EKM is a UK-based ecommerce website builder offering fully hosted online store solutions tailored to small and medium-sized businesses.
With built-in UK tax, shipping, and payment features, plus a dedicated account manager on most plans, EKM promises to simplify the process of selling online.
I’ve spent hours testing EKM and comparing it to other ecommerce platforms, like Shopify and BigCommerce.
In this review, I’ll cover everything from EKM’s pricing and features to design options, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your business.
Why You Can Trust This EKM Review
This review is based on a hands-on walkthrough of the platform and in-depth comparisons with other top ecommerce builders.
I’ve analyzed real customer feedback, tested out key tools and templates, and verified claims about its performance and ease of use. Everything here is grounded in direct testing and independent research.
EKM Pros & Cons
Best for UK-based businesses looking for simplicity and strong support
EKM Rating: 4.2 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| UK-focused features (shipping, tax) | Higher pricing compared to other platforms |
| Weekly performance checkups | Limited free template options |
| Dedicated account manager | Not ideal for global ecommerce |
| Easy-to-use dashboard | App ecosystem is relatively small |
What I Like About EKM
✔️ Fully hosted platform that requires no tech experience
✔️ Weekly checkups via “Evolution Mode” help you improve your store over time
✔️ All plans include a domain name, SSL certificate, and unlimited products
✔️ UK-based customer support and built-in integrations for Royal Mail, Klarna, and SagePay
What I Don’t Like
❌ EKM no longer offers entry-level pricing tiers for new customers
❌ The EKM Evolve tier is only available via quote—no transparent pricing upfront
❌ Not suitable for international sellers due to limited currency and language options
❌ Template design options are somewhat limited compared to platforms like Wix or Shopify
My Experience With EKM
I started my EKM trial with no credit card required.
The sign-up process was fast and straightforward, asking a few basic questions about my business, such as whether I was already selling and what products I intended to offer.
Once inside the dashboard, EKM gave me a setup checklist.
It walked me through everything from uploading a logo to adding products, selecting a template, and connecting a payment method.
Unlike some builders, EKM didn’t overload me with options. Instead, it gave me a clear step-by-step flow to build a basic store in under 30 minutes.
Product Setup
Adding products was simple. Each listing allowed for:
- Product title and description
- SKU and inventory tracking
- Price and sale price
- Images and variants (size, color, etc.)
I was also able to assign products to multiple categories and manage them via bulk tools. For larger stores, this makes catalog management more efficient.
Store Customization
EKM assigns the “Pro” template by default, which is clean but basic.
You can choose from dozens of others, categorized by industry. While there is flexibility to edit text, colors, and layout, you’ll need to stick within the structure of each theme.
There’s no true drag-and-drop builder.
I could make visual adjustments but couldn’t reposition page elements freely.
For example, moving the cart button to a different location on the header wasn’t an option unless I upgraded to a plan that supports advanced design changes.
EKM Pricing
EKM recently made major changes to its pricing structure. As of August 2024, it has phased out all legacy pricing tiers (Lite, Basic, Standard, Advanced, and Pro) for new customers. T
hese plans are now only available to existing users, and EKM will not be offering them to anyone signing up after the change.
Instead, EKM has introduced a new package called EKM Evolve—a premium tier designed for established businesses that want to expand into ecommerce and benefit from hands-on support, in-depth expertise, and simplified platform management.
Here’s what you need to know:
EKM Evolve (New Tier for New Customers)
EKM Evolve includes:
- A dedicated Ecommerce Manager
- Access to Ecommerce Experts for strategic guidance
- Lite Evolution Mode (monthly performance reviews and optimizations)
- Full EKM API access
- Trade Discounts
- Web statistics and reporting tools
- EKM Email Marketing (up to 1,000 contacts)
- Accounting integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, EPOS Now)
- Digital Vault for secure file management
- Competitive processing fees with EKMPay
- Annual turnover threshold of up to $381,000 (£300,000)
The pricing for this new tier isn’t publicly listed on EKM’s website but is offered via custom quotes depending on your turnover and specific requirements. You’ll need to contact EKM directly to discuss eligibility and costs.
Legacy Tiers (For Existing Customers Only)
If you’re already an EKM user on a legacy plan (Lite, Basic, Standard, Advanced, or Pro), your plan will continue with access to all your existing features. However, these tiers are no longer available to new customers.
From October 2, 2024, all existing legacy plans will see updated pricing. In return, EKM is introducing new enhancements across these tiers, including:
- Hosting migration to AWS for better speed and security
- New Cart Upsell feature (available September 2024)
- ApplePay Express Checkout
- Product & Category AI for faster listing creation
- Improved backend UI for easier management
Some of the Advanced and Pro tiers will also now include previously paid features for free, such as:
- Web statistics
- EKM Email Marketing for up to 1,000 contacts
- Accounting integrations
- A new partnership feature worth at least $190/month (£150) launching soon
New Transaction Fee Rules
Starting October 2, 2024, a 0.6% transaction fee will apply to all Stripe and PayPal transactions for merchants not using EKMPay. If you're eligible for EKMPay and choose not to switch, this fee will apply automatically. However, if you’ve been declined for EKMPay or are ineligible, the fee won’t apply.
EKM is encouraging all customers to migrate to its proprietary payment solution—EKMPay—which offers:
- Apple Pay support
- Virtual Terminal for telephone payments
- Subscription billing options
- Lower transaction costs compared to third-party gateways
Turnover-Based Pricing
For high-revenue businesses, EKM is also introducing scalable pricing based on turnover. If your business exceeds $2.5M (£2M) annually in transactions:
- You’ll be charged an additional $127/month (£100 + VAT) per extra $1.27M (£1M) in turnover
- For example, a business doing $3.8M (£3M) annually would pay an additional $254/month (£200 + VAT)
This is designed to support scaling businesses while funding platform improvements for long-term growth.
What About Email Marketing and PPC?
EKM will also increase the prices of its PPC and Email Marketing services by 10% across all plans from October 2024. These services haven’t seen a price rise for several years, and EKM says the increase will fund continued platform investment and UK-based support.
You’re not required to use EKM’s built-in email marketing tools, but integration with third-party platforms is limited. If you need advanced features, the internal tool may still be your best option for tight platform compatibility.
Is It Good Value?
EKM no longer offers an entry-level pricing model like it used to. The focus is now on providing a highly supported, scalable platform for serious ecommerce businesses, not small side hustles or hobby stores.
If you value direct access to ecommerce specialists, monthly store audits, platform stability, and UK-focused features, EKM Evolve is well-positioned to deliver real value.
But if you're price-sensitive or just starting out, the lack of tier flexibility and increased baseline costs may make other platforms like Shopify or Wix a better entry point.
Templates and Design
EKM offers 70+ professionally designed themes.
These are organized by sector (e.g. fashion, home & garden, B2B, electronics), and all are responsive on mobile.
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Free Templates | 70+ |
| Premium Templates | Included in plans |
| Mobile Optimization | Yes |
| Theme Customization | Limited without coding |
| Access to Code | Available on Advanced+ plans |
What’s missing here is the creative freedom found in platforms like Wix.
You can tweak design elements, but you can’t build layouts from scratch.
Also, EKM doesn’t offer interactive design tools like AI-generated branding or automated color palette suggestions.
Sales Features
Selling with EKM is straightforward and efficient. The platform includes tools built specifically for retail and DTC stores operating in the UK.
Product Management
- Unlimited products and categories
- Bulk editing tools
- Product variants (size, color, etc.)
- Stock alerts and inventory management
- Digital product support (available on request)
If you’re managing a large catalog or have multiple product lines, EKM’s structure makes it easier to keep things organized. You can assign multiple categories to a product and manage listings in bulk, which saves time when launching promotions or updating seasonal collections.
Note: All new customers on the EKM Evolve tier have access to advanced catalog features, automation support, and integrations with EPOS Now for syncing online and offline inventory.
Payments
- Built-in integrations with Klarna, PayPal, SagePay, Stripe
- Accepts credit/debit cards and mobile wallets
- All transactions are PCI compliant
As of October 2024, EKM applies a 0.6% transaction fee to PayPal and Stripe transactions if you’re not using EKMPay—EKM’s own payment gateway.
This change is now live and affects all eligible businesses. EKMPay has become the recommended option for handling transactions, offering competitive rates and features like ApplePay support, subscription payments, and a Virtual Terminal for phone orders.
SEO & Marketing
EKM includes basic SEO functionality, though it doesn’t match platforms like Shopify or Squarespace for content marketing features.
SEO Tools
- Custom page titles and meta descriptions
- Clean, keyword-friendly URLs
- Alt text for images
- Automatic sitemap generation
- Google Analytics and Search Console integration
While testing, I noticed that SEO fields are clearly laid out on every page and product entry.
This makes it easy to optimize without needing a plugin. However, for more advanced SEO strategies—like schema markup or structured data—you may need custom development or external tools.
Email Marketing
- EKM Email Marketing tool (available on all plans)
- Automated cart recovery emails
- Subscriber list building
The email tool is functional and user-friendly, especially for simple campaigns like promotions, product launches, or restock alerts.
Still, if you’re used to platforms like Mailchimp or Klaviyo, EKM’s email system may feel basic in comparison.
Social & Multichannel Selling
You can link your EKM store to:
- Facebook and Instagram (via Meta integrations)
- Google Shopping
- eBay (via third-party app)
Multichannel features work smoothly once connected, but there’s a bit more manual setup required.
I found syncing products to Google Shopping and Facebook required creating a catalog feed and verifying some settings manually—manageable, but not as seamless as more automation-driven platforms.
However, EKM’s app ecosystem is smaller than Shopify’s, meaning some integrations may require workarounds or external tools.
Unique Feature: Evolution Mode
One of EKM’s standout features is “Evolution Mode.” All customers on the EKM Evolve plan receive access to Lite Evolution Mode, which includes monthly performance reviews and practical recommendations from the Ecommerce Experts Team.
This is ideal if you don’t have time to test changes yourself or don’t want to hire an agency.
I received actionable suggestions within two weeks of launching a test store. The feedback included things like reordering homepage sections, adding trust signals like reviews, and improving product filters—all small tweaks that can improve user experience and sales without requiring much effort.
Customer Support
Support is one of EKM’s strongest areas. You can reach the team via phone, email, or live chat—all UK-based. Here’s what I found:
| Support Channel | Availability |
|---|---|
| Phone | Yes (UK business hours) |
| Live Chat | Yes |
| Yes | |
| Help Center | Yes (with videos) |
| Ecommerce Manager | Yes (Evolve plan only) |
With the EKM Evolve tier, support becomes much more hands-on. You’re assigned a dedicated Ecommerce Manager who works directly with you on strategy, growth, and connections to internal teams.
That’s a significant upgrade from typical support setups seen on platforms like Shopify or Wix.
How Does EKM Compare to Other Platforms?
Here’s a breakdown of how EKM stacks up against other ecommerce website builders (updated to reflect the shift to EKM Evolve):
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Unique Selling Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| EKM | UK-based brands needing support | Custom quote (Evolve) | Ecommerce manager, UK support, no tech setup needed |
| Shopify | Scaling global brands | $29/month | App ecosystem + multichannel support |
| BigCommerce | Large inventories | $39/month | B2B features and complex product handling |
| Wix | Design flexibility | $23/month | 900+ templates and drag-and-drop builder |
| Squarespace | Creative entrepreneurs | $27/month | Beautiful templates and content tools |
EKM no longer offers a self-serve pricing model. It’s now fully positioned as a premium, service-led platform aimed at established UK businesses that want dedicated support and strategic input.
This shift also means EKM is no longer ideal for new sellers, hobbyists, or startups on tight budgets. Platforms like Shopify or Wix will provide more flexibility and transparent pricing if you're just getting started.
Is EKM Right for You?
You should consider using EKM if:
- You’re based in the UK
- You want direct support from an Ecommerce Manager
- You prefer a high-service, low-tech ecommerce experience
- You run an established business and are ready to scale
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You’re just starting out and need affordable pricing
- You want complete control over your store’s design and code
- You rely on a large app ecosystem or global integrations
- You need transparent upfront pricing without quotes
EKM’s new direction is clear—it’s focusing on partnerships, service, and growth enablement. For businesses that want that level of support, EKM can be a great fit. But if you're cost-conscious or like to DIY, it's no longer the right tool.
Final Verdict
EKM has evolved from a traditional ecommerce platform into a high-touch solution for UK businesses that want more than just software. With the new EKM Evolve plan, you’re buying into a full support team, ecommerce strategy, and ongoing optimization—backed by decades of experience.
It’s not cheap. And it’s no longer open to casual or beginner store owners. But for established brands that want a trusted partner to grow online, EKM is a serious contender.
If you're scaling internationally or need an open-ended, self-managed builder with unlimited integrations, Shopify or BigCommerce may be more flexible alternatives.
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