Even though it’s an invisible part of a customer’s shopping experience, the best web hosting for online retail stores can be your company’s top salesperson. Believe it or not, a slightly slower page load can have a bigger impact on transactions than your products, prices, or customer support.
Choosing the best web host for a basic website is hard enough. As you may imagine, identifying the best platforms for running your online store is even more challenging and carries more risk.
You may be wondering what the best hosting option is for your business. With various choices such as shared web hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and even niche-specific WordPress hosting, how do you know which web hosting provider to choose?
Considering that online sales are beginning to overtake brick-and-mortar transactions, it’s increasingly imperative for small business owners to select a web hosting company and eCommerce platform that’s right for them.
If you’re feeling unsure about whether your need a shared hosting plan or a dedicated server — or something in between — look no further. After lengthy testing and reviews, here’s our list of the industry’s best web hosting services and eCommerce platforms. Take a peek:
-
Navigate This Article:
Best Overall Hosting for Online Stores
Believe it or not, web hosting can have a dramatic effect on the success of your online business. In addition to the relationship between performance and conversions, the perceived security measures during the checkout process further enhance the trust consumers place in your brand and its products.
Nearly 25% of online shoppers say they trust a brand in part because it has done a good job of protecting their sensitive personal information, according to brand loyalty research by global communications firm Edelman. Beyond quality, convenience, and value, 80% of respondents said trusting a brand to do what is right factored into a purchase decision.
After years of testing and reviewing eCommerce platforms, plus weighing the benefits of hosted or self-hosted shopping carts, here’s our list of the top three providers that are sure to help your online store grow and reach new audiences. Whether it’s emphasizing affordability, customer service, sheer speed, forward-thinking technologies, or purely user-friendly solutions, each company below takes a slightly different approach to web hosting — but all three are perfectly poised to offer top-notch hosting for online retail businesses. Read more in our reviews:
1. SiteGround.com
- Low-cost managed WooCommerce stores
- FREE payment processing and adjustable shipping
- Test changes to your online store in a staging area
- Pre-installed SSL security and auto daily backups
- 100% renewable energy match
- Get started on SiteGround now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
30 days | 10 GB SSD – 40 GB SSD | New or Transfer | 6 minutes |
2. Nexcess.net
- Code-free design tools for eCommerce stores
- Templates for retail, food, clothing, and services
- Custom WordPress integrations and optimizations
- 24/7/365 support via phone, chat, and email
- Try StoreBuilder with a 30-DAY FREE TRIAL
- Get started on Nexcess now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
30 days | 30 GB – 100 GB | New or Transfer | 5 minutes |
3. Wix.com
- Drag-and-drop builder means easy customizations
- Sell tickets, subscriptions, and bookings
- Comprehensive dashboard to manage transactions
- Unlimited products and selling on social media
- FREE tools for abandoned cart recovery
- Get started on Wix now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
14-day FREE trial | 2 GB – Unlimited | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
See other top eCommerce hosts »
Best “Cheap” Web Hosting for Online Retail Stores
Of course, your business can’t turn a profit without closely monitoring your costs. Fortunately for entrepreneurs, many cost-effective solutions are at your disposal.
High-value web hosting plans that cost less than $5 per month still come with many advanced features to design, launch, and run your store effectively.
Thanks to one-click installations of popular programs like WordPress and free, open-source eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce and Magento, designing and operating a self-hosted online store is something ambitious creators can do without breaking the bank.
Sure, there may be a little more work in the setup process, but you will own and control virtually all aspects of your online business.
Although the hosted eCommerce platforms we review later on dramatically simplify things, we strongly encourage you to save your money and take one of the self-hosted routes we lay out below.
The technical prowess and reputation of the hosting providers here just can’t be questioned. Whether you’re looking for high-performance solid-state drives, WordPress-optimized services, or affordable access to a global network, these web hosts offer access to helpful eCommerce and marketing tools at a fraction of what you’d expect.
Learn more about the features and services available by clicking on our in-depth reviews:
4. Hostinger.com
- Unlimited everything, from storage to databases
- FREE site builder & WP performance upgrades
- FREE daily or weekly backups
- Custom control panel and auto-installation scripts
- SSH access & unlimited FREE SSL certificates
- Get started on Hostinger now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
30 days | 100 GB SSD - 200 GB NVMe | FREE (1 year) | 3 minutes |
5. IONOS.com
- $1/month for 12 months
- No hidden fees, pay just $12 at checkout
- Easy setup and 24/7 expert support
- FREE domain or transfer, plus FREE SSL certificate
- Unlimited storage and databases with most plans
- Get started on 1&1 IONOS now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
30 days | 10 GB - Unlimited | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
6. A2Hosting.com
- FREE Cloudflare CDN and SSD speed boost
- Optimized caching and 1-click installs
- Unlimited email, domains, and databases
- Advanced security and FREE HackScan
- 24/7 support via phone, chat & tickets
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
30 days | 100 GB SSD - Unlimited SSD | New or Transfer | 4 minutes |
See other top affordable hosts »
Best “Almost-Free” Web Hosting for Small Online Stores
What’s better than a killer bargain? Finding all the same services for free, naturally.
When it comes to free web hosting, however, there tends to be more risk than reward. Several services are just straight-up scams looking to capture your personal information, while the few organizations that do connect you to server space are typically running outdated infrastructure that is not secured or optimized to current standards.
All that said, however, several established top website builders and content management systems give users a no-cost chance to design, build, and launch their website for free.
Your web presence will likely be restricted to a subdomain (yourstore.wix.com instead of yourstore.com), but this option gives tentative or unsure business owners a cost-free chance to familiarize themselves with the host’s administrative interfaces, support systems, and overall experience before investing money into a custom domain registration and eCommerce capabilities.
Take note, however, that a free website builder does not typically include the ability to add products, install shopping carts, or process payments. This functionality is usually reserved for the paid hosting option.
Once you’ve gotten comfortable with the web host and site builder interface and wish to continue building your store, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan that supports eCommerce functionality.
When comparing eCommerce website builders to affordable and more generalized web hosting services, your cost to upgrade escalates rather quickly. Domains, selling, and marketing tools all tend to be much pricier with eCommerce platforms.
Adding those advanced features to these hosted services can get rather expensive — upward of $10 or $20 per month — but you’ll continue to be able to capitalize on the user-friendly, time-saving systems that simplify store design and operations.
While these three may not be the most cost-effective long-term online store solution, the advantages you’ll see in the short-term will make store design, maintenance, and operation much more enjoyable and efficient. Learn more here:
7. Wix.com
- Start designing for FREE
- FREE domain with most plans
- Drag-and-drop templates, specific to industry
- Exhaustive knowledgebase of articles
- Huge app market available
- Get started on Wix now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
14-day FREE trial | 2 GB - Unlimited | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
8. WordPress.com
- Advanced social media, analytics, and payments
- FREE customizable ecommerce starter themes
- Add unlimited products and services
- Accept payment from more than 60 countries
- Get started on WordPress.com now.
CHEAP
RATING
9. Weebly.com
- All-in-one hosting and drag-and-drop builder
- Start designing for FREE, upgrade whenever
- Easily build a blog, personal site, or online store
- 100s of FREE templates for websites
- $100 credit toward Google advertising
- Get started on Weebly now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
30 days | 500 MB - Unlimited | FREE (w/ paid plans) | 3 minutes |
Best “Hosted eCommerce” Platforms
We’ve alluded to the hosted vs. self-hosted eCommerce hosting debate, but we’ll spell it out here: self-hosted eCommerce puts the responsibility on the store owner to acquire hosting, choose a design platform, and install software to run an online store, while fully hosted eCommerce products are all-in-one solutions that are ultimately controlled and operated by the hosting service itself.
Hosted services often take the form of eCommerce website builders that give store owners a drag-and-drop design tool to customize pre-built templates. While the hosted eCommerce route undoubtedly simplifies store ownership and maintenance for business owners, these platforms tend to be more expensive. What’s more, entrepreneurs are locked into that service — self-hosted stores can be moved from one eCommerce host to another, while the fully hosted storefronts will not work on any other platform.
Below, take a look at our reviews of the most popular hosted eCommerce solutions. Wix, Shopify, and Volusion all account for millions of online stores and billions of dollars in eCommerce sales, making them worthwhile partners in your online venture. Click on a review to learn more or to get started with a free trial:
10. Wix.com
- Drag-and-drop builder means easy customizations
- Sell tickets, subscriptions, and bookings
- Comprehensive dashboard to manage transactions
- Unlimited products and selling on social media
- FREE tools for abandoned cart recovery
- Get started on Wix now.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
14-day FREE trial | 2 GB - Unlimited | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
11. Volusion.com
- Everything you need to grow an online store
- Drag-and-drop store builder and FREE themes
- FREE payment processing, shipping, and inventory
- Marketing with discounts, newsletters, and more
- Unlimited bandwidth and tools for SEO
- Try Volusion FREE for 14 days.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
14-Day FREE Trial | Unlimited | New or Transfer | 5 minutes |
12. Shopify.com
- Site builder with FREE and premium themes
- Unlimited bandwidth, storage, and products
- Easy-to-use dashboard for managing orders, shipping, and payments
- Tons of features, including discount codes
- FREE MyShopify.com subdomain or use your own
- Try Shopify FREE for three days.
Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
---|---|---|---|
3-Day FREE Trial | Unlimited | FREE Subdomain | 5 minutes |
What is eCommerce Web Hosting?
Just like other specialized web hosting plans, such as WordPress hosting, database hosting, and email hosting, commerce hosting (or eCommerce hosting) is another flavor of service optimized to successfully run and grow an online store.
In addition to the fundamental technologies needed to deliver webpages to visitors, eCommerce hosting often comes with design tools and components to build product listings, shopping carts, and checkout procedures.
Going hand in hand with the special tasks of accepting, processing, confirming, and delivering sales, commerce hosting often includes upgraded security measures to protect the shopper’s sensitive personal and financial information.
Practically speaking, keep an eye out for plans that tout upgraded SSL certificates and PCI compliance. The latter details the technical and operational standards that must be followed to adequately protect and secure sensitive financial data.
In addition to online store creation and payment processing, many eCommerce programs — whether hosted or self-hosted — include immensely helpful tools to track orders, coordinate shipping, and manage inventory. Some services even go as far as to offer point-of-sale devices to further integrate your online store with your brick-and-mortar operations.
Ultimately, eCommerce hosting aims to give entrepreneurs a one-stop shop, so to speak, for retail operations oversight.
What Type of Hosting Do I Need for eCommerce?
Even though none of your customers will compliment your choice for web hosting, it will be one of the driving forces inspiring them to buy your products.
Positive experiences, from affordable prices and speedy page loads to a streamlined and secure checkout experience, will keep them coming back for more.
One of your first decisions when shopping for eCommerce hosting will be to determine whether you’d like to pursue a fully hosted or self-hosted infrastructure for your online business.
Both options work well for online stores of all shapes, sizes, and industries, so your comfort with each platform or willingness to learn will be tantamount. Your budget will also likely have a say on this decision, as hosted platforms typically cost more — but may offer more advantages.
While some web hosts have specific eCommerce-oriented plans, such as Liquid Web’s managed WooCommerce offering, many providers simply direct aspiring store owners to the normal shared hosting, cloud hosting, or VPS packages.
Where you fit on the self-hosted spectrum depends on your current customer base and how quickly you expect it to grow.
Some of the best cheap web hosting we’ve seen comes from a shared hosting plan, while cloud hosting offers tremendous scalability and stability. VPS hosting gives site owners the largest computing firepower and room for growth but should likely be reserved for more established brands.
How Do I Choose a Hosting Plan?
Truth be told, the best eCommerce hosting plans are going to closely resemble our recommendations for best overall hosting providers — you’ll want to look for speed, security, reliability, and security from a company that delivers high rates of uptime and helpful customer support.
Pay attention to the storage space and bandwidth allotments, as well as a free domain registration and email hosting. To sweeten the deal, your eCommerce hosting provider may also toss in a free SSL certificate, a site builder, and support for unlimited websites with your web hosting service
For eCommerce stores and small businesses specifically, special emphasis is placed on design. According to research from Stanford University, more than 46% of people said a website’s design was the top criterion for deciding a company is credible or not.
As you can imagine, credibility leads to trustworthiness, which leads to conversions and sales. If coding isn’t your thing, take a look at plans that include free website builders for small businesses, WordPress themes, or other professional and responsive templates.
To track your store’s progress and maximize success, you’ll also want to leverage a strong analytics and site metrics tool. Many hosts will provide these for free as part of the control panel (cPanel is the industry standard), but integrations with Google Analytics are an added feature sure to impress.
Generally speaking, many web hosting plans are roughly the same — keep an eye out for distinguishing features that can give your online store an edge.
Invest in the Best Website and Store Builders for Your Small Business
As the saying goes, it takes money to make money. Although opinions on the validity of the phrase are wide-ranging, a few wise investments can go a long way in boosting your online store’s revenues.
Wherever you turn in the hosting industry, free, open-source, or cheap alternatives abound that can give your business a far-reaching impact.
The best hosts for small businesses balance affordability with premium features and services, with many offering proprietary drag-and-drop website builders.
Those that don’t will include streamlined one-click installation of popular programs such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, OpenCart, Magento, and others.
From there, look for other channels through which to expand. Free email marketing platforms can improve your customer service and retention rates, in addition to communicating with those potential customers who have abandoned carts or expressed other interest in your wares.
Taking matters a step further are customer relationship management (CRM) platforms that give entrepreneurs revealing insights into their brand’s interactions with individual customers and certain demographics.
Just as balance sheets and revenue models impact business decisions, be sure to leverage the data found in free or cheap tools associated with your online presence. If you keep this in mind, you’re sure to pick the best eCommerce hosting provider for your business. Happy selling!
HostingAdvice.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation from many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across the site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). HostingAdvice.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.