Home » Online Income » How to Create an eCommerce Website: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

How to Create an eCommerce Website: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

This guide will show you how to create an eCommerce website from scratch, step by step. I’ll walk you through every step of the process, so you can launch your store quickly, easily, and with just a small investment. 😉

Note: As it’s super beginner-friendly and a free plugin, I’ll be focusing on how to create an ecommerce website with WooCommerce in this post – but I’ll also give you a few other options, so you can make the best decision for your online business, alright? 👍🏻

So, you want to create your own eCommerce website, but don’t know where to start?

Good news – you’re not alone, and it’s easier than you think. With the right tools and a step-by-step approach, even complete beginners can set up an online store, start selling products, and grow a business that works 24/7.

See also: DreamHost vs Squarespace: The Good, the Bad, and the Best Fit for You

To create an eCommerce website, you’ll need to:

• Pick a niche and develop a business plan
• Choose a domain name and reliable WooCommerce hosting (or another online store builder) like Siteground or DreamHost
• Add products, payment gateways, and shipping options
• Customize your store’s design (Divi or Ashe PRO are great beginner-friendly options if you use WooCommerce)
• Test and launch your website

In this guide, I’ll walk you through each of these steps in detail while also answering the most common beginner questions, like how much an eCommerce website costs, WooCommerce pricing plans, whether it’s hard to build, and which platforms are best for getting started. By the end, you’ll not only know how to create an eCommerce website but also how to set yourself up for success.

How can I make my own eCommerce website?

If you’re wondering, “Can I really build an eCommerce website myself?”, the short answer is definitely yes! You don’t need to be a developer. Thanks to platforms like WordPress + WooCommerce, creating your own store is more about choosing the right tools than learning how to code.

Also, the right tools don’t need to be super expensive if you’re just starting. Just pick the essentials, buy tools in bundles to save (i.e., get a hosting package offering a free domain name and free SSL certificate), and use and abuse discount codes.

Furthermore, many hosting providers already have WordPress pre-installed, so you just need to download the WooCommerce plugin and activate it – it’s free, and you can install it in less than 5 minutes!

Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown:

• Pick a niche and products – Decide what you’ll sell and who’s more likely to buy it.

• Choose a WooCommerce hosting and domain – A good host like DreamHost or Siteground gives your site speed and security, pre-installs WordPress, and you get a domain name for free + domain privacy (I told you that smart shopping makes you save 💰💰 !)

• Customize and launch – Tweak the design, test your checkout, and you’re ready to go live!

• Add the WooCommerce plugin – This free plugin transforms your site into a fully functional store.

• Select a theme – If you want drag-and-drop customization freedom and ecommerce templates, Divi is powerful, while Ashe PRO is beginner-friendly and a more affordable alternative.

• Upload your products – Add descriptions, photos, and pricing.

• Set up payments and shipping – WooCommerce supports PayPal, Stripe, and more.

Learn more: The ultimate guide to domain privacy: why do you need WHOIS privacy?

What are the 4 types of eCommerce?

When people talk about eCommerce, they’re usually referring to one of these four main models:

• B2C (Business to Consumer): The most common type – think Amazon or your local online boutique. Businesses sell directly to customers.
• B2B (Business to Business): Companies selling to other companies, like wholesalers or software providers.
• C2C (Consumer to Consumer): Platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, where people sell to each other.
• C2B (Consumer to Business): Less common but growing – individuals selling products or services to companies (for example, freelancers offering design services).

Understanding these models matters because your website’s design and marketing strategy depend on which type of e-commerce you’re in. For most beginners, B2C or C2C are the most approachable ways to start.

How much does an eCommerce website cost?

The cost of building an eCommerce website can vary a lot. It really depends on your platform, design choices, and the size of your store. The good news? You don’t need thousands of dollars to get started.

On average, here’s what you can expect:

• Domain name: $10–$19.99 per year (usually, you can get it for free in most yearly hosting plans)
• Hosting: $2.99–$19.99 per month for beginner-friendly options (like DreamHost)
• Theme/design: Free (with limitations) to $89+/year
• Plugins & extras: Many are free, but advanced tools might cost $5–$50 per month
• Overall: You can launch a solid, professional online store for around $100–$300 in your first year.

Here’s a quick comparison table to make it easier to visualize:

👉 Bottom line: you can start small and scale as your store grows

Is it hard to build an ecommerce website?

Not really! As we’ve seen already, thanks to modern platforms, building your own store is much easier than it used to be. You don’t need coding skills, just patience and the right setup.

Here’s what usually makes it feel “hard”:

• Deciding which platform is the best fit for you when you have little to no experience
• Setting up payment gateways
• Customizing your store’s look without overcomplicating it
• Learning basic SEO so people can find your shop

If you use WordPress and WooCommerce, most of these steps involve clicking, dragging, and filling in settings. And if you go with a theme like Divi or Ashe PRO, designing your store feels more like editing a PowerPoint slide than coding.

So while it may look intimidating at first, the process is beginner-friendly, especially if step-by-step guides like this one. 😁✌🏻

Which ecommerce website is best?

Can I sell on Wix for free?

Yes, technically, you can sell products on Wix with its free plan, but there’s a big catch. You won’t get a custom domain, your site will show Wix branding, and advanced eCommerce tools are locked behind paid plans.

If your goal is just to experiment with setting up a store, Wix’s free plan is fine for testing. But if you want to build a serious online shop that looks professional, you’ll need to upgrade. Otherwise, your store might not inspire enough trust for customers to actually buy.

For long-term growth, investing in a platform like WooCommerce or Shopify will give you more flexibility, better SEO, and no platform lock-in.

Which hosting is best for an e-Commerce website?

Your hosting provider can make or break your eCommerce store. A slow or unreliable host means lost sales. Two of the best options for WordPress + WooCommerce are:

DreamHost: How to Create an eCommerce Website with DreamHost

Affordable, beginner-friendly, and optimized for WordPress. They also offer WooCommerce hosting plans that come pre-configured for speed and security.

How to create an ecommerce website with DreamHost step-by-step:

SiteGround: How to Create an eCommerce Website with SiteGround

Known for excellent performance and customer support. Their managed WordPress hosting includes advanced caching and security features.

How to create an ecommerce website with SiteGround step-by-step:

Both are solid choices. DreamHost is usually better for affordability and simplicity, while SiteGround is great if you want premium performance and support. Either way, pair them with a solid theme like Divi or Ashe PRO, and your store will be fast, secure, and ready to grow.

How to create an ecommerce website: How to get a free WooCommerce Theme

A WordPress theme is essentially the design and layout framework for your website. For WooCommerce, it’s especially important because a good theme ensures your store is fast, user-friendly, and visually appealing.

It also makes it easy to customize your shop, create product pages, and optimize for mobile users – all crucial for boosting sales and keeping customers happy.

One of the most popular choices for WooCommerce users is Ashe PRO. It’s a premium theme that costs a one-time fee of $39.99, which includes lifetime updates and support. Ashe PRO is designed to be fast, fully responsive, and optimized for online shops, making it ideal for beginners and experienced store owners alike.

The good news? You can download the free version of Ashe PRO, which is also optimized for WooCommerce. Click the “Buy Ashe PRO” button to grab the free version and upgrade to premium when you’re ready.

Benefits of Ashe PRO for WooCommerce:

• Fully compatible with WooCommerce for seamless store setup
• Responsive design optimized for mobile and desktop
• Fast-loading pages to improve user experience and SEO
• Easy customization without coding knowledge
• Pre-built layouts for product pages, blogs, and shop sections
• Lifetime updates and support are included with the premium version

How to start a successful ecommerce business

Starting an online store isn’t just about building a website; it’s about creating a profitable business strategy from the ground up. Let’s break down the key steps so you can launch confidently and set yourself up for growth.

Since we’ve already seen how to create an ecommerce website by comparing platforms and WooCommerce hosting providers, let’s move to the other important stuff:

How to choose a profitable niche for your e-commerce (How to create an ecommerce website)

Picking the right niche is make-or-break for your store. You want something that has enough demand, low-to-moderate competition, and ideally aligns with your passions or expertise.

Here’s how to narrow it down:

• Research trends → Use Google Trends, KWFinder (premium tool, but you can use their 7-day free trial with no credit card required!), social media, and marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy to spot rising products.
• Check competition → Look at existing sellers: high demand with few competitors = gold.
• Profit margins → Ensure your product allows a healthy markup after shipping, taxes, and fees.
• Audience targeting → Identify your ideal customer and understand their pain points and buying habits.

Related: Choosing your creative niche: How to build a loyal online following

How to promote your eCommerce business (How to create an ecommerce website)

Once your store is live, you need to get the right people to see it. Here are some of the fastest ways to drive traffic and sales:

• Blogging & Content Marketing → Write posts related to your niche, share tips, tutorials, and product guides. Helps with SEO and builds trust.
• Email Marketing → Collect emails from visitors and send promotions, product launches, and helpful content.
• Social Media → Engage your audience on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or Pinterest. Use a mix of organic posts and ads.
• Influencer Collaborations → Partner with influencers or micro-influencers to promote products authentically.
• Paid Ads → Start with low-budget Google Ads or Meta Ads campaigns to target buyers ready to purchase.

💡 Pro tip: Content marketing isn’t just blogging – it’s your long-term traffic engine. Every blog post you write can attract organic search traffic, which keeps bringing potential customers without extra ad spend.

How to create an eCommerce website: Start now!

Are e-commerce websites profitable?

Yes, they can be very profitable, but it depends on your niche, pricing strategy, and marketing.

Starting an eCommerce business means low upfront costs compared to a physical store, so your profit margins can be strong if you manage things wisely.

Here’s what helps boost profitability:

• Picking the right niche (products people actually search for)
• Keeping overhead low with affordable hosting and themes
• Smart marketing: SEO, social media, and email lists can bring in steady traffic
• Using scalable tools like WooCommerce or Shopify so you don’t outgrow your platform

The truth is, eCommerce success usually isn’t instant. But with consistency and a solid store setup, your online shop can absolutely turn into a profitable business.

Which eCommerce business is best?

The “best” eCommerce business depends on your goals, but some models are especially beginner-friendly and profitable:

• Dropshipping → No inventory, lower risk, easy to start (check our master guide to learn how to build a successful dropshipping business!)
• Print-on-demand → Great for creatives designing apparel, mugs, or home goods (for POD enthusiasts, we have covered the pros and cons of Etsy print on demand!)
• Niche stores → Selling specialized products can help you stand out
• Digital products → E-books, templates, and courses have almost no overhead
• Art shop → Selling art prints and commissioned art is great for artists/designers, and you can have full control of commission pricing

If you want full control and flexibility, building your own online shop with WooCommerce is one of the best choices. It allows you to test business models, switch niches if needed, and expand your store without migrating platforms.

What are the disadvantages of e-Commerce?

While running an online store has a lot of perks, it’s not perfect. Some common challenges include:

• High competition – millions of stores are out there, so you’ll need to stand out (💡pro tip: picking the right niche for you is the easier way to stand out and build a loyal following)
• Ongoing costs – hosting, plugins, and marketing add up
• Technical learning curve – especially if you’re building your own online shop
• Customer trust – shoppers can’t touch or test products, so reviews and clear policies matter
• Shipping and returns – logistics can get tricky, especially if you sell internationally

That said, most of these challenges can be managed with the right setup. For example, reliable hosting (like DreamHost or SiteGround) ensures your site runs smoothly, while tools like Divi or Ashe PRO help polish your store’s design with just a few clicks and boost credibility.

What is the difference between e-business and e-commerce?

People often use these terms interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same.

• E-commerce → specifically refers to buying and selling goods or services online. Think online stores, digital marketplaces, or even selling through Amazon.
• E-business → is broader. It covers all digital business activities, including e-commerce, but also things like online customer support, digital marketing, and cloud-based operations.

So if you’re setting up an online shop to sell products, that’s e-commerce. But if you’re also running an email marketing campaign, automating invoices, or handling customer support online, that’s part of your bigger e-business strategy.

In short, all e-commerce is e-business, but not all e-business is e-commerce.

Related: 10 Best Affordable Email Service Providers for Small Business Owners

What is the cheapest website for e-commerce?

If you’re on a tight budget, platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer low-cost entry plans, but they’re more limited in scalability. On the other hand, WooCommerce is often the most cost-effective option long-term.

Why?

WooCommerce itself is free, and WordPress themes can give your store a professional look without custom development costs. Your main expenses will be hosting and optional premium plugins, which you can scale up as your store grows.

So if you’re looking for the cheapest way to create an online store that you can also expand later, WooCommerce with shared hosting is usually the best value for beginners.

Which eCommerce platform is best for beginners?

If you’re just starting out, the best platforms for beginners are the ones that combine ease of use, affordability, and flexibility.

• WooCommerce (on WordPress) → A bit more setup, but it’s the most flexible and cost-effective long term.
• Shopify → Probably the easiest for total beginners. Everything is hosted, and you can set up quickly.
• Wix → Great for small shops and creatives who want a drag-and-drop builder.
• Squarespace → Known for beautiful templates, good for creative businesses with smaller catalogs.

What is the most used e-commerce site?

Globally, Amazon is by far the most used eCommerce website. It dominates the market, with millions of sellers and customers buying everything from books to groceries.

What makes Amazon so attractive to eCommerce is its massive marketplace that already has millions of active buyers – meaning you don’t need to worry as much about driving your own traffic in the beginning (although Amazon fees can take a 50% cut of a seller’s revenue).

For building your own store, however, the most widely used platform is WooCommerce. It powers more than a quarter of all online shops worldwide, thanks to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and massive plugin ecosystem.

So, while Amazon is the king of marketplaces, WooCommerce is the go-to for entrepreneurs who want to create their own eCommerce website to sell products independently.

How to start an ecommerce business on Amazon

What makes Amazon so attractive to eCommerce is its established marketplace – as we’ve seen above – which means you don’t have to worry as much about driving your own traffic right away.

Starting your store here is faster and less technical than building your own website, but it does come with its own rules and fees.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

• Sign up for an Amazon Seller account → You can choose between an Individual plan (pay per sale) or a Professional plan (monthly fee).
• Research your products → Check the demand, competition, and fees to find profitable items.
• List your products → Add high-quality images, clear titles, bullet-pointed features, and detailed descriptions.
• Set pricing and shipping → Decide if you’ll fulfill orders yourself (FBM) or use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
• Optimize your listings → Use keywords naturally in your titles and descriptions to improve visibility in Amazon search.
• Launch your store → Monitor performance, respond to reviews, and adjust pricing or advertising to increase sales.

💡 Pro tip: Starting small lets you test demand without a huge upfront investment. You can always expand your catalog later.

Final thoughts on how to create an ecommerce website

Creating an eCommerce website doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By selecting the right platform, hosting, and theme, and prioritizing product quality, user experience, and marketing, you can launch a professional online store, even as a beginner.

Whether you decide to use WooCommerce with DreamHost or SiteGround, or start selling on marketplaces like Amazon, the key is to take action step by step and keep optimizing as your business grows.

Remember: success in eCommerce isn’t just about setting up a website! It’s about finding a profitable niche, providing value, and consistently promoting your products.

Start small, stay consistent, and scale smartly. Your store can thrive, and with the tips and checklists in this guide, you now have a solid roadmap to make it happen.

FAQ: How to create an ecommerce website