Online shop setup and support freelancer

Build and look after online shops for small businesses on Shopify, WooCommerce or similar, from your own desk.

Person managing online store orders on a laptop at a desk.

Startup cost£200 to £1.5k

Monthly revenue£500 to £3.5k

Time needed8+ h/week

First incomeWeeks

£200-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

91,318 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 62090 “Other information technology service activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

You set up online stores for small businesses on platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce: product pages, payments, delivery settings and basic design. Many clients then keep you on to make updates and fix problems.

Your first three steps

Build one or two demo shops on your chosen platform to show as examples
Set a fixed price for a standard store build and a monthly support price
Contact local independent shops and makers offering a discounted first build in return for a review

Who pays

Independent shops, makers, local producers and small brands that want to sell online but lack the time or confidence to do it themselves.

How it makes money

A fixed fee for each store build, plus an optional monthly fee for updates, product uploads and support.

Skills that help

Comfortable with e-commerce platforms
Clear communication with non-technical clients
Good organisation and attention to detail

Watch out for

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, check what suits you
UK GDPR and data protection duties when handling customer data, check ICO guidance
Agree in writing who owns the store, domain and logins
Platform fees and pricing changes can affect your clients' costs
Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check if working from home needs any permission

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: online shop setup and support freelancer

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start as a freelance online shop builder?

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on the software, equipment and insurance you choose. Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many clients you take on. These are estimates.

What skills do I need to set up online shops for clients?

You should be comfortable with e-commerce platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce, explain things clearly to non-technical clients, and stay organised with good attention to detail. Many clients then keep you on for updates and fixes.

What should I check before taking on store setup clients?

Check which professional indemnity and public liability insurance suits you, and your UK GDPR duties when handling customer data using ICO guidance. Agree in writing who owns the store, domain and logins, and register as a sole trader with HMRC.