Sales

18 Best eCommerce Platforms in the UK You May Be Missing Out On

June 14, 2024

17 min read

Finding the best online eCommerce platform to sell your products can be daunting if you are to go it alone. This is true, especially with many options and numerous requirements to consider before settling on one.

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From choosing a scalable solution that accommodates your business needs to selecting a user-friendly and easily navigable website that processes payments seamlessly, the requirements can seem never-ending. That is even without considering other features such as pricing plans, security and third-party integration.

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Luckily, you are not alone. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best eCommerce platforms in the UK, emphasising their key features, pricing and pros and cons.

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1. Shopify

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Shopify is known for its ease of use, comprehensive set of features, and flexibility. It is designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, from small start-ups to large enterprises, with Shopify Plus. The platform is also user-friendly, offering a clean dashboard and intuitive setup processes for store management, product addition, and order processing.

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Key Features

Themes and Customisation: Users have access to a wide range of free and paid themes through Shopify's official theme marketplace. Customisation is facilitated through a visual editor, although it does not support drag-and-drop in the visual preview.

Maintenance and Security: As a hosted platform, Shopify handles all maintenance and security updates, allowing users to focus on store growth rather than technical details.

Apps and Integrations: Boasts a vast app marketplace, allowing for extensive personalisation and integration with a variety of third-party services.

Support: Offers 24/7 support through email, live chat, and phone, along with a community forum and a detailed knowledge base.

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Pricing Structure

Starter Tier: At £1 per month initially, this plan is an economical entry point for new businesses.

Basic Tier: Priced at £19 per month, it's designed for companies just establishing their online presence.

Shopify Tier: At £49 per month, this option supports growing businesses with additional features.

Advanced Tier: For £259 per month, this tier offers advanced tools for scaling enterprises.

Shopify Plus: Starting at $2500 per month, this premium option caters to high-volume businesses with comprehensive needs.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Scored a strong 4.6 out of 5 in overall ratings, indicating high user satisfaction.	Imposes transaction fees if its payment gateways are not used.
Boasts a clean and intuitive user interface, which simplifies the process of creating an online shop.	The trial period is limited and comes with restrictive design flexibility.
It offers a solid affiliate program that is beneficial for eCommerce brands.	Once a website theme is chosen and the site goes live, switching themes requires reformatting the entire site.
Provides a competitive edge in dropshipping functionality compared to its competitors.	The platform is not fit for businesses that are still working on their inventory, as it prompts users to fill in inventory first.
Known for its predictive automation, which assists merchants in setting up an online store tailored to their customers' needs.
Has a strong multi-channel integration feature, allowing sales through various social media platforms.

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2. WooCommerce

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WooCommerce is an open-source, highly customisable platform on WordPress, catering to online merchants of all sizes. Launched in 2011, the plugin quickly became popular for its simplicity in installing and personalising, along with its free base product offering.

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Key Features

Flexibility: It is suitable for selling physical, digital, and affiliate products.

Global Reach: Provides the ability to sell in multiple currencies and languages.

SEO Advantage: Being built on WordPress, the platform benefits from the robust SEO capabilities.

User-Friendly: It is known for its user-friendly experience, especially for those familiar with WordPress.

Analytics: The platform has built-in analytics tools to track sales, orders, and customer data.‍

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Pricing Structure

The basic version of WooCommerce is free, but it can be tailored to your enterprise’s unique needs with an extensive range of extensions. These extensions vary in cost, with options ranging from free to approximately £249 each. Also, keep in mind that additional charges will be incurred for web hosting, a domain name, and an SSL certificate, as these are not included with WooCommerce by default.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Highly customisable due to its open-source nature, allowing for extensive modifications and custom development.	While the core plugin is free, costs can quickly add up when purchasing premium themes, extensions, and hosting services.
Integrates seamlessly with the WordPress ecosystem, which is beneficial for sites already on the platform.	It is not suitable for businesses that do not want to use or switch to the WordPress platform.
The core plugin is free, which can be cost-effective for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).	Being self-hosted, it requires regular maintenance, including updates and backups, which can be a challenge for users without technical expertise.
A large community of developers and users contribute to the platform, offering support and creating a vast array of plugins and themes.	As you add more plugins and products, the performance can slow down if not properly optimised and hosted.
It can scale with your business from a few products to thousands and from a handful of shoppers a day to hundreds of transactions per second.	Users are responsible for security measures, from SSL certificates to safeguarding against hacks.

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3. Wix

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Wix is the ideal starting point for new entrants to the eCommerce space, providing a plethora of templates and an easy drag-and-drop editor. While its eCommerce features may not be as extensive as those in Shopify or WooCommerce, it's a solid choice for straightforward online stores.

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Key Features

Stunning Templates: Offers a variety of professionally designed templates that are optimised for eCommerce, providing a strong foundation for building an attractive online store.

Global Shipping and Tax Management: Facilitates global online sales with features that help manage taxes and shipping rates for different regions.

Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): For those who want a more guided approach, Wix ADI can automatically create a tailored online store based on the user's preferences and needs.

Customer Accounts: Customers can create accounts to streamline their checkout process, track orders, and receive personalised recommendations.

Abandoned Cart Recovery: Can help increase conversion rates by automatically sending reminder emails to customers who have left items in their carts.

Multilingual Stores: Allows businesses to cater to a global audience by offering their site in multiple languages.

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Pricing Structure

Business Basic: £15 per month

Business Unlimited: £20 per month

Business VIP: £27 per month

Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, which is determined based on the specific needs of the business.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Highly customisable due to its open-source nature, allowing for extensive modifications and custom development.	While the core plugin is free, costs can quickly add up when purchasing premium themes, extensions, and hosting services.
Integrates seamlessly with the WordPress ecosystem, which is beneficial for sites already on the platform.	It is not suitable for businesses that do not want to use or switch to the WordPress platform.
The core plugin is free, which can be cost-effective for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).	Being self-hosted, it requires regular maintenance, including updates and backups, which can be a challenge for users without technical expertise.
A large community of developers and users contribute to the platform, offering support and creating a vast array of plugins and themes.	As you add more plugins and products, the performance can slow down if not properly optimised and hosted.
It can scale with your business from a few products to thousands and from a handful of shoppers a day to hundreds of transactions per second.	Users are responsible for security measures, from SSL certificates to safeguarding against hacks.

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4. Squarespace

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For businesses where visuals are paramount, Squarespace shines. It offers stunning templates and powerful image editing tools. While it may not boast a vast app market, its built-in features are robust enough for businesses that prioritise a strong, ready-made design over the ability to extensively modify and tailor a platform.

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Key Features

Integrated eCommerce Tools: Offers a suite of integrated tools for managing products, orders, inventory, and customer accounts, all within Squarespace's interface.

SEO Capabilities: Provides robust SEO features to help users optimise their sites for search engines, including page titles, meta descriptions, and custom URLs.

Social Media Integration: Users can connect their social media profiles for seamless content sharing and promotion across platforms.

Comprehensive Analytics: Offer insights into sales trends, customer behaviour, and website performance, aiding in data-driven decision-making.

Marketing Features: The platform includes marketing tools such as promotional pop-ups, banners, and email campaigns to engage customers and drive sales.

Blogging Functionality: Provides powerful blogging features with options for scheduling posts, social sharing, and author management.

Extensions Marketplace: Users can enhance their site's functionality with various extensions available in the Squarespace Extensions marketplace, ranging from finance and shipping to inventory and sales.

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Pricing Structure

Business Plan: £18 per month

Basic Commerce: £22 per month

Advanced Commerce: £30 per month

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
High-quality, customisable templates with mobile optimisation.	Limited third-party apps and integrations, particularly with platforms like Etsy and Amazon.
Offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the addition of eCommerce functionality to existing websites.	Less robust eCommerce features compared to other platforms, with basic free version functionalities.
Integrated sales and marketing tools, including Google Shopping integration.	Limited payment gateway options, which could hinder specific merchant needs.
Strong customer support with a focus on UK-based real-time interactions.	Limited international support and language options, with potential inconvenience for non-UK merchants.

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5. BigCommerce

Living up to its name, BigCommerce offers a platform that's built for growth. With its multi-channel selling capabilities, it's perfect for businesses looking to expand their reach across various platforms.

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Key Features

Multi-Channel Selling: Supports integration with various marketplaces and social media platforms, allowing merchants to sell across multiple channels.

Scalability: Designed to support online stores ranging from start-ups to large enterprises, offering a platform that can grow with the business.

Payment Gateways: Integrates with a variety of payment gateways, giving customers multiple payment options.

Security: It offers a secure shopping experience with built-in SSL and various security features to protect both merchants and customers.

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Pricing Structure

Standard Plan: £29 per month

Plus Plan: £79 per month

Pro Plan: £299 per month

Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, which is determined based on the specific needs of the business.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
No transaction fees.	High monthly fees.
Built-in features for international selling, tax, promotions, etc.	Less customisation compared to other platforms.
Easy design with templates and editing functionality.	Limited blogging capabilities; not ideal for content-focused strategies.
24/7 customer support and a variety of support resources.	Can be costly for small businesses, adding pressure to make sales.
Global reach with a significant presence in the UK market.	May require reliance on a developer for personalisation.
User-friendly interface for easy store setup.

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6. Etsy

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Etsy is an international marketplace for trading unique and creative goods, including handmade items and vintage treasures. It serves as a hub for merchants to turn their ideas into successful enterprises by connecting them with millions of shoppers seeking unique products with a personal touch. This platform is designed for moments that call for creativity and imagination.

Key Features

Sell Extraordinarily: It supports innovative entrepreneurs with low fees, powerful tools, and educational resources. Starting an Etsy shop is simple and affordable, requiring a small amount to list a product.

Manage Your Business Anywhere: The Etsy Seller app allows merchants to handle orders, update items, and communicate with customers on the go.

Promotional Tools: Vendors can increase their visibility by promoting listings in search results or using its free tools to share products on social media.

Analytics to Improve Sales: It provides detailed analytics to help merchandisers understand performance trends and traffic sources, aiding in business optimisation.

Seamless Payment Processing: The site offers streamlined payment processing through PayPal, facilitating easy transactions for buyers.

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Pricing and Fees

The platform charges listing, transaction, and payment processing fees. Listings are priced at USD 0.20 each and remain for four months or until the item sells. Upon sale, a 6.5% transaction fee is applied to the total order amount, including shipping. Payment processing fees vary based on the structure of services like PayPal. Additional fees include an advertising fee for sales made through Off-Site Ads, which sellers can opt into when setting up their shop.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Growing customer base with over 96.3 million active buyers.	There is intense competition as the number of sellers on the platform grows.
Access to valuable educational resources to enhance selling strategies.	Prevalence of mass-produced items which undermines genuine handmade goods
Lower overall fees compared to platforms like Amazon Handmade and eBay.	Constant platform changes require sellers to frequently adjust their strategies.
Ease of use and access to a broad customer base without needing to build a website.	Increased selling fees and additional charges reduce profit margins.
Direct support through platforms like GYC Etsy Academy.	Risk of unexplained account suspensions, adding unpredictability for sellers.

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7. EKM

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This eCommerce site was designed to democratise online retailing, offering an effortless and intuitive experience for people of varying technical abilities.

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Key Features

Website Management: The platform simplifies the creation of a professional online store, supporting both newcomers and experienced sellers.

Enterprise Migration: It provides seamless management capabilities, allowing users to upload products, track inventory, and handle sales from a single integrated dashboard.

Payment Solutions: EKM supports immediate credit and debit card payments through Klarna, ensuring PCI compliance and providing an SSL certificate for secure transactions.

Business Analytics: The eCommerce website includes analytical tools for smarter decision-making and an intuitive inventory interface that adapts to business needs.

eCommerce Marketing: EKM equips users with SEO tools, Google Shopping integration, blogging capabilities, and email marketing solutions to enhance online visibility and sales.

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Pricing Structure

The basic plan starts at £37.49 plus VAT per month, providing a cost-effective option for new entrants. For businesses looking to expand their capabilities, the standard plan is available at £76.99 plus VAT per month. More advanced features are accessible with the advanced plan, priced at £229.99 plus VAT per month. For enterprises seeking the most comprehensive tools and support, the pro plan is offered at £659.99 plus VAT per month.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Offers comprehensive management tools to solve key eCommerce challenges.	Requires high-speed internet for optimal performance.
Features multiple pricing packages.	The interface may initially challenge new users.
Easy to set up and update product listings.	The platform can be too pricey for new businesses.

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8. Big Cartel

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This eCommerce software solution is tailored for artists and makers, enabling them to establish online stores effortlessly. Since its inception in 2005, the platform has supported over a million creators who have sold items like t-shirts, art, clothing, and jewellery through custom stores. It offers all the essential tools needed for promoting products, processing payments, managing shipping, and handling sales tax.

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Key Features

Made for Marketers: It is designed specifically for individual creators and small businesses to sell their unique products.

Customisable Shops: Users can personalise their store using one of the free design themes or by modifying the code for a bespoke appearance.

Comprehensive Management Tools: From any device, users can manage their store, process orders, update products, view statistics, and implement promotions.

Flexible Plans: Big Cartel's pricing plans are adaptable, catering to various business sizes without hidden fees or listing charges, emphasising a commitment to privacy and fair data practices.

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Pricing Structure

Big Cartel presents three distinct enterprise solution pricing tiers. The gold plan is free and ideal for newcomers, offering essential features such as up to five product listings and basic customisation. The platinum plan, at £12 per month when billed annually, caters to growing businesses with 50 product listings and advanced sales tools. The diamond plan, priced at £24 monthly, supports larger operations with extensive product support, advanced customisation, and Google Analytics integration.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
All plans are budget-friendly.	The product listing is capped at 500 for the top plan.
Free templates are available.	Less comprehensive features compared to larger platforms.
Ability to sell both online and in-person.	Limited customisation options and customer support.
It supports the sale of physical and digital products.	Not great for search engine optimization (SEO).^[1]

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9. Adobe Commerce

Adobe Commerce is an eCommerce store created to ensure tailored B2B and B2C experiences. It supports numerous brands, facilitating seamless expansion into new markets and territories.

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Key Features

Multiple Brand Management: Handle several brands across various channels and audiences, with the ability to expand into new regions.

Global Expansion: Increase presence in new countries and customer segments, using one platform for evolving sales strategies.

Unified Platform: Manage B2C and B2B sites and marketplaces from a single interface, capable of deploying numerous storefronts rapidly.

Scalable Operations: Ensure site performance, reliability, and speed regardless of business size. It offers advanced capabilities for personalised customer interactions at scale, with auto-scaling for peak events.

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Pricing Structure

Adobe Commerce offers pricing details upon request, catering to various business sizes and needs with a focus on providing value and comprehensive service options.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
It is easy to use the platform to carry out online transactions using various payment methods.	Adobe Commerce requires a powerful server due to resource intensity.
Users gain access to an extensive product catalogue across multiple regions.	It is somewhat complex to manage, and it is not suitable for beginners.
Supports different currencies and languages.	Customer support could be faster and more responsive, given the investment required.
Ideal for large online stores with high sales volume.	Analytics and sales tracking features do not meet some advanced expectations.
Streamlined for users not requiring heavy customisation.	Business-to-business sales features need further development in Magento Commerce Cloud.

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10. ShopWired

ShopWired supports a diverse range of UK stores in establishing their online presence. Its eCommerce offering includes various packages tailored to meet the needs of start-ups as well as established firms with significant annual turnovers.

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Key Features

Mobile Commerce Optimisation: ShopWired themes are responsive, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across all devices, including computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Customise and Brand Your Online Store: Use the live preview website builder to brand and customise your store. Make real-time adjustments by adding images and text and changing colours.

Full Content Management System: Gain complete control over your website's content with tools that let you add images and videos and customise text to perfect your site's appearance.

Use Your Domain Name: Easily connect your domain to your ShopWired account in just a few minutes.

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Pricing Structure

Essentials Plan: £34.95 per month – Perfect for newcomers.

Advanced Plan: £79.95 per month – Ideal for businesses aiming to expand.

Premium Plan: £149.95 per month – Includes extensive online commerce functionalities, suitable for industry leaders.

Enterprise Plan: £299.95 per month – Offers the most robust features for businesses with unlimited turnover.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Highly rated UK-based support, ShopWired offers an affordable eCommerce solution with exceptional customer service speed.	Some users might find the customization options limited, particularly if they need highly specific features or designs.
Accessible customer service through web chat for quick issue resolution, providing good value for money and ongoing support.	Businesses looking to expand internationally might find ShopWired's support for multiple currencies and languages less comprehensive.
ShopWired excels not only in setting up new business websites but also in ensuring excellent after-sales service.	Compared to more established platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, ShopWired might have fewer third-party integrations, which can be a drawback for businesses needing specific tools.

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11. Volusion

Volusion eCommerce offerings include an intuitive dashboard, built-in SEO and marketing tools, a variety of templates, and extensive customisation options.

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Key Features

Attractive Layouts: The responsive themes adjust to any device, ensuring a consistent shopping experience, whether on mobile or desktop.

Logo and Favicon Upload: Enhance your site's visual identity with easy-to-use tools for displaying your brand logo and favicon.

Product Display Options: Showcase your products effectively with options for multiple photos and detailed descriptions.

Beautiful Category Pages: Users can improve their product categories with images, manage SEO settings, and tweak product display features using sophisticated tools.

Search Functionality: Advanced search tools make it easy for customers to find products in your online store quickly.

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Pricing Structure

Personal Plan: $35 per month – Suitable for new entrants.

Professional Plan: $79 per month – Offers more features for growing businesses.

Business Plan: $299 per month – Caters to established businesses with broader needs.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
It provides continuous positive experiences leading to long-term use	Some standard shopping cart features are missing.
Alternative to major platforms like Shopify, offering essential features without extra charges.	Limited discounting options for customers; restrictive coupon features.
Supports eight different website operations with excellent support and functionality.	Difficulties with API integration, limiting external developer options.
Numerous integrations and a user-friendly interface.	Poor customer service experiences and ongoing efforts to migrate to another platform.

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12. PrestaShop

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PrestaShop enables ambitious entrepreneurs to launch and grow their enterprises. As the leading open-source eCommerce solution in Europe and Latin America, it powers nearly 300,000 websites worldwide.

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Key Features

Customisation: You can tailor your store to reflect your unique brand with thousands of modules and themes.

Scalability: Whether you're starting or scaling up, PrestaShop supports business growth from modest beginnings to substantial revenues.

Extensive Plugins: The PrestaShop Marketplace boasts over 4,000 plugins for added functionality, ranging from design tweaks to specialised tools.

Domain Management: Easily purchase and configure your domain directly from the back office, with no technical skills required.

Advanced SEO Tools: Enhance your site's search engine visibility with sophisticated SEO features.

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Pricing Structure

PrestaShop provides three distinct pricing options tailored to various business needs. The classic plan allows users to download the basic software at no cost, although additional expenses for hosting and domain names are not included. For those seeking a more comprehensive package, the hosted plan includes hosting, support, and eCommerce services, available for €24 (excluding VAT) per month and comes with a 14-day free trial.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
The platform is budget-friendly for users requiring simple or basic eCommerce features.	Basic pre-installed modules with more complex tools are available at additional cost.
Intuitive interface with pre-installed starter modules, further simplifiable with plugins.	Support is credit-based. Paid support is required, which can be costly.
An open-source platform allowing extensive customisation for those with technical skills.	Additional investments are needed as costs for web hosting, and domain names are not included.

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13. Bluepark

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Founded in 2004, Bluepark Solutions is a dedicated software development company. Its software empowers clients to build and control their online stores with ease, fully hosted on its robust platform.

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Key Features

Customisable Templates: Over 40 free, fully customisable templates to reflect your unique brand.

Purchase Order System: A direct purchase order system to manage stock from suppliers via your website.

Email Marketing: Built-in email marketing tools for promoting repeat business.

Integrated Blog: An integrated blog for regular content updates to enhance customer trust.

Administrative Control: Unlimited administrative users, allowing tailored access and controls for different staff members.

Unlimited Bandwidth: Ensures no additional charges for increased traffic.

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Pricing Structure

Bluepark pricing programs are tailored to fit businesses of varying sizes and needs. The retail park is ideal for small businesses, priced at £29.99 plus per month. For growing businesses, the business park is available at £44.99 plus per month. Lastly, the enterprise park caters to large firms at a monthly rate of £64.99 plus VAT.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
There are no hidden costs or forced upgrades.	Some find the blog and email newsletter systems complex to design and manage.
The site is being updated continuously to keep you competitive.	Overwhelming options in some dashboard sections.
Easy transfer service for hassle-free migration	Additional cost for SSL certificate purchase.
Fast and secure hosting ensures a constant online presence.

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14. Ecwid

Ecwid, now part of Lightspeed eCom (E-Series), is a platform that enables businesses to set up visually appealing eCommerce stores. Users can sell products or services through various sales channels without needing programmers or designers.

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Key Features

Lightspeed Payments: Offers built-in, fast, and secure payment processing. It allows stores to accept cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay and manage all transactions directly within Ecwid.

24/7 Support: Ecwid's global support team is available around the clock to assist with any queries you may have, ensuring you can get help whenever needed.

Third-Party Store Integration: Ecwid can integrate and sync your product catalogue with major online retailers such as Amazon and eBay, simplifying the administration of selling products via third-party channels.

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Pricing Structure

The free plan is available at no cost and is intended to remain free indefinitely. For those requiring more features, the venture plan costs $21 per month when billed yearly or $25 on a month-to-month basis. The business plan is available at $39 per month with annual billing or $45 monthly. Lastly, the unlimited plan, which provides the most extensive features, is $89 per month if billed yearly or $105 on a monthly basis.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Offers a free plan.	Stand-alone site option limited to one page.
Integrates with your existing site.	Product variations are not available on free or venture plans.
Create a custom iOS or Android app with the Unlimited plan.	Users cannot edit orders on a free or venture plan.

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15. Weebly

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Founded in 2007, Weebly operates globally, empowering millions of businesses across over 50 million sites. Headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in New York, Scottsdale, and Toronto, Weebly was acquired by Square in May 2018.

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Key Features

Drag-and-Drop Blog Creation: Flexible drag-and-drop blog creation enables you to craft a captivating blog and highlight your top content.

Engagement Tools: Strong design elements facilitate engagement with your audience.

Dedicated Hosting: Complimentary, dedicated hosting infrastructure ensures quick load times and a seamless user experience.

Responsive Themes: Professional website themes allow you to build a site that looks exceptional on all devices.

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Pricing Structure

Weebly offers a tiered pricing structure starting with a free option for basic use at £0 per month. For personal use, you can connect to a custom domain at £10 per month, billed annually, or £13 on a month-to-month basis. The professional plan, which allows for domain connection and additional customisation, is available at £12 per month when billed annually or £16 monthly. The performance tier, providing features that enhance growth and operational management, costs £26 per month with annual billing or £29 monthly.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
It has a free forever plan.	The site displays Square ads unless upgraded to the professional plan.
Competitively priced premium plans.	Limited customisation options.
No programming skills required.	Phone support is only available with professional plans and above.

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16. eBay

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eBay connects millions of sellers and buyers across over 190 markets worldwide, leveraging technology to empower individuals, enabling growth and success regardless of their location.

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Key Features

Product Diversity: The site boasts a wide range of products, from daily essentials to luxury items, addressing varied consumer needs.

Bidding System: eBay's bidding process allows buyers to secure items at competitive prices, helping to establish market value.

Product Range: On eBay, you can sell new items that are used or refurbished.

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Pricing Structure

The platform implements two primary selling fees: an insertion fee for listing creation and a final value fee upon sale completion. Charges vary based on the item's price, listing format and category, any chosen listing upgrades, and the seller's performance and conduct.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
eBay has a vast amount of active users. This gives your eCommerce store more exposure.	Merchants must adhere to eBay’s stringent policies, impacting aspects like returns and customer service.
Selling on eBay offers the opportunity to direct buyers to your own online store, potentially securing repeat customers.	The fees associated with selling on eBay might deter eCommerce sellers, especially in highly competitive niches with low margins.
eBay's platform supports a wide array of products, ensuring there's always a market for different niches.	The high number of users also means high competition, requiring strategies to stand out.

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17. Shift4Shop

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Shift4Shop comprehensive turnkey solution provides everything your online business needs to start selling online. It features a website builder, comprehensive product and order management, and customer marketing tools.

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Key Features

Free: Shift4Shop offers a no-cost eCommerce platform as long as your business processes a minimum of $500 per month through Shift4.

Free SSL Certificate: Each Shift4Shop account comes with a complimentary SSL certificate to protect your site and customer data.

Free Domain Name: Shift4Shop provides a free domain registration service, contrasting with other platforms that may charge for this or use a subdomain.

Free Website Themes: The platform offers a vast selection of free, customisable themes. These themes are designed for speed and optimal customer experience, with extensive built-in features. For those who prefer to dive into the code, full access is provided to customise themes as needed.

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Pricing Structure

As also mentioned above, its pricing model includes an unlimited enterprise-grade plan at no cost if you process at least $500 per month via Shift4. Alternatively, for new customers using PayPal, the pricing starts at $29/month.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Extensive free plans and affordable paid plans.	Limited customisation options.
Features for upselling and cross-selling.	Must process at least $500 to access the free plan.
Comprehensive order management.
Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) and SEO tools

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18. X-Cart

X-Cart is agile and scalable, supporting hundreds of online stores in achieving long-term growth and success. More specifically, they provide the tools and features necessary to expand your business, handle increased traffic, and manage a growing inventory efficiently.

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Key Features

Sell Anywhere From One Place: X-Cart develops an efficient omnichannel approach by synchronising inventory, cash flow, and logistics operations, allowing you to manage all sales channels through a single admin window.

Expand on a Global Scale: You can localise your store for international buyers to tap into new markets within the U.S. and beyond. X-Cart supports 40+ translation packages, over 200 countries, and 25 currencies, with access to 120+ payment gateways.

Custom Design Creation: X-Cart's content design experts assist in designing adaptable, user-friendly interfaces that accurately represent your business sector.

Multiple Add-Ons and Integrations: Connect with powerful third-party apps through pre-built functionality to succeed in a competitive eCommerce environment.

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Pricing Structure

Pricing starts at £199 per month, providing a cost-effective solution for retailers seeking to enhance their online presence.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Excellent organisation of the interface and menu, coupled with good customer service.	Some localisation features may be missing, or there may be unfamiliar additional features.
Extremely user-friendly with outstanding customer service, especially noted in X-Cart 4.	Occasional issues can arise, but solutions are typically provided swiftly.
Offers extensive out-of-the-box functionality and numerous free, complete add-ons, ideal for startups.	The focus tends to be more on X-Cart 5, which might disadvantage users of X-Cart 4.

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Choosing an eCommerce Platform: Features to Consider

When selecting an eCommerce software to sell your products, several key factors should be taken into account. As you evaluate your options, dedicate time to thoroughly assess the following features:

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Secure checkout and payment system

A robust checkout system not only safeguards sensitive financial information but also enhances the overall shopping experience by reducing friction during the payment process. For instance, platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer integrated, secure payment gateways that support various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

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These platforms ensure that transactions are encrypted, protecting both the merchant and the customer from potential fraud. Moreover, having a seamless checkout experience can significantly reduce cart abandonment rates.

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Simply put, features such as guest checkout options, recurring billing, multiple payment methods, and clear error notifications contribute to a smoother transaction process. Additionally, integrating security protocols like SSL certificates and PCI compliance further reassure customers that their data is safe.

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Online and Offline Sales

Another feature to consider is online and offline sales functions. An effective eCommerce solution should integrate both channels smoothly, allowing you to manage your physical and digital storefronts in unison. For instance, a comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) system should synchronise with your online store, updating inventory and sales data in real-time.

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Furthermore, the range of POS hardware the platform offers should be evaluated. Some systems provide proprietary devices, whereas others might necessitate third-party equipment. It's important to ensure that there are flexible solutions for various selling environments, such as pop-up shops, market stalls, or mobile sales, enhancing your capability to conduct transactions effectively across different settings.

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Inventory Management

Picking a platform that efficiently tracks stock levels, manages suppliers and buyers, and automates reordering processes is essential. Look for features that allow integration with various courier services, enabling you to offer multiple shipping options to your customers. This flexibility can significantly improve customer satisfaction by providing choices that suit their needs. Additionally, an effective platform should be capable of handling returns seamlessly, ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your customers.

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For example, BigCommerce offers advanced inventory management tools and integrates with popular shipping carriers such as UPS and FedEx, allowing real-time shipping rate calculations and streamlined return processes. Magento, on the other hand, supports extensive customisation options and integrates with numerous third-party services, enabling enterprises to tailor their shipping and stock management to their specific needs.

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Customer Support

When assessing the reliability of customer support on an eCommerce site, it is essential to consider several factors. Firstly, prioritise sites that offer 24/7 assistance across multiple channels, including phone support, email, and live chat. Moreover, having access to self-help resources can be invaluable for quick fixes. Comprehensive tutorials, detailed knowledge-base articles, and FAQs can significantly enhance your ability to resolve issues independently.

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For example, some platforms offer a robust help centre filled with step-by-step guides and video tutorials that empower users to troubleshoot common problems on their own.

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Additional Tools and Features

Essential features such as SEO tools, email marketing capabilities, social media integration, and options for gathering customer reviews will support a sustainable marketing strategy. Regardless of your specific market, dedicating time to promoting your online store and establishing your brand is crucial. The ideal platform should aid this process by offering advanced functionalities.

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For example, loyalty programs can encourage repeat business, personalised recommendations can boost sales by tailoring offers to individual preferences, and customer segmentation can enhance marketing efforts by grouping consumers based on certain criteria.

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Unlocking eCommerce Growth With Bezos

There is no doubt that in online eCommerce, your platform choice can make or break your business. That is why you need the right eCommerce consultants in the UK.

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Enter Bezos, the game-changing logistics partner that transforms operational challenges into growth opportunities for SMEs.

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We aren’t just another UK eCommerce fulfilment service; we’re a growth catalyst. With fulfilment centres in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, we offer a seamless solution that scales with your ambitions. Our full-service approach handles everything from storage to delivery, freeing up to five hours a day – time you can invest back into your business or enjoy at your leisure.

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Plus, our AI-driven system doesn't just solve logistics issues; it anticipates them, ensuring your customer experience is as flawless as your eCommerce platform. With Bezos, not only are you shipping products, but you're delivering happiness backed by a dedicated account manager and a commitment to radical transparency.

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For various businesses, whether they are UK drink brands or Australian consumer brands poised to conquer new markets, Bezos is the strategic partner you need. Our no-strings-attached policy means no hidden fees, no setup costs, and no minimum volumes. Just pure, scalable efficiency.

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Ready to elevate your eCommerce business? Speak to a Bezos expert today and start saving now. Your growth journey can begin in less than 72 hours.

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Conclusion

As we navigate the bustling landscape of UK eCommerce in 2024, the importance of selecting the right platform cannot be overstated. Each one we've explored offers unique features, from all-encompassing ecosystems to customisable nature, user-friendly designs, and sleek templates. Your choice hinges on aligning these platforms' strengths with your business goals, ensuring that your online presence is not just established but primed for growth.

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With that said, it's the behind-the-scenes orchestration of fulfilment that elevates customer satisfaction and loyalty. Bezos stands ready to streamline your logistics, from checkout to doorstep, ensuring that every order is a step towards building a sustainable, thriving business.

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So what are you waiting for? Take the leap towards operational excellence and speak to a Bezos expert today. Your journey to the top of the eCommerce ladder is just a conversation away.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular eCommerce platform in the UK?

Shopify is the most popular in the UK, favoured for its user-friendly interface, extensive customisation options, and robust support.

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What is the biggest eCommerce market in the UK?

The biggest online market in the UK is fashion, leading in online consumer spending and sales volume.

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Which eCommerce platform is best?

The best eCommerce platform depends on your specific needs. For instance, Shopify is ideal for ease of use and extensive integrations. WooCommerce is best for flexibility and customization, especially if you are using WordPress. Similarly, BigCommerce is excellent for advanced enterprise features and scalability.

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