Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that helps small business owners sell their goods online. Its user-friendly features, such as no-code web design and ready-made shop templates, make it fast and easy to get into the e-commerce game.
If you really want to make the most of your online shop, an aesthetically appealing yet functional storefront is essential. You want your web presence to attract consumers, while making browsing and buying as easy as possible.
Whether they’re selling toys and games or clothing and accessories, the best Shopify stores are designed with the end user in mind. Get inspiration for your own store with this roundup of beautiful Shopify websites.
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Shopify
$29 per month
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Web.com
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Books and Media
You might think that Shopify is just clothes and crafts. But bookworms will find plenty of inspiration on the ecommerce platform as well.
Mermaids Publishing
Mermaids Publishing is an e-book publisher specializing in old classic English literature. The independent publisher’s website speaks to its sleek, bold and timeless brand, with a minimalist black-and-white scheme and simple logo.
Why we like it: This sleek design is proof that you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to create a stunning site.
Brandon Sanderson
Probably the best-known epic fantasy author currently working, Brandon Sanderson has a website that puts his fans first. We love the customized “Brandon’s Progress” feature, which shows eager readers how far along the author is on current works in progress. The website’s self-explanatory menu bar, clear navigation and readily available search tool ensure readers can navigate the platform just as easily as one of Sanderson’s epic tales.
Why we like it: This site shows the power of leaning into a personal brand.
Bookeen
If you have a signature product to sell, put it in the spotlight. That’s what Bookeen does, showcasing its unique tablet front and center on its homepage. The tablet has a paper effect, allowing you to scribble on it as if it were a real notepad.
Why we like it: We love how the primary image shows the product in action, with handwritten scribbles depicted on the tablet pictured. Our only question: Whose handwriting is featured? The intern’s? The CEO’s? The photo assistant’s? Inquiring minds want to know.
Toys and Hobbies
We all have an inner child we like to indulge now and then. These well-designed online stores will appeal to kids and adults alike.
Mattel Creations
Mattel Creations sells bespoke collectibles based on brands from the Mattel portfolio, combining a marketplace and community of fans in one. It embraces the motto, “Toys as art. Art inspired by Toys,” and the images used on the platform speak to that aesthetic. Artistic presentations of everything from Matchbox cars to Barbies make this platform look more like an issue of Vogue than a toy store.
Why we like it: The high-quality visuals are a testament to the fact that product pictures can make or break a sale.
Little Wonder & Co.
Little Wonder & Co.’s inclusive dolls make sure every child feels represented and recognized. This kid-centered shop sells other toys too, as well as clothing, playroom goods and art supplies. This site shows the value of picking a color palette for your site and sticking with it: beige, mauve and chocolate brown hues are consistently used throughout, from the landing pages to the chat box. The end effect is a calming, cohesive appearance.
Why we like it: The earthy tones used in the website are perfect for the types of products sold, which focus on natural materials—think wooden dollhouses and bamboo head wraps.
Sanrio
Sanrio is probably best known for the iconic Hello Kitty, but this brand is responsible for quite a few other cute characters as well. The varied cartoon faces are on display with the question, “Who’s your favorite?”—a quick trick to engage shoppers. This site also shows the power of pop-ups for filling a sales funnel, with its pop-up offering a discount for joining the Sanrio email list.
Why we like it: The vibrant colors and cartoon images are a great reflection of the whimsical Sanrio brand.
Health and Wellness
Health and wellness stores need to balance a fine line of providing comprehensive product details while still appealing to consumers with compelling marketing. These stores get the balance just right.
Hiya
Hiya makes multivitamins for kids. The storefront uses clever copywriting to captivate visitors: A Hot Wheels x Hiya collaboration is accompanied by the tagline, “Full speed to kid’s health!” We also like the clear and direct menu bar, with navigation labels such as “Get Probiotic,” “Get Bedtime” and “Get Iron+.”
Why we like it: This website is a testament to the power of words. Smart copywriting goes hand in hand with informative product descriptions (essential when you’re selling a substance such as supplements).
310 Nutrition
If you’ve got a product that consumers love, make sure that people know about it. 310 Nutrition embraces this tactic by placing its customer reviews right on the homepage. It’s a great way to win trust and, maybe, boost sales.
Why we like it: In addition to showcasing stellar reviews, this website mentions the big media names that have featured its products, such as Shape magazine.
Thinx
Who is your consumer? Put them in the spotlight and make sure they know that what you’re selling is all about them. Thinx, which sells absorbent underwear for periods and bladder leaks, does just that: Enter the website and you’ll see a photo of women in Thinx products, representing different races and body types.
Why we like it: Thinx shows how you can use an online shop not only to sell but also to educate. Its Get BodyWise platform is dedicated to body literacy, in line with its products.
Cosmetics and Beauty
When it comes to building a successful cosmetics and beauty brand, personalization is key. These stores stood out for the tailored approach they take to appeal to their respective target markets.
Fenty Beauty
Your online store may be small now. But who’s to say it’s not going to scale up to become a global behemoth? Take a page out of Fenty Beauty’s book, which caters to diverse markets. Click the top left of the homepage, and you can easily select a language and region. The consumer’s convenience comes first.
Why we like it: Fenty Beauty’s globalized website is proof that Shopify isn’t just for small-time sellers. You can use this tool to scale up in a big way!
Soko Glam
If you want your e-commerce business to last, you not only need to find new customers, you also need to retain old ones. Soko Glam provides a peek at how it’s done, with a nice loyalty program presented at the bottom of the homepage. Buy products and earn points, which translate to dollars that can be spent in the Soko Glam shop. Shopify makes these kinds of loyalty programs easy to implement.
Why we like it: Soko Glam’s website shows the power of drawing people in with loyalty programs, deals (30% off!) and freebies (at the top of the page, a free offer is advertised).
Blume
Blume gets customers clicking with an upfront promise of a major discount. What we like about this is that the discount is tied to a quiz that actually serves the consumer’s needs. You click on what skin problems you need help with, and Blume can pick products for you accordingly.
Why we like it: In a world where users may feel overwhelmed by the endless selection of huge online stores, Blume’s customized approach to skin care provides a boutique-inspired experience.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts shops will obviously appeal to creative types who tend to have a discerning eye. That makes attractive shop design even more important.
Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Missouri Star Quilt Co.’s homepage features a quilt-like pattern, a nice bit of customization that shows the value of personalized web design. We also like how this shop goes beyond selling and tries to create a sense of community. The navigation bar at the top points you to a quilting community to connect with other enthusiasts.
Why we like it: This website makes it easy for returning customers to find their way, with an “Account” page posted at the top right of the page. Since this is the kind of store that likely has a lot of repeat buyers, it’s a great way to simplify their experience.
Yarnspirations
The holiday season can be a big time for e-commerce sales. Yarnspirations makes the most of that promise with its appropriately holiday-themed homepage. What we love is that the provider doesn’t just use the holiday season to bombard consumers with ads. Rather, it gives them something practical they can actually use, with a holiday lookbook full of crafting ideas for the season.
Why we like it: This website follows the mantra “customer is king,” serving not only as a storefront but also as a knowledge hub with perks including practical resources and free crafting patterns.
Painting to Gogh
Some products or services are pretty straightforward and don’t require much explanation. However, others may be confusing to consumers at first, requiring some virtual guidance. Painting to Gogh shows how to approach this situation, with its step-by-step explanation of how its painting kit products work. Bonus points for the whimsical cartoons used to accompany the text.
Why we like it: The wordplay on famed artist Vincent van Gogh’s name deserves a shout-out, as it’s proof that a domain name matters.
Featured Partners
1
Wix
$17 per month
Yes
Yes
2
Squarespace
$16 per month
Yes
Yes
3
Shopify
$29 per month
3 days free + First Month for $1
Drag & drop editor, AI Tools, Customize with 8k+ apps, Sell everywhere
4
Web.com
$2.99; code BUILD50 for 50% off annual purchase
Yes
Customizable templates, Easy drag-and-drop technology, SSL certificate
Furniture and Interior Design
In the home goods industry, amazing product pictures are a must. Here are some ecommerce stores that excel in that area.
Jonathan Adler
Jonathan Adler’s website makes it easy to navigate the sea of home goods products with clear categories, from sofas to dining tables. The product photos are also worth a mention here. The images are not only clear but also artfully staged, giving website visitors an idea of exactly how they might incorporate a given piece into their home.
Why we like it: The product images are so good, they warrant a second mention. With the vibrant colors and fantastic lighting, they call to mind the adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Walls Need Love
Let’s get real—plenty of people love to browse online shops, even if they aren’t quite in a financial position to make a purchase. Advertising alternative payment methods, such as Afterpay’s “buy now, pay later” model, can be a way for e-commerce platforms to capture that audience. Walls Need Love shows how it’s done, with a clear Afterpay link up top.
Why we like it: In addition to providing diverse payment options, this Shopify storefront has a clear navigation menu and search bar, so users can find what they need fast.
Dormify
Successful online selling means knowing your target audience and catering to their needs. Dormify delivers with its niche approach, which is all about college students. We love how this website goes beyond simple dorm room furniture and considers college students’ other needs, from school spirit decor to diploma frames.
Why we like it: This website can be an inspiration for small business owners who are starting with a narrow product offering (e.g., dorm room furniture) and want to later expand to other items relevant to their audience.
Fashion and Apparel
The fashion and apparel market is huge, making it especially important to stand out from the competition. These brands know how to set themselves apart.
Taylor Stitch
Taylor Stitch creates classic clothing for men with a rugged bent. The homepage image speaks to the target audience, featuring a photo of a bearded man next to a seaplane. We like the way this website helps visitors navigate the massive online shop by narrowing the selection down to the “the essentials,” a page of basics that makes the online shopping experience less overwhelming.
Why we like it: Understated and straightforward, the website aesthetic speaks to its target audience.
Tuckernuck
Collaborations between influencers/celebrities and brands have become a major marketing tool in the e-commerce era. Tuckernuck takes advantage of this technique, featuring a collab with India Hicks on the homepage. This shows the value of showcasing a unique one-off product or line.
Why we like it: Although you can’t see it in a still image, this website uses video on the homepage, which is a captivating entry point for the visitor.
Good American
This homepage welcomes the visitor with moving images, showing how powerful video can be in making a lasting first impression. Good American also stands out for its body inclusivity—which isn’t just for show. It’s also practical, as shoppers can select what sized model they want to view clothes on. For fashion sites, this is a great idea.
Why we like it: In addition to the body-inclusive models, we like the fact that this website showcases best sellers on a dedicated page. For shoppers seeking inspiration, this can be a big plus.
Sporting Goods
Sporting goods can be very niche, so it’s important to know how to appeal to your audience. In this area, we looked for ecommerce shops that demonstrate deep knowledge of their consumers and their needs.
Bear Archery
Bear Archery’s website is proof that even the tiniest modifications to something as simple as a menu bar can make a difference. When you scroll over the menu bar at the top, instead of just getting a drop-down list of products, you get text and images. For a specialty field such as archery, being able to see representations of the goods can provide clarity.
Why we like it: The product descriptions on this website are noteworthy, providing plenty of technical detail.
Soccer Wearhouse
Soccer Wearhouse proves that it knows its customers and what matters to them. This website doesn’t just offer soccer goods according to categories such as shoes or jerseys. Consumers can shop by what’s really important, with categories including player, team or tournament.
Why we like it: This website features a nice add-on that a lot of e-commerce platforms can use—a wish list. Visitors can bookmark items they can’t buy now for later.
Sunny Health and Fitness
Sunny Health and Fitness provides detailed technical descriptions of its products, a must-do for something such as gym equipment. The website also makes it easy to search for what you need. For example, when shopping for rowing machines, you can fine-tune the search based on everything from price to drive mechanism and tension system. This speeds up the buying process for busy customers.
Why we like it: In addition to detailed technical descriptions, the products have ratings from real-world customers.
Pet Care
Pet care can encompass a wide variety of product areas, from food to toys and even kitty litter. Amidst this sea of products, it’s important to establish a clear niche and a strong brand. These ecommerce stores hit the right note, each one in its own way.
Harry Barker
It’s hard to argue with cute puppy pics—Harry Barker wins over hearts (and wallets) with its adorable homepage images. That said, even other types of e-commerce shops can learn from this online store. Of note: The social media icons in the top left of the homepage make it easy to connect with customers beyond the website.
Why we like it: The aesthetics of this website go beyond cute animal photos. Notice how the color palette is uniform, with muted baby blues, pinks and beiges.
Vanderpump Pets
Vanderpump Pets has a nice menu bar, with unique but informative captions such as “Walk & Wear” and “Snuggle & Sleep.” This website also shows the power of color, with its unwavering devotion to all things pink (as any Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fan knows, pink is the favorite shade of former RHOBV star and eponymous Vanderpump Pets founder, Lisa Vanderpump). Take a page out of Lisa’s book and make sure your website has a clearly advertised gift card option for consumers.
Why we like it: Gift cards can be a great way to not only make sales but also grow your online shop’s audience. If you’re lucky, the gift card recipient will become a newfound loyal customer.
PrettyLitter
Whatever product or service you’re selling, odds are that you aren’t the only one. What makes your goods stand out from the competition? PrettyLitter is selling something seemingly mundane—cat litter. However, the e-commerce shop takes care to explain what makes its products special, with detailed descriptions and even comparison images.
Why we like it: In addition to detailing what makes PrettyLitter unique, the web shop includes a “Featured On” banner with big names such as Forbes, ABC Family and Nat Geo Wild.
What Makes a Good Shopify Website?
What takes a Shopify store from good enough to great? Here are some winning characteristics.
- A strong brand: Colors, fonts, logos, images—all components align visually to create a strong brand.
- User-friendly design: The best Shopify stores make it easy on consumers, with functional features such as search filters and fast checkout.
- Informative content: Customers want to know what they’re buying. Well-written product descriptions and clear images give them an idea of what they’re ordering.
Pros and Cons of Using Shopify
Shopify is one of many e-commerce platforms you have to choose from. Why go with this one? Here are some of the pros.
- Flexible pricing: Shopify has multiple tiers of plans to choose from. You can start small and scale up as your e-commerce business grows.
- Cross-channel selling: A lot of selling is done on social media these days. Shopify lets you sell on channels such as TikTok.
- In-depth analytics: Higher-tier Shopify plans provide in-depth analytics. This allows you to see where traffic is coming from, so you can lean into what’s working.
- Easy checkout: Shopify boasts a fast and easy checkout experience that purportedly converts 15% better than other platforms.
- 24/7 chat support: What if your store glitches? Knowing there’s a customer support team standing by can bring peace of mind.
That said, Shopify has some drawbacks.
- Limited free themes: Shopify has a lot of themes you can use to design your website. While some are free to use, the best will cost you.
- Transaction fees: You’ll have to pay transaction fees for card payments as well as third-party fees when you aren’t using Shopify payments. Other fees can add up as well such as currency conversion fees.
- High price point: Shopify is a leader in online shopping—which also means it’s among the pricier e-commerce platforms out there. There are cheaper options.
Learn more: Read our full Shopify review.
Featured Partners
1
Wix
$17 per month
Yes
Yes
2
Squarespace
$16 per month
Yes
Yes
3
Shopify
$29 per month
3 days free + First Month for $1
Drag & drop editor, AI Tools, Customize with 8k+ apps, Sell everywhere
4
Web.com
$2.99; code BUILD50 for 50% off annual purchase
Yes
Customizable templates, Easy drag-and-drop technology, SSL certificate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I customize a Shopify website?
Yes, Shopify website themes can be customized according to your tastes and needs. You can change details including the store’s layout, colors and typography. These aesthetic details can be changed without any coding needed.
How much does Shopify cost?
Shopify plans start at $29 per month for an annual plan. Higher-tier plans can cost as much as $299 per month. The pricier plans have more features and greater functionality, including in-depth analytics and additional inventory locations.
Does Shopify have a free plan?
No, Shopify does not offer a free plan. The cheapest plan available starts at $29 per month, for an annual plan. There are other e-commerce platforms offering free plans such as Square and OpenCart Cloud.
Is Shopify good for beginners?
Yes, Shopify can be a good e-commerce platform for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly features such as ready-made web design templates. Perks such as 24/7 chat support can also be attractive to first-time online sellers.
What is the best e-commerce platform?
Some of the best e-commerce platforms include Shift4Shop, Squarespace and Ecwid. These providers share user-friendly features such as drag-and-drop editors and ready-made templates. They also offer tiered pricing, with plans to fit various users’ needs.