How To Make an Online Store: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025 

 Key takeaways:    

• Set up like a pro—find your niche, lock in your brand, cover the legal basics, and pick a platform that grows with you. Then follow the 10 steps to launch right. 
• Focus on mobile-first design, real-time inventory, and smooth checkout turn visits into sales. Prioritize on speed, security, and UX instead of flashy extras because these drive conversions. 
• Start lean, track what works, and use smart marketing strategies to grow fast and stay ahead. 

New to all things digital but ready to kick off an entrepreneurial adventure this year? If you’re worried about lacking technical skills to pull it off, don’t be. 

It’s no longer for the big players. Today, anyone can start an online store with just an idea, a laptop, and the right tools. All you just need is a clear goal and the grit to learn as you go. 

In the U.S., online sales are expected to pass $1.37 trillion this year. That’s how massive the market has become, and if you’re planning to sell online, now’s the time to jump in. Just know that with more opportunity comes more competition. 

This guide walks you through how to make an online store from the ground up. We’ll cover inventory management, reaching your target audience, and the tools you need to run a successful online store without wasting time or money.  

Steps to build an online store and start selling 

You don’t need to know everything to get your store off the ground. Here’s a quick look at the key steps you’ll go through: 

1. Decide what to sell  
2. Choose your business name and domain  
3. Take care of legal setup and registration 
4. Pick an eCommerce platform 
5. Design your store  
6. Add products and pricing  
7. Set up payments and shipping  
8. Optimize for mobile and SEO 
9. Promote your store  
10. Launch and grow  

Each step plays a role in helping you build an online store that’s not just functional, but ready for real sales. Now, let’s get into it, one by one.  

Step 1. Decide what to sell 

Great stores don’t try to sell everything. They start with one product, one purpose, and one target audience. So, go with something familiar, something useful, and something you actually like. 

From there, assess what you’re good at, what people care about, and where these two meet. Look at trending products on Google, Amazon, or TikTok to spot early signs of buying behavior. Aim for products with real market demand and enough room for healthy profit margins. It should resonate with your customers and make sense for your business. 

Once you have a few ideas, ask yourself: 

• Will this product be easy to manage and scale? 
• Can I handle inventory management if I’m storing physical goods?
• How does this product stand out from existing options? 

The goal is to sell online in a way that meets a real need and positions your brand for long-term growth. 

Need more guidance? Check out our market research guide to help narrow your options. 

Step 2. Choose a business name and domain 

Your name and domain are your online business’ opening line. They’re the first thing people see and the first thing they’ll remember. Get them right, and you’re already one step closer to  earning trust and driving traffic to your site. 

Here are quick tips to help you choose well: 

• Keep it simple and clear. Choose a name that’s easy to spell, say, and remember, especially for potential customers landing on your site for the first time. 
• Make it relevant. If you’re selling digital or physical products, try to hint at your niche in the name to help with discovery. 
• Think long term. Avoid trendy phrases that may not age well. Your name should grow with your brand. 
• Check domain availability. Stick with a .com domain if possible or go with a credible alternative like .store. 
• Look for consistency. Make sure your domain and social media handles are available to keep your brand story aligned across platforms. 
• Consider SEO. Use keywords customers may be searching for. This helps with search engines and improves your visibility early on. 
• Think about perception. A polished, custom domain builds trust and reassures existing customers that your site is legit. 
• Avoid legal trouble. Search your business name idea online, check trademarks, and confirm it’s not already in use by other online sellers. 

Search for available domains now before someone else secures your perfect name. 

Step 3. Take care of legal setup and registration 

Before your online store goes live, make it official. Registering your online business protects your brand, helps you meet legal requirements, and builds credibility with customers and partners. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

Pick a legal structure that fits your setup 

Your legal structure affects how you’ll pay taxes, manage risk, and operate your online store. Below are the most common types for online businesses. 

• Sole proprietorship. A simple option for solo founders, but your personal and business assets aren’t separate. 
• Partnership. Best for co-founders. You’ll share responsibilities, risks, and decision-making. 
• Limited Liability Company (LLC). Popular for eCommerce businesses. It offers flexibility and shields personal assets. 
• Corporation. Ideal if you plan to scale or raise funding. It’s more complex to set up but offers stronger legal protection. 

Register your business name and apply for licenses 

File your name with local or state agencies. In some states, this involves filing a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name. You may also need a business license or seller’s permit based on where you operate and what kind of physical or digital goods you plan to offer. 

Set up your tax ID and payments 

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. It’s often required to open a bank account, accept payments, and handle your online purchases securely. 

Step 4. Pick an eCommerce platform 

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is one of the most important steps if you want to sell online and build an online store that grows with you. This platform is where you’ll upload product pages, set up payment and shipping options, and connect with new buyers. Many online store builders offer free trials or low-cost plans. This is a good way to test what fits before committing. 

Look for platforms that offer: 

• Easy setup and a drag-and-drop editor. 
• Tools to accept payments securely. 
• Templates or themes that support responsive layouts. 
• Integrated inventory management to track your store inventory in real time. 
• Support for both digital and physical products. 

Start with a platform built for growth. Explore Website + Marketing from Network Solutions. 

Step 5. Design your eCommerce website  

Your online store’s look affects how people see your business. A clean, well-organized design doesn’t just make your site pretty. It helps customers find what they need and creates a sense of professionalism. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

• Choose a template that matches your style. Select one that fits your products and your target audience. Look for clean layouts, flexible branding options, and mobile responsiveness. It should work across all mobile devices. 
• Keep your layout simple. Group related items together and highlight top pages with a clear menu. Avoid clutter that can confuse buyers or slow down decision-making. 
• Set up your must-have pages. Add product pages, a contact section, and store policies. These essential pages help visitors feel more confident in buying from you. 
• Be clear about what you sell. Let shoppers know what to expect from your online store, so there’s no confusion about what you offer. 
• Show what makes your brand unique. Your copy and images should reflect your brand message and brand values. Keep it consistent across your pages, from your logo to how you describe your items. 
• Keep inventory up to date. Only display what’s in stock. Accurate store inventory helps avoid delays and earns buyer trust. 

To wrap up your design setup, make sure these key pages are in place: 

Checklist: homepage, product pages, contact, store policies 

• Homepage that clearly shows what you offer. 
• Product pages with strong images, clear descriptions, and pricing. 
• Contact page with accurate business info. 
• Store policies including returns, shipping, and privacy. 

Step 6. Add your products and pricing 

Adding your products is where your eCommerce store starts to take shape. How you present them matters just as much as what you’re selling. Here’s what to cover when adding products and pricing: 

• Write clear, persuasive product descriptions. Use simple words to highlight features, benefits, and what makes your product useful. Strong product descriptions help guide the buying decisions of your customers. 
• Upload quality images and organize your product pages. Use clear, high-resolution photos. Include sizing, color, and specs on your product pages. Keep your layout clean and easy to browse for smoother online shopping. 
• Set smart pricing that fits your audience. Research your market, match your pricing to what buyers are willing to pay, and factor in your initial spending and overall value. 
• Offer bundles or highlight best-sellers. Show deals or top items to boost sales. Use urgency or limited-time pricing where it makes sense.
• Keep your store inventory up-to-date. Update your store inventory often to avoid selling what’s out of stock. It keeps expectations clear and customers happy. 

Then, wrap it up with clear, complete product listings that make customers feel confident to click “Buy.” When your store is easy to browse and fully stocked, you’re already one step ahead. 

Step 7. Set up payments and shipping options 

To accept payments and deliver products, you’ll need a payment provider and a well-defined shipping strategy. This helps streamline checkout and improve customer satisfaction. 

Here’s how to nail it: 

• Pick a reliable payment provider. Choose one that supports credit cards, PayPal, or digital wallets. Watch for transaction fees and make sure it works with your eCommerce website or store builder. 
• Offer flexible ways to pay. Add options like installments or Apple Pay to diversify how customers pay and reduce abandoned carts. 
• Make shipping details clear. Show rates, delivery times, and return terms on your site. If you sell physical products, compare real-time rates with flat-rate shipping. 
• Choose how to fulfill orders. You can manage fulfillment in-house or use services like FBA. If you sell digital products, this step may be simpler.
• Test the checkout process. Make sure it works well on desktop and mobile. A poor experience can hurt sales, especially for small stores. 

Shipping choices affect your upfront costs and how fast you can grow. For lower shipping rates, compare platforms and use built-in tools that support your eCommerce business. 

Step 8. Optimize your store 

A polished online store doesn’t stop at launching. It needs regular optimization to keep up with market trends and shopper behavior. Do the following tips to stay competitive: 

• Improve speed and accessibility. Slow-loading pages or confusing layouts drive people away. Optimize images, simplify site structure, and make sure your product pages load quickly and work well across devices. 
• Test for mobile responsiveness. Many shoppers browse and buy on their phones. Use your platform’s built-in SEO tools to check mobile layouts and address issues early. 
• Update product descriptions. Keep details accurate and compelling to improve conversions. Regular updates also help with search engines visibility. 
• Organize essential pages. Make sure your digital items, return policy, and contact info are easy to find. These pages build trust and support customer feedback. 
• Track performance. Use analytics or marketing tools to identify what drives existing customers to purchase, then build on that. 

Need help with SEO? Check out our guide. 

Step 9. Promote your store 

Now that your eCommerce store is live, focus on visibility. Use smart marketing strategies like social media, email, and helpful content to attract customers and spark interest. 

Here’s how to get the word out: 

• Run email marketing and social media posts. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram help announce your online store and engage your audience. Add email updates to stay connected with loyal customers. 
• Use paid ads and influencer marketing. Promote products through paid ads or collaborate with creators your audience follows. This helps tap into new customers. 
• Optimize for search engines. Refine your product descriptions and meta titles to help your online store appear in search results. Great SEO builds organic traffic and supports long-term growth. 
• Monitor performance with marketing tools. Track your efforts using built-in dashboards or third-party marketing tools. Adjust your marketing campaigns based on what drives the most clicks and sales. 

Want more eyes on your store? See how small business owners use SEO to grow visibility. 

Step 10. Launch and grow 

A smooth launch gives your new online store the momentum it needs to scale. Start with a soft launch so you can test your store builder setup, payment flow, and inventory management before promoting it widely. 

Run through these checks to set your store up for growth: 

• Run test orders and check functionality. Run test orders to spot glitches across screen sizes. Check that everything works, and review listings for errors or store inventory issues. 
• Monitor traffic and conversions. Use built-in marketing tools and analytics to track page views, bounce rates, and order completions. Adjust based on what works. 
• Improve based on early feedback. Ask your first customers what confused or slowed them down. Address concerns by refining your store’s layout, descriptions, or shipping options. 
• Promote across multiple platforms. Use email marketing, paid ads, and social posts to reach more potential customers. You can also sell through other eCommerce platforms to boost visibility. 
• Plan your next steps. Once you’ve collected enough data, start optimizing for better reach, stronger search engines visibility, and better product positioning. Keep learning and refining. 

Need help understanding your store’s performance? Track your key metrics here. 

Startup costs to start an online store 

Building an online store doesn’t have to drain your savings. The actual cost depends on what tools you use, the type of products you sell, and how hands-on you plan to be. Some sellers start selling online for under $500 using basic tools and free trials, while others invest thousands into branding, advanced features, and paid ads. 

Here’s a breakdown of common costs: 

Category	Low-End Estimate	High-End Estimate
Domain name	$10–$20/year	$200–$500 (premium)
Web hosting/eCommerce website builder	$0–$30/month	$100+/month
Website design	$0 (drag and drop editor)	$2,000+ (custom domain design)
Product inventory	$0 (digital products) or $300+ (physical)	$5,000+
Payment processing	Varies by provider (usually 2.9% + $0.30/transaction)	Same
Marketing tools	$0–$50/month	$500+/month (ads + CRM)
Business setup	$0–$300	$500+ (licenses + LLC)
SEO tools	$0–$29/month	$100+/month

Note: Pricing for these providers can change. Please check with the provider directly for the most up-to-date pricing. 

To reduce upfront costs, consider: 

• Starting with digital products or dropshipping to skip bulk inventory and manage a lean ecommerce store. 
• Using a drag and drop editor to avoid costly development. 
• Taking advantage of free trials from online store builders that come with built-in SEO tools. 
• Holding off on paid ads until you’ve gathered data from first eCommerce website transactions. 

Want a deeper look at startup costs? Check out our full guide on how much it costs to start an online business. 

Common mistakes to avoid 

Even with a well-developed product, many online stores struggle because of small missteps that snowball. Watch out for these: 

• Skipping mobile devices. Many potential customers shop on phones, so poor mobile UX can kill conversions. 
• Overlooking search optimization features. If search engines can’t find your eCommerce website, neither will your audience. 
• Paying for features you don’t use. High-cost platforms with bells and whistles you never touch can quietly drain your budget. 
• Missing inventory management. Stockouts or overselling can frustrate both new and returning customers. 
• Using slow third-party apps. Some plugins or integrations clash with your store builder or slow down your site’s performance. 
• Ignoring marketing channels. Skipping email campaigns or paid ads can limit your store’s visibility and stall growth. 
• Forgetting basic security features. Missing SSL, weak passwords, or no trust badges can break customer confidence. 
• Launching with a messy structure. A confusing product layout or missing categories can make it hard for customers to shop. 
• Relying only on free trials. Without testing the platform’s full features, you might outgrow it too soon. 
• Skipping brand clarity. If your message or market isn’t clear, shoppers won’t understand why they should choose you.  

Want to learn what separates a good store from a great one? Keep reading below or revisit the earlier checklist. 

Must-have features for a successful online store 

If you’re set to start an online store, don’t skip the features that can impact performance from day one. These are:  

• SSL certificate and security tools. Protect customer data and build trust. 
• Fast load time. Improve user experience and reduce bounce rates. 
• Search bar. Help visitors quickly find what they need. 
• Clear store policies. Set expectations for returns, shipping, and privacy. 
• Analytics tools. Track traffic, performance, and inventory. 
• CRM system. Manage customer relationships and communication. 
• Branded storefront. Reflect your brand’s personality and message. 
• Free domain option. Get started without extra costs. 
• eCommerce platform integration. Connect with tools that streamline selling. 
• Mobile-friendly design. Serve shoppers using phones and tablets. 
• Advanced marketing tools. Enable remarketing and campaign scheduling. 
• Payment processing system. Offer smooth, secure, and clear checkout fees. 
• Sales support tools. Help personalize the journey and boost conversions. 
• Scalable features. Grow with tools that evolve with your store. 

These must-haves can help you create an online store that stands out and scales with your goals. 

Fuel your hustle and get into online sales today  

Learning how to make an online store doesn’t require technical expertise or a big upfront investment. What matters most is starting with a clear goal and choosing tools that support growth. 

If you’re wondering how to start an online shopping site that works for both your needs and your budget, go light at the beginning, adjust as needed, and grow from real results. The earlier you launch, the faster you’ll collect customer data to improve your products, layout, and marketing. 

From picking a free domain to choosing a reliable platform, every step builds toward a store you can grow with. And when you’re ready to simplify the process, Network Solutions’ Online Store Builder offers everything you need to go from idea to income. 

Frequently asked questions