hosting service
5. 3D Cart
3D Cart is a powerful and Secure eCommerce software. You can create your own eCommerce store and host it on a powerful customized hosting server with features specifically crafted for eCommerce websites. With a ton of tools to design, manage, and promote your eCommerce website, 3D Cart is an excellent choice for anyone just getting started with eCommerce business. They also have hundreds of integrations such as Stripe, MailChimp, Amazon, FedEx, etc. which you can utilize if you use those platforms.
Features
- A feature-rich website management section
- Integration with hundreds of external services
- Tools to promote the websites
6. Volusion
Volusion is yet another eCommerce software suitable for any size of eCommerce website. No matter whether you are a beginner or an expert in the eCommerce business, you will always find Volusion useful. Used by over 180K entrepreneurs all over the globe, Volusion provides a huge list of features to grow your eCommerce platform. The powerful page builder sweetens the features which you can use to craft your dream eCommerce website. It is extremely easy to use the software which makes it stand out from many others in this eCommerce hosting providers list.
Features
- Responsive pre-built themes
- Integration with numerous payment platforms
- SEO features to boost rankings
7. Cloudways
Cloudways is a hosting stack that allows you to build a server based on several hosting providers including Digital Ocean, Google Cloud Platform, Vultr, Linode, etc. You can enjoy the speed and power of all those hosting companies alongside all the features Cloudways installs on the servers. Unlike many other cloud platforms, Cloudways is an excellent choice to make it easier to manage your web server by using technologies such as Varnish, Redis, Memcached, NGINX reverse proxy, etc.
This is a great application hosting service, which also happens to be suitable for eCommerce applications. Extremely scalable, maintainable, and whatnot. Surely deserves a place in this list.
Features
- Highly scalable hosting
- Can choose different hosting providers
- Various technologies pre-installed
8. WP Engine
Yet again another web hosting provider that is not dedicated to eCommerce hosting only. WP Engine is an extremely powerful hosting service that can hold a ton of traffic without even sweating. The only drawback of this hosting provider is the pricing. It may not be affordable for everyone especially if you are just getting started. However, once you start making a profit out of your business, it is a great idea to choose a powerful hosting service such as WP Engine. That way you can make sure that your customers will never find your website down or performing slow.
Features
- Best for fast eCommerce websites
- Suitable for WordPress-based eCommerce websites
- Very powerful and fast hosting servers
9. Weebly
Weebly is a free-to-get-started page builder and hosting platform just like Wix. It is an all-in-one toll if you are going to create an eCommerce website. You can do everything from designing your website to promoting it on social media from the platform itself. The easy drag-and-drop page builder will make sure that you create stunning websites even with zero technical knowledge and designing experience. If you do not want to spend money on it without giving it a try, there is also a free plan available.
Features
- A free plan is available
- Easy-to-use website builder
- Go live in minutes
10. GoDaddy
Well-known as the best domain registrar, GoDaddy also delivers a set of other solutions including eCommerce hosting. If you do not like the services listed above, GoDaddy is also a considerable solution for eCommerce website hosting. You should not expect great speed especially if your website is extremely big with hundreds of thousands of products. But those who are still getting started with the eCommerce business can use GoDaddy to get familiar with the hosting platforms. The pricing is very cheap compared to many other eCommerce hosting services. So that can be an attraction.
Features
- Very cheap compared to others
- User-friendly interface to manage websites
- Suitable for beginners
Tips for Choosing an eCommerce Hosting Service
It is true that choosing the right eCommerce hosting service is a crucial step in setting up a successful online store. In the existing article, we have laid out the top 10 options available, covering a wide array of features each service offers. While this is a great starting point, making the right choice can still feel like a daunting task. Let’s consider some additional factors to think about that will further assist you in your decision-making process.
Understand Your Business Needs
Every eCommerce business has unique needs. For instance, a small business with a limited number of products may find Shopify or Wix sufficient, whereas a large enterprise with a broad product range might require the advanced features of BigCommerce or 3D Cart. Understanding your current and future needs is important when selecting a hosting service.
Scalability
Scalability should be one of your top considerations. As your business grows, so will your website’s requirements. The ideal hosting service should be able to handle increased traffic and offer upgrade options to accommodate growth.
Security Features
eCommerce websites handle sensitive information, such as customers’ personal and financial data. Ensure that your chosen hosting provider offers robust security features, including SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and regular backups.
Uptime and Load Speed
Uptime refers to the time your website is available and accessible to visitors. The hosting service you choose should guarantee high uptime (99.9% or more). Additionally, your website’s load speed is a critical factor in maintaining customer satisfaction. Delays can lead to a loss of sales and negatively impact your search engine rankings.
Customer Support
Even with the best hosting services, issues can arise. Whether it’s a technical glitch or a query regarding the service, having reliable and responsive customer support is crucial. Check if the hosting service provides 24/7 support and the communication channels available – live chat, email, or phone.
Pricing and Contract Terms
Look out for hidden costs when considering pricing. While some services might seem cheaper initially, additional costs like renewal prices, backup and restore services, and SSL certificates can add up. Also, review contract terms. Some hosting services require you to commit for a longer duration to get the best price.
Reviews and Recommendations
Lastly, never underestimate the power of user reviews and recommendations. Real user experiences can provide insights into a hosting service’s performance and reliability.
While the list of top 10 eCommerce hosting services provides a great starting point, your specific business needs, and goals will ultimately determine the best choice for you. Keep in mind these additional tips and you will be well-equipped to make an informed decision.