Every business reaches a point where it outgrows its first pair of shoes. In the world of online selling, those shoes are your e-commerce platform. For many merchants in the UK, Sellerdeck has been a trusty companion for years. It offered a solid way to get started and build a customer base. But as the digital world moves faster, many business owners are finding that they need something more powerful to keep up.
If you are currently running a store on Sellerdeck, you might be looking at your next move. Two names often come up in this conversation: EKM and Shopify. Choosing between them is a big decision. This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of each, helping you decide which path is right for your growing business.
When Your Business Outgrows Sellerdeck
Sellerdeck has a long history in the UK e-commerce market. For a long time, it was a go-to choice for businesses wanting desktop-based software to manage their online shops. It provided control and stability, which many merchants valued.
However, the way we shop online has changed dramatically. Customers now expect lightning-fast websites, seamless mobile shopping, and instant updates. They want to track orders on their phones and pay with a single click. Older, desktop-based systems can struggle to keep up with these modern demands.
You might be feeling the pinch if:
- Updating your website feels like a chore.
- Your site doesn’t look great on a smartphone.
- You want to add new features but can’t find a way to do it.
When these frustrations start to impact your sales, it is time to consider a Sellerdeck Migration.
Why Some Businesses Consider Moving from Sellerdeck to EKM
When looking for a new home, EKM is often one of the first options Sellerdeck users consider. There are a few reasons for this.
Familiarity
Change can be scary. EKM is a UK-based hosted platform, which means you don’t have to worry about hosting your own website anymore. For users coming from Sellerdeck, EKM can feel like a comfortable step. It handles the technical side of hosting while giving you a dashboard to manage your products and orders.
Entry-Level Simplicity
EKM is designed to be easy to use. It’s aimed at small to medium businesses that want to get online without needing a degree in computer science. If your needs are relatively simple—you just want to list products and take payments—EKM provides the tools to do that without overwhelming you with options.
Important Consideration: Sellerdeck and EKM Under the Same Ownership
There is an important detail that is worth knowing when comparing your options. Sellerdeck and EKM share a connection through their ownership structure. In recent years, they have become part of the same group.
What This Means for Product Direction
Because they are under the same umbrella, there is often a natural pathway suggested from Sellerdeck to EKM. The platforms may share similar philosophies about how to support small businesses. For some merchants, this feels safe, like staying within the family. It implies a level of continuity. However, it also means that the innovation and development pace might be different compared to a global giant that is competing on a worldwide stage. It’s important to ask yourself if sticking with the familiar choice is the best way to challenge your business to grow.
When EKM Can Make Sense as a Short-Term Step
For some businesses, moving to EKM is a logical “stepping stone.” If you are not ready for a massive transformation and just want to get your store into the cloud quickly, EKM can do the job.
It might make sense if:
- You have a small product range.
- You only sell to customers in the UK.
- You don’t need complex integrations with other software.
- You want a UK-based support team.
In these cases, an EKM migration can serve as a bridge to modernize your store without changing absolutely everything about how you work.
Why Businesses Looking for Advanced Features Often Choose Shopify Instead
While EKM is a solid platform, many ambitious merchants find that they need more “firepower.” This is where Shopify stands out. Shopify is a global platform used by millions of businesses, from tiny startups to massive brands like Gymshark.
Here is why businesses looking for serious growth often choose a Sellerdeck Migration directly to Shopify.
App Ecosystem
This is the biggest difference. Imagine your phone without an App Store—it would still make calls, but it wouldn’t be very smart. EKM has a limited number of integrations. Shopify, on the other hand, has an App Store with thousands of tools.
Do you want to start a loyalty program? Add a countdown timer? Connect your store to TikTok? Automate your accounting? There is an app for almost everything on Shopify. This allows you to build a store that does exactly what you need it to do.
Automation and Integrations
As you grow, you don’t want to spend your day doing manual data entry. Shopify is built to talk to other systems. It integrates seamlessly with email marketing tools (like Klaviyo), warehouse systems, and customer service platforms.
Shopify also has a tool called “Shopify Flow” (on advanced plans) that lets you automate tasks. For example, you can set it to automatically tag customers as “VIP” when they spend over £500, or hide products from the website when stock hits zero. This saves you hours of work every week.
International Growth
If you have dreams of selling beyond the UK, Shopify is the clear winner. It has built-in tools called “Shopify Markets” that make selling globally easy.
- It automatically shows prices in the customer’s local currency.
- It can translate your store into different languages.
- It calculates international duties and taxes at checkout.
EKM is very UK-focused, which is great if you stay local, but can be a barrier if you want to expand.
Making a Future-Proof Decision
When you move platforms, you are investing time and money. You don’t want to do it again in two years because you’ve hit a “glass ceiling.”
Choosing EKM might feel easier now because it’s familiar. But if your business grows quickly, you might find yourself frustrated by its limitations later on. Shopify is built to scale. You can start on a basic plan and grow all the way to their enterprise level without ever needing to move platforms again.
Think about where you want your business to be in five years.
- Do you want to sell internationally?
- Do you want advanced marketing tools?
- Do you want complete design freedom?
If the answer is yes, then skipping the “middle step” and moving straight to Shopify is often the smarter long-term investment.
Conclusion: Choosing the Platform That Supports Long-Term Ambition
Moving on from Sellerdeck is a positive sign—it means your business is alive and evolving. While EKM offers a safe, familiar landing spot for businesses taking their first steps into the cloud, it may not offer the runway needed for long-term flight.
Shopify represents a leap into a larger world of possibility. It provides the tools, the speed, and the ecosystem to support a business with big ambitions.
Whether you choose an EKM migration or a direct move to Shopify, the most important thing is to have a plan. At Media Mole, we help businesses navigate this journey every day. We ensure that your data is safe and your new store is built for success, whichever platform you choose.