Best Online Shop Website Platforms for Artists in 2025

A few years ago, launching an online shop as an artist felt like a side project - a quiet experiment tucked behind a portfolio, or a makeshift “Shop” page that rarely got updated. It was often reactive rather than strategic, cobbled together when there was a new print run or leftover works from an exhibition.

Today, it's becoming the new norm for Artists across disciplines to manage their own online stores. Not just to sell original works, but to also offer prints, merch, zines, services, and much more. Some are building it into their income streams. Others are creating paths to operate independently, outside galleries, institutions, and agencies. In both cases, artists are now able to choose visibility and sustainability on their own terms.

So... deciding to sell online comes with one big question: what platform should I use?

There’s no shortage of options, but the right choice depends on your goals, capacity, and the kind of online presence you want to build. Below is a closer look at seven platforms commonly used by creatives. Each includes a short overview, key features, pros and cons, and prices to help you make a explore what platform may best suit your first online website shop or updating an existing one.

Big Cartel / bigcartel.com

Big Cartel was originally designed for artists and makers. It offers a streamlined, no-fuss approach to selling - ideal for those who want to set up a shop without turning it into a full-time job. It feels light and manageable, especially if your practice includes prints, one-off items, or small batch runs.

Starting Price: Free (Gold Plan); paid plans from $15 AUD/month

Best For: Artists with a small selection of products who want a simple, independent shop.

Features

• Clean, minimal storefronts

• Free plan (up to 5 products)

• No platform transaction fees

• Mobile app for managing orders

• Stripe and PayPal integration

Considerations

• Limited customisation and visual control

• No built-in marketing tools or SEO support

• Works best if you're already generating your own traffic

• Doesn’t scale well for large product inventories

Squarespace / squarespace.com

Squarespace balances design and function, making it ideal for artists who want their site to feel cool and cohesive. The platform supports everything from blogs to online stores to mailing lists, all with clean, contemporary templates that put your work front and centre.

Starting Price: From $22 AUD/month (Personal Plan); commerce features from $35 AUD/month

Best For: Artists who want a professional website that seamlessly integrates portfolio and shop.

Features

• Visually well-designed templates for portfolios

• Built-in e-commerce tools

• Integrated email marketing, blog, and SEO

• Mobile-optimised layouts

• Domain, analytics, and security included

Considerations

• Fewer third-party integrations than Shopify or Wix

• Limited flexibility if you want non-standard layouts

• Commerce features improve on higher-tier plans

• No free version (14-day trial only)

Shopify / shopify.com

Shopify is a heavyweight e-commerce platform designed for serious sellers. If your practice includes editions, prints, merchandise, or international customers, it can provide the infrastructure to support that growth. But it requires ongoing maintenance and benefits most from intentional strategy.

Starting Price: From $42 AUD/month (Basic)

Best For: Artists scaling up their shop or offering a wide product range.

Features

• Full-featured online shop and POS system

• Inventory management and order tracking

• App store with marketing and shipping tools

• Abandoned cart recovery and customer accounts

• Scalable for large or complex stores

Considerations

• Steeper learning curve for new users

• Monthly fees increase with features

• Premium themes and apps often come at extra cost

• Best suited to artists who treat their shop as a business model

Hostinger / hostinger.com

Hostinger is primarily a web hosting platform, but its drag-and-drop website builder makes it accessible for beginners. It’s a good choice if you need your own site and domain without the overhead of more design-forward platforms. It lacks artist-specific features, but offers key essentials.

Starting Price: From $2.99 USD/month (Business Plan)

Best For: Artists with limited budgets who want a basic site with store functionality.

Features

• Drag-and-drop website builder

• Free domain and SSL (on some plans)

• Simple product pages and e-commerce tools

• AI assistant for layout support

• Hosting infrastructure with email and backups

Considerations

• Fewer customisable templates or portfolio options

• Basic visual design compared to artist-first platforms

• Lacks built-in audience-building tools

• Not tailored to visual or creative work

Cargo / cargo.site

 Cargo has long been favoured by visual artists, photographers and designers for its image-led layouts and simplicity. It’s a platform that feels quiet but considered. The shop tools are modest but enough for those selling prints, originals or editions occasionally.

Starting Price: $140 AUD/year (~$12 AUD/month); commerce features from $240 AUD/year

Best For: Artists and designers prioritising aesthetics and design.

Features

• Beautiful templates focused on image display

• Easy layout tools for galleries and portfolios

• Built-in commerce functionality (via Stripe/PayPal)

• Simple CMS and navigation

• No platform fees

Considerations

• Limited built-in tools for growth or marketing

• No blogging or newsletter integrations

• Best suited to those managing fewer products

• Requires manual effort for SEO and promotion

Square Online / squareup.com

Square Online is ideal if you already use Square to sell at markets or events. It allows you to sync your products, manage inventory, and create a digital storefront quickly. The focus is functionality, not design, best suited to artists with hybrid selling models.

Starting Price: Free plan available; paid plans from $29 AUD/month

Best For: Artists who already sell in person using Square and want an online extension.

Features

• Syncs with Square POS and inventory

• Supports shipping, pickup, and delivery options

• GST and Australian compliance features

• Simple storefront editor

• Free plan available

Considerations

• Limited design flexibility

• Free plan includes Square branding

• Not ideal for visual storytelling or portfolios

• Lacks strong SEO or newsletter tools

Wix / wix.com

Wix offers a highly customisable site builder with strong shop tools. It appeals to artists who want freedom to design their own layout without writing code. With a wide range of templates, apps, and widgets, it supports varied practices, especially those selling products, running events, or offering services.

Starting Price: From $16 AUD/month (Light Plan)

Best For: Artists who want full control over their design and content.

Features

• Drag-and-drop design tools

• Templates for portfolios, shops, and bookings

• E-commerce, digital downloads, and course support

• App marketplace for marketing, SEO, and analytics

• Blog, mailing list, and video integration

Considerations

• Can be overwhelming due to range of features

• Free version includes Wix branding

• Requires time to set up and refine

• Less structured than Squarespace, which some prefer

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right platform is as much about purpose as it is about function. Are you building a store to grow a business, or offering a low-key shop alongside your practice? Is the priority a beautiful design, or automation and scalability?

There’s no single best option, just the one that reflects your current needs and future direction. Each of these platforms offers a different balance of design, control, and cost. The important part is doing the research, having a play with free trials, and making a choice that supports your work.