Opening an online store in South Africa is exciting but also a little overwhelming.
So many people want to sell their things online, but are always worried about spending too much money or making the wrong decisions.
Worry no longer because there are several e-commerce platforms that are affordable and user-friendly.
These platforms help showcase products, receive payments, and fulfill orders seamlessly.
This time, we will focus on the 7 best affordable e-commerce sites to use in South Africa.
We will analyze the pricing, available features, and the benefits of each platform.
Ultimately, you will understand which e-commerce platform is the most suitable for your needs and will give you the confidence to sell online.
What Makes an E-Commerce Platform Affordable in South Africa?
The moment you decide to get into online trading, there is more to consider as compared to the initial cost.
Low-cost options are cheaper because they cut costs in several areas. To put it in simpler terms, we start to look at the monthly fee.
Many platforms charge a nominal fee every month, while others either let you start for free or charge only when you make a sale.
Ensure that there is no other hidden cost, like transaction fees that are deducted quietly from the sales you make.
Also, consider how user-friendly the platform is. If it is easy to set up a store, you do not have to pay extra for someone else to do it for you.
Some other services, such as local Payfast and Yoco payment processors, also need to be catered for.
This is quite crucial and differentiates South African ecommerce from the rest of the world, as the methods of online payment for goods and services purchased differ widely.
Shipping is a noteworthy component of operating an online shop. Some platforms enable seamless integration with local couriers, allowing the rapid and economical shipping of products to customers.
When taking into consideration all the monthly fees, add-ons, payment methods, and shipping, it is easy to see which platforms are affordable.
The best platform will help you lower your costs, optimize your time, and make your online selling experience hassle-free.
1. Portmoni
Portmoni is specifically designed as an online selling platform for South African entrepreneurs.
It is one of the simplest and most economical ways of starting online selling.
Portmoni’s basic plans begin at R90 a month and, unlike most platforms, you do not have to worry about transaction fees, meaning more revenue for you with every sale.
Some plans even provide you with a domain name so that your shop can have a unique web address.
The ease of use is one of the best things about Portmoni. Coding or computer knowledge is not necessary.
Within minutes, you can choose a Portmoni design template, upload your products, and commence selling.
As Portmoni is also tablet and phone-friendly, your customers can shop from any location.
It integrates with local payment gateways such as Payfast and Yoco which allow for easy payments using trusted methods.
Portmoni allows you to link your shop to WhatsApp, a widely used application in South Africa.
This allows customers to engage with your business, ask questions, and have conversations before making purchases.
While Portmoni lacks some sophisticated features available on larger platforms, it is a sound and budget-friendly solution for small businesses or individuals just getting started.
2. Shopify
Shopify is synonymous with online shopping. It assists individuals across the globe in setting up their own stores.
In South Africa, Shopify is well known for its user-friendliness, tutorials and powerful tools.
Their most basic plan, Starter, is $5/month. Basic, with more features, starts at $25/month.
Shopify has a transaction fees system, which means you have to give a percentage of every sale to Shopify but, in return, you get many benefits.
Shopify provides numerous themes that allow your store to look more appealing.
There are also extra tools available through the Shopify App Store that aid with marketing, order tracking, and product showcasing on Facebook and Instagram.
It also permits integration with South African payment systems, ensuring customers can use familiar options.
As stated previously, Shopify can be costly if many applications are added or if unique designs are included.
However, if you want a platform that will sell alongside your growing business, then Shopify would be a suitable choice.
It is simple for novices but still advanced enough for larger businesses.
WooCommerce is a unique application built specifically for WordPress, one of the most popular website creation systems.
The most appealing feature of WooCommerce is that you can begin without any investment.
If you have a WordPress website, you can just install the WooCommerce plugin.
This makes it a great option for individuals who have existing websites and those wanting to build new websites from scratch.
WooCommerce enables you to sell any of your items and customize your shop, and it enables you to set your business up the way you want.
To achieve the desired layout adjustments, there are numerous free and paid themes.
Moreover, plugins can be added to assist with payments, shipping, and numerous other operations.
WooCommerce is compatible with most local payment gateways like Payfast and Yoco, which your customers would prefer.
While WooCommerce is free, you may incur charges for website hosting, a domain name, and additional features.
Though setting up WooCommerce requires a bit of learning and polishing, it offers maximum control.
For those looking to build a fully customized shop without learning much, WooCommerce presents an intelligent and cost-effective option.
Wix serves as a website builder, and simultaneously, let you sell products online.
It is well-known for its easy drag-and-drop interface, as it allows you to build your shop by just moving items on the screen.
Prior knowledge of coding is not needed. Seems like a hobby? Wix’s business plans begin at $20 a month, with zero additional costs for sales.
With Wix, you get many nice templates to choose from, so your shop can look just the way you want.
Adding pictures, videos, and product details is a breeze. Connect to South African payment methods and allow your customers to pay in a safe and familiar way.
The platform is mobile-friendly, meaning shoppers can buy from you anywhere.
Wix comes with features such as emailing clients and showcasing products on social media.
Their marketing tools are user-friendly and effective. Some small businesses may find it hard to afford complex marketing apps, which poses a flaw for Wix.
All in all, Wix provides a complete package to help small businesses start their business journey.
Unlike other platforms, Ecwid can be added to any pre-existing website or used to build a new one from scratch.
With their free plan, you can start selling without incurring any initial costs. However, if you want to unlock additional features, their paid plan starts at approximately 15 euros per month.
Ecwid allows business owners to sell on multiple platforms in one go, including websites, Facebook pages, Instagram accounts, and even WhatsApp.
This expands the reach of one’s products, allowing more customers to access them.
Additionally, Ecwid integrates with South African payment processors, allowing customers to pay with ease.
With easy setup and no need for technical knowledge, Ecwid has a user-friendly interface that allows sellers to add products, set prices, and start selling within minutes.
Although the free plan comes with some restrictions such as a limited number of products, it is a great way to test the waters of online selling.
If you want to sell in many places at once, and while keeping operations simple, Ecwid is a go-to platform.
Shopstar caters specifically to South African entrepreneurs who aspire to sell online.
It is user-friendly and helps you with local suppliers and payment gateways. Their cheapest plan is R220 a month and does not charge you extra fees for sales made.
Shopstar supports an unlimited number of products, but you have a higher cost if you have a very large shop.
What makes Shopstar unique is the ability for customers to pay through Shopstar Pay.
You can also promote your products by linking your shop to Facebook and Instagram so customers can purchase directly from social media.
You can also send orders to your customers as Shopstar assists you with local shipping making the delivery process simple and efficient.
You are guided through the initial setup making it easy to get your shop running in a few simple steps.
While it may not be as visually appealing as some of the bigger names, it does focus on the South African market and understands what local sellers need.
If looking for a platform tailored to South Africans and assists in business growth, Shopstar is a reliable solution.
Weebly provides a straightforward interface for starting a website or an online shop stress-free.
You can start without any cost and only pay if you require additional features.
Aside from giving you more ways to sell products, Weebly’s paid plans also include extra tools such as a custom domain name.
Setting up your shop on Weebly is easy. Weebly allows you to choose a logo, add your products, and set up payment systems within a couple of clicks.
Besides, Weebly is mobile-friendly. This means that your customers can shop from anywhere.
The platform gives you reports that show the performance of your shop, including the number of visitors, their buying behaviors, and other useful metrics.
Beginners and anyone who is looking to start selling online without spending a fortune will find Weebly particularly useful.
As compared to other platforms, Weebly is lacking in features, but if you are looking to get started, this platform has all the essentials.
Weebly is the ideal choice if you are in need of an uncomplicated and cheap way to set up an online store.
Comparison Table: Key Features & Pricing
| Platform | Starting Price | Transaction Fees | Local Payment Integration | Free Domain | Ease of Use | Best For |
| Portmoni | R90/month | None | Yes | Yes | High | Local small businesses |
| Shopify | $5/month | 0.2–5% | Yes | No | High | Growing businesses |
| WooCommerce | Free* | None | Yes (via plugins) | No | Moderate | Custom solutions |
| Wix | $20/month | None | Yes | No | High | Visual customization |
| Ecwid | Free/15€/mo | None | Yes | No | High | Adding to existing site |
| Shopstar | R220/month | None | Yes | No | Moderate | Local integration |
| Weebly | Free | None | Yes | No | High | Beginners |
*Note: WooCommerce needs separate hosting.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Business
Selecting an eCommerce platform should always cost you money. As always, remember your budget.
How much can you afford every month? If you are a beginner, you might want to consider the free plan or the most basic plan.
Afterward, analyze the properties you need. Would you like to sell through social media? Do you need to integrate with local payment systems? Make a priority list for your store.
Think of the user-friendliness of the platform. If you have limited computer experience, go for a user-friendly and well-supported platform.
Some platforms offer free trials, which allow you to gauge your interest before payment.
Planning for the future is also beneficial. Select a platform that can expand with your business so you don’t need to change later.
Finally, consult with other business owners about the services they use and what they enjoy about them.
Check testimonials and sample a few platforms before making any commitments. The best platform will allow you to sell online without any issues.
Final Remarks
In South Africa, selling online has become simpler and more cost-effective than ever before.
There are numerous sites available, each with their own set of advantages. Portmoni and Shopstar are two excellent examples for smaller local shops, as well as Shopify and Wix which offer advanced options.
WooCommerce is great for those who want to build something truly unique.
If you are looking to sell products across different platforms, Ecwid is unrivaled, while newcomers will appreciate Weebly’s user-friendly interface.
Experiment with different sites until you find one that suits you best. In no time, you will be operating your own online business, reaching customers all over South Africa.
Most Popular Queries
#1. Is it possible to change platforms at a later date?
It is possible, of course. Moving your items around and setting up your shop again could prove to be time-consuming, so it’s best to take your time and choose the right platform from the beginning.
#2. Do any unadvertised expenses exist?
Every now and then, there could be additional fees for services such as unique templates, additional applications, or increased storage space. Always review what is included in the quoted amount.
#3. Which selling platforms work best using a phone?
All the platforms mentioned in this article have mobile compatibility. Mobile Shops are easily created using Wix, Shopify, and Portmoni.