In today’s digital-first world, having an online presence is essential for small businesses to succeed. With a multitude of ecommerce platforms available, choosing the right one for your business can be overwhelming. To simplify your decision, we’ve curated a list of the eight best ecommerce platforms for small businesses in the UK, highlighting their features, benefits, and pricing.
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms globally, and for good reason. Known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Shopify caters to businesses of all sizes.
Key Features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop store builder
- Over 100 professional templates
- Integrated payment options, including Shopify Payments
- Extensive app marketplace
Pricing: Plans start at £25/month, with a free trial available.
Best For: Businesses looking for scalability and an all-in-one solution.
2. Wix eCommerce
Wix offers a versatile platform with a dedicated ecommerce option that’s perfect for beginners.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Customisable templates
- Integrated SEO tools
- Multiple payment gateways
Pricing: Ecommerce plans start at £15/month.
Best For: Small businesses seeking a budget-friendly and creative solution.
3. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is designed for businesses that want advanced selling tools and customisation options.
Key Features:
- No transaction fees
- Multi-channel selling (e.g., Amazon, eBay, social media)
- Comprehensive analytics
- Built-in SEO features
Pricing: Plans start at £25/month.
Best For: Businesses aiming for multi-channel retail and growth.
4. Squarespace
Primarily known as a website builder, Squarespace also offers excellent ecommerce capabilities.
Key Features:
- Stunning, mobile-optimised templates
- Integrated inventory management
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Built-in email marketing tools
Pricing: Ecommerce plans start at £20/month.
Best For: Creative businesses that prioritise design and branding.
5. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a flexible, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress, making it a great choice for existing WordPress users.
Key Features:
- Fully customisable
- Supports various payment gateways
- Large library of plugins and themes
- Free to use (additional costs for hosting and premium extensions)
Pricing: Basic plugin is free; hosting starts at £5/month.
Best For: Tech-savvy users familiar with WordPress.
6. Ecwid
Ecwid allows businesses to add ecommerce functionality to an existing website or social media page.
Key Features:
- Easily integrates with websites and platforms like Facebook
- Mobile-friendly storefronts
- Automated tax calculations
- Multi-language support
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at £12/month.
Best For: Businesses wanting to enhance an existing online presence.
7. Weebly by Square
Weebly offers simple tools to create an online store, with seamless integration with Square’s payment system.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop website builder
- Real-time shipping rates
- Built-in SEO tools
- Automatic tax calculations
Pricing: Plans start at £12/month.
Best For: Businesses already using Square for in-person payments.
8. Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Magento is a robust, feature-rich platform ideal for larger small businesses with complex needs.
Key Features:
- Highly customisable and scalable
- Supports multiple stores and languages
- Advanced SEO and marketing tools
- Extensive integration options
Pricing: Open-source version is free; hosting and premium features incur additional costs.
Best For: Established businesses with a dedicated technical team.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right ecommerce platform depends on your business needs, technical expertise, and budget. While Shopify and BigCommerce are excellent for scalability, Wix and Squarespace stand out for their design capabilities. WooCommerce and Magento are ideal for businesses needing customisation, while Ecwid and Weebly cater to those enhancing existing sites.
Take advantage of free trials and demos to find the platform that aligns best with your goals. With the right platform, your small business in the UK can thrive in the competitive online marketplace.
