Amazon is the best pick overall for the Best Online Shopping Websites.
The ease of perusing endless retailers, avoiding crowds, and clicking “add to cart” in your comfy clothes has become the dream shopping experience. A quick search will list more shopping websites than you can count, but which online stores are actually the best?
Convenience is one of the best benefits of online shopping, and that’s exactly what you’ll find with these popular stores. Here are our picks for the best online shopping websites for every type of product.
Looking for shopping sites that specialize in groceries? See our list of the best online grocery shopping websites.
Best Online Shopping Websites Of 2023
Best Overall: Amazon
- Item Categories: Clothing, Books, Movies, Music, Electronics, Computers, Home, Pets, Food, Beauty and Personal Care, Kids, Sports, Outdoors, Automotive, and more
- Membership Required: Optional for benefits
- Shipping: Free one-day or two-day shipping with membership
Why We Chose It
Everybody has heard of Amazon; such is the reputation of the huge online retailer. which makes it Best Online Shopping Websites.
Founded in the United States by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon started off selling books before diversifying its inventory to include just about everything today. These days, it is hands down the largest online shop for pretty much all of your needs.
Amazon serves a vast number of countries around the world, offering numerous product categories ranging from electronics to e-books and kitchen appliances to furniture.
Buying online can be a hassle sometimes, but Amazon is one of the best at streamlining the process for the customer.
Amazon is the largest online retailer, offering free shipping and discounts with a membership. The company’s service is dependable, returns are easy, and many items can be auto-purchased on a recurring schedule.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dependable delivery and customer service
- Prime members qualify for free shipping and other perks
- Frequent deals
Cons
- No bidding system for online sellers
- Some find that the mobile version of the website isn’t user-friendly
Overview
With millions of offerings to choose from, Amazon has evolved from a small bookstore to a mammoth internet presence. The company not only brings you millions of items from its own warehouses but also from sellers all over the world who can upload their own wares for sale. Amazon is Best Online Shopping Websites.
That makes it possible for you to compare prices at a glance from a host of stores and individual sellers. Amazon also has made it even easier to shop for things you purchase often using the Dash button.
Lastly, Amazon developed (and patented) the “buy now” button, making it ridiculously easy to purchase what you want quickly.
While Amazon is not necessarily known for the best customer service or rock bottom prices, it is undoubtedly one of the best online shopping sites that will deliver what you need (regardless of what that is) in record time.
Within the past few years, Amazon has stepped up its game with additions like Amazon Fashion, Amazon Echo, Ring Devices, and other smart technology!
While Amazon is dominated the world of ecommerce, its sellers may tell a different story. Sellers on Amazon make little to nothing, especially compared to the company’s startling revenue that only seems to be increasing. Selling on Amazon is a good way to dip your toe into the ecommerce business, but I wouldn’t go in with high expectations.
Amazon is the giant of online shopping; more people shop here than at any other online shopping site. You can even get free stuff with the right tips and tricks. By joining Amazon Prime, you’ll get free one- or two-day shipping on thousands of items and extra discounts.
Best for Online Bidding: eBay
- Item Categories: Motor, electronics, collectibles and art, clothing and accessories, business and industrial, home and garden, sporting goods, jewelry and watches, and more
- Membership Required: No
- Shipping: Free or calculated at checkout
Why We Chose It
eBay is a longstanding online retailer that allows sellers to auction their items, which include a very large number of categories. eBay can also be categorized under the Best Online Shopping Websites.
While Amazon dominates the online retailer space, it doesn’t allow users to bid on products, unlike eBay.
eBay is essentially an online auction site, which lets you place bids on items you’d like to buy. Buying through eBay can be a gratifying process, making it the best online shopping experience in some people’s eyes. You will often have to keep an eye on the bidding throughout to ensure yours is successful at the end, which can be quite a thrill.
The site offers a wide range of products that are put up for sale by individual sellers, so you’ll find all kinds of brand-new items mixed in with second-hand possessions.
Buyers can bid on items to get a lower price or opt to “Buy It Now” for a set amount of money to instantly purchase their favorite products.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Find some obscure items for cheap
- Great avenue for getting rid of unwanted stuff
- You can find rare collectibles and other unique products
- Bidding is enjoyable and, in some cases, lets you buy items for less money than you think they’re worth
Cons
- Delivery times depend on the reliability of the seller
- It can be difficult to tell the condition of the product, and all you have to go on is the seller’s word.
Overview
eBay has grown into the world’s largest online auction site. You can find just about every category of products here, and you can also become an eBay seller to auction your unwanted items.
If you’re looking for a collectible, this is the first site to check, but you’ll also find brand-new items. eBay offers a wide variety of categories ranging from appliances to video games. They also have seasonal gift guides and a Daily Deals page.
The site features millions of items, from vintage clothing and vintage pieces to designer items to electronics and rare postage stamps.
Online shopping was revolutionized when eBay created its marketplace, allowing individuals and businesses to sell items on the platform to the end user.
While pricing varies by vendor, the competitive nature of the site means that eBay has affordable prices compared to online shopping sites.
It also has buyer protection in place to make the online store more trustworthy than it might be to buy something from a stranger in another situation.
If you’re looking for something unique, whether new or old, skip the department stores and traditional online shopping sites in favor of a world that allows you to connect with anyone selling anything.
You can use a variety of filters such as brand, price, size, color, features, and consumer ratings and reviews to sift through your search results. Plus, the advanced search capabilities on eBay make it easy to locate items with free shipping, new or used products, and “Buy It Now” items versus those being auctioned off.
All in all, eBay’s reputation as a great bargain destination ensures its consistently high ranking among shopping sites.
Best for Handmade Goods: Etsy
- Item Categories: Jewelry and accessories, clothing and shoes, home and living, wedding and party, toys and entertainment, art and collectibles, and craft supplies
- Membership Required: No
- Shipping: Free or calculated at checkout
Why We Chose It
Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade, unique products that often can’t be purchased anywhere else. YAY!!! we can also call Etsy Best Online Shopping Websites with the value of services rendered.
Etsy is a haven for creatives who want to monetize their hand-crafted goods, and it’s an excellent website to visit if you want an artisan-made product.
From wedding rings to handmade soaps, Etsy has it all.
The best part about Etsy is knowing that each product is unique and has been lovingly crafted for your enjoyment. There’s also the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting the creatives behind the artisanal work.
This site is great for personalized gifts and one-of-a-kind items.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Find figurative and literal gems not seen anywhere else
- Lets you support creators and reward artisanal work
- You can find bespoke jewelry and other unique handcrafted items
- Saves artists the hassle of creating their own websites
Cons
- Customer service can be hard to get a hold of
- Takes a hefty cut of sellers’ profits
- There are several fees to consider when selling products on Etsy
Overview
Etsy is a global marketplace that offers goods from incredibly talented artisans around the world. Anything from homemade soap to crystal necklaces and caramel apples can be found here, and great deals are often available.
You won’t find popular brand-name products on Etsy, but you can certainly find innovative crafts homemade by small businesses that you can purchase for a unique touch.
Another easily recognizable name in the ecommerce industry, Etsy is an unsurprising marketplace that makes our list of the best online stores with their 2021 revenue of $2.3 billion.
Unlike eBay, where items could be new, used, etc., Etsy is a marketplace for handmade items (Amazon has also entered this space with Amazon Handmade).
If you want to purchase a table or rug but don’t want to buy it from one of the big-name retailers, you can jump over to Etsy’s online store and support a local artist who may be in another state or country.
You’ll find a wide mix of items on Etsy, from sustainable clothing to baby bibs to home decor items and more. Plus, you’ll be supporting an individual or small business rather than a large name.
Etsy makes it incredibly easy to shop small while maintaining a user-friendly experience.
Etsy is also a great way for people who craft marketable items to make a little money on the side; setting up your own storefront on Etsy is easy and provides a lot of potential exposure.
Best for Comparing Sellers: Google Shopping
- Item Categories: Electronics, home decor, kitchen and dining, toys, crafts and hobbies, kitchen appliances, automotive, sporting and outdoors, clothing, jewelry, business and industrial, and more
- Membership Required: No
- Shipping: Free or calculated at checkout
Why We Chose It
Google shopping pulls results from across the web to let users compare items from various sellers with advanced filtering tools.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Perfect for quickly comparing prices across the entire crawlable web
- Extensive search filters tailored to individual products
- Track price changes to get the best deal
Cons
- Search rankings are determined by advertising dollars rather than your specific query
- Paying for a premium Google listing isn’t an ideal way for small retailers to make money
Overview
One of the most overlooked and quite powerful ways to shop at multiple popular stores at once is via Google Shopping. Start a simple search for your item and Google will show results from dozens of stores.
You can filter the results by category, store, price, brand, type, features, and shipping. Specific search criteria is available based on the product you search for.
Google Shopping is also helpful if you want to see only the products that are available near your location. Some items can be bought directly from Google, and they might support “Quick Checkout” for speedy purchases.
Best for Home Goods: Overstock.com
- Item Categories: Furniture, rugs, decor, bedding, home improvement, kitchen, outdoor, lighting, kids and baby, appliances, and more
- Membership Required: Optional for benefits
- Shipping: Free or calculated at checkout
Why We Chose It
Overstock is one of the most popular online shopping websites for home goods, offering a variety of categories filled with discounted products from large and small retailers.
Overstock is known for selling items in the furniture and home decor market. They offer a wide range of items, from rugs to tables to lighting.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Runs regular promotions and sales around holidays
- Unique ways to browse for products
- Club O members are entitled to price match guarantees and other deals
Cons
- Customer service receives mixed reviews
- Extended warranties come with lots of exceptions
Overview
Ever wondered what stores do with the stuff they over-order? Overstock.com is one answer to that question.
This online shopping site holds tons of items in categories like furniture, home improvement, outdoor, rugs, apparel, kitchen, and many other departments. Visit the home page to see featured sales, top deals, and unique ways to shop (such as by room or style).
Overstock also makes it easy to find what you want on its massive online shopping website.
Another way Overstock makes buying furniture less daunting is by using testimonials for each item, clear descriptions, measurements, and more. But, unlike their competitor Wayfair, Overstock offers free shipping without the $35 minimum.
Once you’re viewing all the items from your search, there are tons of relevant filtering options. For example, if you’re looking for kitchen and dining room tables, you can filter them by price, shape, seating number, materials, color, base type, brand, finish, features, discount percentage, rating, and more.
Overstock’s rewards program, Club O, also offers benefits like bonus rewards, friend referrals, price match guarantees, free returns, and 5 percent back on every Overstock purchase.
Best for Clothes and Shoes: Zappos
- Item Categories: Shoes, boots, clothing, bags and handbags, jewelry and accessories, home, toys and games, kids, and more
- Membership Required: Optional for benefits
- Shipping: Free shipping on all orders
Why We Chose It
Zappos offers free shipping and returns on all orders across its categories of shoes, accessories, apparel, and more. The company is known for its high-quality customer service and easy online shopping experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Customer service responds rapidly and reliably
- Free returns on items you decide you don’t want
Cons
- Sometimes products arrive in generic boxes rather than their original packages
- Selection is mostly limited to apparel
Overview
Zappos originally started with just shoes, but it’s since expanded to offer all sorts of items from shoes and boots to clothing, bags, jewelry and accessories, home, toys and games, kids’ products, and more.
There’s also a page dedicated to Zappos Adaptive, which includes shoes, clothes, and other items built with a specific function in mind to make using them easier. There are easy on/off shoes, slip-ons, pull-on pants, magnetic jackets, medical wear, and more.
The Zappos online store is known in the shopping industry for its exemplary customer service, with many customer-submitted stories of employees going above and beyond to make their experiences great. If you choose to become a Zappos VIP, the company offers rewards like upcoming sales, free expedited shipping on all orders, and points redeemable for purchases.
Best for Cheap Items: Wish
- Item Categories: Pet accessories, gadgets, tools, health and beauty, home and garden, art and craft supplies, toys and hobbies, sports and outdoor gear, automotive accessories, and more
- Membership Required: No
- Shipping: Free or calculated at checkout
Why We Chose It
Wish is known for its especially low prices on thousands of items thanks to its direct shipping from China, however, many customers report receiving the wrong items.
Wish may be the first online shopping website on this list you’re unfamiliar with, but many recognize it as the cheapest online retailer around.
This online retailer is best for small accessories and affordable products of varied quality.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Direct shipping from China allows for unbelievably low prices
- Set up custom notifications for certain products and deals
- The prices are very low, and there are regular deals and heavy discounts
- You can choose to receive a notification whenever the product you’re looking at goes on sale
Cons
- Deliveries don’t always arrive promptly
- Has been known to deliver the wrong item
- The delivery service isn’t quite as reliable as other online retailers
- You deal with third-party merchants, so experiences with purchases may vary
Overview
Known by many as a cheap online shopping website, Wish is the place to go if you’re looking for extraordinary deals and interesting finds. If you can deal with the occasional long waits to get your item, the deals might be worth it.
If you’re looking for bargains and cheap products, then Wish is hands-down your best bet.
Online shopping can be expensive, especially when you factor in shipping costs, but Wish provides a more affordable alternative so you can save money when you shop online.
Some of the categories you can browse through include toys and hobbies, gadgets, fashion, shoes, pet accessories, tools, home and garden, and automotive accessories.
Blitz Buy is a section of this online shopping website where you can spin a wheel to get money off your purchase. Also, be sure to see the Express page for items that ship faster than the rest. Due to its cheap prices, you’ll quickly find that Wish is an online shopping website that’s easy to spend loads of time on.
Best for Designer Products: Nordstrom
- Item Categories: Clothing and accessories, home, beauty, designer products, jewelry, shoes, activewear, luggage, and more
- Membership Required: Optional for benefits
- Shipping: Free on most orders
Why We Chose It
Nordstrom is a great source for clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and designer products. Even with high-quality goods, Nordstrom keeps prices reasonable with its discount division, Nordstrom Rack.
Nordstrom is another online retailer offering a selection of high quality clothing and excellent customer service. The website stocks top designer brand clothing and accessories, so whatever you’re looking for, you should be able to find it.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers designer products like clothing, jewelry, and handbags
- Discount division for more affordable items
- Free shipping on most orders
Cons
- Mostly focused on clothing and accessories
- Regular store prices can be expensive
Overview
Nordstrom is a great online shopping website for all things fashion, including categories for women, men, kids, and young adults. With a mix of affordable finds and designer brands, this longstanding retailer is known for selling quality goods.
In addition to Nordstrom’s large line of clothing—including categories like shoes, designer clothing, activewear, handbags, weddings, and jewelry—the company also sells a wide range of beauty and home products. Buyers can search for thousands of items like makeup, fragrances and colognes, bath products, home decor, bedding, kitchen goods, and more.
For a more affordable shopping experience, customers can also check out the company’s clearance division, Nordstrom Rack. Many products and clothing goods can be found here for 30 to 70 percent off their original prices. Joining the Nordy Club, Nordstrom’s reward program, also offers exclusive benefits and perks.
Best Department Store: Macy’s
- Item Categories: Clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and watches, kids’ products, beauty, home goods, handbags, furniture, toys, and more
- Membership Required: Optional for benefits
- Shipping: Free or calculated at checkout
Why We Chose It
When it comes to department stores, Macy’s is known nationwide. The store’s website for online shopping is filled with great deals, categories of items, and member benefits for those who sign up.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Variety of clothing, accessories, and home goods categories to choose from
- Reasonable prices on many items
- In-store locations nationwide for fast returns and exchanges
Cons
- Many discounts are limited to members
- Free shipping is only offered on specific items or during sales
Overview
Macy’s is a well-known department store that has maintained its high-end reputation for more than 100 years. With a great selection of products and categories to choose from, users can search for casual, luxury, and designer brands.
Choose from categories like clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and watches, kids’ products, beauty, home goods, handbags, furniture, toys, and more. Additionally, customers can join Macy’s star rewards for benefits like free shipping, special savings, member exclusives, birthday surprises, and points on purchases.
Even if you’re not a member, Macy’s also offers great sales with heavily discounted items for a more affordable shopping experience—though in general, this store’s prices are usually reasonable.
Final Verdict
Amazon is our best overall choice for online shopping websites thanks to its especially great perks, like free one- or two-day shipping on thousands of items and extra discounts with an Amazon Prime membership. Even without Prime, Amazon shoppers have access to the same massive online catalog of products across most major categories. Because not all products ordered online work out for the buyer, Amazon is also our top pick because of its easy returns. For many items, customers don’t even need to leave their homes—simply schedule a pickup on the website or app, exchange your items, or return them for a full refund.
Compare the Best Online Shopping Websites
Company | Item Categories | Membership Required | Shipping |
Amazon Best Overall | Clothing, Books, Movies, Music, Electronics, Computers, Home, Pets, Food, Beauty and Personal Care, Kids, Sports, Outdoors, Automotive, and more | Optional for benefits | Free one-day or two-day shipping with membership |
eBay Best for Online Bidding | Motor, electronics, collectibles and art, clothing and accessories, business and industrial, home and garden, sporting goods, jewelry and watches, and more | No | Free or calculated at checkout |
Etsy Best for Handmade Goods | Jewelry and accessories, clothing and shoes, home and living, wedding and party, toys and entertainment, art and collectibles, and craft supplies | No | Free or calculated at checkout |
Google Shopping Best for Comparing Sellers | Electronics, home decor, kitchen and dining, toys, crafts and hobbies, kitchen appliances, automotive, sporting and outdoors, clothing, jewelry, business and industrial, and more | No | Free or calculated at checkout |
Overstock.com Best for Home Goods | Furniture, rugs, decor, bedding, home improvement, kitchen, outdoor, lighting, kids, appliances, and more | Optional for benefits | Free or calculated at checkout |
Zappos Best for Clothes and Shoes | Shoes, boots, clothing, bags and handbags, jewelry and accessories, home, toys and games, kids, and more | Optional for benefits | Free shipping on all orders |
Wish Best for Cheap Items | Pet accessories, gadgets, tools, health and beauty, home and garden, art and crafts supplies, toys and hobbies, sports and outdoor gear, automotive accessories, and more | No | Free or calculated at checkout |
Nordstrom Best for Designer Products | Clothing and accessories, home goods, beauty, designer products, jewelry, shoes, activewear, luggage, and more | Optional for benefits | Free on most orders |
Macy’s Best Department Store | Clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and watches, kids’ products, beauty, home goods, handbags, furniture, toys, and more | Optional for benefits | Free or calculated at checkout |
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Methodology
To determine the best online shopping websites, we considered top retailers and compared them based on factors like item availability, different categories offered, memberships and benefits, typical shipping costs, and reliability.
When choosing the best online retailer for your next purchase, it’s helpful to choose a trusted retailer based on the type of product you’re buying. For example, some brands are dedicated to home goods, while others focus on clothing and accessories. Other online stores feature a large variety of products with customer reviews to help you determine whether the item you’re interested in is right for you.
Don’t Forget to Bookmark These Incredible Sites!
And there you have it!
We’ve wrapped up our list of Best Online Shopping Websites for 2023. Be sure to bookmark these amazing websites for your next shopping extravaganza! You won’t be sorry.
Whether you want to buy a handmade gift for a friend, hair care or skincare products, a trendy item for going out, or just some basic toilet paper, you can find the best online shopping sites to meet your need. In today’s day and age, you can shop from home with ease and convenience. Everything you could possibly need is just a few clicks away!
Want to learn more about starting your own ecommerce business? Check out our article here.
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