{"id":577059,"date":"2026-05-18T14:59:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?p=577059"},"modified":"2026-05-20T14:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:47:17","slug":"best-e-commerce-platforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/business\/business-software\/best-e-commerce-platforms","title":{"rendered":"The best e-commerce platforms in the UK 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>An e-commerce platform is software that can help your business get an online store up and running. Depending on the platform, it can handle everything from product listings and order management, to payment processing and customer service.<\/p><p>Because of this, it pays to take your time and compare e-commerce platforms carefully to find the right fit for your business. Here, we take a closer look at some of the options. <\/p><h3>Best ecommerce platforms in the UK 2026<\/h3><p><a href=\"#shopify\">Shopify<\/a>: Best all-rounder for scalability and growth<br><a href=\"#wix\">Wix<\/a>: Best for complete visual design freedom with no coding<br><a href=\"#sqaureonline\">Square Online<\/a>: Best for brick-and-mortar stores needing easy physical POS syncing<br><a href=\"#ecwid\">Ecwid by Lightspeed<\/a>: Best for adding a shopping cart to an existing website or blog<br><a href=\"#shopwired\">ShopWired<\/a>: Best platform for fast loading speeds and local support<br><a href=\"#woocommerce\">WooCommerce<\/a>: Best for WordPress users wanting total control and flexibility<br><a href=\"#ekm\">EKM<\/a>: Best for UK businesses wanting a fully managed, \u201cdone-for-you\u201d setup<br><a href=\"#godaddy\">GoDaddy<\/a>: Best for beginners needing a basic store launched quickly<br><a href=\"#adobecommerce\">Adobe Commerce<\/a>: Best for enterprise-level brands with massive product catalogs<br><a href=\"#shift4shop\">Shift4Shop<\/a>: Best for an all-in-one setup with deep built-in features without extra apps<br><a href=\"#squarespace\">Squarespace<\/a>: Best for design-focused creatives and visually stunning storefronts<\/p><div id=\"shopify\"><h3>Shopify<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>Shopify is a hosted platform which means it takes care of the technical side of managing an online store, so you don\u2019t have to. It\u2019s pretty quick to set up and offers a range of customisable templates for your shopfront and a variety of payment methods. However, as it\u2019s subscription based, you\u2019ll need to pay a monthly fee. <\/p><h4>Pros and cons of Shopify<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Quick to set up<\/li>\n                                    <li>No technical skills required<\/li>\n                                    <li>Secure checkout, with range of payment methods<\/li>\n                                    <li>Built-in tools and integrations<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Monthly fee and transaction charges<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited to Shopify templates<\/li>\n                                    <li>Many features require paid third-party apps<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><ul class=\"luna-accordionGroup accordionGroup\"><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000000\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000000\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Case study: Signing up to Shopify<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000000\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><div class=\"eeQuote box u-rounded--lg source-external type-experience\">\n    <div class=\"eeQuote__gridContainer\">\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__photoContainer\">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__startQuoteIcon\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"40\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 28\" fill=\"none\">\n  <path d=\"M13.1114 3.54845C12.05 5.01898 11.1447 6.64935 10.3955 8.43956C9.64624 10.2298 9.24041 11.8282 9.17798 13.2348C10.7389 13.8102 11.9563 14.6733 12.8304 15.8242C13.767 16.975 14.2352 18.3816 14.2352 20.044C14.2352 22.0899 13.5484 23.8482 12.1749 25.3187C10.8637 26.7253 9.2092 27.4286 7.21127 27.4286C5.15091 27.4286 3.43394 26.7253 2.06036 25.3187C0.686788 23.9121 0 21.8661 0 19.1808C0 16.3037 0.749223 13.043 2.24767 9.3986C3.74611 5.75424 5.83769 2.62138 8.52241 0L13.1114 3.54845ZM30.8762 3.54845C29.8148 5.01898 28.9095 6.64935 28.1602 8.43956C27.411 10.2298 27.0052 11.8282 26.9428 13.2348C28.5036 13.8102 29.7211 14.6733 30.5952 15.8242C31.5317 16.975 32 18.3816 32 20.044C32 22.0899 31.3132 23.8482 29.9396 25.3187C28.6285 26.7253 26.974 27.4286 24.976 27.4286C22.9157 27.4286 21.1987 26.7253 19.8251 25.3187C18.4516 23.9121 17.7648 21.8661 17.7648 19.1808C17.7648 16.3037 18.514 13.043 20.0124 9.3986C21.5109 5.75424 23.6025 2.62138 26.2872 0L30.8762 3.54845Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <figure class=\"eeQuote__photo\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Matt's headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/1680511217385.jpeg\" class=\"avatar avatar-200 photo finder-avatar\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/1680511217385.jpeg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/1680511217385.jpeg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/1680511217385.jpeg?fit=600 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\">\n                <\/figure>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__contentContainer \">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__content\">\n                                <div class=\"eeQuote__quote\">\n                    <p>\"I signed up to Shopify to see how difficult it was to get started for a beginner and was pleasantly surprised. After accepting a \u00a31 trial, I went into the dashboard and was ready to start building my store in under 5 minutes. No demos, no sales calls, and no complicated software installation.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.56.52-scaled.png\" alt=\"Shopify merchant dashboard overview screen for a newly created store account\" style=\"display: block; margin-bottom: 24px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.56.52-scaled.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.56.52-scaled.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.56.52-scaled.png?fit=600 600w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.56.52-scaled.png?fit=900 900w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.56.52-scaled.png?fit=1200 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" loading=\"lazy\">I had a look around the dashboard and was impressed with the analytics setup. Having run my own websites before, I know you can gain a lot of knowledge from data and reporting, so it was nice to see this already built out for me without any extra work.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.58.30-scaled.png\" alt=\"Shopify analytics panel displaying built-in store data tracking and reporting charts\" style=\"display: block; margin-bottom: 24px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.58.30-scaled.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.58.30-scaled.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.58.30-scaled.png?fit=600 600w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.58.30-scaled.png?fit=900 900w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-13.58.30-scaled.png?fit=1200 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" loading=\"lazy\">I liked the new AI feature called Sidekick. I started up a quick conversation and had a bit of back and forth, and it seemed capable of directing me to the right place. I can imagine this is a big win for people who don't have the resources to hire their own developers or designers. \"<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-14.33.01.png\" alt=\"Shopify Sidekick AI chat assistant interface showing a conversation workflow\" style=\"display: block; margin-bottom: 24px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-14.33.01.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-14.33.01.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-14.33.01.png?fit=600 600w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-14.33.01.png?fit=900 900w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-14.33.01.png?fit=1200 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                                                <div class=\"eeQuote__authorName\">\n                        Matt\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"eeQuote__authorTitle\">Publisher at Finder<\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul><div id=\"wix\"><h3>Wix<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>A great option for beginners, Wix makes it easy to get your website up and running without the need for technical experience. It offers a wide variety of templates, plus AI tools to keep your website looking fresh. It\u2019s also a hosted platform so will take care of tasks such as security, updates and web hosting. <\/p><h4>Pros and cons of Wix<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Good option for those with little technical knowledge<\/li>\n                                    <li>Hosting included<\/li>\n                                    <li>Fast setup with AI tools to help<\/li>\n                                    <li>Choose from more than 2,000 templates<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Limited flexibility<\/li>\n                                    <li>You'll need to pay more for advanced features<\/li>\n                                    <li>Difficult to swap templates once site is built<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"squareonline\"><h3>Square Online<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>Square Online is an all-in-one e-commerce website builder that uses customisable digital storefronts and lets you sync inventory directly with Square Point of Sale (POS) for easy sales. It\u2019s a fully hosted platform and you can get started for free as its most basic plan only charges transaction fees. If you want access to more features, you\u2019ll need to pay a monthly subscription charge.<br><h4s>Pros and cons of Square Online<div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Easy to set up<\/li>\n                                    <li>Free plan available<\/li>\n                                    <li>Links directly with Square POS<\/li>\n                                    <li>Fully hosted platform<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>You'll need to pay to access better features<\/li>\n                                    <li>Transaction fees apply<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited design flexibility<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/h4s><\/p><\/div><div id=\"ecwid\"><h3>Ecwid by Lightspeed<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>Ecwid by Lightspeed is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create an online store and sell products across multiple channels such as social media and online marketplaces. No technical skills are required to set up, and it includes a built-in code-free website builder called Instant Site. Monthly subscription fees apply.  <\/p><h4>Pros and cons of Ecwid by Lightspeed<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Easy set up<\/li>\n                                    <li>Instant Site option is ideal for beginners<\/li>\n                                    <li>Multi-platform selling<\/li>\n                                    <li>No transaction fees<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Monthly subscription fee<\/li>\n                                    <li>Basic SEO and marketing tools<\/li>\n                                    <li>Youll need to pay more for advanced features<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"shopwired\"><h3>ShopWired<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>You can build, design and manage your online store with ShopWired without the need for any coding knowledge. It offers a drag-and-drop build system with a range of templates, and supports several payment gateways as well as offering its own secure payment system, ShopWired Payments. It is fully hosted and has a monthly subscription model.<\/p><h4>Pros and cons of ShopWired<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>No technical knowledge required<\/li>\n                                    <li>Fully hosted e-commerce platform<\/li>\n                                    <li>No transaction fees on external gateways<\/li>\n                                    <li>Wide range of free templates<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Monthly subscription fee applies<\/li>\n                                    <li>Rigid customisation<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited in terms of integrations<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"woocommerce\"><h3>WooCommerce<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>WooCommerce allows you to add an online store to a WordPress website. The core plugin is free to install and enables you to control how you want your site to look and what you want to sell. Add-ons are available at an extra cost. However, as it\u2019s a self-hosted solution, you\u2019ll need to manage hosting, updates and security yourself. <\/p><h4>Pros and cons of WooCommerce<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>No subscription fees<\/li>\n                                    <li>Flexible and customisable<\/li>\n                                    <li>Full ownership and control<\/li>\n                                    <li>You can add extra features as your business grows<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>You'll need to be using WordPress to use WooCommerce<\/li>\n                                    <li>Security is your responsibility<\/li>\n                                    <li>Many essential features depend on plugins<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<ul class=\"luna-accordionGroup accordionGroup\"><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000001\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000001\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Case study: How Sarah uses WooCommerce for her personal styling business<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000001\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><div class=\"eeQuote box u-rounded--lg source-external type-experience\">\n    <div class=\"eeQuote__gridContainer\">\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__photoContainer\">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__startQuoteIcon\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"40\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 28\" fill=\"none\">\n  <path d=\"M13.1114 3.54845C12.05 5.01898 11.1447 6.64935 10.3955 8.43956C9.64624 10.2298 9.24041 11.8282 9.17798 13.2348C10.7389 13.8102 11.9563 14.6733 12.8304 15.8242C13.767 16.975 14.2352 18.3816 14.2352 20.044C14.2352 22.0899 13.5484 23.8482 12.1749 25.3187C10.8637 26.7253 9.2092 27.4286 7.21127 27.4286C5.15091 27.4286 3.43394 26.7253 2.06036 25.3187C0.686788 23.9121 0 21.8661 0 19.1808C0 16.3037 0.749223 13.043 2.24767 9.3986C3.74611 5.75424 5.83769 2.62138 8.52241 0L13.1114 3.54845ZM30.8762 3.54845C29.8148 5.01898 28.9095 6.64935 28.1602 8.43956C27.411 10.2298 27.0052 11.8282 26.9428 13.2348C28.5036 13.8102 29.7211 14.6733 30.5952 15.8242C31.5317 16.975 32 18.3816 32 20.044C32 22.0899 31.3132 23.8482 29.9396 25.3187C28.6285 26.7253 26.974 27.4286 24.976 27.4286C22.9157 27.4286 21.1987 26.7253 19.8251 25.3187C18.4516 23.9121 17.7648 21.8661 17.7648 19.1808C17.7648 16.3037 18.514 13.043 20.0124 9.3986C21.5109 5.75424 23.6025 2.62138 26.2872 0L30.8762 3.54845Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <figure class=\"eeQuote__photo\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sarah's headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/sarah_300_300.png\" class=\"avatar avatar-200 photo finder-avatar\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/sarah_300_300.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/sarah_300_300.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/sarah_300_300.png?fit=600 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\">\n                <\/figure>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__contentContainer \">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__content\">\n                                <div class=\"eeQuote__quote\">\n                    <p>\"I set up a WordPress site last year for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sarahlillystyling.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">my personal styling business<\/a>, and this year I wanted to add a simple store page to it. I chose WooCommerce with Stripe because I just wanted something tried and tested. I did have some compatibility issues with my WordPress theme, Astra, that meant that after users had added an item to their cart, they had no easy way of then getting to the cart. That took a couple of hours of wrangling, but once it was ironed out, I was able to launch my store. The whole thing was sorted in a weekend and the big launch went smoothly!\"<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                                                <div class=\"eeQuote__authorName\">\n                        Sarah\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"eeQuote__authorTitle\">Tunbridge Wells<\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div><div id=\"ekm\"><h3>EKM<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>With e-commerce platform EKM, you can build an online shop with no need for web design or coding experience. As it\u2019s fully hosted, it handles all platform updates and security monitoring for you. It also includes built-in payment systems and you can connect to payment gateways like PayPal. Its Evolution Mode makes continuous updates to your shop too.<\/p><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>No technical knowledge required<\/li>\n                                    <li>Evolution Mode makes regular updates to shop<\/li>\n                                    <li>Fully hosted platform<\/li>\n                                    <li>Many built-in features<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>High subscription fees<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited customisation<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited app integration<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"adobecommerce\"><h3>Adobe Commerce<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>Adobe Commerce allows businesses to customise their websites, manage products and inventory, process payments and sell across multiple channels, including websites and marketplaces. It also includes tools for marketing, customer insights and personalised shopping experiences. It\u2019s best suited to larger or fast-growing businesses. <\/p><h4>Pros and cons of Adobe Commerce<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Highly customisable<\/li>\n                                    <li>Can support multiple storefronts<\/li>\n                                    <li>Includes advanced tools for customer personalisation<\/li>\n                                    <li>Integrates with third-party apps<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Can be expensive<\/li>\n                                    <li>Often requires technical expertise<\/li>\n                                    <li>More complex than some of its competitors<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"shift4shop\"><h3>Shift4Shop<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>Shift4Shop allows you to build, manage and grow your online store with ease. It handles everything from website design and inventory management to payment processing and shipping. However, it is heavily geared towards the US market, meaning some features, integrations and support options may be less suited to UK businesses.  <\/p><h4>Pros and cons of Shift4Shop<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Includes range of built-in features<\/li>\n                                    <li>Supports SEO<\/li>\n                                    <li>Comes with strong inventory management and product customisation tools<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Heavily focused on US market<\/li>\n                                    <li>Setup may require more technical knowledge<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited third-party and app integrations<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"squarespace\"><h3>Squarespace<\/h3><h4>Why we like it<\/h4><p>Squarespace is a hosted website builder renowned for its design-led, visually stunning templates, making it an excellent choice for creatives, artisans, and boutique brands. It takes care of all the technical heavy lifting, including web hosting, software updates, and security. While it offers a highly intuitive drag-and-drop editor to customize your shopfront, you will need to subscribe to one of its higher-tier monthly plans to unlock full e-commerce functionality.<\/p><h4>Pros and cons of Squarespace<\/h4><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Visually stunning, award-winning design templates<\/li>\n                                    <li>Fully hosted platform with security and updates included<\/li>\n                                    <li>Excellent built-in marketing, blogging, and SEO tools<\/li>\n                                    <li>Easy-to-use visual editor ideal for beginners<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Monthly subscription fee applies (plus transaction fees on basic plans)<\/li>\n                                    <li>E-commerce features are less powerful than dedicated platforms like Shopify<\/li>\n                                    <li>Limited flexibility for complex or massive product inventories<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<ul class=\"luna-accordionGroup accordionGroup\"><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000002\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000002\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Case study: How two sisters have created Fit Sisters Coaching using Squarespace to grow their fitness brand<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000002\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><div class=\"eeQuote box u-rounded--lg source-external type-experience\">\n    <div class=\"eeQuote__gridContainer\">\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__photoContainer\">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__startQuoteIcon\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"40\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 28\" fill=\"none\">\n  <path d=\"M13.1114 3.54845C12.05 5.01898 11.1447 6.64935 10.3955 8.43956C9.64624 10.2298 9.24041 11.8282 9.17798 13.2348C10.7389 13.8102 11.9563 14.6733 12.8304 15.8242C13.767 16.975 14.2352 18.3816 14.2352 20.044C14.2352 22.0899 13.5484 23.8482 12.1749 25.3187C10.8637 26.7253 9.2092 27.4286 7.21127 27.4286C5.15091 27.4286 3.43394 26.7253 2.06036 25.3187C0.686788 23.9121 0 21.8661 0 19.1808C0 16.3037 0.749223 13.043 2.24767 9.3986C3.74611 5.75424 5.83769 2.62138 8.52241 0L13.1114 3.54845ZM30.8762 3.54845C29.8148 5.01898 28.9095 6.64935 28.1602 8.43956C27.411 10.2298 27.0052 11.8282 26.9428 13.2348C28.5036 13.8102 29.7211 14.6733 30.5952 15.8242C31.5317 16.975 32 18.3816 32 20.044C32 22.0899 31.3132 23.8482 29.9396 25.3187C28.6285 26.7253 26.974 27.4286 24.976 27.4286C22.9157 27.4286 21.1987 26.7253 19.8251 25.3187C18.4516 23.9121 17.7648 21.8661 17.7648 19.1808C17.7648 16.3037 18.514 13.043 20.0124 9.3986C21.5109 5.75424 23.6025 2.62138 26.2872 0L30.8762 3.54845Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <figure class=\"eeQuote__photo\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lucy's headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/lucy_300_300.jpg\" class=\"avatar avatar-200 photo finder-avatar\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/lucy_300_300.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/lucy_300_300.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/lucy_300_300.jpg?fit=600 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\">\n                <\/figure>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__contentContainer \">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__content\">\n                                <div class=\"eeQuote__quote\">\n                    <p>\"We have used Squarespace for our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fitsisterscoaching.com\/\">coaching site and shop<\/a> for several years now and have loved the experience overall. The platform is really user-friendly, even if you're not super tech-savvy, and it makes creating and maintaining a professional-looking website feel simple and stress-free.One of the biggest things we love is how clean and modern the templates look, everything feels polished and easy to customise to suit our brand. Updating pages, adding content, embedding videos, and making general changes on the go has been really straightforward, which is ideal when running a busy business.We've also found the mobile version works brilliantly, which is important as so many people browse on their phones now. We haven't explored the email marketing side too much yet, but the online scheduling tool has been a really great feature for us and makes booking client calls and meetings feel very seamless and professional.That said, we do find blog post editing a little clunky at times, and adding or embedding images isn't always the easiest process compared to some other platforms. We've also found it a little limiting that when adding a subscription payment, you can't easily include a product or downloadable PDF alongside it, which feels like a bit of a flaw for onboarding new sign-ups.Overall, Squarespace has been a great option for creating a professional, easy-to-manage website without needing a web developer for every little change. We'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a sleek, modern website platform that's simple to use and visually impressive.\"<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                                                <div class=\"eeQuote__authorName\">\n                        Lucy\n                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"eeQuote__authorTitle\">Fit Sisters Coaching<\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div><h3>How to choose the best e-commerce platform<\/h3><p>To choose an e-commerce platform you\u2019ll need to consider the following points:<\/p><li><strong>Ease of use<\/strong>. Some platforms are fully hosted and designed for beginners, while others require more technical knowledge, so think about what you\u2019re most comfortable with. <\/li><li><strong>Features and tools<\/strong>. Compare the different tools available to see what best suits your business \u2013 some platforms are more customisable than others, while some offer more in the way of SEO and marketing features.<\/li><li><strong>Payment and shipping options<\/strong>. Check whether the platform supports your preferred payment providers and shipping integrations.<\/li><li><strong>Pricing<\/strong>. Are you happy paying a monthly fee or would you prefer a free option that might require you to pay more for add-ons? <\/li><p>There are pros and cons to all platforms and it\u2019s up to you to decide what\u2019s most important to you when comparing your options. <\/p><h3>E-commerce platforms vs marketplaces<\/h3><p>An e-commerce platform is software that a business uses to create and run its own online store, while a marketplace is a website where multiple sellers offer products to customers in one place. Examples of e-commerce platforms include Shopify and WooCommerce, while Amazon and eBay are marketplaces. <\/p><p>A key difference is that with an e-commerce platform, you own the branding, customer experience and customer data, but you are responsible for driving traffic to the site. By contrast, marketplaces provide built-in audiences and easier access to customers, but businesses face higher competition and fees and less control over branding. <\/p><h3>Choosing a marketplace as an alternative<\/h3><p>Marketplaces provide an established infrastructure to list and sell products efficiently. They offer access to a broad consumer base and integrated tools without the need for a standalone website. While independent e-commerce platforms allow for greater brand customisation, marketplaces leverage existing consumer trust to facilitate business growth.<\/p><h4>Ebay<\/h4><p>eBay is an online marketplace that enables users to sell items through both auction-style and fixed-price listings. It accommodates a diverse inventory, including new, used, and refurbished consumer goods across multiple categories. Sellers are responsible for creating product descriptions, managing shipping logistics, and facilitating buyer communications. The platform provides a Global Shipping Programme to assist with international transactions and offers seller protection policies for eligible sales. It functions as a versatile platform for testing market demand for various products without the requirement of a standalone website.<\/p><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Selling Formats: Choice between auction-style bidding or \"Buy It Now\" fixed prices.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Logistics Management: Sellers are generally responsible for all shipping and handling.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Versatility: Fewer restrictions on the types of products that can be listed for sale.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Interface Design: The platform's layout is often considered less modern than competitors.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Global Reach: Integrated tools are available to facilitate sales to international buyers.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Buyer Interactions: Requires more direct management of customer queries and disputes.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h4>Amazon<\/h4><p>Amazon provides an international marketplace that allows third-party sellers to list products alongside Amazon\u2019s own inventory. It offers a large, established customer base and various logistics solutions, including Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), where the platform handles storage, packaging, and delivery. Sellers can choose between individual and professional plans depending on their sales volume. The platform supports a wide range of categories, from mass-produced goods to specialized brand items. It is designed for businesses seeking to scale operations and utilise a global distribution network.<\/p><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Market Reach: Access to one of the largest global consumer bases in e-commerce.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Fulfillment Services: Option to outsource logistics and customer service through FBA.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Consumer Trust: Benefits from the platform's established reputation for delivery and returns.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>High Competition: Sellers often compete directly with Amazon's own product lines.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Complex Fee System: Referral fees and storage costs can be high and vary by category.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Strict Requirements: High standards for seller performance and account health.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h4>Etsy<\/h4><p>Etsy is an e-commerce platform specifically designed for the sale of handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. It allows entrepreneurs to establish a digital storefront and reach a demographic of consumers who are specifically seeking unique or artisanal products. The platform requires sellers to manage their own inventory, shipping, and customer service. Sellers are charged a fixed fee for each listing and a percentage-based transaction fee upon the completion of a sale. This platform serves as a structured alternative for individuals transitioning from informal sales on social media to a dedicated marketplace.<\/p><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li><strong>Niche audiences<\/strong>: Access to consumers specifically looking for handmade and unique products.<\/li>\n                                    <li><strong>User interface<\/strong>: The platform provides a straightforward setup process for new sellers.<\/li>\n                                    <li><strong>Seller tools<\/strong>: Includes integrated analytics and basic marketing tools to track shop performance.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li><strong>Fee structure<\/strong>: Listing fees and transaction commissions are applied to every sale.<\/li>\n                                    <li><strong>Category restrictions<\/strong>: Items must meet strict handmade or vintage criteria to be listed.<\/li>\n                                    <li><strong>Limited branding<\/strong>: Customisation options for storefronts are restricted to platform templates.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h4>TikTok<\/h4><p>TikTok Shop enables direct sales within the TikTok app through video content and live broadcasts. It is specifically designed for digital natives transitioning from informal social selling to a structured e-commerce environment.<\/p><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Direct Integration: Allows for a seamless in-app checkout process, reducing friction during the purchasing journey.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Viral Potential: The platform's algorithm can provide significant organic reach for products featured in high-performing content.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Affiliate Programme: Provides access to a network of creators who can promote products in exchange for a commission.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Content Requirements: Requires consistent production of high-quality video content to maintain visibility and drive sales.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Shipping Standards: Sellers must adhere to strict dispatch and delivery timelines to maintain account health.<\/li>\n                                    <li>Commission Fees: The platform applies transaction fees and commissions that vary based on the product category.<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h3>Bottom line<\/h3><p>An e-commerce platform can be a relatively quick and easy way to build an online store, with many platforms taking care of the hosting, security and updates on your behalf. When comparing options, be sure to check what features and tools are available, how quickly you can get your online shop up and running, and exactly what you need to pay for. <\/p><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--alt\"><div class=\"luna-card__block has-padding-small\">We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms \"best\", \"top\", \"cheap\" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/terms-of-use\" class=\"fin-text-navy\">terms of use<\/a>. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.<\/div><\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn about the best e-commerce platforms to start selling online in the UK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1047,"featured_media":576833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130234],"tags":[],"asset_tag":[],"class_list":["post-577059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-software"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - 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