The fastest way to start selling online is to use a hosted platform that handles payments, hosting, and inventory for you

You have two main paths: use a hosted e-commerce platform like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Square Online, which manages the technical side for you, or build a custom site using a website builder. Hosted platforms are faster to launch — most let you add products and go live in a day or two. They charge a monthly fee (typically $20 to $300) plus a small percentage of each sale. The trade-off is less control over how your site looks and works, but you avoid hiring developers and managing servers.

If you already have a website or want more design freedom, you can add e-commerce to it using WooCommerce (a plugin for WordPress sites) or Wix's e-commerce tools. These cost less per month but require more setup work on your part. The choice depends on how much time you have, how much you want to customize, and whether you already have a website running.

Key Takeaways

  • Shopify, WooCommerce, and Square Online are the three most common platforms; Shopify is the easiest to start with but costs more per month than WooCommerce.
  • You will need product photos, descriptions, prices, and a way to collect payment — most platforms handle payment processing, but you choose which payment methods to accept.
  • Hosting, SSL certificates (which make your site secure), and basic inventory tracking are included in most platform fees, so you do not need to buy these separately.
  • Shipping costs money to calculate and fulfill; most platforms let you set flat rates, weight-based rates, or real-time carrier rates, and you can offer free shipping or pass the cost to the customer.

Choosing between Shopify, WooCommerce, and other platforms

Shopify is the largest hosted platform and the easiest to start with. You sign up, choose a template, add your products, and connect a payment method. Shopify handles hosting, security, and updates automatically. Plans start at $39 per month for the basic tier, plus 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. You can sell on Shopify's own marketplace, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok from the same dashboard. The downside is cost — if you sell a lot, the percentage fees add up, and you cannot own the underlying code.

WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns a WordPress website into a store. You pay for WordPress hosting (usually $5 to $20 per month), a domain name ($10 to $15 per year), and an SSL certificate (often free with hosting). WooCommerce itself is free, but you may buy paid extensions for shipping, inventory, or marketing. Setup takes longer because you manage the site yourself, but you own everything and can customize deeply. WooCommerce is best if you already have a WordPress site or are comfortable with technical setup.

Square Online is free to set up and charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction with no monthly fee. It is simpler than WooCommerce but less flexible than Shopify. Square Online works well if you have a small inventory and want to avoid monthly costs. Wix and Squarespace include e-commerce tools in their website builder plans ($17 to $40 per month), so they are good if you want a beautiful site and do not need advanced features.

What you need before you launch

Before you sign up for any platform, gather your product information: the name, price, description, and at least one photo for each item. Product photos should be clear and show the item from multiple angles if possible. Write descriptions that explain what the product is, what it does, and who it is for — include size, color, material, or other details a customer would need to know before buying.

You also need a way to accept payment. Most platforms offer Stripe or PayPal as payment processors, which means customers enter their card or PayPal details on your site and the processor handles the transaction. You will need a business bank account to receive the money. Some platforms also let you accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or shop now/pay later services like Afterpay.

Decide on your shipping strategy. Will you ship everything the same way, or do different products ship differently? Do you know how much shipping costs from your location to your customers? Most platforms let you set a flat shipping rate (like $5 for all orders), charge by weight, or connect to real-time carrier rates from USPS, UPS, or FedEx. You can also offer free shipping and build the cost into your product prices.

Setting up your store step by step

The process varies by platform, but the general steps are the same. First, sign up and choose a plan. Second, pick a store name and domain (your web address). Most platforms let you use a free subdomain like yourname.myshopify.com, or you can buy a custom domain like yourname.com for $10 to $15 per year. Third, choose a template or theme that matches your brand.

Fourth, add your products one by one or upload them in bulk using a spreadsheet. Include the product name, description, price, photos, and any variants (like size or color options). Fifth, set up your payment processor by connecting your Stripe or PayPal account. Sixth, configure shipping rates and tax settings. Most platforms can calculate sales tax automatically if you tell them which states or countries you ship to.

Seventh, write your store policies: returns, refunds, privacy, and terms of service. Many platforms provide templates you can customize. Eighth, test the checkout process yourself by placing a test order. Finally, go live by publishing your store. Most platforms let you keep your store private while you set it up, then flip a switch to make it public.

Payment processing and transaction fees

Every time a customer buys something, the payment processor takes a small cut. Shopify charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction on the basic plan. WooCommerce does not charge a percentage — you pay Stripe or PayPal directly, which typically costs 2.9% + 30¢ as well. Square Online charges 2.9% + 30¢ with no monthly fee. These percentages are industry standard and do not change much between platforms.

Some platforms offer lower rates if you upgrade to a higher plan or if you process a high volume of sales. For example, Shopify's Shopify Plus plan (for large stores) negotiates custom rates. If you sell low-margin items or have very high volume, the percentage fees matter a lot, and you should compare platforms carefully.

Payment processors also hold money for a few days before depositing it into your bank account — this is called the settlement period. Most processors settle within 1 to 3 business days. Some charge extra for faster settlement. Make sure your platform's payment processor offers settlement to your country; not all processors work everywhere.

Managing inventory, orders, and customer communication

Once you launch, your platform tracks inventory automatically. When a customer buys a product, the quantity decreases. You can set a threshold to alert you when stock is low. Most platforms let you upload inventory in bulk and sync it across multiple sales channels (like your website, Facebook, and Amazon) so you do not oversell.

Orders appear in your dashboard as soon as customers place them. You can see the customer's name, address, items ordered, and payment status. Most platforms send the customer an order confirmation email automatically. You can customize this email to include your logo, a thank-you message, or tracking information. When you ship the order, you enter the tracking number into your dashboard, and the customer gets a shipping notification.

Some platforms integrate with shipping carriers so you can print labels directly from your dashboard. Others require you to go to the carrier's website separately. If you ship a lot of orders, consider using a fulfillment service like Printful or Fulfillment by Amazon, which stores your inventory and ships orders for you — you pay per item shipped, usually $2 to $5 depending on the item size.

Marketing your store and driving traffic

Building a store is only half the work; the other half is getting people to visit it. Most platforms include basic marketing tools: email marketing, discount codes, and the ability to add your store to Google Shopping and Facebook Catalog. Some platforms let you run ads directly from the dashboard.

You can also market outside the platform. Create social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest and post photos of your products. Link to your store in your bio. Write a blog post about your products and optimize it for Google search. Ask customers to leave reviews on your store or on Google, which helps new customers find you.

Paid advertising on Google, Facebook, or Instagram can drive traffic quickly, but it costs money and requires testing to find what works. Start with organic marketing (social media, word of mouth, search engine optimization) and add paid ads once you understand your customers and your profit margins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a business license to sell online?

Requirements vary by location and product type. Most places require a business license if you are selling regularly, even from home. Check with your city or county clerk's office. You may also need a sales tax permit if you sell in states that require it. Some platforms help you understand local requirements, but you should verify with your local government.

What if I do not have product photos?

Take photos yourself using a smartphone camera in natural light. Lay the product on a plain background and shoot from multiple angles. If you cannot photograph your products, hire a photographer or use a service like Fiverr. Good photos increase sales significantly, so this is worth the investment.

Can I sell on multiple platforms at once?

Yes. You can sell on your own website and also on Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Some platforms like Shopify let you sync inventory across channels so you do not oversell. WooCommerce requires more manual setup to sync with other platforms, but it is possible using plugins.

How much does it cost to start?

Minimum costs are roughly $50 to $100 per month: a platform fee ($0 to $40), hosting ($0 to $20 if using Shopify or Square Online, $5 to $20 if using WooCommerce), a domain name ($10 to $15 per year), and payment processing fees (2.9% + 30¢ per sale). You also need product photos and descriptions, which you can create yourself for free or hire someone to create.

What happens if a customer wants a refund?

You handle refunds through your platform's dashboard. Most platforms let you refund the full order or a partial amount. The refund goes back to the customer's original payment method within a few business days. Set a clear refund policy on your store so customers know what to expect — for example, "30-day returns for unused items" or "no refunds, exchanges only."