Top 5 Ecommerce Website Builders In Malaysia In 2024
In this guide to the top 5 ecommerce website builders in Malaysia for 2024, we delve into options that have been rigorously evaluated based on real user experiences, expert opinions, and in-depth reviews.
5 Popular Ecommerce Website Builders In Malaysia
Drawing from years of expertise in digital commerce, this overview aims to provide practical, user-focused insights, ensuring you select a website builder that aligns perfectly with your online business goals in Malaysia’s vibrant market
Shopify
Shopify is a website builder focused on assisting users in creating their personalized e-commerce websites. It differs from online marketplaces like Lazada or Shopee by allowing users to design and manage payment systems and shipping methods and handle marketing for their websites.
Main features
- Easy Website Creation: Shopify simplifies website setup with its drag-and-drop feature, allowing effortless placement of website elements. Users can easily position various modules to customize their e-commerce site.
This user-friendly setup allows individuals and businesses in Malaysia to create their online stores without technical expertise, arranging website components as desired.
- Local Payment Gateway Integration: Shopify facilitates integration with Malaysian payment gateways like iPay88 and MOLPay effortlessly, enabling easy setup for receiving payments via online bank transfers from local Malaysian banks or credit cards.
This feature empowers businesses in Malaysia to expand their customer base by accepting payments through popular local banking methods, ensuring convenience for buyers during checkout.
- Integration with Local Malaysian Logistic Solutions: Shopify seamlessly integrates with local logistics solutions in Malaysia, such as EasyParcel. This integration streamlines shipping processes, allowing businesses to manage orders, track shipments, and handle logistics efficiently.
By utilizing local logistic solutions through Shopify, businesses in Malaysia can enhance their shipping services, ensuring timely deliveries and improved customer satisfaction within the Malaysian market.
Pros
- Great for online stores of all sizes
- Drag and drop web builder
- Stand-out design functionality
- Over 8,000 apps available
- 150+ ready-made themes and a thousand themes from third-party markets.
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- No free plan, only a short 3-day free trial
- Third-party apps and themes may require additional subscription fees
Pricing
Shopify’s pricing in Malaysia offers three plans catering to varying business needs. For instance:
- Basic: $19 (~RM90) per month gains access to essential features like basic reports, inventory management for up to 1,000 locations, and 2 staff accounts.
- Shopify: $49 (~RM230) monthly, provides enhanced functionalities such as professional reports, support for the same inventory locations, and 5 staff accounts.
- Advanced: $299 (~RM1,400) monthly: for larger enterprises with more complex needs, the plan offers custom report building, the same inventory support, and 15 staff accounts.
Choosing the right plan depends on sales volume and budget considerations. Lower-tier plans may have higher transaction fees, like the Basic plan with a 2.0% transaction fee. In comparison, the Advanced plan offers the lowest fee at 0.5%.
For instance, a business making RM2,000 in sales might pay RM40 in fees on the Basic plan versus only RM10 on the Advanced plan. However, considering overall expenses, the Basic plan might cost RM130 monthly compared to RM1,410 for the Advanced plan, impacting the choice based on sales volumes and long-term cost efficiency.
The verdict
- Shopify is ideal for beginners in Malaysia who lack programming skills but desire comprehensive features for their e-commerce websites.
- It also suits entrepreneurs, small businesses, and individuals in Malaysia seeking full control and customization over their e-commerce websites’ design, payment systems, shipping methods, and marketing strategies.
EasyStore
EasyStore, which originated in Malaysia in 2013, is an online platform empowering individuals and businesses to establish their eCommerce stores effortlessly. Despite its modest team of 30 employees, EasyStore serves over 30,000 brands, emphasizing simplicity in creating and overseeing online stores.
The platform focuses on equipping users with intuitive tools to manage and sell products worldwide. EasyStore offers a singular solution enabling the expansion of businesses across various sales channels, facilitating growth through straightforward e-commerce and digital marketing tools.
Main features
- Theme Editor for Customization: For more experienced users, EasyStore provides an inbuilt theme editor, enabling customization of chosen themes without coding. Users can conveniently modify logos, colors, fonts, and the site’s layout through a user-friendly editor.
- HTML & CSS Editing Control: Users with advanced skills can directly edit HTML and CSS elements of their websites. This feature allows fine-tuning of the overall design, offering full control over the site’s appearance for those seeking detailed adjustments.
- Customer-Centric Interface: EasyStore emphasizes a customer-focused interface, ensuring the front end of the website is intuitive and user-friendly. The platform’s themes are designed to provide a fast, straightforward layout to showcase products effectively, complemented by additional customer-centric options for an enhanced user experience.
Pros
- Offers budget-friendly plans
- Doesn’t charge extra transaction fees
- Provides user-friendly design tools
- Syncs products across multiple platforms
- Supports numerous payment gateways
- Seamlessly integrates various apps
- Allows intuitive site management
Cons
- Limits access to the POS system
- Lacks a dedicated mobile app for management
- Offers minimal online support
Pricing
1. Standard Plan – RM199/month
- No transaction fee
- Up to 5 sales channels, including marketplaces and live commerce
- Features like reward credits, marketing blog, product templates & scheduling
- 5 user accounts, 10 app integrations
2. Business Plan – RM399/month
- No transaction fee
- Up to 10 sales channels with additional features such as referral and loyalty programs
- Messages inbox & broadcast, Wholesale portal, Product shipping profiles
- 10 user accounts, 25 app integrations
3. Growth Plan (Most Popular) – RM699/month
- No transaction fee
- Point-of-Sale app, Unified membership
- Up to 5 inventory locations, 10 sales channels, Marketplace channels, and Live commerce channels
- Loyalty program & points, Messages inbox & broadcast
- 10 user accounts, 25 app integrations
4. Success Plan – RM1,199/month
- No transaction fee
- Point-of-Sale app, Unified membership
- Up to 10 inventory locations, Unlimited sales channels
- Membership auto-tiering, Third-party POS integration, Referral program, Wholesale portal
- 25 user accounts, Unlimited app integrations
The verdict
EasyStore is suitable for:
- Beginner entrepreneurs looking for an affordable, user-friendly platform to kickstart their online business without transaction fees.
- Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a versatile e-commerce solution.
Weebly
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that allows people to create websites without advanced technical skills. It offers easy-to-use tools for individuals and businesses to design, customize, and launch websites.
Weebly allows users to select templates, add content, and personalize their site’s appearance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced website creator, Weebly simplifies the process of building a website, making it accessible to anyone wanting to establish an online presence.
Main features
- Drag & Drop Editor: Weebly’s simple drag-and-drop editor allows users in Malaysia to easily place and arrange content elements like text, images, and videos on their website. This intuitive tool makes creating a personalized and visually appealing website hassle-free, even for beginners.
- App Marketplace: Weebly offers an app marketplace that caters to users in Malaysia, providing various applications and integrations. This feature allows website owners to expand their site’s functionality by incorporating useful tools like contact forms, galleries, and marketing apps to enhance their online presence.
- E-commerce Functionality: Weebly’s e-commerce functionality in Malaysia empowers users to set up and manage online stores effortlessly. This feature includes tools for inventory management, diverse payment options, and the creation of product pages, enabling businesses to establish and grow their online sales channels effectively.
Pros
- Offers solid site speeds
- Provides templates to start with
- Presents a simple and easy-to-use editor
- Features a mobile app (Version 5.0)
- Includes the Weebly App Centre
Cons
- Freeloaders are stuck on the Weebly domain.
- Presents limited blogging tools
- Offers limited photo editing
Pricing
- Free Plan: This plan provides essential features like Free SSL Security, Shopping Cart, Inventory Management, and Coupons without charge, making it suitable for individuals starting with basic online stores or personal websites.
- Personal: $10/month pay annually (RM37): For those seeking more customization, the Personal Plan offers additional features such as connecting a Custom Domain, Shipping Calculator, and Digital Goods support, enhancing the capabilities of your online store.
- Professional: $12/month pay annually (RM56): With added advantages like Unlimited Storage, Advanced Site Stats, Password Protection, and the option to remove Square Ads, the Professional Plan is ideal for small businesses requiring more extensive site management tools and security features.
- Performance: $26/month pay annually (RM120) Aimed at businesses aiming for growth, this plan includes advanced functionalities like Accepting Payments through PayPal, Item Reviews, and Abandoned Cart Emails, ensuring a more comprehensive and efficient online selling experience.
The verdict
- Weebly’s Free and Personal plans suit individuals or small businesses looking to start an online presence with basic features and minimal investment.
- Weebly’s Professional and Performance plans cater to businesses seeking more advanced tools, scalability, and enhanced functionalities, making them ideal for those aiming to grow their online stores.
Ecwid
Ecwid is a versatile and free website builder renowned for seamlessly integrating existing websites, blogs, and social networks. Its mobile-friendly nature makes it an excellent tool for businesses seeking to expand their online presence. While it offers a free plan, essential features for online sellers often require an upgrade to access.
Main features
- Ecwid App Store: Ecwid’s App Store provides diverse applications catering to various needs, filling feature gaps within the platform. With an extensive array of over 130 apps available, users have options to enhance their online stores.
However, some apps might necessitate payments, potentially leading to additional monthly expenses.
- Live Theme Customizer: Ecwid’s theme customization leverages a live theme customizer, empowering users to modify various sections of their web pages. While it grants versatility in customizing sections, options primarily focus on the header, footer, fonts, and layouts for product and category pages.
- Seamless Integration with WordPress: Ecwid recognizes WordPress as the leading global website platform and seamlessly integrates its platform into WordPress. The Ecwid WordPress plugin allows users to manage their Ecwid stores efficiently directly from the WordPress dashboard.
This integration ensures a secure, fast-hosted checkout, making it a viable option for developing online stores on WordPress.
Pros
- Offers a free package
- Provides an easy-to-use dashboard
- Presents reasonably priced packages
- Integrates extensively with WordPress and Wix
- Includes a good selection of features
Cons
- Lacks effective SEO and content tools
- Offers a pretty basic website builder
- Charges expensive fees for apps
Pricing
- Free Plan: Ideal for new ventures, allowing users to start an online store without cost.
- Venture: $14.08/month or RM65 (Billed annually). For expanding businesses offering up to 100 products, Instagram/Facebook sales, mobile app management, live chat support, and more.
- Business: $29.08/month or RM135 (Billed annually): Suits growing enterprises with a 2500 product limit, marketplace sales, subscriptions, multi-lingual support, and phone assistance.
- Unlimited: $82.50/month or RM383 (Billed annually): Comprehensive plan catering to large-scale businesses with unlimited products, branded mobile app sales, in-person POS integration, and priority support.
The verdict
- Ideal for small businesses or those with limited products: Ecwid’s free plan suits businesses with up to 5 products, offering an opportunity to explore the platform without cost.
- Growing enterprises seeking diverse features: Ecwid’s paid plans, starting from $19 per month, cater to businesses with larger product catalogs, additional sales channels, and enhanced support.
Wix
Wix is a renowned website-building platform that empowers users to create stunning websites easily without prior coding knowledge. Launched in 2006, Wix offers a user-friendly interface, a diverse range of customizable templates, and a powerful drag-and-drop editor, enabling individuals and businesses to craft professional websites.
In the Malaysian market, Wix stands out as a versatile website builder, offering localized support and tools that cater to the specific needs of Malaysian businesses and individuals.
Main features
- True Drag-and-Drop Website Builder: With Wix’s genuine drag-and-drop interface, you can effortlessly construct and modify your websites without technical knowledge, ensuring an intuitive and user-friendly experience.
- Wix Site Templates: Wix offers a diverse selection of website templates tailored for the Malaysian market, enabling users to choose visually captivating and customizable designs that resonate with local industry preferences and aesthetics.
- Extensive 3rd-Party App Availability: Wix provides many third-party applications, empowering users with vast tools and functionalities to expand and personalize their websites according to local market requirements.
Pros
- Offers multi-lingual support for over 180 languages, catering to diverse audiences in Malaysia and neighboring regions.
- Wix AppMarket features numerous third-party integrations.
- Robust online store offering versatile and scalable features.
Cons
- Provides a limited free plan, restricting access to certain features and functionalities.
- E-commerce capabilities are only accessible through the US $17/month (RM80) plan.
Pricing
Wix website builder offers various plans catering to different needs, ensuring a smooth website-building experience.
- Connect Domain: 4.5 USD/month. It includes a custom domain, free SSL certificate, limited bandwidth (1GB), and storage space (500MB). This plan suits individuals seeking an essential online presence with a custom domain, ideal for personal portfolios or limited-scale ventures.
- Combo: 8.5 USD/month. This plan provides a custom domain, a free domain name for a year, removal of Wix branding, free SSL certificates, increased bandwidth (2GB), and expanded storage (3GB). The Combo plan fits small businesses aiming to establish a professional online presence.
- Unlimited (Most Popular): 12.5 USD/month. It offers features like a custom domain, a free domain for a year, and ample storage space (10GB). The Unlimited plan suits businesses seeking extensive website capabilities without restrictions.
- VIP: 24.5 USD/month. This includes all the Unlimited plan features and expanded storage (35GB). The VIP plan is tailored for large-scale businesses or users requiring substantial storage and top-tier features.
The verdict
Wix is suited for:
- Non-Tech Users: Wix suits Malaysians seeking an easy, drag-and-drop site builder, perfect for individuals or small businesses wanting quick and affordable website creation without tech skills.
- Creatives & Hobbyists: Artists, photographers, writers, and enthusiasts in Malaysia seeking an intuitive platform to showcase their work or hobbies through visually appealing websites without grappling with complex technicalities.
FAQs
Bottom line
When choosing an ecommerce website builder in Malaysia, platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Ecwid stand out for their ease of use, integration with local payment gateways, range of templates, and scalable pricing plans. Evaluating your business needs and website goals is critical to selecting Malaysia’s best ecommerce website builder.