Starting an e-commerce business can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. One of the most time-consuming aspects is building an online store from scratch. But what if you could skip the lengthy setup process and purchase an already-built Shopify store? Buying a prebuilt Shopify store allows you to hit the ground running with a fully functional e-commerce business. In this post, we’ll explore the best websites to buy prebuilt Shopify stores and help you find the perfect platform to kickstart your e-commerce journey.

Why Buy a Prebuilt Shopify Store?

A prebuilt Shopify store offers several advantages over starting from scratch. Here are a few reasons why buying a prebuilt store might be the right choice for you:

• Save Time: Purchasing a prebuilt store eliminates the need to design your website, set up products, and configure settings.
• Established Structure: Many prebuilt Shopify stores come with a solid foundation, including preconfigured themes, payment gateways, and inventory.
• Instant Revenue Potential: Some stores may already be generating revenue, allowing you to start earning as soon as you take over.
• Business Validation: When you buy a prebuilt store, you’re buying into an already validated business model with a proven niche or product.

While buying a prebuilt store comes with numerous benefits, it’s essential to choose the right platform to ensure that you’re getting a legitimate and profitable business. Let’s dive into the best websites where you can find high-quality prebuilt Shopify stores.

1. Exchange by Shopify

Exchange by Shopify is the official marketplace for buying and selling prebuilt Shopify stores. It’s the go-to platform for those looking to purchase established, fully functional Shopify stores. As a marketplace owned by Shopify, you can rest assured that all listings are legitimate and vetted by the platform.

• Pros: Directly connected with Shopify, a variety of stores across different niches, and secure transactions.
• Cons: Higher competition, pricing can be on the steeper side depending on store performance.

On Exchange, you can filter through various categories such as store earnings, traffic, and niche to find the perfect store for your needs. You’ll also get access to detailed metrics like monthly revenue, traffic, and more.

2. Flippa

Flippa is one of the most popular online platforms for buying and selling websites and online businesses, including prebuilt Shopify stores. It allows you to browse through a wide range of e-commerce websites, including Shopify-based stores, and make offers or place bids on listings that catch your interest.

• Pros: A large variety of businesses for sale, transparent seller details, detailed financials, and traffic data.
• Cons: Fees associated with listing, competition can be intense, and scams can sometimes occur.

Flippa’s auction-based model means you can negotiate with sellers and potentially secure a deal that fits your budget. The platform also provides a buyer protection service, ensuring that you’re making a safe transaction.

3. Empire Flippers

Empire Flippers is a premium marketplace for buying and selling established online businesses, including Shopify stores. Empire Flippers focuses on high-quality, profitable businesses that have been thoroughly vetted by their team of experts. They offer a more curated experience compared to other marketplaces, ensuring that the businesses listed meet their strict criteria.

• Pros: Hand-picked, high-quality businesses, expert vetting process, premium listings.
• Cons: Higher price point due to quality listings, limited inventory compared to larger platforms.

Empire Flippers offers a transparent marketplace where potential buyers can see detailed reports on revenue, traffic, and growth potential. It’s a great platform if you're looking for a well-established business with a track record of success.

4. WebsiteBroker

WebsiteBroker is another marketplace where you can buy prebuilt Shopify stores. It offers a variety of online businesses for sale, including e-commerce stores, affiliate websites, and more. The platform allows you to filter through different categories, making it easier to find Shopify stores that match your needs.

• Pros: Wide selection of businesses, easy-to-use interface, transparent listing details.
• Cons: Smaller pool of Shopify-specific stores, no buyer protection service like Flippa or Empire Flippers.

WebsiteBroker provides a great opportunity to browse through established online stores in various niches, allowing you to find the best-fit Shopify business. The marketplace also offers helpful resources for new buyers, ensuring a smooth purchasing experience.

5. BizBuySell

BizBuySell is primarily known for listing traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, but it also features e-commerce businesses for sale, including prebuilt Shopify stores. With BizBuySell, you can find both established and newer Shopify stores available for purchase. The platform also offers tools to help you analyze the financials and growth potential of the businesses listed.

• Pros: Large marketplace with various business categories, includes financial reports and growth projections.
• Cons: Some listings may not be Shopify-specific, and businesses may not be as tech-focused as those on specialized platforms like Exchange or Flippa.

BizBuySell is ideal if you’re looking for a variety of e-commerce businesses and want the added benefit of seeing financial projections and business valuation estimates.

6. Shopify Store Sales

Shopify Store Sales is a specialized marketplace where you can buy and sell Shopify stores. This platform focuses solely on Shopify businesses, offering a curated selection of stores for sale. Shopify Store Sales makes it easy to browse through prebuilt stores across different niches and revenue ranges.

• Pros: Niche-focused on Shopify stores, curated listings, easy-to-navigate platform.
• Cons: Smaller marketplace compared to Flippa or Exchange, limited filtering options.

For those specifically interested in buying Shopify stores, Shopify Store Sales is a great place to start your search.

7. Digital Exits

Digital Exits is a business brokerage firm specializing in selling established online businesses, including Shopify stores. They help business owners sell their e-commerce websites to qualified buyers, ensuring that all transactions are smooth and legitimate. Digital Exits works with both buyers and sellers to help match the right e-commerce business with the right buyer.

• Pros: Focus on high-value businesses, expert advisors to help you find the right business.
• Cons: Higher cost for premium listings, more suited for experienced buyers.

With the expertise and personalized approach offered by Digital Exits, you’ll be able to find a Shopify store that’s in line with your goals and expertise level.

8. Motion Invest

Motion Invest is a smaller marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of websites, including Shopify stores. They offer a unique “curated” selection of businesses that are pre-vetted by their team. If you’re looking for a simpler marketplace with fewer listings but a higher quality of businesses, Motion Invest is a good option.

• Pros: Curated, high-quality listings, less competitive than larger platforms.
• Cons: Smaller inventory, fewer Shopify-specific listings.

If you’re seeking a more personalized experience with hand-picked Shopify stores, Motion Invest can be a great option.

9. FE International

FE International is a top business broker that specializes in helping buyers purchase high-quality online businesses, including Shopify stores. FE International only lists high-value businesses and helps facilitate the entire buying process, including business valuations, financial audits, and negotiations.

• Pros: Premium listings, expert advice, thorough vetting process.
• Cons: Higher price point, limited availability of smaller stores.

FE International is ideal for serious buyers looking for top-tier, established Shopify stores that are ready to generate significant revenue.

10. Quiet Light Brokerage

Quiet Light Brokerage is a business broker that specializes in the sale of online businesses, including Shopify stores. They focus on helping buyers purchase profitable, growing businesses. Quiet Light offers expert guidance throughout the buying process, ensuring you make an informed and profitable investment.

• Pros: Expert brokerage services, premium Shopify stores.
• Cons: Higher entry point for buyers, only offers premium stores.

If you’re looking for expert support and a premium Shopify store, Quiet Light Brokerage is a trusted platform.

Conclusion

Buying a prebuilt Shopify store offers a fast and efficient way to get into e-commerce with a business that’s already set up and ready to run. By purchasing a store from one of the platforms mentioned above, you can avoid the challenges of starting from scratch and focus on growing your business. Each marketplace offers a unique selection of stores with varying price points, niches, and opportunities, so be sure to research carefully before making a purchase.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced entrepreneur, these platforms offer a safe and secure way to buy a prebuilt Shopify store that fits your business goals. Happy buying!