Independent ecommerce research
Straight answers about the tools and rules behind online businesses.
We compare ecommerce software, track the changes that affect online sellers, and publish what we find with a source for every claim. No company can pay to be included, ranked or awarded.
What we publish
Four formats, all held to the same standards.
- In preparation
Articles
Practical guidance for running an online business, kept up to date as rules, platforms and costs change.
Browse articles - In preparation
Comparisons
Side-by-side comparisons of ecommerce tools, judged against criteria we publish before we start testing.
Browse comparisons - In preparation
Reports
In-depth research on ecommerce costs, markets and regulation, with our data and methods published alongside.
Browse reports - In preparation
Awards
Yearly recognition for tools that treat the businesses using them well. There are no entry fees and no badge fees.
Browse awards
How a comparison gets made
The same process applies to every tool, whether it is large or small, and whether its maker has contacted us or not.
Publish the criteria first
Before we test anything, we decide and publish what matters, such as total cost, fees, support and data ownership, and how each one is weighed.
Use the product for real
We sign up like any customer and work through real tasks. When a company gives us access instead, we say so.
Check every claim
Pricing, limits and legal requirements are checked against primary sources: official documentation, published price lists and the law itself.
Date it and keep it current
Every page shows when it was published, when it was last checked, and what changed since. Outdated advice gets updated or clearly marked.
Common questions
Anything else? Ask us directly.
Do companies pay to be reviewed or ranked on EcomReports?
No. We do not accept payment, sponsorship or gifts in exchange for coverage, rankings or awards. Companies cannot buy a place in a comparison or pay to improve their position.
Do you use affiliate links?
No. Links to products on EcomReports are plain links. We earn nothing if you click them or sign up.
How is EcomReports funded?
EcomReports is self-funded, with support from a Hackney Council small business grant. The site is simple and cheap to run, so it does not need to make money. We take no money from the companies we cover: no advertising, affiliate commissions, sponsorship or paid placements.
How do you decide what to cover?
We prioritise the decisions online businesses find hardest or most expensive to get wrong, and what readers ask us about. Popularity alone does not get a tool included, and a commercial relationship never does.
How do the EcomReports awards work?
Our editors choose winners from the tools we have tested, using criteria published in advance. There is no entry fee, no nomination fee and no fee for winners to use the badge.
I found a mistake. How do I report it?
Email contact@ecomreports.org with the page and what you think is wrong. If we confirm the error, we correct the page and add a dated note explaining the change.
Spotted an error, or want a tool looked at?
Corrections, suggestions and reader questions all reach the editors directly.