eCommerce Laid Bare
In our fast-evolving digital landscape, eCommerce is becoming a powerful, strategic advantage for many – even those who would typically consider their work service-based.
This is because eCommerce can be more than just the thought of selling products online. It can be about creating a direct, tangible connection between your brand and your audience. It allows you to bridge the gap between your expertise and your clients, offering them a way to access, engage with, and benefit from your unique value in a hands-on way that goes beyond your typically offering.
Imagine branded merchandise that your community proudly carries with them, or curated digital products that make your expertise accessible whenever they need it. eCommerce empowers you to give clients a piece of your brand that resonates and stays with them. Through these connections, you’re not just selling products; you’re building brand loyalty, and creating engagement that can last well beyond each interaction.
For entrepreneurs, consultants, and coaches stepping into digital markets, eCommerce isn’t just a revenue stream - it can be a chance to amplify your impact and establish lasting relationships.
What is eCommerce?
eCommerce is a digital storefront that enables businesses to sell products online, 24/7. Did You Know that by 2025, the global eCommerce market is expected to exceed $7 trillion! But here’s the catch – 80% of that growth is expected to come from niche markets, where unique, value-driven brands are standing out in ways big companies can’t. That’s intriguing, isn’t it?
Leveraging eCommerce: The Key to Expanding Your Reach and Amplifying Impact
For leaders like you – whether you’re launching a consultancy, coaching programs, or crafting a legacy brand – eCommerce offers powerful new ways to grow and connect with your audience. Today’s digital landscape brings opportunities to deepen client relationships, share your expertise widely, and create lasting impact, all while building sustainable revenue streams.
Here are some ideas to get your imagination bubbling and how others in your industry might be leveraging eCommerce to stand out from the crowd…
Build Lasting Connections Through Branded Merchandise
Imagine your clients and students not just engaging with your brand but experiencing it daily—a beautifully branded journal they carry, a signature hoodie they wear with pride, or a custom mug that makes every morning coffee a reminder of your message. Branded merchandise is more than just a tool for awareness; it creates a personal, hands-on connection with your audience, serving as a daily reminder of the value and inspiration your brand brings into their lives. This sense of belonging turns clients into loyal supporters, true advocates who carry your mission with them.
Consider The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes, where “Greatness” apparel becomes a badge of honour, or MasterClass, where branded journals and notebooks transform casual fans into part of an engaged community. Each piece does more than display a logo; it deepens the relationship, giving audiences a way to feel connected and aligned with the brand’s mission.
Share Your Expertise Through On-Demand Digital Products
Offering digital products like downloadable workbooks, templates, and guides creates a powerful dual impact: it provides a steady revenue stream while making your expertise instantly accessible, right when clients need it. Digital products deliver immediate value, keeping clients engaged between sessions or courses and supporting them on their personal growth journey with you.
For instance, Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead Hub offers digital toolkits and guided exercises that clients can access anytime. Similarly, Tony Robbins provides “power tools,” like life-planning templates and meditation audios, all available on demand. These resources do more than just serve clients—they amplify the coach’s message, extending their impact well beyond individual sessions and creating lasting connections with their audience.
Create Exclusivity with Members-Only Merchandise
Exclusivity can be incredibly motivating for clients who want to be part of something bigger than themselves. By offering members-only merchandise, you’re giving your community the opportunity to show their dedication to your mission and the impact your work has on their lives. These exclusive items can enhance a sense of pride and loyalty, transforming your clients into lifelong ambassadors of your brand.
It’s worth mentioning how SoulCycle and Peloton both capitalize on community loyalty with exclusive member gear. Their branded apparel doesn’t just serve as a memento; it fosters a deeper connection to the community. For a more education-focused example, Skillshare offers exclusive courses and resources to premium members, creating a feeling of “insider” access that motivates continuous engagement.
Unlock Passive Income with Curated Course Bundles and Kits
Stepping into the world of course platforms which inherently leverage eCommerce behind the scenes, you can expand your reach to new clients and enhance the experience for current ones by transforming your expertise into ready-to-use courses, toolkits, and resource bundles. These curated packages give clients a complete learning experience they can dive into from anywhere, allowing them to progress at their own pace. Not only does this approach empower clients with valuable, self-guided tools, but it also establishes a recurring source of passive income for your business.
For example, The Life Coach School by Brooke Castillo integrates downloadable workbooks into its programs, while platforms like Teachable allow educators to package resources and courses into seamless bundles. These offerings help clients deepen their learning journey independently, tapping into your expertise without requiring direct, ongoing involvement.
Enhance Client Retention with Exclusive Subscription-Based Resources
Here, we tiptoe into the world of Memberships with subscription-based resources, like monthly learning kits or “member vaults,” which can serve as powerful tools for sustaining client engagement. By providing exclusive, recurring content, you keep your audience eager for the next update, maintaining a fresh and relevant experience that encourages long-term commitment to your brand. This model not only retains clients but keeps them closely connected to your latest work, allowing you to continually introduce new value and strengthen loyalty.
For example, The Academy of Language Therapy & Life Coaching offers a membership vault with fresh materials each month, while Brendon Burchard’s GrowthDay app provides ongoing coaching and personal development resources. These models foster a continuous journey for clients, building a deep and lasting relationship with the brand as they grow.
By embracing eCommerce with these strategies, you open up a world of possibilities to deepen your connection with clients, broaden your reach, and grow your legacy. Imagine what it would mean to have clients out in the world, carrying pieces of your brand with them, or to see your expertise at their fingertips, ready to guide them. This is more than commerce; it’s a way to create a lasting impact, turning clients into advocates and everyday ambassadors of your mission.
Getting to grips with the terminology: eCommerce Vs Learning Management Vs Membership
With so many platforms and possibilities available, it’s helpful to understand how each serves different goals in connecting with your audience. You may already be wondering what’s the difference between the plethora of platforms and tech solutions out there. So here’s a little breakdown of terminology that I hope will help focus your efforts.
In a nutshell, eCommerce platforms are all about building your online store -whether you are intending to sell physical items, digital downloads, or branded merchandise. With an eCommerce platform, you’re focused on making sales transactions easy and accessible, letting clients directly purchase your offerings with minimal friction.
In contrast, learning management platforms, are where immersive learning experiences can get created. Although they leverage eCommerce to automate payment taking, they focus much more on structured learning, and often come complete with modules, quizzes, and progress tracking. The difference here is the difference between simply selling a product and taking clients on a structured path to mastery in virtual space.
Slightly different from learning platforms, membership platforms also create a space for continuous engagement through regular content updates, live sessions, and/or community discussions. For those who want to offer a mix of resources like ongoing coaching, or exclusive events, membership platforms keep clients connected and invested in your brand on a monthly or annual basis, fostering long-term relationships.
The Biggest Considerations for Safeguarding Your Success
There are two key issues worth considering when you first step into eCommerce to safeguard your future: Security and Future-Proofing. Although this might felt like techy talk, ensuring your database of customers remains secure is paramount. This includes your record of orders, payment statuses, and the personal details of those who have transacted with you – all of which need to be safe from potential security breaches. Additionally, no technology is without risk; glitches happen, and having a robust backup and recovery plan will help you quickly bounce back with minimal losses should the unexpected occur.
Equally important is the flexibility and scalability of your eCommerce setup. Future-proofing means considering both the technology you rely on and how it can adapt as your business grows. Imagine a spike in traffic from a major campaign flooding your site. By investing in market-leading infrastructure and hosting, you can handle increased demand without unexpected costs or frustrating losses. While these considerations apply to any website, for any eCommerce platforms, they’re particularly crucial, and worth considering.
Demystifying the eCommerce Tech Landscape
If you’re ready to consider how eCommerce might supercharge your client experience, sometimes just begining to think about the tech-side of such ventures can stop us right in our tracks. You know you would like an eCommerce platform… but which one? No need to panic – just check out my run down of the best tech eCommerce platforms we currently have out there in that big eCommercey world of ours!
As an encouragement, it can be helpful to remember that eCommerce platforms have transformed dramatically since the early days of online shopping, moving from simple digital storefronts to sophisticated, all-in-one ecosystems where businesses can seamlessly manage inventory, sales, marketing, and customer interactions. With each generation, these platforms have adapted to support a diverse range of business models and product types, including physical products, digital services, and even subscription memberships.
In 2025, many eCommerce platforms offer modular designs, allowing businesses to pick and choose the features and integrations that best align with their goals. Some platforms now take a full-service approach, combining essential functions like inventory management, order fulfillment, and digital marketing into one streamlined package. Here’s a breakdown of our market leaders in this realm.
Shopify: The Go-To Platform for Scalability and Flexibility
Shopify is an industry leader in eCommerce, offering a robust, all-in-one solution for businesses of all sizes. Originally founded in 2006 to support a snowboarding shop, Shopify has since evolved to power over a million businesses worldwide, from boutique brands to high-profile enterprises. With its clean interface, extensive range of features, and ease of use, Shopify allows businesses to focus on growing their brand rather than grappling with technical issues. For your clients, students, or community, Shopify enables a seamless experience from discovery to purchase, reflecting the professionalism and care you bring to your brand.
For those managing larger inventories or looking to scale quickly, Shopify’s extensive app marketplace adds endless customization possibilities, from email marketing and customer loyalty programs to advanced analytics and automation tools. This ecosystem of apps means you can shape your Shopify store precisely to your needs.
While Shopify’s monthly fees and additional costs for app integrations may be a consideration, the platform offers a solid return on investment for brands that need a stable, scalable solution with strong support and reliable infrastructure. If you are ready to build a brand with longevity and reach, Shopify provides the foundation to do just that. However, for those just starting or with smaller inventory needs, you may find Shopify’s pricing a bit steep. In this case, Shopify still shines as an option to grow into, allowing you to begin with a basic plan and scale as your business demands.
Overall, Shopify is an excellent choice if you’re building a brand with aspirations for growth and want the flexibility to customize your store with minimal friction. The platform’s power lies in its adaptability and reliability, enabling you to confidently focus on your customers and product offerings. For anyone ready to create a polished, professional eCommerce experience that can grow with their business, Shopify is a worthy investment.
WooCommerce: Flexibility for the Content-Centric Entrepreneur
WooCommerce is an ideal eCommerce platform for those who already use WordPress or plan to build a content-centric online presence. Created in 2011 as a WordPress plugin, WooCommerce transforms any WordPress site into a full-fledged online store, making it an excellent choice for those who want to integrate eCommerce with a strong content strategy. This flexibility is a key advantage, as WooCommerce allows you to tailor both your site’s content and eCommerce features in a way that’s entirely your own.
For brands with a blog or existing WordPress site, WooCommerce provides a natural fit. Many businesses rely on it to keep their audience engaged through articles, updates, and resources that complement their product offerings. Companies like Ritual Coffee and Blue Star Donuts use WooCommerce to seamlessly blend content with commerce, leveraging their established WordPress sites to showcase stories, insights, and customer experiences alongside product listings. This approach enhances SEO and helps build an engaged audience, driving traffic organically.
One of WooCommerce’s main advantages is its vast customization potential. You’ll find thousands of plugins and themes that allow you to create a store precisely tailored to your needs. Additionally, WooCommerce itself is free, though you’ll likely want to add premium plugins or hire a developer for a truly personalized look and feel. This flexibility comes with some technical responsibility, as maintaining WooCommerce may require more hands-on effort than platforms like Shopify. Regular updates to plugins, themes, and WordPress itself are essential to keep your store running smoothly.
If you’re an experienced WordPress user or you value complete control over every aspect of your site, WooCommerce is a powerful, cost-effective solution. It’s particularly appealing for those who see the value in combining content and commerce, creating a store experience that’s rich in storytelling and brand identity. WooCommerce is also well-suited for those with unique product types or who need specific functionalities not commonly found on all-in-one eCommerce platforms.
A disadvantage of WooCommerce compared to Shopify is that WooCommerce requires more hands-on maintenance and technical know-how, as it relies on WordPress plugins and updates, whereas Shopify provides a more seamless, all-in-one solution with built-in support and fewer maintenance requirements. For large inventories, Shopify is generally the better choice due to its streamlined, all-in-one infrastructure and robust inventory management features. Although WooCommerce can also manage large inventories, it will require more plugins, custom configurations, and maintenance, which can become much more complex.
Magento: The Enterprise-Level Solution for Ambitious, High-Volume Businesses
Magento stands out as an eCommerce platform designed for brands with big aspirations and complex needs. Originally launched in 2008, Magento has evolved into a highly customizable, enterprise-level solution favored by large-scale businesses with high transaction volumes and specialized requirements. Now part of Adobe’s suite of services, Magento offers powerful features for managing complex catalogs, optimizing the customer experience, and enabling rapid growth across multiple channels. For organizations looking to create a seamless, immersive brand experience with deep customization and scalability, Magento provides a robust foundation.
However, Magento is not for the faint-hearted! It’s best suited to brands with the resources and technical expertise to fully leverage its capabilities. Magento’s open-source platform provides unparalleled flexibility, enabling you to build a store that precisely meets your business requirements, from custom workflows and checkout processes to unique integrations and detailed reporting tools. Major companies such as Nike, Ford, and Procter & Gamble rely on Magento to handle the scale and demand of their global eCommerce operations, a testament to its power and reliability.
It’s important to note that Magento requires a substantial commitment in terms of setup, hosting, and maintenance. Many businesses using Magento enlist professional developers or agencies to handle implementation and ongoing management, as its open-source nature demands more technical involvement than plug-and-play platforms like Shopify. Despite this, for brands with high transaction volumes or unique operational needs, Magento can provide a return on investment through its flexibility and potential for advanced customization. If you’re an established brand aiming to manage a complex product lineup or a high-traffic site with global reach, Magento is well worth considering. With the right team or agency, Magento can deliver a sophisticated, enterprise-level experience that meets the demands of even the most ambitious eCommerce visions.
BigCommerce: A Scalable Solution with Built-in Flexibility
BigCommerce is an eCommerce platform built with scalability and customization in mind, providing a robust, all-in-one solution for businesses with a wide variety of needs. Founded in 2009, BigCommerce has carved out a niche by offering powerful tools for large and mid-sized businesses that need more than a simple, entry-level storefront. With enterprise-grade capabilities and the ability to handle complex catalog structures, BigCommerce is ideal for brands that want flexibility without the heavy technical overhead required by platforms like Magento.
BigCommerce shines with its out-of-the-box functionality, supporting multi-channel sales across social media, marketplaces, and even in-store integrations. Its extensive features list, combined with an open API, allows businesses to seamlessly integrate with external systems, making it a favorite for brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Skullcandy. These companies leverage BigCommerce’s scalability and flexibility to create tailored customer experiences, whether selling directly through their site or via external marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
One of BigCommerce’s defining characteristics is its focus on conversion-driven features, such as advanced SEO tools, built-in security, and customizable checkout processes. For those businesses ready to grow or manage high traffic, BigCommerce’s infrastructure supports your ambitions with high uptime and robust security.
However, while BigCommerce offers many advanced features, it also has a slightly steeper learning curve compared to more beginner-friendly platforms like Shopify. But if you’re looking for a platform that balances flexibility, power, and a relatively straightforward setup, BigCommerce is a compelling option for brands ready to level up their eCommerce presence.
Squarespace Commerce: Elegant, Easy-to-Use, and Perfect for Creatives
Squarespace originally gained fame for its stunning templates and intuitive interface, making it popular among artists, photographers, and designers looking to showcase their work. Over time, Squarespace has expanded its eCommerce capabilities, and today, it’s a powerful solution for small-to-medium-sized businesses that value visual appeal and simplicity.
Squarespace Commerce makes it easy for anyone to build an elegant storefront without a background in web development. Brands like Feals and Keap Candles rely on Squarespace to showcase their products in visually compelling ways that mirror their brand aesthetic. With integrated tools for blogging, email marketing, and appointment scheduling, Squarespace is ideal for brands that prioritize content and customer engagement alongside product sales.
Where Squarespace really shines is in its user-friendly design process. Unlike more complex platforms, Squarespace offers a drag-and-drop editor that allows you to customize your store’s layout and style easily. While its eCommerce functionality is less extensive than platforms like BigCommerce or Magento, it covers essential features for inventory, payment processing, and shipping management.
For brands focused on aesthetics and a simplified user experience, Squarespace is a solid choice. However, if you’re planning to scale rapidly or have complex eCommerce needs, you may find Squarespace’s functionality limiting. That said, for creatives or small business owners, Squarespace Commerce is a seamless way to blend content with commerce in a visually appealing package.
The Remaining Competition
The biggest players in eCommerce as listed above, have risen to the top by catering to a wide range of needs, from flexibility and scale to simplicity and aesthetic appeal. However, there are many other platforms out there, for example Wix and Weebly, which though popular, often lack the depth in eCommerce-specific functionality and scalability that the market leading latforms provide.
Each platform has unique strengths, but hopefully you can already tell that there are some options that just would be more of a headache than help to you!
Imagine your expertise extending beyond the room, creating impact every day, everywhere. With eCommerce, it’s not just about selling—it’s about transforming your vision into something tangible, something that lives with your clients, reaching them in ways that resonate daily.
Bring Your Brand to Life with Print-On-Demand!
Now you might have heard about Print-on-demand (POD), but not really connected it to your work. POD allows you to create custom, branded merchandise – like tees, mugs, and journals – without worrying about inventory or shipping. You simply design the product, and POD providers handle everything from printing to delivery. It’s a low-risk way to offer unique products that deepen connections with your audience while letting you focus on what you do best. For entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants looking to expand their reach, POD makes it possible to offer custom products that carry your brand’s message, creating deeper connections with your audience.
In this industry, leading platforms like Printify, Redbubble, Spreadshirt, Gelato, Printful, and Zazzle each offer distinct advantages tailored to different needs – whether it’s a wide range of product options (aka “product catelogue”), seamless branding, or global shipping solutions. With POD, you can focus on delivering value to your clients while these platforms handle production and fulfillment, allowing you to offer branded items that build loyalty and engagement with ease.
One thing to note is that with print-on-demand, is that some services require you to have your own eCommerce setup, while others offer a built-in marketplace for direct selling.
Solutions like Redbubble and Zazzle act as standalone marketplaces, giving you access to their customer base without you needing a separate store, but here you will need to relinquish branding control. In contrast services that integrate with your own eCommerce site will offer you full control over any branding and client experience, and although you will need a separate eCommerce platform to present as your store front, with these options you can even add in some WOW factors like branded packaging or branded postcard slips.
So, let’s dive deeper into some of the most famed POD solutions out there, and explore their pros and cons.
Redbubble: Creative Marketplace for Brand Exposure
Redbubble functions as a marketplace, which means artists can upload their designs to reach a broad audience without having to manage an eCommerce site. It offers some eco-friendly products, though branding control is limited, as products are sold under Redbubble’s marketplace guidelines. It’s a good fit for artists or hobbyists who prefer less involvement in marketing and logistics, but not so much for more elite, brand conscious ventures.
- Redbubble handles the entire transaction on your behalf. Customers buy directly from Redbubble’s marketplace, and Redbubble takes care of production, shipping, and customer service. You set your markup on products, and Redbubble pays you a royalty based on your markup percentage.
Zazzle: Diverse Products with Built-In Audience
Zazzle also operates as a marketplace, providing a wide range of customizable items that end customers can personalize. Like Redbubble, it’s geared toward designers and sellers who don’t want to manage an eCommerce platform. Zazzle’s large catalog is accessible to a wide audience, though there are fewer profit margins and branding options.
- Zazzle works as a marketplace, so customers pay Zazzle directly. Zazzle handles production, shipping, and customer service. You set your royalty rate, and Zazzle pays you based on the sales generated from your designs.
Zazzle is a hassle-free print-on-demand platform where I can offer my designs on over 1,000 products for free. Customers can personalize items independently, requiring no additional input from me—a convenience not offered on many other platforms. This saves me time. Zazzle promotes products globally and by bringing traffic from my own channels (website, social media, etc), I can boost earnings by 35% in referral income. It’s perfect for promoting a book, ministry, or business, with options to brand your storefront. I absolutely love designing on this platform and would highly recommend it.
If you are interested in Zazzle or would like to go down that route and have a trusted associate of mine set up your account on your behalf, do reach out to Jackie at https://linktr.ee/jackieraymond or https://www.zazzle.com/bereandesigns
Printify: Budget-Friendly, Flexible Merchandise
Printify provides a flexible, adaptable option with an extensive catalog and global network of print providers. It integrates seamlessly with popular eCommerce platforms giving brands a scalable way to grow their online stores. However, product quality can vary between suppliers, which makes a premium plan worth considering for more consistent control over branding and pricing options.
- Printify follows a model where customers pay you, and you then pay Printify for production and fulfillment. You control the retail price, set your profit margin, and handle all financial transactions with your customers directly.
Spreadshirt: Customizable, Strong in Europe
Spreadshirt is popular in Europe and the US, known for its fast shipping to these regions and a solid catalog of customizable items, including organic apparel options. It offers decent customization, especially for labels, though the product range is somewhat narrower. It’s a great choice if you’re focusing on the European market or need more customization features for specific branding.
- Spreadshirt offers two options: you can sell through their marketplace (where they handle the entire transaction), or you can integrate with your own store using Spreadshop. On the marketplace, customers pay Spreadshirt directly, and you receive a commission or profit based on your set markup. In Spreadshop, you handle customer payments.
Gelato: Eco-Friendly, Global Reach
Gelato stands out for its sustainability focus, printing products locally across more than 30 countries to minimize its carbon footprint. Its competitive global shipping times and costs make it ideal for businesses with an international audience. However, it has fewer product options than some competitors, and branding is limited unless using their premium plans.
- With Gelato you handle the transaction with the customer, and then pay Gelato for the production and shipping costs.
Printful: Premium Quality, Full Brand Control
Printful is the go-to choice for high-quality products and extensive branding options, making it a favorite for those building a fully branded online store. With a range of products and strong eCommerce integrations, Printful is ideal for businesses seeking reliable fulfillment and customer service. The higher base costs reflect the quality, which makes it an investment in brand reputation and experience.
- Printful follows a model where customers pay you, and you then pay Printify for production and fulfillment. You control the retail price, set your profit margin, and handle all financial transactions with your customers directly.
Top Shipping Strategies for Print-on-Demand Success: How to Charge Customers and Avoid Losing Money
One issue that’s easy to forget (that is, depending on the POD method you select) is that you may need to consider how to handle shipping costs. When setting up shipping fees balancing accuracy with simplicity is key. Here are the top strategies to help you cover your costs, provide fair rates for customers, and avoid overcomplicating your setup.
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Flat-Rate Shipping: Charge a fixed rate for each order, regardless of size or weight. This keeps things simple for customers and makes costs predictable. For best results, set a rate slightly above your average shipping cost to avoid losses on larger orders. Consider offering separate flat rates for domestic and international orders to cover high-cost regions.
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Tiered Shipping Rates: Create different rates based on order amount or item count. For example, offer a lower rate for “1-2 items” and a higher rate for “3+ items.” Tiered rates let you scale shipping fees with order size, which is especially useful if larger orders have significantly higher shipping costs.
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Destination-Based Rates: Charge different shipping rates depending on the customer’s location, such as “Domestic” and “International.” This approach ensures you cover costs for distant locations without overcharging local customers.
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Weight-Based Shipping: Use total order weight to determine shipping charges. This is ideal if your products vary widely in weight (think mugs versus hoodies), allowing customers to pay only for the shipping their items require. Group items into weight categories to make rates easy to calculate.
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Free Shipping with Minimum Order Value: Offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount to encourage larger purchases, while charging a standard rate for smaller orders. Set the free shipping threshold slightly above your average order value to boost sales without cutting into your profits.
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Real-Time Shipping Rates: Display live shipping rates at checkout based on the customer’s location and order details. If your eCommerce platform supports it (bearing in mind that not all do), real-time rates from your POD provider eliminate guesswork and ensure customers pay actual shipping costs. Just add a note explaining that rates are calculated based on location and order size.
For simplicity and cost-effectiveness, you can always start with Flat-Rate or Tiered Shipping for domestic orders, paired with Destination-Based Rates for international orders. If your average order size is high, consider adding Free Shipping for orders over a set amount to boost sales. If your platform allows, Real-Time Rates can further optimize your setup by covering exact shipping costs.
Mits Griffin Top Picks for 2025
For those looking to take the leap into eCommerce, these platforms can help you reach your goals with minimal friction and maximum impact.
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Shopify – perfect if you want to go deep into eCommerce and don’t mind leveraging your own eCommerce platform. Shopify offers a robust platform with excellent support and a range of add-ons. Ideal for consultancies or brands with a growing inventory of physical products and the dream for this part of the business to go BIG!
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WooCommerce – For those who already run a WordPress website, WooCommerce is a flexible option that allows you to add eCommerce without switching platforms, perfect for those with content-driven sites and a smaller inventory. Just enhance the website you already have, and open up that possibility of selling that next book or product, hassle free.
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Printful – Ideal for coaches and consultants wanting to create branded merchandise and don’t want the hassle of sorting out deliveries and fulfilment. Here you’d need to leverage your own eCommerce site to go all in with your own brand (and not have another POD platform branding competing with yours on your products). Printful even integrates with High Level which can be powerful and economical if you use High Level as a platform to bring all your marketing endeveours together – now you can have everything in one place and although the eCommerce front with High Level is fairly young and simple, if simple appeals then this could be a great way to go. Not heard of High Level and how that might streamline your marketing tech? Then Learn more about High Level here.
Wondering how to grow brand loyalty? The power of eCommerce lies in creating experiences that transform clients into ambassadors and followers into lifelong fans.
Understanding Your Tax Obligations
For UK businesses selling branded products globally, understanding tax obligations is crucial. If you’re below the VAT threshold, you’re not required to charge VAT on your products (this means you can leave your tax settings blank or set them to “Tax Exclusive” without needing to add any specific tax rates on your eCommerce platform). However, if you do exceed the UK VAT registration threshold of £90,000 in annual sales, you must register for VAT and charge it on UK sales. For international customers, sales are generally zero-rated, meaning you don’t charge VAT but must retain evidence of export for compliance. Platforms like Printful automatically handle tax charges based on customer locations, so ensure you provide them with your VAT number if registered (for Printful just go into settings and update your Legal Info through the Billings tabs). Remember to configure your e-commerce platform to align with your POD platform’s settings if you are VAT registered, and of course, it’s important to always maintain a detailed sales records, just in case. For a UK-based business, you’re generally not required to submit US tax forms like the W-9, however, if you receive income from US sources, you might need to submit Form W-8BEN to certify your foreign status. You can download Form W-8BEN from the IRS website. Do consult a tax professional to determine if this applies to your situation.
For U.S. businesses selling branded products internationally, it’s essential to understand VAT and sales tax obligations. U.S. sellers don’t generally need to register for VAT in the UK unless they store goods there or surpass distance selling thresholds in certain cases. However, for direct sales to UK customers, VAT may be charged at the point of sale and collected by marketplaces like Printful, depending on the customer’s location and the value of goods. Ensure your e-commerce platform is configured to handle VAT for UK customers and other applicable taxes based on the shipping destination and do record all international transactions for compliance.
Final Thoughts
Although I hope that this guide will act as a sure foundation, remember that building an eCommerce presence is as much about strategy as it is about technology. With the right tools and a solid plan, you can make a meaningful connection with your audience, scale your impact, and build a lasting legacy in the digital age. Whether you’re launching branded merchandise, digital products, or exclusive membership-only items, now is always the perfect time to embrace eCommerce as part of your entrepreneurial journey. Build something that connects, inspires, and leaves a legacy – because in the end, it’s not just about what you sell; it’s about the impact you create and the community you build along the way.
Need a Hand Getting Started?
If you’re ready to dive into eCommerce but need clarity and direction, book a 2.5-hour Digital Roadmap with me. Together, we’ll walk through every detail of your project and devise a comprehensive action plan. Whether you’re wanting to wow clients with branded merchandising, or are building an immersive learning experience or membership, we will set you on the right path with a solid strategy and timeline. Let’s take this step together and turn your vision into reality!
