How to Start an Online Store: Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your First Online Business

Starting an online store sounds exciting—until you realize you don’t know where to begin. Maybe you’re worried about not having enough money, or you feel overwhelmed by technical terms like “e-commerce platform” and “payment gateways.” You're not alone. According to a 2023 survey by GoDaddy, 59% of aspiring entrepreneurs said they want to start an online business, but feel stuck at the idea stage.

Here's the truth: You don’t need to have products, inventory, or even capital to get started. With the right tools and strategy, anyone can launch a successful online store—even if you’re starting with zero experience.

Why Starting an Online Store Is a Smart Move

• Low startup costs: You can start an online store with no money using free tools.
• Work from anywhere: All you need is a laptop and internet connection.
• Endless possibilities: From selling digital products to dropshipping physical goods, the options are vast.

Types of Online Stores You Can Start

1. Online Store Without Inventory (Dropshipping)

Sell physical products without storing or shipping them yourself. You partner with a supplier, and they handle fulfillment.

2. Digital Products

E-books, templates, courses, music, stock photos—no inventory required, and profit margins are high.

3. Print-on-Demand

You design graphics for T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags. A third-party service prints and ships them when someone orders.

4. Affiliate Stores

Promote products from other brands and earn a commission for every sale you refer.

How to Start an Online Store (Even with No Money)

Step 1: Choose What to Sell

Ask yourself:

• What problems can I solve?
• What topics do I love talking about?
• What products do people frequently search for?

Ideas for Products to Sell Online

• Digital planners
• T-shirts and apparel
• Home decor
• Online courses
• Printables
• Wellness products

Step 2: Pick a Business Model

• Dropshipping: Start an online store without inventory
• Print-on-demand: Create custom merch
• Digital products: Ideal for creators and educators

Step 3: Choose an E-Commerce Platform

Free or low-cost platforms to start an online store:

• Shopify (14-day free trial)
• Big Cartel (free for up to 5 products)
• Ecwid (free plan available)
• WooCommerce (open-source plugin for WordPress)

Step 4: Name Your Store and Buy a Domain

Use tools like Namechk or Shopify’s Business Name Generator to brainstorm. Keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell.

Step 5: Design Your Online Store

Most platforms have drag-and-drop editors. Choose a template that fits your brand. Tips:

• Use high-quality product images
• Write clear and benefit-driven descriptions
• Make sure your store looks great on mobile

Step 6: Set Up Payments

• Stripe or PayPal are common and easy to set up
• Some platforms let you accept payments directly

Step 7: Launch Your Store

Before going live:

• Test your checkout process
• Proofread all your product pages
• Add basic policies (Shipping, Returns, Privacy)

Step 8: Market Your Store

Free Ways to Market Your Online Store

• Post on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels
• Start a blog and use SEO to get organic traffic
• Create an email list with a free lead magnet

Interactive Video for More Engagement

Want a smarter way to drive traffic and boost conversions? Use Sharelo to create interactive product videos that:

• Let viewers click through to specific products
• Collect emails inside the video
• Increase engagement time on your store

You can create an interactive video for free at Sharelo.com.

FAQs About Starting an Online Store

Do I need a business license to start an online store?

In most cases, you can start as a sole proprietor and register your business later as it grows.

Can I start an online store with no money?

Yes. Use free e-commerce platforms, sell digital products, and promote via social media to begin.

What if I don’t have any products?

You can start with affiliate links, print-on-demand, or digital downloads.

How do I drive traffic to my store?

Focus on content marketing, SEO, and interactive video tools like Sharelo to boost visibility and conversions.

Can I run an online store part-time?

Absolutely. Many successful online entrepreneurs started their store as a side hustle.

Final Thoughts: Build a Store That Fits Your Life

Whether you're a stay-at-home parent, full-time employee, or freelancer looking for extra income, starting an online store is one of the most flexible and scalable ways to build an online business. Start small, stay consistent, and choose tools that simplify—not complicate—your journey.

Ready to start your online store? Take your first step by brainstorming products, choosing a platform, and creating your first interactive video with Sharelo to attract customers from day one.

Book a Demo or Share Your Feedback

We’d love to hear from you!

Whether you're curious about how Sharelo can help your business or you have suggestions to make us better, we've made it easy for you to reach out.

👉 Watch the interactive video below to:

• Book a personalized demo
• Share your thoughts and feedback
• Ask questions directly

More Tools That Make Sales and Marketing Easier (And More Effective)

Use Screen Recordings to Clearly Explain Your Product

Video walkthroughs are a powerful way to showcase your product’s value. Tools like Loom, Tella, Descript or CapCut allow you to create clear, engaging screen recordings—like a personal demo your audience can watch anytime.

Here are Loom alternative tools:

Tella (Screen Recorder with Collaborative Editing)

Descript (Audio and Video Editing Made Simple)

CapCut (Free, Easy-to-Use Editing for Web and Mobile)

Combine your recordings with Sharelo to make them interactive and drive engagement. It’s a simple upgrade that can significantly boost your results.

Simplify Your Links with Modern URL Shorteners

Make your links easy to share and track with tools like Dub, a free alternative to Bitly. Perfect for marketers who want to track clicks, optimize campaigns, and simplify their workflow.