The top 7 international e-commerce solutions for your business

As international e-commerce grows, businesses are seeking new opportunities to expand their reach to global audiences and boost online sales. They just need the right tools to make it happen. With countless options to choose from, you need international e-commerce solutions that meet your business needs and localization goals.

This list outlines the best e-commerce platforms for international growth, including their benefits and use cases, plus tips for finding your ideal solution.

The 7 best e-commerce solutions to choose from

The ideal international e-commerce platform offers comprehensive features at a realistic price point for your business. It will serve as your global storefront, providing a dedicated hub for showcasing your products and leading customers through the checkout process.

As you research your options, consider these top global e-commerce solutions:

1. Slim leren

Although it isn’t an e-commerce host, Smartling is vital for international online stores. Smartling’s cloud-based translation management platform accelerates global expansion by streamlining your site’s localization.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• E-commerce localization tools
• Integrations with leading e-commerce platforms like Shopify
• Hundreds of API endpoints
• Human and AI-powered translation services

Pricing: Contact for pricing.

Best for: Businesses seeking to enhance their international e-commerce with localization and reach global customers in different languages.

2. Shopify

Shopify is a leading SaaS e-commerce platform businesses can use to build, customize, and manage online stores.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• Drag-and-drop store builder with customizable themes
• Secure checkout with multi-currency support
• Marketing automations
• Advanced analytics to increase sales
• 8000+ apps
• Unified POS integration

Pricing: Plans start at $29 per month.

Best for: Entrepreneurs, small businesses, and fast-growing brands seeking a scalable, all-in-one solution.

3. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a flexible SaaS e-commerce platform known for its scalability and multi-channel selling capabilities.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• Unlimited product listings with advanced product management
• Built-in SEO and mobile optimization
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Customizable themes
• No transaction fees

Pricing: Plans start at $29 per month.

Best for: Businesses of all sizes that drive multi-channel sales.

4. Adobe Commerce

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is a powerful, highly customizable enterprise e-commerce platform designed for complex B2B and B2C operations.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• AI-driven personalization
• Advanced B2B tools
• Multi-store management
• Robuuste analyses
• Progressive web app (PWA) support

Pricing: Contact for pricing.

Best for: Large enterprises and mid-market companies with complex requirements and high customization needs.

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• Customizable storefronts
• Subscription support
• Over 100 payment gateways
• SEO-friendly
• Extensive plugin ecosystem

Pricing: Free; paid extensions for advanced features and hosting.

Best For: WordPress users, developers, and businesses that want complete control and modular extensions for their e-commerce stores.

6. Wix

Wix is a user-friendly website builder with integrated e-commerce and design features.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• Drag-and-drop editor
• Over 900 templates
• Mobile optimization
• Built-in payments
• Marketing tools

Pricing: Basic e-commerce plans start at $29 per month.

Best for: Small businesses, solopreneurs, and beginners seeking simplicity and quick setup.

7. Squarespace

Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder with strong design tools and numerous integrated e-commerce features.

Belangrijkste kenmerken:

• Award-winning templates
• Drag-and-drop editor
• Inventory management
• Accommodates subscription products
• Marketing tools

Pricing: Plans start at $16 per month.

Best for: Artists, creators, and small businesses prioritizing aesthetics and ease of use.

5 benefits of using a global e-commerce platform

A global e-commerce platform allows you to enter new markets and establish your international positioning. It provides tools to customize your content for multilingual audiences and simplify the payment process.

Here’s a closer look at the biggest benefits of international e-commerce solutions:

Ondersteuning voor meerdere talen

Studies show that 76% of online shoppers prefer to buy products with information in their native language. To this end, global e-commerce solutions break down language barriers and increase consumer trust by displaying content in customers’ preferred languages. You can easily adapt your website content, marketing campaigns, and brand messaging for each audience to maximize engagement.

Simplified tax and shipping calculations

Comprehensive platforms will automatically calculate accurate tax and shipping rates for each customer based on their location. This reduces manual errors and ensures compliance with regional tax laws, making checkout a breeze.

Adjusted pricing for different regions

Your transnational strategy should meet consumers where they’re at while optimizing profitability. A globalized e-commerce platform lets you set prices in local currencies and adjust price tags in response to global competition and consumer behaviors.

Flexible payment options

Even if a business entices high-value, global customers to purchase, it will lose them at checkout if it doesn’t offer preferred payment options. Avoid cart abandonment by providing a variety of payment methods to meet global shoppers’ diverse needs (e.g., local credit cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later options). 

Robust security features

A global e-commerce store should be secure, giving customers peace of mind that their payment information is safe. Many international e-commerce platforms provide advanced features like encryption, multifactor authentication, and secure payment gateways to reduce the risk of fraud and data breaches.

Finding the best e-commerce solution for your needs

Your global e-commerce platform should help you streamline operations, cater to your target audience, and scale alongside your international strategy. Consider these key factors when choosing a cross-border e-commerce platform:

Secure payment processing and sales channel integration

Your chosen platform should offer secure, PCI-compliant payment gateways and support multiple sales channels, like websites and marketplaces. This enables you to safely process global transactions and manage orders from a single dashboard.

Financial management and business analytics tools

Look for platforms that integrate with trusted financial management and analytics tools. Features like real-time sales tracking and customizable reporting help you manage cash flow and optimize international outreach strategies.

AI-driven store management, customer service, and marketing tools

Many modern e-commerce platforms leverage AI to automate tasks and increase efficiency. For example, a platform might provide personalized product recommendations, inventory forecasting, or 24/7 multilingual customer support via AI chatbots. These features help boost customer satisfaction while reducing operational costs.

Hosting and security features

Prioritize platforms with secure, reliable website hosting. They should use SSL certificates and firewalls to make sure your website loads smoothly and provides safe, uninterrupted service for global customers.

Inventory and order management

Real-time inventory tracking and centralized order processing across all channels ensure your hot-ticket items are in stock when customers are ready to buy. Use these tools to fulfill orders quickly and reduce errors at checkout.

Cost and scalability

Evaluate your platform’s pricing structure, including monthly fees, transaction costs, and add-on expenses, to see if it aligns with your budget and international e-commerce strategy. You need a platform that can handle increased traffic and engagement without compromising performance or customer experience.

Make global e-commerce effortless with Smartling’s translation tools

Managing a global, cross-platform e-commerce operation can be complex. At every touchpoint, you need to meet customers with engaging and relatable content tailored to their language and cultural nuances.

That’s where Smartling can help. Smartling’s LanguageAI™ platform helps you quickly translate and localize your e-commerce storefronts, ensuring a seamless customer experience across various regions. Our robust translation management system streamlines workflows so you can focus on building your global brand and unlocking revenue opportunities in new markets.

Ready to expand your reach across countries? Download “The Ultimate Guide to Translating Your Marketing Materials” to learn more. This free eBook contains insights on elevating your global marketing tactics through translation and localization.