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.

BigCommerce vs WooCommerce: Which Is Best in 2025?

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 14, 2025

BigCommerce and WooCommerce are two of the biggest ecommerce platforms out there—but which one actually supports real growth?

We’ve spent over 200 hours researching, testing, and comparing both tools in depth. On top of that, we’ve analysed hundreds of real ecommerce stores powered by each platform using our design gallery, ecomm.design, to see how they perform in the wild.

As a result of that research, BigCommerce comes out on top for growing online stores. It’s got the built-in features, speed, and scalability to support serious ecommerce growth—without the technical overhead.

Format vs Squarespace: My Verdict 2025

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 13, 2025

format vs squarespace

Quick answer:

If your primary goal is to present a visually striking portfolio with occasional sales—particularly as a photographer, artist, or designer—Format offers a streamlined, aesthetically focused experience tailored to that need.

On the other hand, if you’re building a content-rich site with ecommerce at its core, and you require more flexibility, scalability, and control over the user journey and site architecture, Squarespace is the more comprehensive and strategic choice.

How to Sell Services on Shopify in 2025

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 12, 2025

how to sell services on shopify

Many people still believe Shopify is only designed for selling physical products.

That is not true anymore.

Shopify now makes it easy for service-based businesses to set up shop, promote their expertise, and sell services just like digital products.

The key is knowing exactly how to set it up properly so your customers have a smooth experience and you maximise conversions.

Let’s walk through how you can do this step-by-step.

Shopify vs Etsy vs Squarespace: Which is Best in 2025?

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 12, 2025

shopify vs etsy vs squaresapce

Is it just me – or is choosing the right ecommerce platform becoming more complicated?

There used to be just a handful of options to pick from – now we have dozens – and they’re all growing more impressive all the time – particularly with the rise of AI.

Still, even with all of the new solutions out there, three major platforms often get the most attention: Shopify, Etsy, and Squarespace.

Shopify has long been my favorite platform for ecommerce companies – combining versatility with ease-of-use and high scalability.

Squarespace, on the other hand, is my go-to for creating truly gorgeous websites, while Etsy is still a prime choice for simple, marketplace selling.

So, which platform should you pick? That’s what I’m here to help you figure out.

99designs Review: My Verdict for 2025

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 9, 2025

99designs review

99designs is one of the most popular platforms for outsourcing graphic design.

From logos to packaging to full website mockups, it gives ecommerce brands access to global freelance designers through either direct hire or crowdsourced contests.

After using it to launch branding for two of my stores, I can confidently say that 99designs is a powerful tool — but not perfect.

In this review, I’ll walk you through pricing, process, design quality, pros and cons, and whether it’s worth the money if you’re running an ecommerce business.

Canva vs Placeit – Which Design Tool Is Better for Ecommerce Designers?

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 9, 2025

canva vs placeit

If you’re running an ecommerce store and trying to decide between Canva and Placeit, here’s the quick answer:

Canva is the better option for building brand visuals, social content, and team design systems.

Placeit is better for quick, realistic product mockups, videos, and designs made to showcase products in context.

I’ve used both tools for over a decade across client projects, product launches, and campaigns—and here’s the full breakdown.

Best Samcart Alternatives: My List for 2025

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 8, 2025

best samcart alternatives

Quick Answer

If you’re selling digital products, courses, or running a serious ecommerce setup, Samcart might work for you — but it’s far from perfect.

I’ve tested most of the popular tools out there, and honestly, I’d only recommend Samcart in very specific cases.

Best overall alternative? ThriveCart — it’s cheaper, offers lifetime pricing, and is built for conversion. Best for full ecommerce stores? Shopify. Best for course creators? Kajabi or Podia.

Shopify vs SamCart: Honest Review From 10+ Years in Ecommerce

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 7, 2025

Quick Answer

If you’re building a full online store with physical or digital products, Shopify is the go-to.

If you’re focused on high-converting funnels for one or two offers, SamCart wins hands down.

I’ve used both platforms across dozens of client sites, and this isn’t one of those wishy-washy “depends on your use case” takes.

This is what I’d recommend to clients based on real-world performance.

PODpartner Review: Creative, Custom Clothing at Scale

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 6, 2025

podpartner review

Ten years or so ago I’d never heard of print on demand (POD).

Now, I’ve lost count of the number of POD solutions I’ve explored. You’re probably already familiar with some of my top picks, like Gelato, Printify, and Printful – but today I want to introduce a new alternative: PODpartner.

Launched in 2019, PODpartner is one of a surprisingly low number of POD companies that seems to really know what it’s audience is looking for.

Pietra vs Shopify: Full Breakdown for 2025

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 5, 2025

shopify vs pietra

Pietra and Shopify are two ecommerce platforms with very different goals — but which one is the better choice for your online store?

I’ve spent hours testing and comparing both platforms across key areas like pricing, features, templates, scalability, and support to help you make the right decision.

After my deep testing, Shopify is the clear winner if you want to build, grow, and scale a serious online store.

At our ecommerce design gallery, we’ve spent the last 10 years analyzing nearly 20,000 online stores to handpick the best for our collection — now showcasing almost 4,000 top stores and counting.

How to Delete or Pause a Shopify Store: Step-by-Step Guide From a Shopify Expert

By Bogdan Rancea  /  May 1, 2025

how to delete shopify store

If you want to delete your Shopify store, log into your Shopify Admin on a desktop, go to Settings > Plan, click Deactivate Store, follow the prompts, and confirm with your password.

If you prefer to pause it instead of closing permanently, you can choose either the Pause and Build Plan (pay a small monthly fee) or a Full Pause (freeze everything for free) from the same Settings menu.

In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to delete your store safely, back up your important data, cancel apps to avoid extra charges, and protect your SEO if you are moving to a new platform.