7 min read · Published
How to start an online store from scratch
Want to open an online store but not sure where to start or what to build it on? Here is a step-by-step plan: from choosing a platform and niche to payments, shipping and launch — without overspending at the start.
What should you build an online store on?
Three paths: a builder (Shopify) — fast but with a monthly subscription and limits; a CMS solution — more flexible but heavier; custom development on Next.js/React — a fast store with no subscription and full control over code and SEO. For a store meant to grow and sell, custom development pays off through speed and no monthly platform fees.
How much does it cost to open an online store?
A simple store with a catalog, cart and payments — from around $350. A ready-made designer store from the catalog tuned to your niche — from $100, launched in 24 hours. The price depends on the number of products, filters, integrations and whether it is a template or custom design. We fix the price before we start.
Steps to launch a store
- Pick a niche and build the product catalog with photos and descriptions.
- Choose a platform: a builder, a CMS or custom development.
- Wire up payments (Stripe and local providers) and shipping.
- Set up basic SEO: meta tags, sitemap, image alt text.
- Launch and start driving traffic (Google, Instagram, ads).
Which integrations a store needs
- Online payments: Stripe and local providers, or cash on delivery.
- Shipping with live rate calculation.
- A Telegram bot or notifications for new orders.
- A CRM or spreadsheet to process orders.
- Analytics: Google Analytics and an ad pixel.
The biggest mistakes at launch
The most common failures: unfinished content (product photos and descriptions), choosing an expensive builder with a subscription "to grow into", no mobile version, and ignoring SEO. A store with no speed and no organic traffic lives only on paid ads — which is expensive. First a fast responsive site with basic SEO, then scale ads.
Can a store be launched fast?
Yes. A ready-made designer store from the catalog tuned to your niche launches in 24 hours with your content and domain. A custom turnkey store — 5–10 days. The key is having products ready at the start: photos, names, prices, descriptions.
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FAQ
What is the best platform for an online store?
For a store meant to sell and grow — custom development on Next.js/React: speed, SEO out of the box and no monthly platform fee. A builder is fine for a quick niche test.
How much does a turnkey online store cost?
From around $350 for a store with a catalog, cart and payments. A ready-made catalog store tuned to your niche — from $100, launched in 24 hours.
How long does store development take?
A custom turnkey store — 5–10 days with content ready. A ready-made catalog store — 24 hours.
Which payment methods should I add?
Stripe and local providers for online payments, plus cash on delivery. The choice depends on your audience and products.
Does a new store need SEO?
Yes. Without basic SEO a store is only visible through paid ads. Meta tags, speed, sitemap and catalog structure bring free organic traffic from Google.