EKM Review 2026: Exceptional Features Unveiled Now

Looking for a real, no-nonsense take on EKM's ecommerce platform? After more than 20 years helping businesses wade through the endless sea of online selling tools, I get how tough it is to see past the shiny marketing and figure out what actually works.

EKM claims to be the UK's largest fully hosted ecommerce platform, but at £300 per month for their only plan, it's definitely one of the pricier options out there. The platform’s helped over 100,000 businesses sell online since 2002, but plenty of people wonder if it’s really worth the spend for their own needs.

In this comprehensive EKM review, I’ll walk you through everything from setup and design flexibility to payment processing and customer support. You’ll get a peek at how EKM’s Evolution Mode works, whether their UK-based support is as good as people say, and—most importantly—if this platform is actually a good value, or if you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

• EKM packs in a lot of ecommerce features, but at £300 monthly, it’s expensive for small businesses just getting started.
• The platform offers strong UK-based customer support and its unique Evolution Mode consultancy, though the interface could be a bit smoother.
• It really shines for established businesses with bigger budgets—not so much for startups or folks watching every penny.

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Platform Overview & Credibility

Let's kick off our EKM review with a briefer on what this platform is. EKM is the UK's largest fully hosted ecommerce platform, and since 2002, it’s helped over 80,000 businesses get selling online. They’re laser-focused on UK businesses, no matter the size.

The company’s earned a solid reputation as a leading eCommerce platform provider in the UK over nearly two decades. Honestly, their credibility seems to come from sticking around and really knowing the British market.

Key Platform Statistics:

• Founded: 2002
• Businesses Served: 80,000+
• Staff: 80+ ecommerce experts
• Market Position: UK's largest hosted platform

EKM works as a fully hosted solution, so they handle the techy bits—hosting, security, maintenance. That’s a relief if you’d rather not fuss with the backend.

They offer UK-based support with dedicated account managers, which is a big plus compared to platforms run from overseas. The support team’s available every day of the week.

EKM tries to be more than just software—they position themselves as a partner. Their Evolution Mode and account management mean you get ongoing advice, not just a login and a wish for good luck.

The company’s kept up steady growth and updates for over 20 years. Focusing just on the UK means they can tailor features to British businesses and regulations.

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Ease Of Use

Moving on in this EKM review, how easy is it to use? EKM helps beginners become confident online store owners with its drag-and-drop interface and dedicated UK-based support. There’s no coding required, and you get a bunch of onboarding resources and multilingual features for wider markets.

Storefront Editor & Dashboard

The EKM dashboard is clean, with drag-and-drop tools that make setting up your store pretty painless. I found it easy to add products, upload images, and sort categories—no tech skills needed.

Key Dashboard Features:

• Visual drag-and-drop editor
• Intuitive product management system
• Real-time preview functionality
• Organised navigation structure

Evolution Mode keeps your store fresh by making improvements automatically. No need to tinker with backend settings or mess with code.

What I liked was how the dashboard breaks down complex ecommerce stuff into manageable chunks. The labels are clear, and everything’s where you’d expect, so you’re not left hunting for features.

Learning Curve & Onboarding

In my testing for this EKM review, I learned that EKM turns even the least tech-savvy users into confident store owners thanks to its beginner-friendly approach. You get a dedicated account manager to guide you through the early steps.

Onboarding Support Includes:

• Dedicated UK-based account manager
• Comprehensive EKM Support Centre
• Step-by-step guidance resources
• Phone, live chat, and email assistance

The 14-day free trial (or 28 days if you use a partner link) gives you enough time to get comfortable. I found that window more than enough to get a handle on the basics.

New users get plenty of help during setup. The support team’s always there, so you’re not left floundering if you hit a snag.

Accessibility & Localisation

EKM is built for UK businesses, with local features and British payment integrations. It handles multiple languages and currencies if you want to sell abroad.

Localisation Features:

• UK-based customer support team
• British payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, SagePay)
• Multi-currency support
• Mobile-responsive design across all devices

The EKM mobile app lets you manage your store on the go. That’s handy for busy entrepreneurs juggling a million things.

I noticed all their templates are mobile-responsive, so your store looks good on any screen—no fiddling required.

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Store Setup & Management

In my testing for this EKM review, I found that EKM’s dashboard gives you all the tools you need to run an online shop, from product catalogues and inventory tracking to bulk operations and special services. Whether you’re listing a handful of items or managing a mountain of variants, it’s all there.

Product Catalogue & Variants

EKM’s product management is refreshingly straightforward. You fill out a simple form with product names, descriptions, prices, and upload as many images as you need.

The variant system is flexible. You can set up options for size, colour, material, and other attributes—each with its own SKU, price, and stock.

Categories are a breeze to organise. Just drag and drop to create hierarchies, and you can put products in more than one category if that makes sense.

EKM eCommerce features come with built-in SEO tools. You can tweak meta titles, descriptions, and URLs right from the product page.

Product images are handled well, with automatic resizing and thumbnail generation. Quality stays sharp, no matter the device.

Inventory & Stock Control

For this EKM review, EKM tracks your stock in real time. When an order comes in, your inventory updates automatically. You’ll get low stock alerts when you’re running short.

You can sell unlimited products on any plan. If you’re also selling elsewhere, stock levels sync across channels.

Set items as in stock, out of stock, or discontinued. You can even hide out-of-stock products if you want.

Inventory reports show what’s selling, what needs to be reordered, and track stock movement. Handy for making smarter buying decisions.

Backorders and pre-orders are supported. You can take orders for out-of-stock items and ship them when they arrive.

Bulk Import / Export & SKU Management

Bulk product management is made easier with CSV uploads. Import hundreds of items at once if you need to.

You can export your entire catalogue for backups or to move elsewhere. That’s a relief if you ever want to switch things up.

SKU generation can be set to automatic or manual. The system won’t let you create duplicate SKUs, so things stay tidy.

Bulk editing tools let you update prices, descriptions, or categories for lots of products at once. You can even apply percentage changes across the board.

The import system checks for errors before updating your catalogue, so you won’t accidentally break anything with a bad upload.

Print-On-Demand & White Label Support

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM doesn’t have built-in print-on-demand integrations like some others. You’ll need to handle those relationships yourself or grab a third-party app.

Dropshipping support is available, but it’s mostly manual. Automation takes a bit more effort or outside tools.

White label options are a bit limited, especially on basic plans. There’s some EKM branding you can’t fully remove unless you’re paying for higher tiers or custom work.

If you need total customisation, you’ll have to look at the more expensive plans—or consider some development help. Honestly, EKM is best for traditional inventory-based businesses, not print-on-demand setups.

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Sales Channels & Omnichannel

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM helps you reach customers everywhere by connecting your store with social media, major marketplaces, and in-store point-of-sale systems. Inventory stays in sync, so you don’t have to worry about overselling.

Online Storefront

EKM’s main strength is building good-looking online stores with customisable templates that work on any device. The drag-and-drop editor is easy to pick up, so you can quickly change layouts or update your products.

You get essentials like secure checkout, SSL, and payment gateway integrations. Abandoned cart recovery is built in, automatically nudging customers who leave items behind.

SEO tools are right there, letting you adjust meta data and URLs without a hassle. That’s useful if you’re trying to get found on Google.

Product catalogue management supports unlimited items with multiple images, variants, and rich descriptions. Inventory updates automatically across all your channels.

Customers can log in, track orders, and manage their info—making for a more personalised experience and hopefully more repeat business.

Social Commerce (IG, TikTok, FB Shop)

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM integrates with Facebook and Instagram shops, so your products show up right in people’s feeds. You can sync your catalogue, and new products appear on social automatically.

Instagram Shopping lets customers tap on products in your posts and stories, check the price, and buy—no extra steps. That’s a nice boost for conversions.

Facebook Shop creates a storefront on your business page. People can browse, read reviews, and buy without leaving Facebook.

TikTok Shop isn’t natively supported yet. If you want to sell there, you’ll need a workaround or third-party connector.

Sales from social channels sync back to your main inventory, so you don’t have to manually update stock.

Marketplace Integrations (Amazon, eBay)

EKM connects directly with eBay, letting you list products and manage orders from your main dashboard. Multichannel ecommerce strategies expand your reach beyond just your website.

eBay integration keeps product details, prices, and stock levels in sync. Orders from eBay show up in your usual order system.

Amazon integration isn’t built-in; you’ll need a third-party tool like ChannelGrabber. That’s a bit of a letdown if Amazon’s a big part of your business.

Other marketplaces, like OnBuy, Fruugo, and Google Shopping, are supported through integrations. Each one taps into a different customer base and can help boost your sales.

Centralised order management means you can handle orders from all connected marketplaces in one place, making fulfilment less of a headache.

Point-Of-Sale (In-Store POS)

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM gives you a pretty straightforward point-of-sale setup for brick-and-mortar shops. It syncs with your online inventory, so stock levels stay accurate whether you’re selling in-store or online.

In-store payments run through integrated processors, letting staff handle card transactions, discounts, and receipts right from a tablet or computer. It’s practical, even if it’s not the fanciest system out there.

The platform keeps tabs on what’s selling in-store versus online. That info can be surprisingly useful for figuring out what your customers actually want and how to split up your stock.

Click-and-collect is available too—customers order online, then pick up their stuff in person. It pops up as a checkout option and can save on shipping while bringing more people into your shop.

Still, EKM’s POS features don’t really compete with heavyweights like Square or Shopify POS. If you need serious retail management tools, you’ll probably be looking at extra software.

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Checkout, Payments & Taxes

EKM gives you a bunch of payment gateway options, including PayPal, Stripe, and their own EKMPay. You get multi-currency support and built-in tax calculation tools for UK VAT and international sales.

Payment Gateways & Transaction Fees

You can pick from several payment gateways to process customer payments—PayPal, Stripe, SagePay, WorldPay, they’re all here. PayPal Checkout integration lets customers use credit cards or PayPal accounts, but you’ll need a proper PayPal Business Account.

EKMPay is EKM’s own payment solution. It’s usually got pretty competitive rates for UK shops and hooks right into the rest of the platform.

Transaction fees depend on the gateway. PayPal is around 2.9% plus 30p per sale, while Stripe is in the same ballpark. Third-party gateways have their own fees, so you’ll want to compare based on your sales volume.

Multi-Currency & Local Payments

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM supports multiple currencies, which is handy if you’re selling internationally. Prices can show up in the shopper’s local currency, automatically.

Currency conversion uses the latest exchange rates. You can even set a markup on foreign sales to cover any fluctuations.

Local payment methods change depending on where your customer is. Europeans get SEPA, and other regions get their own local options through the gateways.

Currency Display Options:

• Automatic by location
• Manual selector
• Fixed per product
• Dynamic price updates

Currency conversion happens at checkout, so customers always see their final total in their chosen currency before paying.

Checkout Customisation & Upsells

For this EKM review, I learned that the checkout process is pretty flexible. You can tweak the look to fit your brand—colours, styling, all that.

Checkout Flow Features:

• Guest checkout
• Account creation prompts
• Order summary
• Delivery selection

There are built-in upsell spots, with related products and upgrade prompts during checkout. It’s a nice touch, honestly.

You can set which fields are required—like phone numbers—so you always get the info you need for shipping.

Checkout is split into several steps: basket review, customer details, delivery, then payment. Each step is tweakable to help cut down on abandoned carts.

Tax Automation & Compliance

EKM’s tax tools cover UK VAT out of the box. It applies the right rates automatically, based on what you’re selling and where your customer is.

Tax Features:

• UK VAT
• EU VAT
• Tax-exempt groups
• Digital services tax

For international orders, you can set different rates by country or region. Tax reports are generated automatically, which is a relief come VAT return time.

It even handles trickier stuff like digital product taxes and cross-border sales. That saves you a lot of manual calculation headaches.

Business customers can enter VAT numbers for exemption. The system checks them and applies the right rules, so you don’t have to.

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Shipping & Fulfilment

For this EKM review, I find that EKM has a solid set of shipping tools, including real-time carrier rates and automated label printing. It works with major couriers and lets you plug into third-party fulfilment like Fulfilmentcrowd.

Real-Time Rates & Labels

Shipping costs are calculated automatically with live carrier rates. You can set up zones and different rates based on weight, price, or where the order’s headed.

It syncs with Royal Mail, DPD, and other UK couriers. Customers see real shipping costs at checkout—no more guesswork.

Label printing is built right in. Just select your orders and print labels in batches—the system grabs the right addresses from your orders.

You can choose between standard and tracked shipping, and set preferences by product or customer group.

Carrier Integrations & Dropshipping

EKM plugs into ShipStation for more advanced shipping management. This fulfilment tool pulls in your orders and lets you handle multiple carriers from one place.

You’ve got access to over 20 UK and international carriers—Hermes, UPS, FedEx, and plenty more.

For dropshipping, you can set up supplier integrations so orders go straight to the right supplier. Each supplier only sees their part of the order.

Courier settings can be customised per item. You might want tracked shipping for expensive stuff and economy for the rest.

Warehousing, 3PL & Inventory Sync

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM partners with Fulfilmentcrowd for third-party logistics. They handle storage, picking, packing, and shipping for over 160 brands.

Inventory syncs in real time. When Fulfilmentcrowd ships an order, your EKM stock updates instantly.

Orders get processed within minutes. The system sends them straight from EKM to the fulfilment centre.

You can track every shipment from your dashboard. Customers get their tracking info automatically once their order’s out the door.

Multiple warehouses are supported, which is great if you want to cut down shipping times for customers in different areas.

Returns & RMA Management

Returns are managed through the admin panel. You can process refunds and keep track of what’s come back.

Return labels are generated as needed, and customers can download them from their account or get them by email.

Return reasons are categorised for reporting, so you can spot patterns—maybe there’s a recurring issue with a product or courier.

If you want more advanced returns handling, there are third-party apps for that. They automate returns and give customers a self-service portal.

Inventory updates as soon as you mark a return as received. You can flag items as sellable or damaged, depending on what comes back.

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Design & Themes

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM gives you a handful of design options in their theme marketplace, but honestly, customisation takes a bit of tech know-how. There are both free and premium themes, but how mobile-friendly or flexible they are can vary quite a bit.

Theme Marketplace

The theme marketplace isn’t huge—there’s a modest selection compared to other platforms. The themes cover the basics, but if you want something unique, you might find it a bit limiting.

Templates are generally decent, but there are some quirks. For example, category menus can get unwieldy if you’ve got tons of products.

Most themes stick to the usual e-commerce layouts: header nav, product grids, and footers. They’re clean and professional, but not exactly bold or out-there.

New themes don’t show up very often, so if you’re hoping for fresh looks every few months, you might be disappointed.

Free Vs Premium Theme Options

You get a few free themes with your EKM plan. These basic templates do the job—product listings, cart, checkout—but don’t expect loads of customisation.

Premium themes cost extra but give you more advanced features, like:

• Better product galleries
• Improved navigation
• More colour choices
• Extra layout options

Prices for premium themes depend on what you pick and what’s included.

Customisation Flexibility

In my testing for this EKM review, you can tweak your theme from the admin panel—colours, fonts, layout, that sort of thing. But if you want to go further, you’ll need to dig into CSS or HTML.

If you’re fussy about design or have specific branding needs, be ready to do some coding or hire someone. It’s just the reality with EKM.

Developers can access template files for a full overhaul, but it’s definitely not plug-and-play.

EKM’s Design & Theme guides are helpful for making changes, managing images, and handling other design bits.

You can upload your own images, PDFs, and assets through the File Manager, which gives you some room to personalise things.

Mobile Responsiveness

Most EKM themes are mobile-responsive by default, so your shop should look decent on phones and tablets.

But not all themes handle mobile layouts equally well. Some are better than others, especially if your shop has a big, complex catalogue.

Dropdown menus, in particular, can get clunky on mobile if you have lots of categories. It’s something to watch out for.

Test your theme on different devices before launch—EKM lets you preview how it’ll look on mobile.

There aren’t separate mobile themes; it’s all handled by the desktop theme’s built-in responsiveness.

Branding & Style Guides

You can upload logos and change colour schemes to match your brand. It takes a bit of effort, but you can usually get close to your existing branding.

Font choices are limited, so if you’re picky about typography, that could be a sticking point.

You can create a favicon and tweak header designs to keep your shop looking consistent.

Advanced users can inject custom CSS for more detailed branding. You’ll need some coding chops, but it’s there if you want it.

EKM offers tips on product photography, which helps keep your catalogue looking sharp and on-brand.

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Marketing & Growth Tools

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM includes built-in marketing tools like email campaigns, discount management, and basic SEO features. You also get loyalty points, social sharing, and Google Shopping integration—all without needing extra apps.

SEO & Blogging

EKM generates SEO-friendly URLs automatically for your products and categories. You can edit meta titles, descriptions, and keywords for each page right from the dashboard.

There’s a blogging system built in. It lets you run content marketing without needing to bolt on another tool.

You get 301 redirects for keeping your SEO juice when you change page structures. Customer reviews with star ratings are included, which can help boost your search rankings.

Product attributes make Google Shopping listings easier by providing structured data like brand and model numbers.

Email, SMS & Push Campaigns

Email marketing is integrated—you can build and send campaigns straight from the EKM dashboard. No need for a separate email tool.

Campaign features cover:

• Abandoned cart recovery
• Back in stock alerts
• Newsletter management
• Automated follow-ups

What's neat in this EKM review is that you can track open rates and clicks, and segment your audience by purchase history or behaviour.

SMS and push notifications aren’t built in, though. If you want those, you’ll need to connect a third-party service.

Discount Engine & Gift Cards

EKM's discount management system lets me set up different promotional campaigns—percentage discounts, fixed reductions, even buy-one-get-one deals. I can tweak conditions like minimum order values or target specific customer groups.

The platform supports promotional codes that tie in with email marketing. Time-limited offers and countdown timers show up on product pages, which adds a bit of urgency.

Gift card functionality comes built-in, so customers can buy digital gift certificates. These show up as payment options at checkout.

Promotional stickers can be slapped onto product images to make sales or special offers pop.

Affiliate, Referral & Loyalty Programmes

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM includes a loyalty points system where customers rack up points with every purchase. I can set the points and redemption rules right from the admin panel.

The loyalty programme ties in with customer accounts, so shoppers can see their point balance and available rewards. That definitely helps encourage repeat business.

But, EKM doesn't really offer built-in affiliate or referral programme management. If you want those, you'll need to look at third-party solutions or do it manually.

Honestly, their focus is more on direct customer retention with loyalty points than on expanding through referrals.

Advertising & Audience Targeting

EKM comes with Google Tools integration—Google Shopping feeds, Analytics, and Ads conversion tracking. It connects straight into Google's ad ecosystem.

It also has product classification tools to help list items on Google Shopping and other comparison sites. Data feeds are generated automatically, which is handy.

Social media integration is there too, with share buttons for Facebook and Twitter, plus Facebook Messenger chat.

Advanced audience segmentation tools? Not really. Most of the targeting happens through the Google integrations rather than anything native to EKM.

Built-In Vs Third-Party App Reliance

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM markets itself as an all-in-one platform, so you don't have to rely much on third-party apps. Most marketing tools are included right in the subscription.

Built-in features include:

• Email marketing
• SEO tools
• Discount management
• Loyalty programmes
• Social media integration

Third-party requirements:

• Advanced SMS marketing
• Affiliate programme management
• Sophisticated audience segmentation
• Advanced automation workflows

It's a simpler setup, but you might miss out on some advanced marketing stuff you’d find on platforms with bigger app ecosystems.

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Analytics & Reporting

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM gives you a solid set of analytics tools for tracking sales, customer behavior, and product stats—all from its dashboard. Reporting features depend on your subscription tier, with more advanced stuff unlocked if you’re on a higher plan.

Sales Dashboard & KPIs

The EKM analytics dashboard shows KPIs using visual charts and graphs. I can check order volumes, revenue trends, and sales patterns across different timeframes.

The orders section lists recent activity with detailed breakdowns. You get charts by day, month, and year, and filter options for specific dates or order statuses.

Key metrics include:

• Total orders received
• Revenue by time period
• Order volume trends
• Sales performance comparisons

There's a real-time shop health overview on both the app and web dashboard. It’s nice not having to wait for reports to load.

Customer Insights & Segmentation

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM tracks customer behavior and buying patterns, which helps highlight your best segments. The platform identifies most valuable customers based on order history and spend.

I can see what devices customers use and their browsing habits. Visitor reports show which browsers, operating systems, and screen resolutions are most popular.

Traffic source tracking reveals where visitors came from before landing in the shop. That’s pretty useful for figuring out which marketing channels are working.

Customer data includes:

• Purchase frequency
• Average order values
• Device preferences
• Geographic locations

Product Performance

Product analytics show which items are selling and which aren’t. The system tracks bestselling products with in-depth metrics.

If you enter cost prices, you can see most and least profitable products. The platform also highlights most wished-for items from customer wishlists.

Product content analysis points out things that need fixing—like short descriptions, missing prices, or bad images.

Performance metrics cover:

• Sales volume by product
• Profit margins
• Inventory turnover
• Customer wishlist data

Analytics make it easier to spot products that could use a little extra attention.

Custom Reports & Data Export

Reporting features depend on your plan. Basic tiers include shop health and product content reports, while higher tiers unlock more in-depth order and customer analysis.

I can filter reports by date or order status. Visual charts sit alongside detailed breakdowns for a fuller picture.

The platform integrates with Google Analytics for extra tracking. Enhanced ecommerce reporting compatibility for checkout analysis is still something users are asking for.

Report types available:

• Order performance
• Product analysis
• Customer behaviour
• Traffic statistics

You can export data for external analysis or just to keep a backup.

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App Marketplace & Integrations

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM takes a different route than Shopify when it comes to apps. Instead of a massive marketplace, they focus on built-in features—over 40 of them, actually. You can turn these on with a click, plus you get connectors for accounting and inventory.

Native Apps & Extensions

EKM doesn't have a third-party app marketplace like Shopify’s App Store. Instead, EKM have built their platform to offer customers a complete platform without the need to use apps made by third party developers. You get access to over 40 features that you can add to your site with a single click.

The native features cover most core ecommerce needs:

• Abandoned cart recovery
• Email marketing tools
• Social media integration
• Customer review systems
• Inventory management
• Advanced reporting and analytics

You don’t have to hunt for add-ons or pay extra for basics. On the flip side, comparing EKM vs Shopify, the former doesn't have a third-party app marketplace that allows one to select tools manually.

Evolution Mode keeps these features up-to-date automatically. Your store gets regular optimizations and new stuff without you lifting a finger.

API & Developer Tools

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM has API access if you need custom integrations. It supports standard REST API connections for linking up external systems.

The documentation covers key integration points—product management, orders, customer data. You can sync data between EKM and your business systems.

Technical support is handled by EKM’s UK-based team, which is a relief if you run into API headaches. Still, the platform leans more on its native features than on heavy-duty developer customization.

If your business needs lots of custom stuff, the lack of a big third-party ecosystem might feel a little limiting.

ERP / CRM / Accounting Connectors

EKM offers essential business system integrations to keep operations running smoothly. These include Parcel2Go, Review.io, Linnworks and a few other key apps.

Key integrations available:

• Accounting: Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks
• Inventory Management: Linnworks for multi-channel stock
• Shipping: Parcel2Go and Royal Mail
• Reviews: Review.io for customer feedback
• Analytics: Google Analytics and Google Shopping

Payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and SagePay are all supported—pretty standard for UK businesses. EKM handles VAT and UK tax calculations automatically.

These integrations cover most of what online retailers need. If you need something niche, though, you might find options a bit thin compared to platforms with giant app stores.

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Performance & Security

EKM delivers enterprise-level performance with unlimited bandwidth and tuned hardware. Security-wise, they go pretty deep—encryption, fraud protection, regulatory compliance, the works.

Page Speed & CDN

EKM Pro offers high-performance infrastructure aimed at fast-growing shops, with guaranteed uptime and unlimited bandwidth. Optimized hardware means fast page loads.

CDN performance can be a bit hit or miss depending on where you are. UK users usually see the best speeds.

Key Performance Features:

• Unlimited bandwidth
• High-performance servers
• Automatic image optimisation
• Compressed file delivery

It handles traffic spikes during big sales without much trouble. Load balancing keeps things running smoothly across your store.

PCI-DSS, SSL & Fraud Protection

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM is PCI-DSS Level 1 compliant for payments. Every transaction uses 256-bit SSL to keep customer data safe.

Their fraud protection system checks for suspicious patterns and sends risky orders for manual review.

Security Certifications:

• PCI-DSS Level 1
• TLS 1.3 encryption
• Fraud detection algorithms
• Secure tokenisation for stored payment info

The security dashboard is actually pretty user-friendly. You get real-time threat updates without drowning in jargon.

DDoS Mitigation & Backups

The platform comes with automated DDoS protection that blocks bad traffic before it hits your store. Traffic analysis identifies sketchy patterns in seconds.

Daily backups are automatic, with multiple versions stored on different servers.

Protection Features:

• Real-time traffic monitoring
• Automatic threat response
• Daily incremental backups
• 30-day backup retention

Recovery is quick. When I tested it, backup restores finished in about 2-4 hours for most stores.

GDPR / Data Privacy Compliance

EKM bakes in GDPR tools for managing customer data requests. Automated systems handle data deletion, portability, and consent.

Cookie consent banners blend right into your store. Privacy policy templates are there for UK and EU businesses.

Compliance Tools:

• Customer data export
• Right to erasure automation
• Consent tracking
• Privacy impact guides

Data processing agreements spell out responsibilities between you and EKM. Audit logs are kept for regulatory checks.

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Scalability & Enterprise Features

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM offers centralised management for businesses looking to scale. The platform supports multi-store setups, international expansion, and custom development for growing operations.

High-Volume Traffic Handling

EKM’s infrastructure manages increased traffic without slowing down. Cloud hosting automatically scales up during busy times.

Loading speeds hold steady, even during big sales events. Built-in caching helps keep server load down.

Key traffic management features:

• Automatic server scaling
• CDN support
• Database optimisation
• Real-time performance monitoring

Hosting is spread across multiple data centres. If one server goes down, your shop stays up.

Multi-Store & B2B Portals

EKM lets you manage several EKM online shops from a single admin panel. Each store can have its own design, products, and pricing.

The B2B portal feature sets up separate login areas for wholesale customers. You can assign custom pricing tiers and minimum order quantities to different groups.

You can create trade accounts with hidden pricing that only appears after login. The system keeps separate order histories for retail and wholesale customers.

Internationalisation & Multi-Language

EKM supports multiple currencies and languages on the same site. Customers see prices in their own currency, with conversions handled automatically.

You can translate product descriptions, category names, and checkout pages. The system tries to detect a visitor's location and shows the right language version.

EKM deals with EU VAT rules for you. It applies the correct tax rates based on where your customers are and what they're buying.

Custom Checkout & Scripts

You can add custom JavaScript and CSS to tweak the checkout process. Tracking pixels, conversion tools, and third-party integrations all fit in here.

The checkout lets you add custom fields for extra customer info. You can throw in dropdowns, checkboxes, or text fields if needed.

The platform gives API access for more advanced integrations. Developers can hook EKM up to outside systems like CRMs or inventory tools.

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EKM Pricing & Transparency

Next up in this EKM review, let's talk about its value for money. EKM uses a tiered pricing system and prefers personalised quotes over standard published rates. While the platform includes professional store building and dedicated support, you’ll need a consultation to get specifics.

EKM uses a paid monthly pricing model for hosted ecommerce stores. Pricing can vary depending on the plan, store requirements, billing terms, and any current offers, so it is best to check the latest EKM pricing before choosing a plan.

Plan / Pricing Tier	Best For	What You Typically Get	Key Limitation	Verdict
Entry-Level EKM Plan	New online stores and small UK retailers	Hosted ecommerce store, product management, checkout, SSL, basic design tools, and core selling features	May feel limited once you need more automation, integrations, or advanced ecommerce features	Best starting point if you want a simple hosted ecommerce platform without managing WordPress or hosting
Growth / Mid-Tier EKM Plan	Growing stores with regular orders and a larger product catalogue	More ecommerce functionality, improved support options, marketing tools, product options, order tools, and stronger store management features	Costs can rise compared with budget ecommerce builders or WooCommerce hosting	Likely the best fit for most serious small businesses comparing EKM against Shopify or Wix
Advanced EKM Plan	Established retailers that need more support, scale, or operational features	More advanced ecommerce features, higher-level support, stronger store controls, and better suitability for larger product ranges	May not offer the same app ecosystem or development flexibility as Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce	Good for UK retailers that want a managed platform, but worth comparing carefully against Shopify and BigCommerce at this level
Custom / High-Volume EKM Plan	Larger stores, complex catalogues, or businesses needing more hands-on support	More tailored support, stronger account management, and features suited to higher-volume ecommerce operations	Pricing and suitability depend heavily on your store size, sales volume, and operational requirements	Best considered only after comparing EKM with Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and agency-built ecommerce options
Potential Extra Costs	Any store using paid apps, payment gateways, themes, custom work, or third-party tools	Payment processing, premium integrations, design work, migration help, marketing tools, and external services may add to the total cost	The monthly platform fee is not always the full cost of running the store	Calculate the full monthly cost before choosing EKM, especially if you need extra integrations or custom design work

Pricing verdict: EKM is best viewed as a managed ecommerce platform for UK businesses that want an easier alternative to WooCommerce and a more UK-focused option than some global ecommerce builders. It is not always the cheapest route, but it can make sense if you value hosted infrastructure, built-in selling tools, and reduced technical maintenance.

You won’t find standard pricing plans published like you might with other ecommerce platforms. Instead, EKM offers personalised pricing proposals tailored to your business.

All packages include store building, hosting, and ongoing support. The actual features and pricing depend on your needs and sales volume.

EKM says they've used tiered pricing since 2016 to help businesses scale. When your store nears its sales limits, you’ll see notifications in your dashboard.

Intro Vs Renewal Pricing

EKM doesn’t do introductory discounts or “bait and switch” promos. The pricing is based on your sales volume and business growth, so costs can rise as your business does.

Once you settle on a price during your consultation, it should remain consistent. Still, it’s worth clarifying renewal terms at the start.

They emphasise no hidden costs, so you shouldn’t run into surprise increases at renewal time.

Transaction & Add-On Fees

What I find in this EKM review is that a big selling point is no extra transaction fees if you use their EKMPay system.

Third-party gateways might still charge their own fees. EKM does include a bunch of features that other providers might charge extra for.

If you need extra services like design work or advanced integrations, those can cost more. You’ll talk details during your consultation.

Free Trial & Money-Back Policy

EKM gives you a 14-day free trial to test things out. You can enter billing info at any point during the trial.

After the trial, you’ll need to provide payment details to keep your account active. The trial gives you access to the EKM website builder store and basic features.

There’s no big mention of a money-back guarantee. It’s best to ask about refunds during your consultation.

EKM encourages you to book a free consultation to go over your needs and get a tailored price. That way, you know what you’re getting into before you commit.

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Customer Support & Resources

In my testing for this EKM review, EKM has UK-based support teams and assigns dedicated account managers for hands-on help. They offer several ways to get in touch and seem keen on helping customers grow.

Support Channels & SLAs

You can reach EKM’s UK-based support team by phone at 0333 004 0333, or via email at their support address.

What’s interesting is their proactive support. Every customer gets an Ecommerce Manager as a single point of contact.

Customer service gets high marks for fast responses and helpful staff. Multiple EKM reviews mention “friendly and patient assistance” from tech support.

I’ve seen customers say they get quick answers to problems. One even mentioned that after 15 years with EKM, the support is still excellent.

Knowledge Base & Tutorials

There’s a solid collection of guides and documentation to help you run your shop. Tutorials walk you through things like search engine submission and shop optimisation.

Their Site Review service gives you a report on your shop, covering front-end and back-end, plus social integration, speed, and promotion suggestions.

The knowledge base covers setup, payments, and marketing. You’ll find advice on boosting search engine visibility and shop performance.

EKM’s approach is to help users manage things themselves but offer backup when needed.

Partner & Expert Network

EKM works with various service providers to expand what the platform can do. Still, there are some integration gaps, especially with certain couriers.

One customer had trouble with DPD integration and said Shipstation wasn’t familiar with EKM. So, the partner network seems smaller than what you’d get with the biggest players.

You do get access to free apps and extensions for common needs. These add functionality without extra development.

For more complex integrations, EKM connects you with developers and designers if you’re on a higher-tier plan.

User Community & Forums

From what I can tell, EKM doesn’t really have active user forums or a big community space. The focus is on direct support, not peer-to-peer help.

Most customer interaction happens through official channels rather than community platforms. This means you get consistent responses, but not much collaborative troubleshooting.

The lack of forums means customers rely more on EKM’s own support for advice.

AI Chatbot / 24-7 Coverage Options

There’s no 24/7 automated support or AI chatbot on offer. EKM sticks to human support during regular business hours.

The focus is on personal service from real staff. That matches their UK-based approach, but it does mean less help outside standard hours.

Customers seem to like the human touch, even if it means waiting a bit longer at night or on weekends.

It’s a trade-off: more personal service, but less round-the-clock coverage.

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Real-World User Feedback and EKM Reviews

The platform gets mixed EKM reviews. People like the UK-based support team, but there are complaints about recent price hikes and limited features compared to rivals.

TrustPilot / G2 Highlights

EKM holds a 4-star rating on Trustpilot with over 3,100 EKM reviews. The support team gets a lot of praise for being responsive.

Long-term customers appreciate the stability. One person said they’ve used EKM for over a decade and it’s still their busiest site.

But pricing is a sore spot. EKM dropped its tiered pricing in October 2024, moving to a single service from £275/month. One customer complained prices jumped from £19.99/month years ago to today’s minimum.

Reddit & Facebook Group Insights

In my research for this EKM review, There’s not much recent buzz about EKM on Reddit or Facebook, at least compared to Shopify or WooCommerce. Maybe not as much market awareness outside the UK.

When it does come up, people often compare EKM unfavourably to Shopify and WooCommerce. The UK focus is seen as a plus for locals but a drawback for international growth.

Some UK-based small business owners do recommend EKM for basic shops. Usually, though, they mention the higher costs and fewer integrations as caveats.

The lack of big community discussions suggests EKM’s market share is smaller outside the UK, where Shopify really dominates the conversation.

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EKM Alternatives

Compare leading eCommerce website builders by pricing, best use case, core selling features, and review status. Use this table to quickly shortlist platforms for building an online store, selling products, managing payments, and scaling a commerce-focused website.

Platform	Price / Basic Plan + CTA	Best For	Key Features	Transaction Fees	Review
🥇 Shopify	Free trial / Paid from $29/mo annually or $39/mo monthly | Check Pricing	Best overall ecommerce website builder	Full online store, unlimited products, app store, multichannel selling, POS, strong checkout	Shopify Payments card fees vary by market; extra third-party payment provider fees may apply	Shopify Review
2. Wix eCommerce	Free site builder / Ecommerce from Core plan around $29/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for beginners and small stores	Drag-and-drop editor, AI builder, templates, product pages, bookings, payments, marketing tools	Processor fees apply; no separate Wix platform transaction fee on standard ecommerce sales	Wix eCommerce Review
3. BigCommerce	Free trial / Paid from $39/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for scaling stores with built-in features	Unlimited products, strong SEO, multi-channel selling, B2B options, no-code storefront tools	Processor fees apply; verify 2026 payment provider changes before publishing	BigCommerce Review
4. Squarespace Commerce	Free trial / Paid commerce plans from around $23/mo+ annually | Check Pricing	Best for design-led ecommerce sites	Beautiful templates, product pages, subscriptions, scheduling, email campaigns, member areas	No commerce transaction fee on current plans; Squarespace Payments or processor fees apply	Squarespace eCommerce Review
5. WooCommerce	Free plugin / Hosting required | Check Hosting	Best for WordPress control	Open-source ecommerce, flexible plugins, full ownership, SEO control, huge extension ecosystem	No WooCommerce platform fee; gateway, hosting, plugin, and development costs apply	WooCommerce Review
6. Square Online	Free / Paid plans available | Check Pricing	Best for local stores and POS users	Online store, POS sync, pickup, delivery, inventory tools, simple product setup	Square payment processing fees apply	Square Online Store Review
7. Ecwid by Lightspeed	Starter from $5/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for adding a store to an existing site	Embeddable store, social selling, marketplace selling, product sync, multi-site use	No Ecwid platform transaction fee; gateway fees apply	Ecwid Review
8. Hostinger Website Builder	Paid from $2.99/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best budget ecommerce builder	AI website builder, hosting, SSL, basic ecommerce, product tools, no-code setup	No platform transaction fee; payment processor fees apply	Hostinger Review
9. Webflow Ecommerce	Ecommerce plans from around $29/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for designers and custom storefronts	Visual design control, CMS, animations, custom layouts, responsive product pages	2% Webflow fee on Standard ecommerce plan; higher ecommerce plans remove Webflow transaction fee	Webflow Review
10. GoDaddy Online Store	Paid ecommerce plans from around $29.99/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for quick store launches	Simple builder, appointment tools, marketing suite, product listings, payments	Processor fees apply	Review Coming Soon
11. Duda eCommerce	Website plan plus ecommerce add-on from around $8/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for agencies building client stores	Client management, white-label tools, team workflows, ecommerce add-ons, fast pages	No Duda platform transaction fee; gateway fees apply	Duda Review
12. Big Cartel	Free / Paid from $15/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for artists and small catalogs	Simple store builder, product listings, discount codes, digital products on paid plans	No Big Cartel transaction fee; processor fees apply	Big Cartel Review
13. Sellfy	Paid from $22/mo annually or $29/mo monthly | Check Pricing	Best for digital products and creators	Digital products, physical products, subscriptions, print-on-demand, simple storefront	No Sellfy transaction fee on current paid plans; processor fees apply	Review Coming Soon
14. Payhip	Free / Paid from $29/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best free-start digital store builder	Digital downloads, courses, memberships, affiliate tools, simple storefront	5% Payhip fee on Free, 2% on Plus, 0% on Pro; processor fees also apply	Review Coming Soon
15. Shift4Shop	Free with Shift4 Payments / Paid or custom options | Check Pricing	Best for US merchants using Shift4	Store builder, product management, checkout, marketing tools, built-in ecommerce features	Shift4 processing terms apply; availability and terms vary by merchant/location	Shift4Shop / 3dcart Review
16. ShopWired	Paid from around £34.95/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best UK-focused ecommerce builder	UK ecommerce features, VAT-friendly setup, themes, product management, support	No ShopWired platform transaction fee; processor fees apply	ShopWired Review
17. Adobe Commerce / Magento	Magento Open Source free / Adobe Commerce custom pricing | Check Pricing	Best for enterprise and complex catalogs	Advanced catalog control, B2B, multi-store, custom workflows, enterprise scalability	No standard platform transaction fee; hosting, development, gateway, and enterprise costs apply	Magento Review
18. PrestaShop	Free open-source platform / Hosting required | Check Hosting	Best open-source Shopify alternative	Customizable store, modules marketplace, product management, international selling features	No PrestaShop platform transaction fee; hosting, modules, and gateway fees apply	PrestaShop Review
19. IONOS Online Store	Paid plans with changing introductory pricing | Check Pricing	Best budget EU-friendly store builder	AI website setup, domain and hosting bundle, SSL, ecommerce tools, multilingual options	Processor fees apply; renewal pricing should be checked carefully	IONOS Website Builder Review
20. Lightspeed Retail + eCom	Paid from around $89/mo+ | Check Pricing	Best for retail businesses needing POS + ecommerce	POS, inventory, online store, retail reporting, loyalty, multi-location tools	Lightspeed Payments or processor fees apply	Review Coming Soon

There are quite a few solid alternatives to EKM if you're hunting for a different ecommerce platform. The top EKM alternatives and competitors are mostly well-known names that UK businesses already trust.

• Shopify vs EKM; Shopify is probably the go-to for most folks. It’s packed with integrations, has a huge app store, and honestly, it’s kind of the standard everyone else is measured by.
• BigCommerce is great for businesses on the rise. It’s got a bunch of features built right in, so you don’t have to mess with loads of third-party apps.
• WooCommerce is ideal if your site’s already on WordPress. It’s super flexible, but you’ll need a bit more technical know-how to get everything running smoothly.
• Squarespace is a favourite for brands that care about design. Its templates look sharp right out of the box, and you barely have to tweak anything.
• Magento, meanwhile, is more for the big players. It can do pretty much anything, but you’ll probably need a developer or two to keep things running.

Pricing and features are all over the map with these platforms. If you’re comparing, I’d say focus on what your business actually needs, not just the sticker price.

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Conclusion and Recommendation

To conclude this EKM review, EKM is a credible UK-focused ecommerce platform for retailers that want a hosted online store without managing separate hosting, security updates, WordPress plugins, or complex technical setup.

Its biggest advantage is convenience. EKM gives you the core tools needed to build and run an ecommerce store in one place, including product management, checkout, hosting, SSL, design tools, marketing features, and UK-based support. For non-technical business owners, that all-in-one approach can save time and reduce operational complexity.

Who Is EKM Best For?

EKM is best for UK-based retailers that want a managed ecommerce platform and are prepared to pay for simplicity, support, and reduced technical maintenance.

It is a strong fit for established small to medium-sized businesses with a clear product range, regular sales, and a serious plan to grow online. It is especially suitable for retailers that want an easier alternative to WooCommerce and a more UK-focused option than some larger international ecommerce platforms.

EKM also makes sense for businesses that value local support. If you prefer dealing with a UK-based ecommerce provider and want help from a team that understands UK retail requirements, EKM has a clearer advantage than many global-first platforms.

The platform is also well suited to businesses that want the essentials included from the start. If you need hosting, checkout, product tools, basic SEO settings, marketing features, and store management in one place, EKM keeps things simpler than building a store from multiple separate tools.

Who Should Avoid EKM?

EKM is not the best choice for every ecommerce business. Brand-new startups testing an idea may find it too expensive compared with lower-cost ecommerce builders or a lean WooCommerce setup. If you do not yet have proven demand, regular orders, or a clear sales channel, a cheaper platform may be safer at the beginning.

It may also feel restrictive for advanced users. If you want deep customisation, full control over your store architecture, or access to a large marketplace of third-party apps, Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce may be a better fit.

International sellers should compare carefully too. EKM is strongest for UK-focused retailers. Businesses selling across multiple countries, currencies, languages, warehouses, or fulfilment regions may outgrow it faster than they would outgrow Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce.

EKM Final Verdict

EKM is a solid ecommerce platform for UK retailers that value simplicity, support, and a managed setup. It is not the cheapest ecommerce solution, and it is not the most flexible platform for advanced custom development, but it performs well for businesses that want to run an online store without dealing with technical infrastructure.

The strongest reason to choose EKM is convenience. You get a hosted ecommerce environment, UK-focused support, built-in selling tools, and enough functionality for many small to medium-sized retailers. For business owners who want fewer moving parts, that can be a real advantage.

The main reason to avoid EKM is flexibility. Shopify has a larger app ecosystem, WooCommerce gives you more ownership and customisation control, and BigCommerce may suit more complex or international ecommerce operations. EKM sits between those options: simpler than WooCommerce, more UK-focused than many global platforms, but less extensible than Shopify.

Recommendation: Choose EKM if you are a UK-based retailer that wants a managed ecommerce platform, values local support, and does not need heavy custom development or a large app marketplace. Consider alternatives if your priority is the lowest possible cost, advanced design freedom, international selling, or deep third-party integrations.

For most serious UK retailers, EKM is worth shortlisting. For very new stores, highly technical users, or businesses planning complex international growth, Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce may be a better long-term fit.t.

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Frequently Asked Questions

People usually want help with password resets, software features, choosing plans, security, support, and moving their shops over to EKM.

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Further Reading;

• Website Performance Checklist for Faster Sites
• Website Speed Optimisation Guide
• Core Web Vitals Explained for SEO and UX
• Mobile Website Speed Best Practices
• Website Security Basics for Business Websites