How Can I Make an E-commerce Website?

By Thom Harrison - January 17, 2025

E-commerce is all about building online spaces where products can be offered to customers, 24/7.

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. No need for a big budget or a dedicated IT team to get started — just click, drag, and sell.

We’ll 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’ll also explore design, user experience, and simple SEO tips to help attract customers and keep them coming back.

Why sell online?

The UK is the third-largest e-commerce market in the world today. That’s right — third, ahead of Japan, ahead of Germany, and behind only the US and China.

Online business in the UK is valued at a staggering $195 billion (around £160 billion) in terms of business-to-customer (B2C) revenue. Impressive stuff.

To make sense of the numbers, nearly 65 million of us in the UK have internet access, of which over 50 million can be counted as online shoppers. Britain leads Europe in terms of spending per e-shopper, with the average person spending £4,115 spent online each year. Online retail accounts for 36% of the UK retail market in total.

Mobile shopping plays a big part in that. According to SellersCommerce, 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%.

Surprisingly, the UK also ranks very highly when it comes to future potential. E-commerce is growing — but still has plenty of room to grow further.

In short, there’s never been a better time to start your own online store.

The future of retail: online or bust?

All this stands in stark contrast to the realities of the high street. Sadly, physical shops continue to struggle as more customers prefer the comfort of shopping from their sofas. Over 28,000 shops have closed since 2010. This trend has accelerated in recent years, with many well-known retailers shutting numerous locations, or closing down entirely.

Staying relevant means embracing change. Commerce hasn’t gone away — it’s just somewhere else. Moving online can open up s a world of opportunities. Starting fresh or bringing an existing business online offers immense potential for success. Retailers who adapt can reach a larger, ever-growing market.

It’s about meeting customers where they are, and increasingly, that’s online — and on mobile.

10 Reasons to Take Your Business Online

✓ Eyes on your brand

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’ve got to grow your customer base and get noticed. Plus, the more people see your brand, the more likely it is they’ll remember it when they’re ready to buy.

✓ Scalability, Flexibility

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’s adding new products, expanding your marketing, or adjusting your operations based on what’s working best.

✓ Building customer relationships

Running your store online lets you connect directly with customers. You can chat with them, get feedback, and offer a personalised service—no middlemen needed. This makes it easier to create loyal customers who feel heard and valued.

✓ Be open 24/7 (if you like!)

With an online shop, you’re 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’re not limited by traditional business hours.

✓ Marketing ROI

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.

✓ Lower overheads

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—growing 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.

✓ Improved stock control

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.

✓ Customer insights

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’re looking for, when they’re looking for it.

✓ Smarter decisions

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’s working and what needs tweaking. Free tools like Google Analytics can help you adjust strategy — and you really don’t need an IT degree to get results.

✓ Global reach

You’re 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’s where you want to go. The whole online world is your marketplace.

What’s the difference between e-commerce and online stores?

E-commerce and online shops or stores are essentially the same thing — websites where buying and selling take place.

The difference might come down to context. For smaller, more local businesses, “online store” feels a bit more down to earth; bigger international businesses tend to be described more in terms of e-commerce.

As we’ll 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’t need all that just to start your own successful online store.

How to choose an e-commerce platform

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?

The best platform for your online store will depend on the size of your business and how much control you want over your site’s design and functionality.Whether you’re 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?

Here are some options to consider:

Website Builder

For many small businesses, an in-browser design tool like 123 Reg Website Builder is one of the quickest and easiest ways to launch an online store.

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.

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’s a great option for getting your shop online fast.

Online Store Builder

Looking for something more advanced? Online Store Builder 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!

Managed WordPress

WordPress is a popular choice for those who want more flexibility and room to grow.

Managed WordPress Hosting gives businesses a high level of customisation, making it ideal for shops that plan to expand their features over time. While WordPress requires a bit more technical know-how than Website Builder, it’s still user-friendly. There’s no real need to grapple with coding like HTML (unless you want to) and the platform’s intuitive design makes it accessible even for small businesses.

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 WooCommerce make it possible to turn your WordPress site into a fully-fledged online shop, with control over product listings, stock control, payments, and more.

Major E-commerce CMS

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 — making them a good fit for businesses with big ambitions and global reach.

E-commerce giants like Amazon and Alibaba invest heavily in web infrastructure to deal with traffic. Alibaba’s system can process over 544,000 orders each second during the busiest moments.

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.

Of course, you might start with simpler tools and switch to a more advanced platform as you grow — there’s nothing stopping you from buying a domain, starting with Website Builder, and then moving to a WordPress or another CMS platform later on.

Checklist: Must-have e-commerce features

Excellent customer experience

A well-designed online shop can have up to a 200% higher visit-to-order conversion rate than a poorly one. And visit-to-lead conversion rates can be more than 4x higher on e-commerce sites that deliver a better experience.

47% of consumers expect a website to load in 2 seconds or less. A 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’re looking for? Is the layout simple and clean, with clear product categories and filters?

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 – a well-organised store will keep customers coming back for more.

Secure payments

Of course, an online store wouldn’t get very far without the ability to take payments from customers.

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.

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.

Smart inventory management

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 ill working in a way that’s slower and more prone to mistakes.

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.

Measure success with analytics

Understanding the numbers behind your store is key for growth. Tracking your website’s performance shows what’s working and what needs tweaking. Tools like Google Analytics help you see where your traffic’s coming from, what products are selling well, and how long visitors are sticking around. Using analytics well can drive more traffic, increase conversions, and grow your e-commerce business.

Mobile optimisation

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’s mobile-friendly isn’t a nice-to-have anymore – it’s a must. Website Builder does the hard work for you, with dozens of responsive design templates that automatically adjust your store’s layout for mobile devices. That way, your customers can browse and buy with ease, whether they’re on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Engagement

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. It’s important not to overwhelm them, but a few well-timed emails can work wonders for keeping your brand in their minds.

The online shopping world is always evolving, and so should your store. 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.

Keep your store fresh, build strong customer relationships, and use analytics to your advantage, and you’ll set yourself up for long-term success. It’s not just about making sales – it’s about building a business that grows over time. Stay on top of the latest trends in your industry will help you stay relevant and competitive – whether that’s in terms of product offerings or your website design.

A great domain name

Finding a great domain name 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.

While popular extensions like .co.uk or .uk are great choices, you might also consider alternatives such as .store, .shop, .online, or even .ai 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.

Another strategy is the idea of reverse branding. That is: find a catchy domain name that’s cheap and available first, then build your brand around that. Even if the perfect name doesn’t match your initial idea exactly, let it inspire you. A memorable domain can influence the overall branding and feel of your online store.

Professional email to match

A custom domain email address is an email that uses your own domain name, like you@yourbusiness.co.uk, rather than generic choices like @hotmail or @gmail.

Having an email address with your own domain is a step up from free email services in that it’s 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.

Email marketing is alive and well — and actually one of the most effective lead-generating strategies. According to HubSpot, 66% of consumers report 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.

How much does it cost to build an online store?

Building your own e-commerce website doesn’t 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’re willing to invest in design and marketing.

If you go for a website builder like 123 Reg Website Builder, you can expect to pay from around £10 to £30 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 £10-£20 per year.

If you choose WordPress with WooCommerce, the platform itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for hosting (typically £3-£10 per month) and possibly a premium theme (from around £40-£100). You might also need to invest in plugins for added features, which can cost anywhere from £20 to a few hundred pounds, depending on what you need.

On the higher end, larger-scale ecommerce for big business can start at £300 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’s probably more than you need.

123 Reg Website Builder is an affordable and simple solution for small businesses. For the price, you get hosting, design templates, e-commerce features, and customer support. It’s a one-stop-shop for building your store with minimal fuss.

WordPress with WooCommerce offers a lot of flexibility, but you’ll need to budget for hosting, premium themes, plugins, and possibly a developer if you want something custom. It’s great if you want more control, but it can take more time to get everything set up.

Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus, and similar platforms are for businesses that need complex, large-scale solutions. The costs are significantly higher, but you get advanced features, customisation, and support for handling large volumes of transactions. Such platforms are best suited to major businesses with more technical needs.

When it comes to costs, it’s all about finding what fits your business. If you’re 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.

SEO: How to get found online and drive traffic to your shop

Online or offline, there’s not much point in building a shop that noone can find. This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in.

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.

SEO is every bit as important to online commerce as traditional marketing. In fact, many would argue it’s even more important. One HubSpot report suggests that SEO-driven leads have an average close rate of 14.6%, compared to just 1.7% for more traditional methods.

Creating content such as blogs or product reviews, and gaining backlinks from trusted sites, can also improve your search rankings. The higher you rank, the easier it is for people to find your store and start buying.

For more, take a look at: The A-Z of SEO and Local SEO – How to Get My Business Found Online

Wrap Up

The best time to start your online store is now. Choose a platform that suits your needs and start building with a clear plan in mind. With the right tools and a bit of effort, you can have your e-commerce business up and running in no time. Why wait? Start today, and watch your e-commerce business grow.