E-commerce is all about building online spaces where products can be offered to customers, 24\/7. <\/span><\/p>\n This article is written with the small business owner or solopreneur in mind. With platforms like Online Store Builder, launching a professional online store has never been easier. Just click, drag, and sell \u2014 no need for a hefty budget or a dedicated IT team to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ll guide you through everything step by step, from choosing the right platform and domain name to setting up product listings, payment options, and shipping. We\u2019ll also explore design, user experience, and simple SEO tips to help attract customers and keep them coming back.<\/span><\/p>\n The UK is the third-largest e-commerce market<\/a> in the world today.\u00a0 That\u2019s right \u2014 third, ahead of Japan, ahead of Germany, and behind only the US and China.<\/span><\/p>\n Online business in the UK is valued at a staggering $195 billion<\/a> (around \u00a3160 billion) in terms of business-to-customer (B2C) revenue. Impressive stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n To make some sense of the numbers, nearly 65 million<\/a> of us in the UK have internet access, while over 50 million of us<\/a> can be counted as online shoppers. Online retail accounts for 36% of the UK retail market. <\/a>Britain leads Europe in terms of spending per e-shopper, with the average person spending \u00a34,115 spent online each year<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mobile shopping plays a big part in that. According to SellersCommerce<\/a>, most online shopping transactions (63%) are made on mobile devices (or tablets) these days, with nearly half of those being made via apps. Cards are used for 52% of payments, while digital wallets cover 28%. <\/span><\/p>\n Surprisingly, the UK also ranks very highly when it comes to future potential. E-commerce is growing \u2014 but still has plenty of room to grow further.<\/span><\/p>\n In short, there\u2019s never been a better time to start your own online store<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n This all stands in stark contrast to what\u2019s happening on the high street. Alas, brick-and-mortar shops are struggling, as more customers prefer the comfort of shopping on the sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n Staying relevant means embracing change. For those already running businesses, moving online opens up a world of new opportunities. Retailers that adapt online can tap into a larger, and growing, market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether starting fresh or taking your existing business online, the potential for online success is huge. It\u2019s about meeting customers where they are, and increasingly, that\u2019s online \u2014 and on mobile.<\/span><\/p>\n Getting your store online gives you the chance to show off your brand and products to people all over the world. The wider the reach, the more chance you\u2019ve got to grow your customer base and get noticed. Plus, the more people see your brand, the more likely it is they\u2019ll remember it when they\u2019re ready to buy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Running an online shop means you can manage things from anywhere with an internet connection. Want to expand? Easy. Need to scale back? No problem. You can adjust as you go, whether it\u2019s adding new products, expanding your marketing, or adjusting your operations based on what\u2019s working best.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Running your store online lets you connect directly with customers. You can chat with them, get feedback, and offer a personalised service\u2014no middlemen needed. This makes it easier to create loyal customers who feel heard and valued.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With an online shop, you\u2019re open 24\/7. Customers can browse and buy when it suits them, making it easier to boost your sales without lifting a finger. Plus, you can cater to different time zones, so you\u2019re not limited by traditional business hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Online marketing tools like social media, email campaigns, and SEO are often far cheaper than traditional advertising. You can get your message out there to a bigger crowd without breaking the bank. Plus, they allow you to be more targeted, so you reach the right people at the right time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Forget the rent, utility bills, and physical stock storage. Running an online store means fewer costs, so you can put that money where it matters\u2014growing your business. Without the need for a physical storefront, you can reinvest those savings into better customer service, improved marketing, or expanding your product range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With built-in inventory management on many eCommerce platforms, tracking stock and handling orders becomes a breeze. Say goodbye to out-of-stock surprises! You can keep a close eye on stock levels, reorder in time, and avoid the stress of running low on popular items.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Online stores gather data on customer habits, likes, and shopping patterns. You can use this info to fine-tune your marketing, improve the customer experience, and make your products even more appealing. By understanding what your customers want, you can offer them exactly what they\u2019re looking for, when they\u2019re looking for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All that customer data helps you make better choices for your business. From tracking sales trends to seeing how well your campaigns are doing, the numbers tell you what\u2019s working and what needs tweaking. Free tools like Google Analytics<\/a> can help you adjust strategy \u2014 and you really don\u2019t need an IT degree to get results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019re not restricted by location when you run an online store. You can start selling across the UK, expand to Europe, or even take your products global if that\u2019s where you want to go. The whole online world is your marketplace. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n E-commerce and online shops or stores are essentially the same thing \u2014 websites where buying and selling take place.<\/span><\/p>\n The difference might come down to context. For smaller, more local businesses, \u201conline store\u201d feels a bit more down to earth; bigger international businesses tend to be described more in terms of e-commerce.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we\u2019ll get into, the e-commerce giants rely on advanced platforms so they can operate at scale, with powerful tools for managing inventory, and handling thousands of customised orders. This requires dedicated IT and support teams to keep everything running. But you don\u2019t need all that just to start your own successful online store<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before diving into the technical side of things, take a moment to think about the basics. What products or services are you going to sell, and who is your target audience?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best platform for your online store will depend on the size of your business and how much control you want over your site\u2019s design and functionality.Whether you\u2019re selling physical products, digital downloads, or services, your platform should give you the tools to connect with customers wherever they are. Take the time to research your audience as well. What are their preferences? Where do they shop?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some options to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n Website Builder<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n For many small businesses, an in-browser design tool like 123 Reg Website Builder<\/b><\/a> is one of the quickest and easiest ways to launch an online store.<\/span><\/p>\n This platform is incredibly user-friendly, offering a variety of professionally designed templates and all the essential tools to set up and manage your shop with ease.<\/span><\/p>\n Website Builder gives you everything to launch your site fast. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes customising your store a breeze, while flexible templates work to attract customers for any sort of business. It\u2019s a great option for getting your shop online fast.<\/span><\/p>\n Online Store Builder<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Looking for something more advanced? Online Store Builder<\/b><\/a> offers powerful tools for greater control and customisation. From inventory management and payment processing to advanced SEO features, it has everything you need to create a fully functional e-commerce store. All plans come with a free domain name, email address, SSL Certificate and hosting!<\/span><\/p>\n Managed WordPress<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n WordPress is a popular choice for those who want more flexibility and room to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n Managed WordPress Hosting<\/a><\/strong> gives businesses a high level of customisation, making it ideal for shops that plan to expand their features over time.\u00a0<\/span>While WordPress requires a bit more technical know-how than Website Builder, it\u2019s still user-friendly. There\u2019s no real need to grapple with coding like HTML (unless you want to) and the platform\u2019s intuitive design makes it accessible even for small businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n One major advantage is the vast library of plugins available. You can easily add features like contact forms, booking systems, or further SEO tools, as and when you need them. Powerful e-commerce plugins like<\/span>\u00a0WooCommerce<\/a> make it possible to turn your WordPress site into a fully-fledged online shop, with control over product listings, stock control, payments, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n Major E-commerce CMS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Larger businesses with more complex needs often turn to advanced e-commerce platforms like Adobe Commerce or BigCommerce. These CMS platforms are geared towards high traffic and large-scale operations, with features like detailed analytics and support for high-volume transactions \u2014 making them a good fit for businesses with big ambitions and global reach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n E-commerce giants like Amazon and Alibaba invest heavily\u00a0in web infrastructure to deal with traffic. Alibaba\u2019s system can process over 544,000 orders each second<\/a> during the busiest moments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For many small to medium-sized businesses, however, the big CMS platforms are likely to be overkill. More affordable and easy-to-use platforms are usually the better option. Without the need for a dedicated IT team, Website Builder and WordPress can help get your online shop up and running more quickly and easily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, you might start with simpler tools and switch to a more advanced platform as you grow \u2014 there\u2019s nothing stopping you from buying a domain, starting with Website Builder, and then moving to a WordPress or another CMS platform later on.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A well-designed online shop can have up to a 200% higher visit-to-order conversion rate<\/a> than a poorly one. And visit-to-lead conversion rates can be more than 4x higher<\/a> on e-commerce sites that deliver a better experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 47% of consumers<\/a> expect a website to load in 2 seconds or less. \u00a0A smooth, easy-to-navigate website is essential for keeping customers happy and driving sales. Think about how your customers will interact with your store: Can they easily find what they\u2019re looking for? Is the layout simple and clean, with clear product categories and filters?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your store should have intuitive navigation that makes shopping as easy as possible, without unnecessary clicks or confusion. Great design is key, but so is a great experience \u2013 a well-organised store will keep customers coming back for more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, an online store wouldn\u2019t get very far without the ability to take payments from customers.<\/span><\/p>\n Secure, convenient payment options are key to building trust and encouraging customers to complete their purchases. Shoppers need to know their personal and payment details are safe, so using secure payment gateways that encrypt sensitive data is a must.<\/span><\/p>\n The more straightforward and secure the payment process, the more likely they are to complete their purchase. Offering a range of payment options, like credit cards, PayPal, or Apple Pay, makes it easier for customers to pay in the way that suits them best.<\/span><\/p>\n According to Wasp, 43% of small businesses still manage their inventory manually. What this might really suggest is that a lot of online businesses are \u00a0ill working in a way that\u2019s slower and more prone to mistakes. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Smart, automated inventory management can make a huge difference. The right software helps keep track of stock in real-time, predict demand, and streamline the whole process. This means fewer errors, less time spent on admin, and a smoother experience for both you and your customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Understanding the numbers behind your store is key for growth. Tracking your website\u2019s performance shows what\u2019s working and what needs tweaking. Tools like Google Analytics help you see where your traffic\u2019s coming from, what products are selling well, and how long visitors are sticking around. <\/span>Using analytics well can drive more traffic, increase conversions, and grow your e-commerce business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n See also: Google Analytics \u2013 A Guide For Your Online Business and How to Use Google Trends<\/a><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A significant chunk of online shopping happens on mobile devices. In fact, most people do their shopping on phones and tablets. So, having a website that\u2019s mobile-friendly isn\u2019t a nice-to-have anymore \u2013 it\u2019s a must. Website Builder does the hard work for you, with dozens of <\/span>responsive design templates that automatically adjust your store\u2019s layout for mobile devices. That way, your customers can browse and buy with ease, whether they\u2019re on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n See also: Mobile Matters \u2013 Why You Need a Mobile-Friendly Website<\/a><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Customer relationships are key to growing your business, and one of the best ways to build those connections is through email marketing. Keep customers in the loop with regular newsletters, product updates, and exclusive offers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s important not to overwhelm them, but a few well-timed emails can work wonders for keeping your brand in their minds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The online shopping world is always evolving, and so should your store.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Once your online store is up and running, the next step is keeping it fresh and engaging. Regularly updating your products, content, and design will help keep customers coming back for more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keep your store fresh, build strong customer relationships, and use analytics to your advantage, and you\u2019ll set yourself up for long-term success. It\u2019s not just about making sales \u2013 it\u2019s about building a business that grows over time.\u00a0Stay on top of the latest trends in your industry will help you stay relevant and competitive \u2013 whether that\u2019s in terms of product offerings or your website design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n See also: Customer Retention Tactics: How to Keep Customers (Happy)<\/a><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finding a great domain name<\/a> is such an important step online shop. It should be short, easy to remember, and ideally say something about what your e-commerce site is all about.<\/span><\/p>\n While popular extensions like .co.uk<\/a> or .uk<\/a> are great choices, you might also consider alternatives such as .store<\/a>, .shop<\/a>, .online<\/a>, or even .ai<\/a> can work to help your site stand out. If your ideal domain is already taken, try adding a relevant keyword or adjusting the name to make it unique.<\/span><\/p>\n Another strategy is the idea of reverse branding. That is: find a catchy domain name that\u2019s cheap and available first, then build your brand around that. Even if the perfect name doesn\u2019t match your initial idea exactly, let it inspire you. A memorable domain can influence the overall branding and feel of your online store.<\/span><\/p>\n A custom domain email address is an email that uses your own domain name, like you@yourbusiness.co.uk<\/a>, rather than generic choices like @hotmail or @gmail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Having an email address with your own domain is a step up from free email services in that it\u2019s unique to you and your business. It works to highlight your brand with every message you send. When it comes to running an online store, there are few better ways to make a great first impression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Email marketing is alive and well \u2014 and actually one of the most effective lead-generating strategies. According to HubSpot, 66% of consumers report<\/a> having made an online purchase thanks to clicking a marketing email. Personalise your emails to make customers feel special, for example by sending birthday discounts or recommending products based on their previous purchases. The more you engage with your customers, the more likely they are to come back for future purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n See also: Why Every Business Needs a Professional Email Address<\/a><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Building your own e-commerce website doesn\u2019t have to cost a fortune, but there are a few costs to keep in mind. In the UK, the price can vary depending on the platform you choose, the features you need, and how much you\u2019re willing to invest in design and marketing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you go for a website builder like 123 Reg Website Builder, you can expect to pay from around \u00a310 to \u00a330 per month, depending on the plan. This includes hosting, security, and all the essential tools to get your store up and running, such as payment gateways and inventory management. You may also need to budget for your domain name, which can cost around \u00a310-\u00a320 per year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you choose WordPress with WooCommerce, the platform itself is free, but you\u2019ll need to pay for hosting (typically \u00a33-\u00a310 per month) and possibly a premium theme (from around \u00a340-\u00a3100). You might also need to invest in plugins for added features, which can cost anywhere from \u00a320 to a few hundred pounds, depending on what you need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the higher end, larger-scale ecommerce for big business can start at \u00a3300 per month and go up from there. These platforms offer more advanced features and customisation but come with higher costs and might need a developer to help set things up. For bigger businesses, this investment might be worth it, but for smaller shops, it\u2019s probably more than you need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to costs, it\u2019s all about finding what fits your business. If you\u2019re starting out, 123 Reg Website Builder or WordPress will likely cover everything you need without breaking the bank. As your business grows, you can always upgrade to a more advanced platform as you go along.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Online or offline, there\u2019s not much point in building a shop that noone can find. This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By using the right keywords on your landing page, in product descriptions, and across your site, SEO helps search engines like Google understand your shop and rank it higher in search results. The higher the ranking, the easier it is for customers to find you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SEO is every bit as important to online commerce\u00a0as traditional marketing. In fact, many would argue it\u2019s even more important. One HubSpot report<\/a> suggests that SEO-driven leads have an average close rate of 14.6%, compared to just 1.7% for more traditional methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why sell online?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
The future of retail: online or bust?<\/h4>\n
10 Reasons to Take Your Business Online<\/h2>\n
\u2713 Eyes on your brand<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Scalability, Flexibility<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Building customer relationships<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Be open 24\/7 (if you like!)<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Marketing ROI<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Lower overheads<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Improved stock control<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Customer insights<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Smarter decisions<\/h4>\n
\u2713 Global reach<\/h4>\n
What\u2019s the difference between e-commerce and online stores?<\/h2>\n
How to choose an e-commerce platform<\/h2>\n
Checklist: Must-have e-commerce features<\/h2>\n
Excellent customer experience<\/h4>\n
Secure payments<\/h4>\n
Smart inventory management<\/h4>\n
Measure success with analytics<\/h4>\n
Mobile optimisation<\/h4>\n
Engagement<\/h4>\n
A great domain name<\/h4>\n
Professional email to match<\/h4>\n
How much does it cost to build an online store?<\/h2>\n
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SEO: How to get found online and drive traffic to your shop<\/h2>\n
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