Shopify is the right call for volume-driven stores with hundreds of SKUs and a dedicated ops team. A bespoke web design build with Stripe checkout wins when you sell services, digital products, or a focused physical range. No transaction fees, no monthly platform tax, and a site that looks like your brand instead of another Shopify theme.
Shopify's pricing looks tame on the sticker: from £25/mo. The real bill is theme licences, apps, transaction fees, and being locked to their infrastructure. For a small UK business, bespoke often costs less all-in.
Side by side
| Factor | Bespoke (Simgela) | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Typical UK cost (2026) | £2,500 to £8,000 fixed | £25 to £299/mo forever + apps |
| Transaction fees | Stripe fees only (1.5% + 20p UK) | Stripe fees + 0.5 to 2% platform cut |
| Apps and add-ons | Built in, no monthly licences | £10 to £100/mo per app, stacks up fast |
| Design flexibility | Anything, built for your brand | Constrained by theme + Liquid |
| SEO control | Full: URLs, redirects, schema, speed | Limited by Shopify URL structure |
| Ownership | Your code, your hosting | Locked to Shopify infrastructure |
| Best fit | Services, 1 to 50 focused products | Product-led stores, 100+ SKUs |
Bespoke wins when
- No monthly platform fee
- No transaction cut on top of Stripe
- Design does not look like a Shopify template
- Full control of SEO and URLs
- You own the code and can move at any time
Shopify wins when
- High volume, hundreds of SKUs
- Complex inventory and warehousing
- You need Shopify-only apps (POS, Shop Pay)
- Multi-market rollouts with local payments
Common questions
For most UK small businesses selling under a hundred SKUs, yes. We build the storefront, wire Stripe for checkout, and integrate stock or fulfilment tools you already use. You keep every penny of the sale minus Stripe's card fee, and the site is styled entirely around your brand.
Want a straight answer for your project?
Book a free 20-minute call. We will tell you honestly if a bespoke build is the right route, or point you at Shopify if it is not.
