The Merchella blog
Guides to starting and growing an online shop
Plain-English advice from people who run online shops: from picking a platform to selling abroad.
Getting started
How long does it take to build an online shop?
How long it takes to build an online shop: a realistic timeline for a hosted platform, WooCommerce or a custom build, and the steps that cause delays.
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How much does it cost to start an online store?
A realistic breakdown of what it costs to start an online store in the UK: platform, domain, payments, stock, delivery, legal and marketing.
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How to choose a domain name for your shop
How to pick a domain name for your online shop: .co.uk or .com, length, spelling, trademarks, renewal prices and connecting it to your store.
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How to choose what to sell online (and check there’s demand)
How to pick a product to sell online, check people are searching for it, test your margins and spot problems before you buy stock.
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How to sell handmade products online in the UK
How to sell handmade products online in the UK: where to sell, pricing your time, safety rules for crafts, personalised orders, tax and growing.
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How to sell products online from home in the UK
A practical guide to selling products online from home in the UK: where to sell, storing and posting stock, your address, insurance and staying organised.
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How to start an online shop in the UK: step by step
A plain-English, step-by-step guide to starting an online shop in the UK: products, business setup, platform, payments, delivery, legal pages and launch.
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How to start an online shop with little or no money
You can start an online shop with little or no money by selling before you buy stock, using free trials and keeping costs tied to each sale. Here’s how.
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Online shop launch checklist: 40 things to check
An online shop launch checklist for UK sellers: 40 things to check before going live, from legal pages and checkout to delivery, emails, SEO and tracking.
Read the guide →Choosing a platform
Best ecommerce platform for a small UK business: how to choose
What to look for in an ecommerce platform as a small UK business: total cost, fees, VAT, delivery, payments, ease of use and how easy it is to leave.
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How to move your online shop without losing sales or SEO
A step-by-step plan for moving your online shop to a new platform: exporting data, keeping URLs, 301 redirects, reviews, testing and launch day.
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Moving from Etsy to your own website: a guide
Thinking of moving from Etsy to your own website? Compare fees, plan traffic, export your listings and run both side by side without losing sales.
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Shopify alternatives for UK sellers: what to compare
Looking at Shopify alternatives in the UK? The main options, and the things to compare: total cost, sales fees, UK delivery, payments and ease of use.
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WooCommerce vs a hosted shop platform: pros and cons
WooCommerce or a hosted platform? An honest look at cost, control, upkeep, security, speed and growth to help you choose the right setup for your shop.
Read the guide →Payments & money
How to reduce chargebacks and disputes online
How to reduce chargebacks and payment disputes for your online shop: why they happen, how to prevent each type, and how to respond when one arrives.
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How to take card payments online in the UK
The simple ways to take card payments on your online shop in the UK, what they cost, how card security works and how to keep chargebacks down.
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VAT for online shops in the UK: the basics
When your online shop needs to register for VAT, how to show VAT in your prices, which rate applies and what changes once you’re registered.
Read the guide →Selling abroad
How to sell in several countries and currencies
How to set up your online shop for more than one country: choosing markets, setting local prices, currencies, delivery, tax and getting found in each.
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Selling to Ireland from the UK: customs, VAT and delivery
What UK online shops need to know about selling to Irish customers: VAT, the new €3 duty and €2 handling fee, IOSS, and avoiding charges at the door.
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Selling to the US from the UK: what to know
A practical guide for UK online shops selling to American customers: tariffs and duties, sales tax, product rules, delivery, pricing and returns.
Read the guide →Marketing
Abandoned basket emails: what to send and when
How to set up abandoned basket emails that bring shoppers back: timing, what to write in each email, when to offer a discount and the UK rules to follow.
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Google Shopping free listings: a guide for UK shops
Google Shopping free listings for UK shops: setting up Merchant Center, the product data and delivery settings you need, fixing errors and getting seen.
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How to get more reviews for your online shop
Practical, rule-friendly ways to get more genuine customer reviews for your online shop: when to ask, what to say, and how to handle bad reviews.
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How to get your first sales on a new online shop
How to get your first sales on a new online shop: build trust, tell the right people, list on Google Shopping, test small ads and learn from visitors.
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How to make your online shop look trustworthy
How to make your online shop look trustworthy to new customers: real contact details, honest reviews, clear delivery and returns, and familiar payments.
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How to take great product photos with your phone
Take great product photos with your phone: window light, a plain background, a steady phone and the right shots, then edit and size them for your shop.
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How to write product descriptions that sell
A simple, practical method for writing product descriptions that answer shoppers’ questions, build trust and turn browsers into buyers, with examples.
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SEO for online shops: a beginner’s guide
A plain-English guide to SEO for online shops: keyword research, product and category pages, technical basics, Google Shopping and content that ranks.
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Welcome discount pop-ups: what works (and what annoys)
Welcome discount pop-up best practice for online shops: when to show it, what to offer, mobile and SEO pitfalls, email consent rules and how to test it.
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Why delivery dates on product pages boost sales
How to show delivery dates on product pages: “order within X for delivery Y” messages, dispatch cut-offs, weekends, bank holidays and Christmas.
Read the guide →Running your shop
Do I need a licence to sell online in the UK?
Most UK online shops don’t need a general licence to sell online, but some products do. What needs a licence or registration, and what everyone must do.
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How to choose a fulfilment warehouse in the UK
How to choose a fulfilment warehouse in the UK: what a 3PL does, how pricing works, the questions to ask, and how to test one before you commit.
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How to handle returns for a UK online shop
How to handle returns for a UK online shop: a simple step-by-step process, refund deadlines, return postage, checking items and cutting returns.
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How to price products for your online shop
How to price products for an online shop: add up every cost per order, set a profitable margin, check what shoppers expect and use sale prices fairly.
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How to set a free delivery threshold for your shop
How to set a free delivery threshold for your online shop: work out your average order, delivery cost and margin, pick a number, then test it.
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How to write a returns policy for your online shop
How to write a returns policy for your online shop in the UK: what to include, plain-English example wording, longer return windows and common mistakes.
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Sole trader or limited company for an online shop?
Should your online shop be a sole trader or a limited company? Compare setup, tax, personal risk, paperwork and costs, with UK rules as of October 2026.
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The legal pages every UK online shop needs
The legal pages a UK online shop needs: terms, returns and refunds, privacy, cookies, delivery and business details, and what each should cover.
Read the guide →Open your shop this afternoon.
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