Choosing an eCommerce platform is one of the biggest decisions when you start selling online. The two most popular options for UK small businesses are Shopify and WooCommerce. Both are excellent, but they suit different needs.
Shopify: simple, hosted and reliable
Shopify is an all-in-one hosted platform. You pay a monthly subscription and Shopify takes care of hosting, security and updates.
Best for: businesses that want to launch quickly and keep maintenance to a minimum.
- Very easy to manage day to day
- Hosting, security and updates included
- Large app store for extra features
- Monthly fees plus app and transaction costs can add up
WooCommerce: flexible and fully yours
WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns a WordPress website into an online shop. You host it yourself, which means more control and more responsibility.
Best for: businesses that want flexibility, content-rich websites or complex product setups.
- Complete ownership of your site and data
- Highly customisable
- Excellent for combining content, blogs and shop
- Requires reliable hosting and regular maintenance
Questions to ask before you choose
- How many products do you sell, and how complex are they?
- How much time do you want to spend on maintenance?
- Do you need custom features or integrations?
- What’s your budget for monthly fees versus upfront development?
Our recommendation
There’s no single right answer, and that’s why we start every eCommerce project with a conversation about your products, customers and plans. Contact us for a free, impartial recommendation.