# Sell products online

> “Sell my handmade products online”. Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

Your own shop means choosing between convenience and control. Shopify hosts everything, from checkout to shipping, and adds thousands of apps, so it suits makers who plan to grow into new channels. Squarespace wins on looks, with designer templates and a store from $19 a month. WooCommerce is free and open source, but you run your own WordPress hosting, which pays off if you already have a site.

Last checked: 2026-10-07

## Ranking

1. **[Shopify](https://suiteintent.com/t/shopify?m=GB)**: Build and run an online store. · Best for: Brands selling online, in person and on social · Pricing on request · 1 ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/shopify))
2. **[Squarespace](https://suiteintent.com/t/squarespace?m=GB)**: Website builder with designer templates and a store. · Best for: A polished site without a developer · From $19/mo · 36% ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/squarespace))
3. **[WooCommerce](https://suiteintent.com/t/woocommerce?m=GB)**: Open-source online store on WordPress. · Best for: Selling from a WordPress site you already own · Free plan
4. **[Gambio](https://suiteintent.com/t/gambio?m=GB)**: German shop software for B2C and B2B online stores. · Best for: A German online shop with B2B options · From €29/mo

## Side by side

| Tool | Price | Ease of use (1-5) | Team size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shopify | Pricing on request, 3 months for $1/month | 3 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Squarespace | From $19/mo, Up to 36% off annual | 5 | solo, small team |
| WooCommerce | Free plan | 3 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Gambio | From €29/mo | 3 | solo, small team |

## Why these picks

- Independent reviews: [Zapier](https://zapier.com/blog/best-ecommerce-shopping-cart-software/), [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/best/best-ecommerce-website-builder) (Last checked: 2026-10-02)
- Prices last checked: 2026-10-07
- Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

## Head to head

- [Shopify vs Squarespace: where to open your shop](https://suiteintent.com/compare/shopify-vs-squarespace)
- [Wix vs Squarespace: a simple website with a shop](https://suiteintent.com/compare/wix-vs-squarespace)

## Rules that apply

- [EU VAT on digital sales: the €10,000 rule and OSS](https://suiteintent.com/compliance/eu-oss-vat): Selling e-books, courses or downloads to buyers in other EU countries? See when you charge their VAT rate, how the OSS return works and who can file it.
- [UK VAT threshold: when to register at £90,000](https://suiteintent.com/compliance/uk-vat-threshold): Close to £90,000 in UK sales? See how the rolling 12-month test works, when to register, when you can cancel and how the flat rate scheme works.

## MCP setups

- [Build Shopify apps and themes with AI](https://suiteintent.com/mcp/build-shopify-app)

## Questions

### Should I sell on my own site or on a marketplace?

A marketplace brings buyers, but you pay its fees and follow its rules. Your own shop keeps the customer relationship and lets you build a brand and a mailing list. Many makers start on a marketplace and add their own store once they have repeat buyers. Shopify, Squarespace and WooCommerce all let you run a store under your own domain.

### What does it cost to open an online shop?

WooCommerce itself is free, though you pay for WordPress hosting, a domain and any paid extensions. Squarespace starts at $19 a month with hosting, domain, payments and email campaigns in one subscription. Shopify is a monthly subscription with hosting included and paid apps on top. Card processing fees apply on every platform.

### I already have a WordPress site. Should I switch to Shopify?

Probably not at first. WooCommerce adds products, cart, checkout and payments to the WordPress site you already own, and you keep your hosting and data. Thousands of extensions cover shipping and subscriptions as you grow. Shopify makes more sense when you want to stop managing hosting or need in-person and social selling from one admin.

### Can I also sell at markets and fairs with the same system?

Shopify runs in-person sales from the same admin as your online store, so stock and orders stay in one place. It also connects selling on social channels. Squarespace and WooCommerce focus on the website, so you would need extra tools for a craft fair. If you sell offline often, that tips the choice towards Shopify.

### Which platform looks best with the least design work?

Squarespace is known for polished templates for portfolios, small businesses and shops, and you can launch without a developer. Shopify has themes that look professional but invites more tinkering through apps. WooCommerce depends on your WordPress theme, so the result varies most. For photography-led products like ceramics or jewellery, Squarespace's templates show your work well.