Guides
Plain-English guides on selling online (fees, postage, profit and tax) and on websites, hosting and domains for small businesses.
Website guides for small businesses
WordPress and website builders compared, plus hosting, domains and backups, explained in plain English. Want us to handle it for you? See our website services.
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix vs Shopify
UK prices, good and bad sides, and which one suits which small business.
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WordPress pros and cons
The good and bad sides of WordPress for a small business website.
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WordPress vs Squarespace
UK prices, upkeep and which one fits your business.
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WordPress vs Wix
Costs, ease of use and what happens if you want to move later.
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WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
What the difference is, what each costs and which to choose.
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How to choose web hosting
A plain-English UK checklist: backups, support, security, real price and how to avoid getting locked in.
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Shared hosting vs VPS vs WordPress hosting
What each type means, who it suits and what to watch for.
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Domain names: choose and register one
.co.uk vs .com, who holds the domain, and how to register and renew without mistakes.
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Website backups: what to back up
What to copy, where to keep it and how to test a restore.
Read the guide →Browse guides by topic
Every guide in one place. Pick a topic, or scroll for the newest guides.
Selling fees
What eBay, Etsy, Vinted and Depop really take.
- eBay UK fees explained: private vs business sellers→
- Etsy Fees UK Explained (With a Worked Example)→
- Vinted Fees for UK Sellers: What You Pay and What Buyers Pay→
- Depop Fees for UK Sellers Explained (2026)→
- eBay vs Etsy vs Vinted vs Depop: UK Seller Fees Compared→
- Is It Worth Selling on Etsy? A UK Seller’s Reality Check→
Pricing, profit and tracking
Price with confidence and know your real profit.
Postage
Cheaper parcels and Christmas posting dates.
Tax and VAT
HMRC, Self Assessment, allowable expenses and VAT, in plain English.
- Self Assessment for online sellers: the 31 January 2027 deadline→
- Allowable expenses for online sellers: what you can claim→
- Do You Need to Tell HMRC About Your eBay Sales? (UK Guide)→
- Vinted and HMRC: do you pay tax on Vinted sales?→
- Etsy tax in the UK: what makers need to know→
- Do You Need to Register for VAT as an Online Seller in the UK?→
- Landlord expenses spreadsheet: what to track in the UK→
Christmas and money
Budgets, the big dinner and keeping track of your money.
Latest guides
Cheapest Way to Post a Parcel or Large Letter in the UK (Royal Mail Prices 2026)
Read the guide →: Cheapest Way to Post a Parcel or Large Letter in the UK (Royal Mail Prices 2026)Royal Mail online prices for letters, large letters and parcels from 5 October 2026, with worked examples and tips to stop postage eating your profit.
eBay vs Etsy vs Vinted vs Depop: UK Seller Fees Compared
Read the guide →: eBay vs Etsy vs Vinted vs Depop: UK Seller Fees ComparedSeller fees on eBay, Etsy, Vinted and Depop side by side for UK sellers, with the same £30 example sale on each.
Depop Fees for UK Sellers Explained (2026)
Read the guide →: Depop Fees for UK Sellers Explained (2026)The Depop fees UK sellers pay in 2026: no selling fee, payment processing, the buyer fee and a worked example.
Vinted Fees for UK Sellers: What You Pay and What Buyers Pay
Read the guide →: Vinted Fees for UK Sellers: What You Pay and What Buyers PayWhat Vinted sellers in the UK pay (nothing to sell), what the buyer pays, and how it compares with eBay on the same sale.
How to Track Your eBay Sales in a Spreadsheet
Read the guide →: How to Track Your eBay Sales in a SpreadsheetThe columns and formulas you need to track eBay sales and see your real profit, plus a free lite spreadsheet to start from.
Etsy Fees UK Explained (With a Worked Example)
Read the guide →: Etsy Fees UK Explained (With a Worked Example)Every Etsy fee a UK seller pays, with a worked example showing what a £20 sale really costs and how to price for profit.
Do You Need to Tell HMRC About Your eBay Sales? (UK Guide)
Read the guide →: Do You Need to Tell HMRC About Your eBay Sales? (UK Guide)The £1,000 trading allowance, the 30-sale reporting rule and what records to keep, explained in plain English for UK eBay sellers.
Last Posting Dates for Christmas 2026 (UK)
Read the guide →: Last Posting Dates for Christmas 2026 (UK)Royal Mail and Parcelforce last recommended posting dates for Christmas 2026, with bank holidays and tips for sellers and anyone sending cards.
How to price used items on eBay UK without losing money
Read the guide →: How to price used items on eBay UK without losing moneyA simple method for pricing second-hand items on eBay UK: work out your break-even price, check sold listings and leave room for offers.
How to work out your profit on an eBay sale (worked example)
Read the guide →: How to work out your profit on an eBay sale (worked example)A step-by-step example of calculating your real profit on an eBay UK sale after fees, postage and packaging.
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