Are you looking for a Shopify alternative UK version?
Shopify is the #1 most used eCommerce platform followed by WooCommerce and is scaling quickly. The main reason behind its growth is its dynamic functionality and useful features.
But just like the best of eCommerce builders, Shopify has some weak spots like limited blog customization, pricing, and scalability.
There are some really great eCommerce hosts that can prove to be a perfect fit for your eCommerce business.
Ready? let’s dive right in.
1. SiteGround + WooCommerce
| Best for | Hosting live chat support, WooCommerce email, and WordPress forums |
| Transaction fee for credit card | You pay 2.9% + $0.03 for credit cards issued in the US and an additional 1% for credit cards issued outside the US |
| Customer support | Hosting live chat support, WooCommerce email and WordPress forums |
Unlike an eCommerce builder like Shopify, this is a more simplified way to launch your online shop. Shopify provides everything including domain, hosting, and content management system (for managing site content, apps, and more) all in one place. You just have to sign up.
But if you want more control over your site, you can choose to get these three from different platforms. Currently, WordPress is one of the best content management systems for launching a website. You can use it with SiteGround hosting (with complete control over the site backend with cPanel), and a domain name. You just need to get a SiteGround hosting and buy a domain. With this done, you can install WordPress from your hosting account. Similar to Shopify, you will have to install a free WordPress theme but you will have much more options.
Lastly, you just need to install a WooCommerce plugin on your WordPress dashboard (it provides eCommerce functionality).
- WordPress – WordPress is the content management system for managing your online store
- SiteGround – A premium hosting service that keeps your site up and running. They also offer domain name registration.
- WooCommerce – Free WordPress plugin that changes your site to an eCommerce store
When it comes to building an eCommerce store, SiteGround is the best hosting. You will get access to a complete toolset for launching and running your site. In their WooCommerce package, they offer free – SSL, CDN, Email, and unlimited database. You can use their official SG optimizer WordPress plugin to make your online store faster in just a few clicks.
The best part about a WordPress site is the SEO with the Yoast SEO plugin. You will have better features, especially for creating a blog to generate traffic from the Google search engine.
Lastly, after Shopify, WordPress has the highest number of WordPress plugins from print-on-demand and dropshipping companies providing swift integrations.
Standalone features
- Pre-installed SSL with one-click enable option
- Full control over site hosting with guaranteed 99.9% uptime
- Safe-stagging tool for testing development changes
- Built-in security features with AI anti-bot system
- Tons of free WordPress plugins for every single functionality
- 140 region-specific payment gateway by WooCommerce
- Sell both physical and digital products with WooCommerce
Pricing
You can host one site with SiteGround’s most basic plan and enjoy the unmetered bandwidth for better performance. It will only cost you £35.88 for a one-year hosting plan and £14.99 per year for the domain name. This is way cheaper than Shopify if you have web development knowledge.
2. BigCommerce
| Best for | Beginners, medium and enterprise online stores |
| Transaction fee for credit card | 2.9% + $0.03 per transaction |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat + phone |
The reason I placed BigCommerce on the second spot for Shopify alternatives is that it offers better design flexibility and charges no transaction fees. Unlike Shopify (that charges unless payment is made through Shopify payments). That said, transaction fees for a credit card are 0.3% higher for BigCommerce.
Feature-wise, you will get unlimited staff accounts in the most basic subscription (limited to 2 accounts with Shopify basic).
Standalone features
- Better design options
- Perfect for all business sizes
- Easy to handle custom product data
Pricing
BigCommerce pricing depends on your sales turnover. Once you reach the threshold it moves you to your next pricing tier.
- Standard plan for $29.95/month up to $50K annual sales
- Plus plan for $79.95/month up to $180K annual sale
- Pro plan at $299.95/month up to $400K annual sale
- Enterprise ranges from $400-$1500/year. You have to request a quote for the exact price. It comes with a dedicated account manager.
They are currently offering a 90-day free trial on all eCommerce plans due to the Corona crisis.
3. EKM
| Best for | Brick and Mortar (Offline to online connect with EPOS), dropshipping, and inventory |
| Transaction fee for credit card | Transaction fee for credit card 1.8% + £0.20* per transactions for UK and Europe cards |
| Customer support | Phone call, email, live chat, knowledge base & tutorials |
EKM is one of my top picks for my “Shopify alternative UK list”. This is not only due to the 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot but also the 19 years of experience. You will have access to over 70 themes and a dedicated account manager, so you can get started with EKM pretty quickly.
With a 99.9% uptime, unlimited bandwidth, free SSL, and a free domain name (it is something Shopify costs additionally for), you can add tons of products without any technical issues.
This Shopify alternative is fully optimized for UK dropshipping and print-on-demand with top UK dropshipping channels including – Avasam, Syncee, Two Fifteen, Snuggle, and Printify. Additionally, you can integrate it with top eCommerce marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Additionally, EKM has slightly better SEO features than Shopify.
Standalone features
- Fully accessible with desktop, tablet, and mobile
- Multi-account logins for inventory-based business
- Promote with built-in loyalty marketing, gift cards, and quick announcements
Pricing
EKM offers four pricing plans and you can avail of 14 day free trial-
Lite – £19.99 + VAT
- Basic – £34.99 + VAT
- Standard – £69.99 + VAT
- Advanced – £209.99 + VAT
4. ShopWired
| Best for | AliExpress dropshipping |
| Transaction fee for credit card | 1.4% +20p per transaction |
| Customer support | Live chat, email support and knowledge base |
Shopwired is a growing eCommerce platform that you can use for creating an elegant eCommerce store. This UK-based Shopify alternative has a Trustpilot rating of 4.9/5. You can use their free app, DropWired, to find products from AliExpress. You can also use Printful integration for launching a print-on-demand store.
That said, if you are using an alternative to AliExpress (as your supplier) then ShopWired is the best option for you.
Standalone features
- Automated stock and price updates
- Multi-channel feature for a global audience
- 20+ themes for eCommerce business
- Sell on Amazon, Instagram, and Google
- Integrates with ShipStation, Xero, and other platforms
Pricing
Their pricing starts at £29.95/mo and you can add up to 750 products.
How to choose from the Shopify alternatives UK list?
When deciding on UK Shopify alternatives, decide on the features you’d want for your store. If you want to have both budget and hosting functionality, WooCommerce and EKM are good options.
For enterprise, you can choose Shopify Plus. BigCommerce is also an excellent alternative for businesses of all shapes and sizes. If you are not sure which of the above Shopify alternatives is best for you, reach out to me and I will help you make a choice.
