The US States Most Interested in Starting an Ecommerce Business
Starting an ecommerce business is becoming an increasingly popular path for entrepreneurs across the United States. From side hustles to full-time businesses, interest in ecommerce continues to grow as more consumers shop online. In fact, the US ecommerce market reached $1.2 billion in 2025, highlighting just how quickly the industry is expanding.
To find out where interest in starting an ecommerce business is strongest, our team analyzed Google search volume data for ecommerce-related terms such as “how to start an ecommerce business,” “ecommerce business ideas,” “how to sell online,” and “start online store,” among others. We looked at search activity between 2023 and 2025 and then calculated the number of searches per 100,000 people in each state to reveal where the appetite for starting an online business is strongest.
Let’s take a look at the states that made it to the top.
First Place – Illinois
Illinois takes the top spot, with a combined total of 42,180 searches related to starting an ecommerce business, equating to 331.63 searches per 100,000 residents. Much of this interest may be influenced by Chicago, one of the largest cities in the United States and a major hub for logistics and trade. With a strong business community and access to large shipping networks, the state provides a supportive environment for people looking to start selling online. Chicago has also produced successful ecommerce companies such as Groupon, which connects millions of users with local businesses through deals on products, services and experiences.
New York
The city that never sleeps ranks second, with a combined search volume of 39,850, equating to 199.23 searches per 100,000 people. With its strong presence across the fashion, media, and tech industries, New York City provides an ideal environment for launching an ecommerce business. The city has already produced several successful online brands, including Scentbird, a fragrance subscription service founded in New York that has grown rapidly and generates an estimated $15.6 million in revenue.
Florida
Florida ranks third, recording a total of 46,060 searches related to starting an ecommerce business, with 196.31 searches per 100,000 residents. Cities such as Miami and Orlando have become increasingly attractive for entrepreneurs and digital startups in recent years, thanks to their growing tech scenes. The state has also welcomed thousands of new residents and companies relocating from across the US, helping fuel fresh interest in launching online stores.
Florida has already produced successful ecommerce brands such as Chewy, which has grown into one of the largest online retailers for pet products in the United States. The company was founded in 2011 by Ryan Cohen and Michael Day, before being acquired by PetSmart in 2017. Its growth shows how ecommerce businesses in Florida can quickly expand and attract major investment.
Georgia
Georgia ranks fourth, recording a combined total of 21,850 searches related to starting an ecommerce business, which equates to 193.32 searches per 100,000 residents. Much of this interest is centred around Atlanta, a city known for its fast-growing tech sector and strong business community. Atlanta is also one of the most important logistics hubs in the United States, with the busy Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport helping connect businesses to customers across the country and beyond.
Delaware
Delaware takes fifth place, recording a total of 1,920 searches related to starting an ecommerce business, with 181.14 searches per 100,000 residents. Although it is one of the smallest states in the country, Delaware has a strong reputation as a place to start and register businesses because of its well-known corporate laws.
Who else made the top 10?
New Jersey, Maryland, Nevada, Texas and California also made it to the top 10, showing that interest in starting an ecommerce business is spread across the country. While California recorded the highest total number of searches at 64,230, its large population meant it ranked tenth when adjusted per 100,000 residents.
Texas showed a similar trend, with 51,910 searches, but ranked ninth overall for the same reason. Meanwhile, smaller states such as New Jersey and Maryland ranked higher relative to their population, suggesting a particularly strong interest in starting an ecommerce business. Nevada also makes the list, reflecting the state’s growing startup scene and business-friendly environment, especially in cities like Las Vegas. Overall, these states show growing interest across the US in starting ecommerce businesses.
Methodology
To find out which US states are most interested in starting an ecommerce business, we analyzed Google search volume data for a range of ecommerce-related keywords between 2023 and 2025. These included terms such as “how to start an ecommerce business,” “ecommerce business ideas,” “how to sell online,” and “start online store,” among others. We then combined the total search volume for each state. To make the comparison fair between states with different population sizes, we used 2025 US Census population estimates to calculate the number of searches per 100,000 people.
