If you're figuring out how to start an online store, you probably already have the product (or the idea) — what's holding you back is everything else: platform, payments, shipping, domain… Relax. This guide walks you through the 8 steps in order, with honest costs and no fluff — the same process we follow at Orbit when we build stores for clients.
Quick answer
To start an online store: 1) pick a product with margin and validate it, 2) build the store on Shopify (~US$39/mo) or WooCommerce, 3) buy a domain (~US$10–15/yr), 4) connect payments with Shopify Payments, Stripe, or PayPal (~2.9% + $0.30 per sale), 5) set up simple flat-rate shipping, and 6) launch with organic content + small paid campaigns. You can be live in 1–2 weeks.
Step 1: choose what to sell (and to whom)
Before touching any platform, solve the hard part: the product. A beautiful store with a product nobody wants doesn't sell; a good product with an average store does. Three honest filters:
- Real demand: are people already searching for it or buying it on social media or marketplaces? Look at what actually moves in your niche, not what you wish moved.
- Enough margin: aim to sell at ~3x your product cost. Shipping, payment fees, ads, and your profit all come out of that margin. With thin margins, e-commerce doesn't work.
- A specific customer: "women 25–40 who work out at home" sells better than "everyone".
Validation tip: before building the store, sell for a few weeks through Instagram, TikTok, or a marketplace. If nobody buys there, a website won't fix it; if they do, the store multiplies what already works.
Step 2: choose your platform (Shopify or WooCommerce)
In 2026, the practical decision comes down to two options:
- Shopify: everything included (hosting, security, checkout, support). You build fast and focus on selling. Basic plan ~US$39/mo (~US$29/mo billed annually).
- WooCommerce (WordPress): full control and lower monthly cost (hosting from ~US$3–10/mo), but you own hosting, plugins, security, and maintenance.
If you're starting out and want the shortest path, Shopify — and if you'd rather not build it yourself, you can hire our Shopify developers. If you're technical (or have help) and want to squeeze costs, WooCommerce. We compare both in depth in Shopify vs WooCommerce: which to choose.
Step 3: buy your domain and define your brand
- Domain: a .com costs ~US$10–15/yr. Short, easy to type, no hyphens. Buy it now even if you launch later — good ones go fast.
- Consistent name: secure the same handle on Instagram and TikTok before you commit.
- Minimum viable brand: a simple logo, 2–3 colors, and a tone of voice. You don't need a 50-page brand book to sell; you need consistency.
Step 4: build the store (theme, pages, and products)
This is where most people get stuck for weeks. You don't have to. The essentials:
- Theme: start with a well-configured free theme — more than enough to validate. When it's worth paying for one, we cover in free vs paid Shopify themes.
- Essential pages: home, product page, about, contact, and policies for shipping, returns, and privacy (payment providers and the law require them).
- Products: your own photos with good light (a phone works), descriptions that answer objections (sizes, materials, delivery times), and clear all-in pricing.
- Trust: visible contact options, reviews if you have them, and who's behind the brand. Distrust is the first barrier to buying from a new store.
Step 5: connect a payment provider
No payments, no store. The options that cover most of the world:
| Option | What it takes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Payments | Cards, wallets, local methods | Shopify stores — zero extra setup, no added transaction fee |
| Stripe | Cards, wallets, subscriptions | WooCommerce and custom builds; excellent developer tools |
| PayPal | PayPal balance + cards | A trust signal buyers already know — offer it alongside cards |
Expect fees around ~2.9% + US$0.30 per card transaction (they vary by country, plan, and volume — confirm on each provider's site). Offer at least two payment options at checkout: every extra hoop costs you sales.
Step 6: set up shipping
- Carriers: get quotes from your local carriers and compare — rates vary a lot by weight, route, and volume. Shipping platforms that aggregate carriers can get you better rates and print labels from your store.
- Simple strategy: flat-rate shipping (one price nationwide) or free shipping over a threshold. Free shipping with a minimum also raises your order value.
- Honest times: promise realistic delivery windows and keep them. A late first order kills the repeat purchase.
Step 7: launch and get traffic
Classic mistake: polishing the store for three months and launching into a void. A store without visitors is a shop in a basement with no sign. Launch when the essentials are ready and put your energy into traffic:
- Organic: content on Instagram/TikTok showing the product in use, and SEO from day one (titles and descriptions that answer what your customer searches for).
- Paid: start small on Meta Ads (US$5–15/day), measure, and kill what doesn't work.
- Direct chat: a lot of e-commerce closes in DMs and WhatsApp. Make it easy to reach you and answer fast.
We break down every traffic source and the order to attack them in how to get website traffic that sells.
Step 8: raise your average order value with bundles
Every visit costs you something. The fastest way to improve profitability isn't more traffic — it's making each order worth more: build kits and bundles, offer "add a second at a discount," and let customers build their own box. Shipping cost dilutes and your margin breathes. We explain how they work in what are Shopify bundles — and if you sell on Shopify, our app Comboo lets you create kits and bundles without code.
How much does it cost to start an online store?
| Item | Ballpark cost |
|---|---|
| Shopify Basic | ~US$39/mo (~US$29/mo annual) |
| Hosting (if WooCommerce) | ~US$3–10/mo |
| Domain (.com) | ~US$10–15/yr |
| Paid theme (optional) | ~US$100–400 one-time |
| Payment processing | ~2.9% + $0.30 per sale |
| Professionally built store | ~US$1,500–5,000+ by scope |
For the full breakdown with scenarios by budget, see how much an online store costs.
Tip
Don't wait for everything to be perfect before launching. A decent store that's selling teaches you more in a month than three months of tweaking in private. Launch, measure, improve — in that order.
Frequently asked questions about starting an online store
How much does it cost to start an online store?
Doing it yourself on Shopify: from ~US$39/mo (Basic plan) plus a domain (~US$10–15/yr) and payment fees (~2.9% + $0.30 per sale). With WooCommerce you pay less monthly (hosting from ~US$3–10/mo) but put in more hours. A professionally built store typically starts around US$1,500–5,000 depending on scope.
Can I start an online store for free?
Not entirely: you'll always pay for a domain, a platform or hosting, and payment processing fees. What you can do is start cheap — free theme, free apps, minimal ad spend. Be wary of '100% free' setups; they usually cost you in speed, security, and lost sales.
Shopify or WooCommerce for beginners?
Shopify if you want to sell now and skip the technical side: everything included, stable, with support. WooCommerce if you want full control, lower monthly cost, and don't mind managing hosting, plugins, and maintenance (or have someone who does). For most first-time founders, Shopify is the shortest path.
Do I need to register a business to sell online?
In most countries you can start as an individual, but payment providers will ask for tax information, and registering a business makes everything easier: payments, invoicing, and growing without surprises. If you're serious about it, formalize early — check the rules where you live.
How long does it take to launch an online store?
A functional Shopify store takes 1–2 weeks working a few hours a day: products, payments, shipping, policies. Selling consistently takes longer — 2–3 months of tuning traffic, offer, and conversion. With a professional team, a full build usually takes 3–6 weeks.
Prefer us to build your store for you?
At Orbit we build complete online stores — platform, domain, payments, shipping, and design that sells — so you launch fast and launch right. You work directly with our team, no middlemen.
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