Thinking about launching an online store but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. For many small business owners, the idea of creating an e-commerce website can feel like stepping into a world of jargon, endless choices, and hidden costs. The possibilities are vast, but so are the pitfalls.
This guide is here to simplify the journey. Whether you're a shop owner ready to sell online or a solo entrepreneur with a product idea and a dream, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, and show you how our team at it’seeze can make the whole process smoother, smarter, and more successful.
What is an E-commerce Website?
An e-commerce website is an online platform that allows people to buy and sell goods or services. It’s more than just a digital brochure; it’s a fully interactive store where customers can browse products, read descriptions, add items to their cart, and complete purchases using secure online payments.
In simple terms, a website informs, and an e-commerce website transacts.
What is an Example of E-commerce?
If you’ve ever bought something from websites like Etsy, ASOS, or even a local handmade candle shop online, that’s e-commerce in action. It spans from global giants to independent sellers, and it’s one of the fastest-growing retail sectors in the world.
What’s the Difference Between a Website and an E-commerce Website?
A standard website might showcase your products or services, but won’t include functionality for selling them online. An e-commerce website, on the other hand, includes features such as product listings, a shopping cart, payment gateways, customer accounts, order tracking, and more.
If a regular website is your shop window, an e-commerce website is your entire shop floor, open 24/7.
Is the UK Good for E-commerce?
Absolutely. The UK has one of the most mature and advanced e-commerce markets in the world. With strong infrastructure, a high percentage of online shoppers, and widespread mobile usage, it’s an ideal landscape for small businesses to grow their online presence. In fact, online shopping has become second nature in the UK. As of April 2025, 26.1% of all retail sales are made via the internet, and that number has remained consistently above the 25% mark since 2023, according to the ONS.
Whether you're targeting local customers or international buyers, now is the perfect time to get your business online.
Why E-commerce Matters for Small Businesses
E-commerce has levelled the playing field. Today, small businesses can compete with big brands thanks to the accessibility of online retail.
The benefits:
A wider reach – no longer limited by geography
Lower overheads compared to brick-and-mortar
Flexibility and scalability
Potential for passive income
If your business isn’t online, you’re missing out on a growing slice of the market.
Common Pain Points Small Businesses Face
“I don’t know which platform to use”
This is one of the most common stumbling blocks. With options like Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and Magento, it can be hard to know which one fits your business.
Shopify is user-friendly and all-in-one, but has monthly costs and limited design freedom. WooCommerce is flexible and built for WordPress, but requires more hands-on setup. Squarespace is sleek and easy, but better suited to smaller catalogues.
While many small businesses find themselves overwhelmed by the choice between Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and others, at it’seeze, we keep it simple.
We don’t use third-party platforms. Instead, we offer our own powerful, all-in-one e-commerce solution that’s fully managed, expertly designed, and built specifically to help small businesses succeed.
Our in-house system includes everything you need: unlimited products and pages, an easy-to-use editor, SEO tools, intelligent product recommendations, seamless payment integration, GDPR compliance, and more. All hosted on secure UK servers with reliable uptime and backed by real people who care. No outsourcing, no guesswork, no unnecessary tech jargon. Just a complete, stress-free solution with everything under one roof.
“I don’t have the time or tech skills”
Running a business is hard enough without learning how to code or wrestle with clunky page builders.
Our team builds your e-commerce site for you, with all the essential features baked in, and a support team on hand to guide you post-launch. No DIY headaches, just a store that works.
“I’m worried about costs.”
Understandable. Many business owners worry that a high-quality e-commerce site will break the bank.
That’s why we offer affordable packages designed for growth. No hidden fees, no unnecessary extras, just scalable options that grow with your business.
“How will anyone find my shop?”
A beautiful website means nothing if no one visits it. That’s where digital marketing and SEO come in.
We build SEO-friendly websites, provide expert marketing support, and help you promote your products via content marketing, social media, and advertising.
How Do I Choose a Domain Name for My E-commerce Site?
Your domain name is your online address; it’s how customers find you, remember you, and talk about you. A good domain can help build trust and boost your visibility. Here’s how to choose one that works:
Keep it simple and memorable: Short, easy-to-spell names stick better. Avoid numbers, hyphens, or obscure words.
Make it brand-relevant: Your domain should reflect your business name or what you sell. This builds consistency and credibility.
Use the right extension: A .co.uk is perfect for UK-based businesses, while .com works for global reach. We’ll help you secure the right one.
Check availability across platforms: Ideally, your domain name should match your social media handles, which creates a seamless brand experience.
Think long-term: Choose a name that you won’t outgrow as you expand your product range.
At it’seeze, we guide you through domain registration as part of our service. We’ll help you pick a name that’s not only available but also aligned with your SEO and branding goals, and we manage it for you, so you never have to worry about renewals or setup.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started
Here’s your roadmap to a successful online store:
1. Choose your niche or products
Find your focus. Are you selling handmade gifts, homeware, clothing, or something else? Pick something you’re passionate about that fills a gap in the market.
2. Pick the right platform
At it’seeze, we don’t rely on third-party platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, we’ve built our own powerful, fully managed e-commerce system in-house. That means no clunky plugins, no third-party fees, and no need to compare endless options.
Our bespoke platform is designed specifically for small businesses like yours: intuitive, scalable, and backed by expert support. It includes everything you need to run a successful store, from product listings and secure payments to marketing tools and SEO features, all in one place, all under one roof.
You don’t need to choose from dozens of platforms. You just need one that works, and we’ve already built it for you.
3. Design your store (UX matters!)
Your website should reflect your brand, inspire trust, and make it easy for users to browse and buy. (More on this in the design section below.)
4. Set up secure payments
Use trusted gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Klarna. We help you set this up safely and smoothly.
5. Add legal pages
Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Returns Policy; these aren’t just formalities. They build trust and help you comply with regulations like GDPR.
6. Plan shipping and returns
Will you offer free shipping? Flat rates? Clear delivery options and return policies reduce friction and boost conversions. Will you offer free shipping? Flat rates? Clear delivery options and return policies reduce friction and boost conversions.
7. Think SEO from day one
Optimise your site structure, use keywords on product pages, write helpful descriptions, and ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
8. Test before launch
Check all links, test checkout, and review page speed. We do this for you as part of our process.
9. Plan for growth
Track performance, run promotions, and build an email list.
SEO for E-commerce: What You Need to Know
Search Engine Optimisation helps your store show up when people Google things like "handmade candles UK" or "eco-friendly dog toys". Here’s how to make sure your site is seen:
On-page SEO: Keywords in titles, descriptions, alt text
Category structure: Logical and clean for both users and search engines
Product descriptions: Unique, helpful, and keyword-rich
Blogging: Regular posts build authority and drive organic traffic
Technical SEO: Site speed, mobile responsiveness, schema markup, crawlability
How do I get more traffic to my e-commerce store?
Organic traffic is the lifeblood of e-commerce success. To attract it, you need a strategy that combines content creation, technical optimisation, and off-site promotion. Blogging regularly, optimising product pages, getting backlinks, and using Google Business Profile all help you show up when it counts. We help you do all of this and track performance with analytics tools to refine your approach.
What are the best SEO tips for product pages?
Each product page should target a specific search intent. Use clear titles that include your keywords, write unique and persuasive descriptions, include alt tags on images, and structure your content with headers. Add internal links to related products and categories. We guide you through this (or handle it for you) to ensure each page has SEO power.
How do I optimise my e-commerce site for Google Shopping?
Google Shopping pulls product data from your feed, so accuracy and structure are essential. This means writing keyword-rich titles and descriptions, using high-quality images, and ensuring your pricing, availability, and landing pages are always up to date. We help you create and submit a compliant feed and ensure your site supports all the data Google needs.
How do I fix duplicate content on product/category pages?
Duplicate content can harm your rankings, especially if you copy-paste manufacturer descriptions or use the same text across similar pages. We help you write original content, use canonical tags where needed, and set up a logical category structure to avoid SEO pitfalls.
How do I increase my e-commerce conversion rate?
SEO brings people to your store, but conversion-focused design turns visits into sales. Clear CTAs, high-quality product imagery, trust signals, simplified navigation, and mobile-first design are all key. We build your store with these elements in mind from the start.
What are the best practices for product descriptions?
Go beyond basic specs. Great descriptions highlight benefits, solve customer problems, and include relevant keywords naturally. They’re scannable, persuasive, and speak directly to your ideal customer. We help craft descriptions that inform and convert.
Should I use product videos and reviews?
Absolutely. Video increases time on page and boosts conversions by showing your product in action. Reviews build trust and offer social proof. Our platform allows for both, helping your store feel more credible and compelling.
“E-commerce SEO is about more than keywords; it’s about understanding your customers. What are they thinking? What are they struggling with? Great SEO mirrors those thoughts and behaviours. It’s not just about getting eyes on a page; it’s about showing your audience that your products solve real problems. That’s where engaging, optimised copy comes in; it should speak directly to the customer’s intent and make it easy for them to say, ‘yes, this is exactly what I need.’” – Sophie Fisher, SEO Executive at it’seeze
We don’t just build your store; we build its foundation for growth and visibility, giving you the tools, structure, and strategy to thrive in the competitive world of online retail.
How it’seeze Helps Small Businesses Succeed Online
From the very first chat, we take a collaborative approach. Our clients love that we:
Speak human, not tech
Offer affordable, transparent packages
Provide design and SEO under one roof
Keep supporting you after launch
We've helped hundreds of small businesses launch online stores, each tailored to their brand, customers, and goals. Our active e-commerce sites generate millions in revenue each year. Hear from our clients about their experience with it'seeze here.
Tips for New E-commerce Owners
Start small, scale smart. Don’t overload yourself. Begin with a handful of products.
Pick one marketing channel to master first (e.g., Instagram, email, or paid ads)
Use analytics to learn what’s working (Google Analytics, heatmaps, Meta Pixel)
Ask for help, that’s what we’re here for.
How Do I Reduce Cart Abandonment at Checkout?
Cart abandonment is one of the biggest challenges in e-commerce, and one of the most frustrating. A customer adds items to their basket, gets all the way to checkout… and disappears. But why?
Here are some of the most common reasons, and how we help you fix them:
Unexpected costs: Surprise fees (like high shipping or VAT added late) are a major turn-off. Creating clear, upfront pricing and transparent delivery options helps to avoid this.
Complicated checkout: A long, multi-step checkout with unnecessary fields can kill a sale. Our platform supports streamlined, guest-friendly checkout processes designed to keep things quick and intuitive.
Lack of trust: If your site doesn’t feel secure or professional, customers won’t risk entering payment details. Every it’seeze site includes SSL encryption, GDPR compliance, and professional design to build trust from the first click.
Limited payment options: If a customer can’t use their preferred method (e.g. PayPal, Klarna, credit card), they might abandon ship. Our E-commerce solution integrates with all the major gateways to give your customers choice and convenience.
No mobile optimisation: If your checkout isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll lose buyers who shop on their phones. We make sure every step, from browsing to buying, works beautifully on mobile.
No reminders or follow-ups: Sometimes people just forget. Our system can integrate with abandoned cart email flows, gently nudging users back to finish their purchase.
Reducing abandonment isn’t just about fixing tech, it’s about understanding behaviour.
That’s why we design with psychology in mind: building confidence, removing barriers, and creating urgency when it matters.
E-commerce Design: Why It Matters More Than Ever
First Impressions Count
When a visitor lands on your site, it takes milliseconds to make a judgment. A cluttered, outdated design can instantly undermine trust. We build clean, intuitive, on-brand designs that turn visitors into buyers.
"Good design is crucial for effective e-commerce sites. A clear and well structured design helps the customer to find the products they need and checkout, as part of a smooth user experience. First impressions help to build trust, confidence and ultimately make it more likely for the user to make a purchase." - Tom Rodda, Designer at it'seeze
Mobile-Friendly is Non-Negotiable
Most shopping is done on smartphones. Your site has to be responsive, fast, and easy to use on small screens.
"As most users for e-commerce are generally on mobile, it makes sense to prioritise responsiveness and download time accordingly, ensuring that images are optimised correctly and CTAs can be clearly seen. Simplicity in design is usually the best route (unless the client requests a more intricate, bespoke design) for ease of access, legibility and readability, not to mention accessibility. Intuitive navigation is also very important to ensure that users don’t get lost or become disengaged during their e-commerce journey, no matter what device is being used.
Brand colours are generally incorporated into the design to tie in with the rest of the website design and ensure credibility and convey a message of trust. Checks are also carried out to make sure that the design is correct and functional across all platforms." - Barry Muir, Senior Designer at it'seeze
Custom Design vs Templates
Templates can be a quick fix, but they often come with restrictions and bloat.
Tailored branding
Clean code for faster loading
Designed with conversion in mind
"Having a custom designs enables us to create bespoke websites tailored to the clients branding, creating more engaging layouts and achieving a website which stands out from the rest. We can create slimline coding, only adding in the features we need, which will reduce loading times for users." - Jodie Cook, Senior Designer at it'seeze
User Experience Drives Sales
Design is more than pretty colours. It guides your customers’ journey: from homepage to checkout.
We create purposeful designs that remove friction, highlight your products, and create a seamless path to purchase.
Ready to Launch Your Online Store?
We’re not here to sell you a website. We’re here to help you build an online business. One that looks great, works flawlessly, and grows with you.
About the Author
Sophie Fisher is an SEO Executive at it'seeze. She holds a Master's degree in Publishing (Distinction) and is passionate about marketing that not only performs but has a genuine impact.
Through smart, strategic content, Sophie helps businesses boost their online visibility and communicate their messages effectively.
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