The world of e-commerce is booming, especially in the UK, where businesses are competing to meet the increasing demands of online shoppers. If you’re starting or expanding your UK-based online store, choosing the right e-commerce platform can make or break your success. In this guide, we break down the top 7 e-commerce platforms for UK businesses in 2024, highlighting their features, costs, and the benefits they offer to British merchants.
1. Shopify: Best for Small to Medium-Sized UK Businesses
Shopify Features
- Easy to set up, no coding required
- UK payment methods such as Klarna, PayPal, and Stripe
- VAT-compliant invoicing
- Multi-channel selling (website, social media, marketplaces)
Pricing (GBP): Starts at £29/month, with plans that grow alongside your business.
Why Choose Shopify? Shopify is the go-to platform for small and medium-sized UK businesses looking for a quick, hassle-free setup. With local payment options, built-in VAT handling, and seamless integrations with Royal Mail for shipping, Shopify is designed to support UK entrepreneurs' growth journey.
2. WooCommerce: Best for WordPress Users in the UK
WooCommerce Features
- Open-source, free to use with WordPress
- Integrates with UK payment providers (Worldpay, Sage Pay, Stripe)
- Supports UK VAT compliance
- Large plugin ecosystem for customisation
Pricing (GBP): WooCommerce is free, but hosting typically starts around £5-£20/month.
Why Choose WooCommerce? WooCommerce is perfect for UK business owners who already run WordPress sites and want to extend their functionality with an e-commerce solution. It integrates well with local tools for VAT compliance and payment processing, giving you flexibility and control.
If you like customisation and already have a WordPress site, WooCommerce is a powerful and cost-effective option.
👉 Download WooCommerce for free
👉 Need help setting up WooCommerce? Contact us for expert assistance
3. BigCommerce: Best for Scaling UK Businesses
BigCommerce Features
- No transaction fees, even as your sales grow
- Advanced SEO tools to improve rankings in UK search results
- Supports GBP and integrates with Royal Mail and DPD for local shipping
- Excellent multi-channel selling options
Pricing (GBP): Starts at £24/month with no transaction fees.
Why Choose BigCommerce? BigCommerce offers the perfect blend of advanced SEO features, easy scalability, and cost-effectiveness for UK businesses looking to scale quickly. Plus, you don’t have to worry about transaction fees as your business grows, and with integrations for local shipping providers like Royal Mail, delivering to your customers.
4. Wix eCommerce: Best for Design Flexibility
Wix Features
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop design builder
- Customisable templates tailored for creative businesses
- UK payment integrations (Square, PayPal)
- In-built SEO and VAT handling
Pricing (GBP): Plans start at £20/month for e-commerce functionality.
Why Choose Wix eCommerce? Wix is a fantastic option for UK creatives looking to build beautiful, high-performing stores. With hundreds of design templates and a drag-and-drop editor, it gives you the tools to craft a visually stunning store with no technical experience required.
5. Magento (Adobe Commerce): Best for Large Enterprises
Magento Features
- A customisable, open-source platform built for large-scale stores
- VAT-compliant with support for complex tax rules
- Extensive product management for large inventories
- Ideal for businesses with international sales
Pricing (GBP): The open-source version is free, but hosting and development can start from £100/month. Adobe Commerce has custom pricing based on business needs.
Why Choose Magento? For large UK enterprises with complex e-commerce needs, Magento (Adobe Commerce) offers unmatched customisation and control. Its ability to handle thousands of products and advanced VAT compliance makes it perfect for businesses that are operating on a larger scale or expanding internationally.
👉 Not sure if Magento is right for you? Get a free consultation
6. Squarespace: Best for Creative Professionals in the UK
Squarespace Features
- Elegant templates that work beautifully for designers and creatives
- Integrated VAT handling and UK-specific payment gateways
- UK domain and hosting services are available
- Built-in marketing tools to grow your online audience
Pricing (GBP): Starts at £24/month for e-commerce functionality.
Why Choose Squarespace? Squarespace is perfect for creative UK professionals who want a sleek, modern website that not only looks great but also functions flawlessly. Its simple interface and stunning templates make it easy to showcase your products while keeping your store fully VAT-compliant and ready for UK customers.
7. PrestaShop: Best for Customisation on a Budget
PrestaShop Features
- Free and open-source, with plenty of customisation options
- UK-specific modules for VAT and shipping
- Multi-language and multi-currency support
- Great for businesses selling internationally
Pricing (GBP): PrestaShop is free, but hosting costs start around £5-£30/month, depending on your requirements.
Why Choose PrestaShop? PrestaShop is perfect for UK businesses that need full customisation without the high costs. Its open-source nature allows you to build a unique online store with all the features you need, from VAT compliance to international shipping, at a fraction of the cost of other platforms.
How to Choose the Best E-Commerce Platform for Your UK Business
Selecting the right e-commerce platform is essential for the success of your business. Whether you’re a small creative business, a growing online retailer, or an enterprise looking to scale, there’s a platform out there tailored to your needs.
As a technology consultant, we specialise in helping UK businesses choose and implement the best platform for their unique goals. From Shopify to Magento, we can guide you through every step—from setup to optimisation for VAT compliance and growth.
