How to Set Up an E-commerce Website for Your Business in the UK

If you’re a small business owner looking to start selling online, setting up an e-commerce website is one of the best ways to reach new customers and grow your brand. Whether you’re launching your first online shop or upgrading an existing site, getting the basics right will save you time and ensure your store runs smoothly.

At Apexweb in Dorset, we specialise in e-commerce website design, helping local businesses build user-friendly, secure, and fully optimised online stores.

Below is a checklist of everything you’ll need to prepare when setting up an online store for your UK business.

1. Product Information

Before you start building your e-commerce website, gather all the essential details about your products, including:

• Detailed descriptions and clear titles
• Available sizes, colours or purchase options
• Product weight (for calculating shipping costs)
• Accurate prices
• High-quality product photos

Well-written product descriptions and professional images can significantly improve your online visibility and conversion rates.

2. Payment Gateway

Choose a reliable online payment provider to handle transactions securely.

We recommend Stripe as it offers low transaction fees and is straightforward to set up for UK businesses. We can also setup an additional service such as PayPal as a secondary payment gateway to give your customers more choice in ways to pay.

3. Shipping Prices and Methods

Decide how you’ll charge for delivery. You can set up:

• Flat-rate shipping based on the total order value, or
• Weight based on the total weight of the order, or
• A shipping surcharge for each individual product

Make sure your shipping prices are competitive and transparent, as clear delivery costs help to build customer trust.

4. Shipping Destinations

List all the countries you plan to ship to, including specific rates for EU and non-EU destinations. If you sell internationally, clearly display these options on your website to prevent confusion at checkout.

5. Delivery Information Page

Create a dedicated Delivery Information page outlining your shipping methods, estimated delivery times, and any restrictions. This is essential for SEO and customer confidence.

You can view a good example here: abelectronics.co.uk/shipping-and-delivery-options/info.

6. Returns Policy

Write a clear and fair returns policy page. Customers are more likely to purchase if they know they can easily return or exchange an item should there be an issue.

7. EU Sales and VAT (IOSS)

If you plan to sell to customers in the European Union, you’ll need to handle VAT (Value Added Tax) correctly. Using the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) system allows you to calculate and collect VAT at checkout, ensuring faster customs clearance and delivery.

We recommend EAS Project which integrates easily with most UK e-commerce systems.

Without IOSS, parcels may face delays or additional customs fees for your EU customers.

8. Knowledge Base or Customer Support Section

If your products require setup guides or troubleshooting advice, consider adding a Knowledge Base or Customer Support section to your website.

This helps reduce support requests and improves the overall customer experience.

You can see an example here: abelectronics.co.uk/kb/knowledgebase

Contact us

Launching an e-commerce website is a fantastic way to grow your business and reach new customers online. By preparing the right information, setting up clear delivery and returns policies, and choosing a secure payment provider, you’ll be ready to start selling with confidence.

At Apexweb we provide expert e-commerce website design, helping small businesses create professional, mobile-friendly, and fully optimised online shops that convert visitors into customers.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you build your e-commerce website and grow your business online.