Author: Bogdan Rancea

Bogdan Rancea is the founder and lead curator of ecomm.design, a showcase of the best ecommerce websites. With over 12 years in the digital commerce space he has a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for great online retail experiences. As an ecommerce tech explorer Bogdan tests and reviews various platforms and design tools like Shopify, Figma and Canva and provides practical advice for store owners and designers. His hands on experience with these tools and his knowledge of ecommerce design trends makes him a valuable resource for businesses looking to improve their online presence. On ecomm.design Bogdan writes about online stores, ecommerce design and tips for entrepreneurs and designers.

Are Shopify Themes a One-Time Purchase? (Quick Guide)

are shopify themes a one time purchase

Quick answer: Yes — Shopify themes are a one-time purchase for one store only. You pay once (usually between $180 and $400), and the theme is yours to use for the life of that store — no subscriptions, no renewals. But you can’t reuse the same theme on multiple stores without buying another license.

When I first started building Shopify stores, I assumed buying a theme was like paying for a monthly app or subscription.†

But the truth is, Shopify’s theme pricing is pretty straightforward — and once you understand how the licensing works, it’s easy to plan your budget, scale your store, and avoid any surprises.

Shopify vs Shift4Shop: Which One Is Right for Your Online Store?

shopify vs shift4shop

Quick Answer: Shopify is the best all-around ecommerce platform for most businesses. It has more powerful features, smoother usability, and better design options than Shift4Shop.

But if you’re looking for a free plan and are okay with a few limitations, Shift4Shop can get you online fast at zero cost—if you use their payment system.

I’ve tested both platforms hands-on, comparing everything from pricing to payment gateways and user experience.

Let’s break down how Shopify and Shift4Shop stack up.

Kooomo vs Shopify: Which Ecommerce Platform Is Better for Your Business in 2025?

koomoo vs shopify

Quick answer: Shopify is the better choice for most businesses, especially if you’re after speed, ease of use, and scalability with a huge app ecosystem.

But if you’re managing multiple storefronts across countries and need true enterprise features with less reliance on third-party apps, Kooomo holds serious weight.

I’ve spent years running ecommerce stores and working hands-on with both platforms. This is a real-world comparison that cuts through the sales fluff.

Let’s get into it.

How to Design a Print-on-Demand (POD) Site that Feels Premium

how to design a print on demand store

 Quick answer: A premium POD site isn’t about flashy visuals, it’s about intentional design with clean branding, clear product pages, and a smooth checkout that makes people trust you and actually buy.

It’s the small details that make the big money moves.

The premium tag isn’t just for good looks; it’s a trust builder, conversion driver, and will justify the higher prices.

And after checking out and analyzing 50+ print-on-demand (POD) websites, I’ve come to one clear conclusion: a fancy design won’t build you a premium brand, but intentional design will.

From consistent branding to slick product pages and a seamless checkout flow, premium POD stores put the limelight on the users to deliver luxury as an experience.

Let me show you how.

BigCommerce vs Ecwid: Which Platform Is Better for Selling Online?

bigcommerce vs ecwid

After years of building ecommerce sites for clients and running stores myself, I’ve used just about every platform out there.

When it comes to BigCommerce vs Ecwid, these two tools take very different approaches to selling online — and choosing the right one depends on what stage your business is at, what features you need, and how you want to scale.

Quick Answer:

Ecwid is better for beginners and small sellers looking for a free, plug-and-play solution.

BigCommerce is the stronger option for growing stores that need advanced features, flexibility, and multi-channel sales.

In this review, I’ll break down my real experience with both platforms — pricing, templates, apps, selling tools, marketing, and support — so you can decide what works best for your store.

Best Wix Alternatives for Ecommerce in 2025

best wix alternatives

If you’re trying to build a serious ecommerce business, Wix probably isn’t cutting it. That’s not a dig — it’s just the reality once you start scaling.

Here’s the quick answer:

If you want to grow fast, own your site, and actually optimise for SEO and conversions, Shopify and WooCommerce are the best Wix alternatives hands down. But there are more great options depending on your skill level and goals.

I’ve built and designed stores across almost every major ecommerce platform. I’ve worked with clients scaling from $0 to 7-figures, and I’ve tested these tools in real-world ecommerce situations.

Here’s what I’ve learned — and what I’d recommend if you’re ready to move on from Wix.

Let’s break it down platform by platform.

Best Bubble Alternatives for Ecommerce: My Picks for 2025

best bubble alternatives

Quick answer:

The best Bubble alternatives for ecommerce are Webflow, Shopify (especially with Hydrogen), and Builder.io. These platforms let you launch fast, scale easily, and design with far fewer limitations.

I’ve built ecommerce sites on everything from Shopify to custom headless stacks.

And while Bubble’s a beast in flexibility, it’s not always the right fit—especially for ecommerce. It’s powerful, but with power comes complexity. You want a store, not a software dev project.

So if you’ve been burned by Bubble’s slow performance, clunky checkout flows, or the constant need to plug in workarounds, here are the top platforms worth your time (and money).

Best Volusion Alternatives (Tried + Tested by an eCommerce Expert)

best volusion alternatives

Quick answer:
If you’re looking to move on from Volusion, the best alternatives are Shopify for all-round ease, BigCommerce for scaling, WooCommerce if you want control, and Wix or Squarespace if design is your priority.

Volusion just doesn’t cut it anymore — whether you’re dealing with outdated UX, weak SEO tools, or lack of flexibility, there are better options now.

I’ve run stores on almost every major platform, and I’ve helped migrate dozens of clients off Volusion.

This list comes from experience, not theory.

Let’s get into what actually works — and which platforms to avoid.

Best Tilda Publishing Alternatives for Ecommerce in 2025

tilda publishing alternatives

Tilda’s Not Cutting It Anymore?

Quick answer: if you need real ecommerce features, SEO control, and flexibility, platforms like Webflow, Shopify, and Framer beat Tilda easily.

I’ve used Tilda on multiple projects—it looks nice, but once you start scaling or need more control, it falls short. That’s when I started testing other options.

This list isn’t based on feature charts—it’s built from real-world use across client stores, DTC brands, and design-heavy builds.

You’ll get a clear breakdown of each tool’s pros, cons, pricing, and who it’s best for—so you can skip the guesswork and pick what actually works.

Shopify Tips That Actually Help You Sell More (Design Edition)

shopify tips

When I first built a Shopify store, I thought good design meant something that looked pretty. I picked a sleek theme, loaded in high-res images, and added a fancy slideshow. But my sales? Flat. Almost zero.

Turns out, design is about function first, then style. It’s about removing friction, building trust, and making buying easier.

Over time, I started testing, studying what high-converting Shopify stores were doing, and applying those lessons. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything I learned — real Shopify tips that impact design, conversions, and your bottom line.

Mobile-First Design for Ecommerce: The No-Nonsense Guide

mobile first ecommerce design

When I first started designing ecommerce websites, I made the same mistake most people do: I built for desktop first.

Big beautiful banners, high-res product shots, detailed menus—then tried to cram it all onto mobile later. It worked—kind of. But conversions weren’t where they needed to be.

After studying mobile-first design, testing across multiple ecommerce builds, and running heatmaps and session recordings, I flipped my process.

I started designing mobile-first, and it changed everything—from load speed to cart completions.

Ecommerce Email Design Strategies That Are Working in 2025

ecommerce email design strategies

I run ecomm.design, a curated gallery of top ecommerce design. I track design trends across hundreds of online stores, and one area I’ve been laser-focused on this year is email design—specifically how ecommerce brands structure, style, and optimise their emails to drive revenue and retention.

This is everything I’ve learned by analysing real-world examples, testing them with brands, and watching how top-performing stores do email right in 2025.

Let’s break it down by email type.