Start an online store without a big upfront cost.
Shopify is an e-commerce platform for selling online and in person. Here is who it suits, who should skip it, and what the UK plans cost.
Last checked 10 October 2026 against the vendor’s website. General information, not professional advice.
Use it if
- You want to sell products online and in person from one platform
- You want to launch quickly and add features through apps
- You are a solo founder or small team that wants a hosted store, not a self-managed one
- You want a low-cost way to test whether a product sells
Skip it if
- You only sell on marketplaces and do not need your own store
- You need a fully custom platform and have developers to build it
- You cannot cover the monthly fee plus payment processing and apps
- You sell nothing yet: validate demand before you build a shop
What Shopify says you get
- A hosted online store and tools to sell online and in person
- A built-in AI assistant and an app ecosystem
- Plans for solo sellers, small teams and global stores
- A free start and a low first-months price, per Shopify’s UK pricing page
UK plans
| Plan | Price | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £19 a month | Solo entrepreneurs |
| Grow | £49 a month | Small teams, up to 5 staff accounts |
| Advanced | £259 a month | Global reach and more advanced reporting |
Prices read from Shopify’s UK pricing page on 10 October 2026; the page shows a toggle for paying yearly. Card payment rates and app costs are extra.
Shopify’s UK page currently offers 3 days free, then £1 a month for the first 3 months, subject to its terms and any change. Start through our link: we may receive a referral reward.
Can you trust it?
- Check the real cost: add the monthly plan, payment processing, apps and a domain. Total it for 12 months before you commit.
- The promo is time-limited: after the introductory period you pay the plan price. Set a reminder.
- You own the brand: keep your customer list and product data exported regularly.
From idea to first sale
- Start the trial from the link above and choose a theme.
- Add three to five products with clear photos and honest descriptions.
- Set up payments, shipping and your policies pages.
- Connect a domain and test a real order.
- Share the store with ten people you know and learn from what they buy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Installing many apps before your first sale
- Skipping the shipping and returns policy
- Ignoring the total monthly cost after the promo ends
- Launching without testing checkout on a phone
FAQs
Is Shopify free?
Shopify’s UK page offers a short free start and then a low first-months price. After that you pay the plan price.
Which plan should I start on?
Most solo sellers start on Basic and move up only when they need staff accounts or reporting.
Can I sell in person too?
Shopify says it supports selling online and in person.
Decide with the facts. Start small.
Affiliate disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may receive a referral reward. Facts come from the vendor’s website and may change. General information, not professional advice.