biggest ecommerce websites

Ever tried explaining “big” to a kid? “Is it taller than Dad?” “Heavier than my dog?” Same goes for biggest ecommerce websites—are we talking revenue? Traffic? Number of sellers? Or just how loud their Prime Day ads blast through your smart speaker? Truth is, “big” ain’t one-size-fits-all. Amazon moves over $600B in GMV yearly. Alibaba? Nearing $1T across its empire. But in the U.S., “big” might just mean “the one where my cousin in Des Moines buys hot sauce at 2 a.m.” So yeah, the biggest ecommerce websites aren’t just global titans—they’re also the hyper-local heroes that feel like your neighborhood bodega with next-day delivery.

Let’s cut to the chase: if you measure by sheer scale, **Amazon** is the undisputed heavyweight of biggest ecommerce websites. With 300+ million active users and operations in 20+ countries, it’s basically the Walmart of the internet—but with same-day delivery and AI that knows you better than your therapist. Right behind? **Alibaba Group**, especially through Taobao and Tmall, dominating China’s $2.3T e-commerce market. Then there’s **eBay**, **Walmart.com**, and **JD.com**—all heavy hitters. But here’s the twist: none of them crack the top 3 in the U.S. for indie sellers or Gen Z shoppers. Because “big” is relative—and in America, Amazon wears the crown like a championship ring after a Super Bowl win.

Local Love > Global Hype

Ask any college student in Austin where they bought their last hoodie, and 9 out of 10 will say “TikTok Shop” or “my friend’s Shopify store.” Ask a busy mom in Atlanta about organic snacks, and she’s scrolling Thrive Market or Target’s app. According to eMarketer (2025), **Amazon captures over 38% of U.S. e-commerce traffic**—making it the true local king of biggest ecommerce websites. But here’s the kicker: TikTok Shop’s blowing up with Gen Z, and Etsy’s the go-to for handmade charm. Why? Because the biggest ecommerce websites here speak your language—literally and culturally—offer Apple Pay, free returns, and flash sales that drop during Prime Day or Black Friday. Global giants forget one thing: you can’t build trust with a chatbot that sounds like a robot from 2003.

Hold up—let’s clear the air. **Shopify isn’t an e-commerce website** like Amazon. It’s a *platform* that powers over 4 million online stores. So no, Shopify isn’t one of the biggest ecommerce websites—but it’s the invisible hand behind countless indie brands, DTC startups, and even celeb merch drops. Think of it like this: Amazon is the mall; Shopify is the contractor who builds every boutique inside it. And yeah, it’s massive—$7.1B in annual revenue (2024)—but it doesn’t *sell* directly. So when folks ask, “Is Shopify the biggest ecommerce platform?”—the answer is *yes for builders*, but *no for marketplaces*.

Let’s geek out for a sec. Here’s a snapshot of the biggest ecommerce websites by estimated 2025 GMV (Gross Merchandise Value):

Fun fact: **Alibaba’s GMV exceeds the GDP of most countries**. But remember—GMV ≠ profit. And in the U.S., Amazon’s $670B GMV makes it the undisputed leader among biggest ecommerce websites on home turf.

If your biggest ecommerce websites isn’t optimized for mobile, it’s basically a ghost town. Over **70% of U.S. e-commerce transactions happen on smartphones** (Statista, 2025). Amazon’s app? Built for one-tap checkouts, lightning-fast search, and push notifications that say “Your cart misses you.” TikTok Shop? Feels like QVC on Red Bull—scroll, tap, buy, repeat. The real biggest ecommerce websites understand that shopping isn’t just transactional—it’s *entertainment*. Hence, limited drops, countdown timers, and “Only 3 left!” alerts that hit harder than a Friday happy hour.

You wouldn’t hand your credit card to a sketchy guy in a parking lot, right? Same logic applies online. The biggest ecommerce websites in the U.S. win trust through **familiar payment options**: Apple Pay, PayPal, Afterpay, Shop Pay—even cash on delivery for select local sellers. Amazon nails this. But if your store only takes wire transfers? Good luck. Also, verified reviews, clear return policies, and live chat that actually connects to a human. At Public Market, we’ve seen stores lose 60% of carts just because they didn’t offer Apple Pay. Moral? If your biggest ecommerce websites ignores U.S. payment habits, you’re leaving money on the table like a forgotten tip jar.

Ever searched for “cold brew” and suddenly your feed’s full of oat milk and reusable cups? That’s not magic—it’s AI. The biggest ecommerce websites use machine learning to predict what you want before you do. Amazon’s recommendation engine drives **35% of its total sales**. TikTok Shop’s “For You” tab? Scarily spot-on. But here’s the kicker: personalization must feel *helpful*, not creepy. The best biggest ecommerce websites strike that balance—like your local barista who knows your order: “Usual, right? Oat milk, extra shot?”

Short answer: nope. The world’s biggest ecommerce websites are deeply regional. Amazon rules the West. Alibaba owns China. Mercado Libre dominates LatAm. And in the U.S.? It’s Amazon vs. a rising wave of Shopify stores, TikTok Shop, and Etsy. Why? Culture, language, logistics, and payment habits vary wildly. A “big” platform in Brooklyn might flop in Boise. That’s why the smartest brands don’t just pick one—they go **multi-platform**. Sell on Amazon for reach, Shopify for brand control, and TikTok for Gen Z. Because the real biggest ecommerce websites strategy isn’t about one giant—it’s about being everywhere your customer scrolls.

Thinking of selling online? Don’t just chase the “biggest”—chase the *right*. Here’s our quick guide:

• Selling locally in the U.S.? Start with Amazon or Etsy—they’re the biggest ecommerce websites with built-in trust and traffic.
• Building a global DTC brand? Use Shopify + Instagram + TikTok Shop. You control the brand, data, and margins.
• Wholesaling or B2B? Look at Faire or Tundra—not consumer marketplaces.
• On a budget? Start with TikTok Shop (low barrier) or WooCommerce (free software, but needs hosting + tech help).

And if you’re still lost, check out our deep dive at ecommerce top websites for online shopping over at Ecommerce corner.

References

• https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales/
• https://www.emarketer.com/content/global-ecommerce-2025-outlook
• https://www.shopify.com/reports/shopify-merchant-revenue
• https://www.alizila.com/alibaba-group-annual-gmv-report-2025