Barum Cues
We transformed how Barum Cues sells high-end bespoke snooker equipment online. We stripped away their expensive Shopify subscription and replaced it with a lightning-fast, custom-built storefront powered natively by Stripe.
- PCI-Compliant secure checkout with 1-click Apple Pay & Google Pay
- Passwordless private admin dashboard for rapid stock management
- Zero bloated monthly platform fees saving £400+ annually
Why Devon Retailers Are Ditching Shopify.
From independent boutiques in Barnstaple Pannier Market and Braunton to growing brands across Exeter, Plymouth, and wider Devon, seasonal footfall shouldn't dictate your business revenue. But paying £32 every single month plus expensive app fees just to keep a website running when trade is quiet is unsustainable.
The 'Shopify Tax'
Shopify's base plan costs £32/month. Add basic plugins for reviews, SEO, and custom options and you're easily paying £80-£120/month. We eliminate recurring software rent entirely.
Speed Sells More
Over 72% of UK e-commerce orders are made on mobile phones. Every 1-second delay in page load drops conversions by 7%. Our edge-native stores load in under 600ms on rural 4G.
You Own Everything
When you build with Apex Sites, you own 100% of your code, design, and domain. No vendor lock-in, no arbitrary platform price hikes, and no account freezes.
Apex Stripe Store vs Standard Platforms
Compare how our bespoke edge e-commerce architecture measures up against traditional WordPress and Shopify setups over 24 months.
| Feature & Cost Metrics | Apex Sites (Stripe Engine) | Shopify Basic | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Platform Fee | £0 / month | £32 - £105 / mo | £15 - £35 / mo hosting |
| Required App Subscriptions | £0 (Built-in) | £40 - £120+ / mo | £20 - £80+ / mo |
| Real Mobile PageSpeed | 98 - 100 / 100 (sub-second) | 35 - 55 / 100 (sluggish) | 40 - 65 / 100 |
| Checkout Friction | 1-Click Apple / Google Pay | Redirects & Multi-Step | Multi-Step Cart & Account |
| Platform Vulnerability / Hacks | Zero plugins, edge-native | App dependency risks | Frequent plugin exploits |
| 2-Year Cost for 50 Products | £250 build + £29/mo = £946 | £2,200 - £3,500+ | £1,600 - £2,800+ |
| Asset Ownership | 100% Owned by You | Rented SaaS Platform | Self-Managed WordPress |
Is this right for you?
We do not build generic template stores. We engineer tailored sales engines built specifically for your products.
Local Crafters & Artisans
Selling handmade goods, ceramics, jewellery, or art from North Devon to the rest of the UK? You don't need a £30/mo Shopify tax draining your profits.
Single Item / Hero Products
Specialist makers selling precision equipment, custom sports gear, or boutique goods. A fast 1-click Stripe checkout converts 4x higher than an abandoned cart.
Local Workshops & Events
Selling workshop tickets, seasonal courses, or local tasting experiences without recurring subscription headaches or ticket platform fees.
Transparent Pricing.
No hidden percentage fees from us. No endless app charges.
Standard Rate
For established local businesses upgrading an existing webshop.
- Custom Stripe Elements checkout
- Passwordless Admin Dashboard
- Royal Mail & Courier Shipping Tiers
- Sub-second Cloudflare Edge hosting
Founders Offer
Discounted rate for North Devon businesses who want a showcase build.
- Everything in Standard Package
- Priority WhatsApp & phone support
- Free Local SEO configuration
- Locked-in lifetime hosting rate
Why we use Stripe over Shopify.
Shopify is an excellent platform for multi-million-pound warehouses with 10,000 SKUs. But for independent local shops and makers, it is expensive overkill. We strip away the overhead and build streamlined conversion machines.
Zero Monthly Platform Fees
Stop paying Shopify £32+ each month just to keep your store online. We charge a simple, flat-rate hosting retainer, and you only pay Stripe's standard transaction fee when you make a sale.
Bank-Grade Stripe Security
We use direct Stripe-hosted checkout sessions with cryptographic webhook verification. Customer payment details never touch your server, removing PCI compliance headaches completely.
Sub-Second Edge Speeds
Engineered on Cloudflare's edge network with 100/100 Core Web Vitals. Your store loads in under 600ms on mobile 4G, eliminating buyer bounce rates before checkout.
Let's build your store.
E-Commerce Questions & Answers
Everything you need to know about launching an online store in North Devon with Apex Sites.