How to Build an Online Store from Scratch

By Aderribo · 6 min read

Selling online is within reach for any business, but getting started can feel daunting. In this guide we walk you through how to build an online store from scratch, what you need and which mistakes are worth avoiding.

1. Define what you'll sell and how

Before the technical part, be clear on the basics: which products you'll sell, at what price, how you'll ship them and who you're targeting. A store with 10 well-presented products sells more than one with 200 poorly organized ones.

2. What you need to set it up

• Domain and hosting: the address and the space for your store.
• Store platform: the system that manages products, cart and orders.
• Payment gateway: to get paid (card, PayPal, etc.).
• Photos and descriptions for each product: this is what most influences whether people buy.
• Shipping method and its costs.

3. The steps, in order

Step 1: prepare your catalog

Gather good photos (clean background, well lit) and write clear descriptions with the benefits of each product.

Step 2: build the store

The design is created, the products are uploaded and payments and shipping are configured. This is where an AI-powered solution speeds up the work a lot.

Step 3: test before launching

Run a complete test purchase: add to cart, pay and receive the confirmation email. Make sure everything works before you open.

Step 4: launch and promote

Share the store on your social media, via WhatsApp and, if you can, with a bit of advertising to get those first sales.

Mistakes you should avoid

• Poor-quality photos or copied descriptions.
• Not clearly showing shipping costs (it causes abandoned carts).
• A store that's slow or doesn't look good on mobile.
• Not having a visible contact (WhatsApp, email) for questions.

At Aderribo we build your online store ready to sell, with everything you need configured, so all you have to do is focus on your products.