How to Create an eCommerce Website in 11 Steps

Creating an eCommerce website is a strategic move to tap into the digital marketplace. This article outlines the 11 essential steps on how to create an effective eCommerce site, from choosing a hosting service to designing your site for optimal conversions. We also cover how to list your products and services, configure website navigation, set up payment processing, and establish shipping methods. 

Read on for a comprehensive roadmap to setting up an eCommerce website that’s ready to start making money.

1. Pick a Web Host or Website Builder

The first step to creating an eCommerce website is to pick a web host or website builder. Both of these services ensure your eCommerce website’s data is hosted online and therefore accessible to your customers 

A web host is an internet service that provides the infrastructure and services to host and manage your eCommerce website’s files. This approach is typically paired with a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress. A CMS is software that simplifies the creation and management of content. Pairing web hosting with a CMS suited for Commerce allows users to set up and manage a high-performing eCommerce site with easily managed product pages and checkout processes. 

A website builder is a tool that provides templates and simple drag-and-drop interfaces to help users create a site. Website builders provide a quick and easy way to build and launch a very basic eCommerce site because hosting is also taken care of. 

Both web hosts and website builder options allow users to host and create an eCommerce site from scratch, even without high level technical knowledge. 

2. Register a Domain Name

The second step is to register a domain name. A domain name is your eCommerce website’s address on the internet. It’s commonly chosen to match your eCommerce business name. Domain names allow users to find and identify your brand online. There are two ways to register a domain name. 

The first is with a web host or website builder. Many web hosting services and website builders offer domain name registration as part of their hosting packages. This option simplifies the process as it bundles the domain name with their hosting service. Users are able to efficiently manage both under a single account.

The second is through a domain registrar, a company that manages the reservation of domain names. Opting for a separate domain registrar is beneficial to anyone who wants to give their domain extra protection. The strategy of separating your domain and web hosting companies gives your online presence more resilience because your losses are diversified if something happens to either the domain registrar or web hosting company. Keep in mind that choosing to register your domain name with a domain registrar requires you to connect the domain name to your hosting service manually.

3. Choose an eCommerce Platform

The third step is to choose an eCommerce platform. An eCommerce platform is a software solution that allows you to create, manage, and operate an eCommerce business. It provides the tools necessary to sell products or services, process payments, and manage inventory. You have two platform options: a website builder or WordPress.

For those opting to use a website builder, the eCommerce platform is typically already integrated as part of the service. This simplifies setting up and managing your eCommerce website, as it combines website creation and eCommerce functionalities within a single interface.

Those using WordPress alternatively have the ability to turn their site into a fully-functional eCommerce store by installing plugins such as WooCommerce, Shopify and BigCommerce. WooCommerce offers extensive customization options and a wide array of features tailored for eCommerce. Shopify and BigCommerce are integrated through plugins. This enables WordPress users to leverage these platforms’ robust eCommerce capabilities while maintaining their WordPress site’s design and content.

4. Design Your eCommerce Website

The fourth step is to design your eCommerce website. Designing your eCommerce website is a must for maximizing its conversion rate. Conversion rates refer to the percentage of visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase. A thoughtful and well-designed website significantly enhances user experience and encourages visitors to convert into paying customers. Focus on customizing these 5 design elements to create an attractive and effective eCommerce website:

Logo

Place your logo prominently in the header and footer of your website to build brand recognition. Use a simple version of your logo as a favicon (a.k.a. the small icon displayed in browser tabs) to enhance your site’s professionalism.

Layout

Design a user-friendly layout that makes navigation intuitive. A well-structured layout helps visitors find products and information easily and enhances the shopping experience. 

Color Schemes

Choose color schemes that reflect your brand and appeal to your target audience. Consistency in color schemes across your website also reinforces your brand identity.

Font Styles

Select font styles that are easy to read and align with your brand’s personality. 

Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Incorporate clear and compelling call-to-action buttons that encourage visitors along the buyer journey such as “Buy Now,” “Add to Cart,” and “Learn More”. 

5. Add Standard Web Pages for Your eCommerce Website

The fifth step is to add the standard web pages for your eCommerce website. Standard web pages are essential components of any legitimate eCommerce website. There are 5 must-have standard web pages for your eCommerce website:

Homepage

The Homepage captures the essence of your brand and guides visitors to key sections of your website. A well-designed homepage showcases featured products, special offers, and links to best selling product categories.

About Page

The About Page tells the story of your business and its values.

Contact Page

A Contact Page provides customers with information on how to reach you for support, inquiries and feedback. This is crucial for customer service and establishing trust.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

An FAQ page addresses common questions about your products, services, and policies. It helps reduce customer service inquiries by preemptively answering questions related to shipping, returns, product usage, and more. 

Privacy Policy

A Privacy Policy Page is legally required if your eCommerce website collects any information from its visitors. This includes email addresses for newsletters and payment information for purchases. 

Incorporating these standard web pages into your eCommerce website ensures that visitors have all the information they need to feel confident and informed when shopping with you.

6. List Your Products and Services

The sixth step is to list your products and services. This is crucial for providing customers with clear information and encouraging purchases. You either add a product page or pricing page depending on what you’re selling. 

For those selling products at a single price, each item has its own product page. A product page is dedicated to showcasing a specific product and includes essential details such as the product name, images, prices, and a comprehensive description. High-quality images help customers see the product from various angles. The description provides important information about features, benefits, and specifications. It’s also beneficial to include customer reviews, shipping information, and related products to enhance the shopping experience.

A pricing page is especially necessary for services with tiered pricing. A pricing page outlines different service tiers, and displays prices, the features included in each tier, and the duration of the service. This page helps customers compare options and choose the service level that best meets their needs. Clear differentiation between tiers and a concise summary of what each offers significantly impacts the decision-making process.

7. Configure Website Navigation for Your Customers

The seventh step is to configure website navigation for your customers. Website navigation refers to the system of links and menus that allows users to move around a website. It’s responsible for guiding visitors through the site’s content and functionalities. 

There are two goals when it comes to website navigation configuration. The first goal is to enable users to reach checkout from any page. The second goal is to minimize the number of clicks to reach checkout. Both goals increase conversions by reducing friction during the shopping process. To achieve this, configure these 3 things in your site:

Header Menu

It appears at the top of every page and includes links to the main sections of your site, such as product categories, about page, and contact page.

Footer Menu 

It’s located at the bottom of every page and includes links to your privacy policy, terms of service, FAQ, and about page.

In-content Linking

Linking within your site’s content, such as from blog posts to relevant product pages and then to the checkout, significantly enhances navigation. This strategy improves the user experience by providing useful information and context while guiding users toward making a purchase.

8. Set Up A Payment Processor

The eighth step is to set up a payment processor. A payment processor is a service that facilitates transactions between your eCommerce website and the customer’s bank and payment service. It is a critical component for accepting payments online, as it enables your business to process credit card payments (e.g., VISA, Mastercard, American Express) and online payment methods (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay). 

An ideal payment processor supports multiple payment options to accommodate your customers’ preferred payment methods. Many payment processors also offer the capability to automatically calculate and collect taxes based on the customer’s location and the type of product or service being sold.

Keep in mind that payment processors charge a fee for each transaction processed. These fees vary by processor and are usually a fixed amount per transaction, a percentage of the transaction value, or a combination of both.

Examples of popular payment processors include Stripe, PayPal, and Adyen. These provide features like fraud protection, secure payment processing, and integration options with various eCommerce platforms.

Some website builders also come with built-in payment processors. For instance, Shopify offers Shopify Payments, which allows merchants to accept payments directly without needing an external payment gateway. Weebly instead partners with Square to provide a built-in payment processing solution that enables users to easily accept payments both online and in-person. 

9. Set Up Shipping

The ninth step is to set up shipping. Shipping in the context of eCommerce refers to the process of sending sold products from the seller to the buyer. There are two main aspects of shipping set up to consider:

Shipping Policy 

Your shipping policy outlines how you handle shipping, including delivery times (e.g., N-day shipping), whether you offer free shipping or charge a shipping fee, and the locations you ship to (domestic, international and specific regions). A clear and comprehensive shipping policy helps manage customer expectations by providing them with necessary information on shipping costs, delivery timeframes, and any geographical restrictions. Factors like offering free shipping significantly influences consumer purchasing decisions, while specifying delivery times helps set realistic expectations.

Shipping Solution 

Choosing your shipping solution involves deciding which carrier you use to ship your products. Common carriers include USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL, among others. Some eCommerce platforms and website builders also offer integrated shipping solutions that streamline the process. For instance, Shopify provides discounted shipping rates with certain carriers and offers tools to print shipping labels directly from your platform.

10. Test and Review Your eCommerce Website

The tenth step is to test and review your eCommerce website. Conducting thorough testing and review before launching is key to providing a smooth, secure, and user-friendly experience for your customers. There are 3 more things to take care of:

Test user journey

Testing user journey involves simulating the complete user journey on your website, from navigating and browsing products to completing the checkout process. It’s important to test this on a variety of devices (such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones) and browsers (including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge).

Test order processing and fulfillment 

Test order processing and fulfillment involves placing test orders to thoroughly review and ensure the order processing, payment, and fulfillment systems work seamlessly.

Ensure SSL certificates is working

Ensure SSL certificates work by verifying that your SSL certificate is properly installed and functioning before launching. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certification is essential for any eCommerce website. It encrypts data transmitted and protects sensitive information such as credit card numbers and personal details. 

11. Launch Your eCommerce Website

The eleventh and final step is to launch your eCommerce website. Hit the “Publish” button for website builder users and your ecommerce website is live. Next, start promoting your eCommerce website.

What Is an eCommerce Website?

An eCommerce website is a type of website that facilitates the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet. It acts as a virtual storefront where businesses present their products or services to customers worldwide. Unlike traditional retail websites, eCommerce sites incorporate features such as shopping carts, payment processing systems, inventory management, and customer feedback mechanisms to streamline the online shopping experience.  To find out what other types of websites you can create, check out our guide on how to create a website.

What Types of eCommerce Websites Can I Create?

There are 5 types of eCommerce websites you can create. They are online store, subscriptions-based service, dropshipping store, marketplace and auction site.

Online Store

An Online Store is the most common type of eCommerce website. It’s designed for retailing both physical and digital goods. 

Subscription-based Service

A Subscription-based eCommerce website offers products or services on a recurring basis. Customers pay a regular fee to access these, such as monthly delivery boxes, streaming services and access to digital content.

Dropshipping Store

Dropshipping is a fulfillment model where the store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. Read our guide on making a dropshipping store.

Marketplace

Marketplaces are platforms where multiple vendors list their products or services for sale. The marketplace operator manages the site and processes transactions, while products are listed and shipped by the participating vendors. Examples include Amazon and Etsy. See the steps for building an online marketplace.

Auction Site

Auction websites allow users to bid on items, with the product going to the highest bidder. This model is used for various types of goods, from antiques and collectibles to surplus inventory. Learn how to start an online auction site here.

What Is the Difference between eCommerce Websites and Online Stores?

The difference between eCommerce websites and online stores is that eCommerce websites refers to a wider category of business models that includes online stores. 

An eCommerce website is a broad term that refers to any platform designed for electronic transactions, including the sale of goods and services, payment processing, and customer engagement. It encompasses a variety of business models from online marketplaces to subscription services. An online store is one type of eCommerce website dedicated to selling products directly to consumers (direct retail sales). All online stores are eCommerce websites, but not every eCommerce website is an online store. 

What Do I Need to Create an eCommerce Website?

You need 3 essential things to create an eCommerce website. The first is a domain name to establish your online presence. The second is a hosting service to store and make your site accessible on the internet. The third is an eCommerce platform to manage your store, products, and orders. Integrating a Content Management System (CMS) is also essential if you plan to include a blog for content marketing.

Can I Build an eCommerce Website Myself?

Yes, you can build an eCommerce website yourself with user-friendly website builders and eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix. These tools are designed to simplify the process, and allow individuals without technical skills to create, design, and manage an eCommerce store. This includes adding products, setting up payments, and configuring shipping.

However, for more complex requirements or custom features, it’s recommended to hire a web developer. A professional developer handles advanced tasks such as backend development, databases, API integrations, and custom functionality that goes beyond the capabilities of standard eCommerce platforms. 

Should I Use Website Builders or Web Hosting for eCommerce Websites?

You should use a website builder if you’re looking to quickly launch a very basic eCommerce website with minimal technical hassle. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace and Weebly offer easy-to-use drag-and-drop interfaces, simple templates, and essential eCommerce features suited for small businesses and individuals starting out. 

You should choose web hosting if you’re planning a high-performing eCommerce website that you intend to scale significantly. Opting for a solution like WordPress with WooCommerce provides the flexibility, customization options, and scalability needed to handle growing traffic, expand your product range, and incorporate more complex functionalities. 

What Type of Hosting Is Recommended for eCommerce Websites?

Cloud Hosting is the type of hosting recommended for eCommerce websites. Cloud Hosting involves hosting websites across multiple virtual servers. It’s highly scalable, reliable and adjusts to handle traffic spikes during periods like Black Friday sales. Many of the top eCommerce web hosts offer a pay as you go (PAYG) model that allows business owners to only pay for the resources they actually use.

What Makes the Best eCommerce Platform for eCommerce Websites?

The best eCommerce platform offers three crucial things:

The first is a minimal transaction fee. An ideal platform charges low or no transaction fees on sales. This is crucial for maintaining profitability, especially for businesses with thin margins. 

The second is solid inventory management. A platform that simplifies inventory management saves significant time and reduces the risk of overselling or stockouts.

The third is a customizable checkout. This includes the ability to remove unnecessary steps, customize fields, and improve the overall user experience. Tailoring your checkout helps reduce cart abandonment and potentially increase sales. 

What Is the Cost of Making an eCommerce Website?

The cost of making an eCommerce website ranges from $8,000 to $25,000. There are 7 main factors that have an impact on the final cost. They are:

Type Of Domain Name

Registering a domain name costs between $0.70 to $14 annually. Prices vary based on the TLD (.com, .net, .biz, etc.) and domain registrar.

Choice of Hosting Service

eCommerce hosting services cost between $120 to $1800 annually.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate

SSL certificates for eCommerce sites typically cost between $0 to $49.99. They’re an important indicator of trustworthiness for any eCommerce website. Paid options must be renewed yearly. 

Choice Of eCommerce Platform

Fees for an eCommerce platform range from $0 to $3,600 depending on the platform (e.g. Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, etc.) and the plan you choose. 

Inclusion Of Paid Components

Paid themes cost up to $1,100 (one time fee). Paid apps and plugins each cost $49 to $1,000. Free themes, apps and plugins are available but paid versions further enhance your store’s functionality and design. 

Hiring Of Web Developer

Hiring a web developer costs between $100 to $4,500. Costs are charged hourly or on a project basis. Hiring a professional developer or designer significantly increases your costs, especially for custom-designed sites. 

Email Hosting

Email hosting costs between $19 to $216 per user annually. This enables you to operate from a professional looking business email address.

What Do I Do After Launching My eCommerce Website?

There are 4 things you do after launching your eCommerce website:

Set Up Analytics

Connecting your site to analytics tools such as Google Analytics lets you collect valuable data about your users’ behavior. Knowing how they found your website, which pages they visit, and how long they stay lets you optimize your site. 

Start Marketing

Utilize social media platforms to engage with your audience and create brand awareness. Also consider investing in paid advertising through Google Ads and social media ads to drive targeted traffic to your site.

Add Social Proof

Social proof (e.g. customer reviews, testimonials, user-generated content) greatly enhance your website’s trustworthiness and credibility. Encourage your customers to leave reviews of your products or services and make these reviews visible on your site. 

Launch a Blog

Starting a blog on your eCommerce website aids in driving organic traffic and improving SEO rankings. Publish high-quality, relevant content like how-to guides and product usage tips to provide value to your audience. 

Where Can I Learn More on Building eCommerce Websites?

You can learn more on building eCommerce websites by checking out Bitcatcha‘s comprehensive guides and brand reviews.