Two different machines

An enquiry site persuades somebody to get in touch, then you sell. A shop takes the money without you being involved. They are built differently, they cost differently, and they fail differently.

Plenty of businesses ask for a shop when what they actually need is a site that produces better conversations.

You probably want an enquiry site if

Your price depends on the job. You need to survey, measure, quote or discuss before agreeing anything. Your average job is worth enough that a conversation is warranted. You want to choose which work you take.

That covers most trades, consultants, clinics, agencies and anybody selling a service rather than a box.

You probably want a shop if

Your prices are fixed. Your products are consistent. You can pack and post reliably, or you sell something digital. Your volume is high enough that handling every sale personally would sink you.

The running cost people forget

A shop is not finished at launch. Stock, photography, descriptions, delivery rules, returns, payment fees, abandoned baskets. It is an ongoing job for somebody. Budget for the job, not just the build.

The middle option

Sometimes the answer is an enquiry site with two or three products sold directly. That keeps things simple and lets you test whether people will actually buy online before you commit to a full shop.

Ask yourself what you want the site to do in twelve months. That usually settles it in a minute.