IONOS vs SellKit UK:
After the Promo Ends
IONOS is the largest European web host. Their intro prices look attractive. But UK online sellers often discover the real monthly cost — and what's missing — only after signing up.
The Price Reality
What IONOS costs after month one
IONOS runs aggressive promotional pricing. Here's what UK sellers actually pay once the intro period ends.
| Plan / Cost | IONOS Online Shop (UK) | SellKit |
|---|---|---|
| Starter plan (promo) | £1–5/month (first year) | £8.49/month (fixed) |
| Starter plan (full price) | £22/month | £8.49/month |
| Plus plan (full price) | £40/month | £8.49/month |
| Pro plan (full price) | £79/month | £8.49/month |
| Marketing automation | Not included | Included |
| Sales attribution | Not included | Included |
| Free training courses | None | 7 courses included |
| UK seller focus | General SMB | Built for sellers |
| Realistic long-term cost | £22–79/month | £8.49/month |
Feature Comparison
What sellers need vs what IONOS provides
| Feature | SellKit £8.49/mo | IONOS £22–79/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Online store builder | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom domain | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| SEO tools | ✓ Full suite | Basic only |
| Blog | ✓ | Basic |
| Marketing automation | ✓ Included | ✗ Not available |
| Sales attribution | ✓ Included | ✗ Not available |
| Free training academy | ✓ 7 courses | ✗ None |
| AI-powered tools | ✓ Included | Limited AI builder |
| Built for dropshipping | ✓ Yes | ✗ General SMB focus |
| Transaction fees | ✓ Zero | ✓ Zero |
Context That Matters
Why IONOS barely registers in UK ecommerce
Built for DE, used in UK
IONOS (owned by United Internet, Germany) built its product for German SMBs. UK sellers are a secondary market. The tooling and focus reflect that — particularly for ecommerce-specific features.
Minimal UK market share
In the UK ecommerce platform market, IONOS doesn't rank in the top five. Shopify holds 23%, WooCommerce follows, then BigCommerce and Wix. IONOS is largely absent from UK seller discussions.
Wrong product for sellers
IONOS is a website builder with an ecommerce module added on. SellKit is an ecommerce platform with everything a seller needs built in first. That order of priorities shapes every feature decision.
IONOS charges £22–79/month after the promo.
SellKit charges £8.49/month — always.
The IONOS alternative UK sellers actually use
More features, half the price, built for selling — not for hosting websites.
Open your store free →£8.49/month · No setup fee · Cancel anytime