Have you ever gone through a situation where you wanted new loungewear and instinctively thought of shopping for it from an eCommerce website?
So, you casually visit an online store, select a comfy pair, and check out with a tap. The next morning, you find the parcel sitting at your doorstep. Like you, over 60% of consumers in the United States think of eCommerce first when they shop for something.
eCommerce has transformed the ease of lifestyle that goes beyond just shopping. We are accustomed to online search instead of walking between aisles at our supermarket. We like to have our orders reach us within a few hours or the next day. Instead of cash or cards, we are more familiar with digital payment options. No matter what our pantry lacks or the house needs, eCommerce stores are our go-to destination for shopping.
On average, 33% of consumers in the US shop online at least once a week. This transformative change is driven by the top shopping websites in the United States. In this article, we’ll disclose the best eCommerce websites that stand out for their unique services and outstanding customer experience.
Top 8 Best eCommerce Companies, Online Stores and Shopping Websites in US (United States of America) [2024 List]
1. Amazon
If you are an avid online shopper Amazon may be your first exploration spot. This online retail giant accounts for 36.7% of all eCommerce sales with monthly traffic of 2.2 billion consumers.
No other online stores in the United States come close to Amazon’s limitless popularity among shoppers. And for good reasons.
It has one of the highest diversity of products in over 22 broad categories. Anything you’d want from smart home appliances to art and craft paper is available on Amazon.
It has a sizeable collection of books, fashion and beauty products, software, toys, electronics, and even healthcare supplements.
With over 2 million active sellers on the marketplace, Amazon offers an endless supply of products and a variety of choices. Going beyond the product data, what makes Amazon popular among the general masses is its carefully curated customer experience.
Here are some of its unique services:
Amazon Prime: A membership program that gives you access to early deals, members-only discounts, 2-day delivery, and most importantly free shipping.
High-quality shopping experience: Amazon offers a seamless shopping experience with its one-click purchase button, voice-activated purchase through Alexa, coupon giveaways, personalized product recommendations, etc.
2. Walmart
Walmart is an eCommerce website in the United States that intensely focuses on keeping prices low and offering heavy discounts. It is one of the largest multi-channel retail chains in the country, having 63k+ physical stores spread all over its states.
It also operates numerous eCommerce domains so that consumers outside the U.S. can easily shop from Walmart.
The cornerstone of Walmart is its ‘Everyday Low Price’ strategy that brings products of various assortments at the lowest available price for the day. Few online shopping websites can rival its deep discount policy.
Walmart is an ‘everything store’, having almost every product imaginable for daily necessities, hobbies, clothes and accessories, medicines, household essentials, and even gift cards.
What makes Walmart so popular among its 419 million monthly visitors is its omnichannel retail model.
Apart from its main shopping website, it operates three kinds of stores: Walmart Supercenter, Discount Store, and Neighbourhood Market for affordable products and groceries. All of these are seamlessly connected so that you can get benefits like returning a product from home.
Here are some of the perks of shopping with Walmart:
Walmart App: A one-stop solution for payment, express returns, ordering groceries with same-day delivery, etc.
Convenient delivery: A novel way of last-mile deliveries like curbside pickups and next-day delivery with free shipping for a minimum spending of $35.
Focus on customer service: Use of AI-powered chatbots for round-the-clock customer engagement along with its Scan & Go app feature for automatic scanning and payment at its retail outlets.
3. Target
Operating with the motto “Expect More, Pay Less” Target is a household name for 144 million consumers in the United States when it comes to both in-store and online shopping.
Target’s wide motley of products makes it hard to keep money in the wallet. But what makes it truly endearing is its fast fashion collection.
Target owns at least 15 apparel and accessories brands like A New Day, AVA & VIV, and countless others for wine, furniture, kitchenware, pet food, etc. It’s hard not to wishlist and order things when limited edition collections and Ultra beauty products are up for grabs.
Its newly launched products are so popular that it takes at least three days per week to restock everything (that’s how fast they run out midweek). This is not the only reason why Target has earned its name in the eCommerce shopping space.
What Target focuses on and does a great job is streamlining delivery to match customer expectations. It offers every possible combination of delivery options that works for you including doorstep delivery and pickup, hyperlocal delivery from physical stores, and free shipping.
Here are a couple of ways Target delivers customer satisfaction:
Drive up: A model for buying online and picking up in-store (BOPIS) with a flexible pickup window.
Same-Day Delivery and Returns: Offers free returns to store and same-day delivery for an annual membership fee.
Target Circle Rewards: A loyalty program for deals and bonuses, free same-day shipping, and personalized shopping offerings.
4. Etsy
Etsy is the home for the curious and creative, especially art and craft devotees who like to support independent artists and craftsmen.
Etsy features unique and precious handcrafted items, vintage goods, and handmade products. It is a haven for small and medium businesses and gives them an easy medium to connect with collectors and consumers.
The products available on Etsy are mainly artisanal. It is one of the best online stores for gifts. The most popular product categories are art and collectibles, jewelry, bath and beauty items, crafts and supplies, and clothes.
Etsy’s carefully curated journal and editor’s picks bring you trendy gift items, DIY stuff, and how-to-use information about its 50 million products.
Etsy is the fourth most visited eCommerce site in the United States with an average monthly traffic of 500 million consumers, mostly within the age group of 25-34 years. Its product listings resonate with the younger generation who support the vibrancy of its closely-knit community of independent sellers. They like handmade goods like natural fiber clothes, organic bath bombs, and candles.
Let’s see what makes shopping at Etsy a rewarding experience:
Payment Flexibility: Etsy accepts multiple payment methods including Apple Pay, Etsy gift cards, and various currencies.
Personalized recommendations: Etsy eases the shopping process by giving you relevant product recommendations that are useful to you.
Custom Orders: Etsy enables you to connect with the seller independently and place custom orders with them.
5. Best Buy
Did you know that 91% of online shopping is done on smartphones? But is there any online store that houses authentic and diverse brands of cell phones? Yes, there is. It is also the best marketplace for electronic appliances- Best Buy.
It catalogs almost every electronic product you’d think of including TV and home theatre, computers, laptops, tablets, video games, cameras, wearable devices, etc.
Best Buy’s mobile application makes online shopping on the small screen even more eventful. It uses technology to create a completely personalized homepage that displays products tailored to your preferences.
What’s more, it provides a lot of convenience for customers. First of all, it features all the well-known global brands in the electronics field, from Apple to Microsoft, and LG to Samsung.
Secondly, it places a lot of emphasis on giving discounts and exclusive deals including deal of the day, members-only discounts, clearance deals, and Best Buy outlets.
Here are some of the features unique to this eCommerce website:
New Products: You can always rely on Best Buy to get the latest and just launched technology, devices, and video games.
Best Buy Memberships: This free membership account opens the doors to exclusive perks and prices, free 2-day shipping, extended returns windows, and more.
Repair Services: Book online appointments for repair services at authorized service centers and trade in before you discard or recycle a gadget.
6. eBay
eBay hardly needs any introduction especially if you’re a digital consumer in the United States. eBay functions as a medium for C2C (consumer-to-consumer) and B2C (business-to-consumer) businesses.
It’s known to 687 million visitors who directly engage with the online store monthly. This makes it the second most popular online store in the United States after Amazon.
The unique feature of this shopping website is its bidding system which allows you to place bids in an auction format. It operates as a marketplace where you can bid on a product to get it at a bargain price.
eBay has redrafted its platform strategy to ease the shopping experience. Now, you can instantly buy a product at a predetermined price.
In 2024, eBay captured customer attention with its recommerce or the exchange of pre-loved items at reasonable prices. eBay not only helped US (United States of America) shoppers save money but also gave them a way to embrace sustainability. Let’s see a couple of ways how eBay helps construct a satisfying customer journey:
Money Back Guarantee: In a bid to increase accountability, customers can get their money back if they don’t receive the ordered item.
Free Shipping: eBay offers free and fast shipping on eligible items without a membership.
Quality refurbished items: eBay has a sturdy refurbished products market, especially for electronics, and sometimes offers up to 50% discounts.
7. The Home Depot
Home Depot is a multinational retail company committed to home appliances, building materials, hardware, decor, furniture, gardening, and all other categories that make our house functional and beautiful.
Having spent its first few years in the coffee shop of its owner, Home Depot has expanded to 2300+ megastores in the United States of America.
It launched a dedicated eCommerce website in 2000 that merged the ease of online shopping with retail service, operating seamlessly in omnichannel mode.
What makes Home Depot special goes beyond its wide collection of products and gadgets. It’s a DIY connoisseur. Getting your kitchen remodeled or making your first cabinet is no longer a daunting task.
Consumers can sign up on their website to explore and learn about DIY assembling and building with in-store workshops for children and adults alike.
You can get same-day and next-day deliveries, intuitively navigate thousands of products without feeling lost, and pick the right product using HD images and rich product descriptions.
Here are some of the unique features of shopping with Home Depot:
The Project Calculator: Get cost estimation for home improvement materials and moving boxes.
Omnichannel logistics: Pick up goods at any Home Depot store after placing an order online or book home delivery.
Special Deals and Promotions: Home Depot frequently flashes discounts, promotions, deals, and seasonal sales for its online customers.
8. Glossier
Glossier is a dream destination for beauty enthusiasts and skin care lovers. Its name shines the brightest among online skincare and beauty product shopping brands for its community-first policy. Glossier’s products are not only of good quality but they emphasize its core philosophy- Skincare First, Makeup Second.
This eCommerce website leverages social media like a pro. With over 3 million Instagram followers, Glossier reaches the hearts of millennials and Gen Z consumers the fastest.
It has over 2 million unique monthly visitors, which says a lot about its popularity as a digitally native brand.
There is a lot to like about Glossier and it’s not limited to the generic on-time customer service or good website navigation. Glossier technology implementation alongside its minimalist design means you get a personalized experience like no other.
Its interactive virtual try-on tool and skincare quiz with a step-by-step questionnaire bring you a thorough analysis of your skin needs and the products that’ll suit you best.
Here are some of the unique features of Glossier:-
Refill Option: Giving a nod to sustainability, Glossier presents a refilling service on select products.
Rewards and Points: It offers reward points on every purchase that can be redeemed later as discounts for future purchases.
Seamless Checkout: Glossier supports multiple payment methods, order tracking, and special discounts for a happy checkout experience.
Conclusion
eCommerce sales in the United States are expected to grow by 8.8 percentage points in 2024. This massive increase is the result of conscious customer choices like yours to give precedence to online shopping over retail. And for good reasons. The top eCommerce websites in the United States of America transform supermarkets and shopping malls into virtual storefronts.
You can get everything online today and have them delivered to your door or curbside within a couple of hours. On top of this, you get special discounts and promotions to save more than a few bucks. There are a lot of positives to online shopping and it is no wonder that you are reading this article to find the best shopping site for your next splurge.
