How to create a shopping website, step by step
No jargon and no shopping list of plugins. Here is the order things actually have to happen in.
1. Pick the domain before anything else
The domain is the one decision that is expensive to change later, because it is what links, invoices and search results point at. Register it with the site so DNS is configured for you, or connect one you already own.
2. Get the catalog in before you style anything
Products with real names, real prices and real stock make every later decision obvious. Import from a spreadsheet or a feed rather than typing them twice.
3. Set shipping per country, once
Decide what you charge to ship, per destination. The number the shopper sees at checkout is the number that gets charged, so getting this right removes most support email.
4. Say how VAT works for you
For consumer sales, put VAT inside the price and let the checkout show the tax portion. Do not add it at the end — that is the single most common cause of abandoned carts in the EU.
5. Connect payments and test one real order
Run a live order for a small amount and refund it. It is the only way to know that shipping, tax and payout all agree with each other.
6. Then make it look like you
Colours, photos and copy last. They matter, but they are the part you can change every week without breaking anything.
What each step costs you
| Step | With Shoppi | Typical alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Domain + hosting | included in $5/mo | $15/yr domain + hosting plan |
| Cart and checkout | included | plugin or higher plan |
| Shipping rules | included | paid extension on some platforms |
| VAT handling | included | paid extension on some platforms |
| Payments | 0.4% + 1¢ per transaction | provider fee, sometimes plus platform fee |
Competitor figures are their public list prices and published limits at the time of writing; check them before you decide. Shoppi figures are our own published pricing.
FAQ
How long does it take?
A shop with a small catalog can be live the same day. The catalog is what takes the time, not the setup.
Do I need a company to sell online?
Requirements depend on your country and on how much you sell. Check with an accountant before you invoice; the platform does not decide that for you.
What do I need before I start?
A product list with prices, a way to ship, and a bank account for payouts. Everything else can wait.