So, you are thinking about starting an online store in the UK? That is an exciting step. With so many platforms out there, it is easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. Trust me, I have been there. Choosing the right E Commerce platform to create an online store in the UK can make or break your success.
Whether you are selling handmade crafts, vintage clothing, or the latest tech gadgets, having the right setup is essential. In this guide, I will walk you through the top 5 E Commerce platforms that UK sellers are using in 2025 to launch and grow their stores with ease. Let’s explore which one fits you best.
Top 5 E Commerce Platforms to Create an Online Store in the UK
Below, I have mentioned a list of the top 5 best E Commerce platforms that will help you create an online store in the UK. In this way, you can establish your online business and start selling products quite comfortably. However, you have to pick the platform wisely.
I always suggest thinking about what kind of products you are selling, how much time you want to spend on logistics, and where your audience hangs out online. Start with one that matches your style, and you will already be steps ahead of the competition.
1. Amazon UK – The Giant of E-Commerce
- Total Seller Accounts: 281,257
- Monthly Visitors: 354.4 million
If you have ever shopped online, chances are you have already bought something from Amazon. But what if I told you that selling on Amazon UK could be your fastest route to building an online business?
Amazon is not just a marketplace. It is a massive ecosystem that gives you access to millions of UK shoppers already primed to buy.
Trusted by Millions
Amazon has already earned the trust of shoppers. People know the brand, they trust its return policies, and they are comfortable inputting their card details. That gives you an instant advantage.
Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA)
One of the things I love most about Amazon is its FBA service. You send your products to their warehouse, and they handle the rest – from packing to shipping to customer service. It saves so much time, especially when your business starts scaling.
Prime Membership Perks
Selling through Amazon means you can tap into the Prime audience. Prime users spend more and shop more frequently. That means more visibility and potentially higher sales for your listings.
Built-in Traffic and SEO
You do not have to work hard on SEO from day one. Amazon brings the traffic. If your product ranks well, you are already ahead without spending loads on marketing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You get instant access to a massive UK customer base | Seller fees can be quite high and cut into your profit margins |
| Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) takes care of shipping and returns | |
| Amazon is a trusted brand that builds credibility for your store | |
| Your products become eligible for Prime customers | |
| You do not need to worry about driving traffic – Amazon already has it |
2. eBay – The Marketplace for Everything
- Total Seller Accounts: 17 million
- Monthly Visitors: 109 million
Now, let’s talk about eBay. While it started as an auction site, it has grown into one of the most powerful online marketplaces in the UK. If you are selling second-hand items, rare collectibles, or even brand new products, eBay is one of the best E Commerce platforms for you to build an online store in the UK, as it offers a flexible and well-known platform to get you started.
Wide Product Categories
Whether you are selling electronics, books, fashion, or car parts, eBay has room for it all. It’s incredibly versatile and has built a reputation for being a place where almost anything can be sold.
Easy Setup Process
You do not need technical skills to get started. Just create an account, upload your product photos, add descriptions, and you are ready to go. The interface is straightforward, which makes it ideal for beginners.
Competitive Pricing Strategy
One of the tricks that works well on eBay is competitive pricing. With built-in comparison features, shoppers can see your deal next to others, so pricing smartly can give you an edge.
Auction and Fixed Pricing Options
You are not stuck with one pricing model. Want to create urgency? Go to an auction. Prefer consistency? Fixed pricing has got your back. This flexibility is great, depending on your product type.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s super easy to set up and start selling right away | The platform is highly competitive, so standing out can be tricky. |
| You can choose between auctions or fixed-price listings | |
| There’s a wide range of product categories to explore | |
| eBay lets you sell internationally with built-in tools | |
| You get seller protection and dispute handling support |
3. Etsy – The Creative Seller’s Dream
- Total Seller Accounts: 8.1 million
- Monthly Visitors: 400 million
If you are a creator or craftsperson, Etsy might feel like home. It is tailored for handmade goods, vintage finds, and unique items that do not always fit into the cookie cutter mould of other marketplaces. And in the UK, Etsy’s popularity continues to rise.
Built for Niche Sellers
You know those handmade soaps or custom-made greeting cards? Etsy is where shoppers go looking for exactly those kinds of things. It is a platform made for creativity and passion-driven products.
Strong Community and Brand Identity
Selling on Etsy does not just mean listing products. You are joining a community. Many buyers come to Etsy not just for the products, but to support small, independent creators. That kind of loyalty is rare.
Beautiful Storefront Customisation
You can personalise your Etsy store to reflect your brand. It gives your shop a boutique feel, and that helps build customer trust and an emotional connection with your buyers.
Built in Marketing Tools
Etsy provides marketing features like off-site ads, email reminders to buyers, and search analytics. You do not have to be a marketing expert to get your products seen.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for handmade, vintage, and unique items | It’s limited to niche categories, not ideal for mass-market products |
| The community is full of loyal, supportive buyers | |
| You can customise your storefront to match your brand | |
| Etsy provides easy-to-use marketing and SEO tools | |
| It gives you international exposure right from day one |
4. ASOS Marketplace – Fashion Forward E-Commerce
- Total Seller Accounts: 900+ Brands (ASOS only allows top tier brands to list their products)
- Monthly Visitors: 400 million
ASOS Marketplace is a little different from the others. It is curated and focuses specifically on fashion. If you are running a vintage store or a fashion boutique, this is where you will want to be seen. It is more exclusive, but that is also part of its appeal.
Focused on Fashion Sellers
This platform is tailored for fashion-forward sellers. From vintage jeans to handmade jewellery, ASOS Marketplace attracts fashion-conscious buyers. If style is your product’s strength, this platform speaks your language.
High-Quality Branding Standards
ASOS does not accept just any store. Your brand needs to meet their visual and quality guidelines. But this helps maintain a premium feel, and that benefits everyone involved, including you.
Audience That Shops With Purpose
Shoppers on ASOS Marketplace are not looking for just any deal. They are there for something unique and stylish. That means your products are seen by people who are ready to buy, not just browse.
Supportive Seller Tools
You will get access to tools that help you manage your store, understand your performance, and keep your branding consistent. The team behind ASOS also provides advice and guidelines to help you succeed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It targets a fashion-focused, style-conscious audience | Getting approved is tough due to strict entry requirements |
| Your brand benefits from ASOS’s reputation | |
| There’s a strict quality standard, which improves buyer trust | |
| The curated nature makes it easier to shine | |
| It’s a great place to build a loyal fashion following |
5. Ecwid – The Hidden Gem of Online Selling
- Total Seller Accounts: 216,413
- Monthly Visitors: Not Revealed
Ecwid might not have the big-name recognition of Amazon or Etsy, but it is one of my personal favourites for a reason. It is incredibly versatile, and it works like a charm if you want full control over your online store while selling across multiple channels.
Add to Any Website or Start Fresh
One of the best things about Ecwid is how seamlessly it integrates with your existing website. Got a blog or a company site already? Just embed your Ecwid store into it. Do not have a website yet? No problem – you can create a standalone online store in minutes.
Omnichannel Selling Made Simple
With Ecwid, you can sell on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and even in-person with POS features. It brings all your sales under one roof, making it easy to manage everything from a single dashboard.
Affordable for Beginners
If you are just starting out and budget is tight, Ecwid has a generous free plan. Even their paid plans are quite reasonable, and you are not charged per listing, which makes it cost-effective.
Easy Inventory and Order Management
Keeping track of stock, handling payments, and processing orders is effortless with Ecwid. Its clean backend interface makes admin work less of a headache and more of a smooth routine.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can embed it into any existing website or social media page | You will have to drive your own traffic since it’s not a marketplace. |
| It supports multichannel sales from one dashboard | |
| Offers a free plan and very affordable upgrades | |
| Inventory management is super straightforward | |
| There are no listing fees per product |
Final Thoughts
These are the details about the top 5 best E Commerce platforms to create an online store in the UK in 2025. Now, choosing one among them is like picking the foundation for your online business. It is not just about listing products – it is about finding the environment that helps your brand grow.
Whether you want the massive reach of Amazon, the creative freedom of Etsy, or the total control that comes with Ecwid, there is something out there that fits your goals.
