How to Create an Online Store?

"More and more people are deciding to start an online business, and the good news is that creating an online store no longer requires advanced technical knowledge. There are platforms designed so that anyone can sell online within hours, without writing a single line of code.

In this guide, we'll explain how to build your online store from scratch, which platforms are most recommended, and what you should do once your store is ready to start operating.

Most popular ecommerce platforms

Before you start, it's important to choose the right platform for your ecommerce business. Here are some of the most widely used options today:

• Shopify: one of the most complete platforms, ideal for those looking for speed and scalability.
• WooCommerce: perfect if you already have a WordPress site and want flexibility.
• Tiendanube: very popular in Latin America for its ease of use and Spanish-language support.
• Wix: a simple option for those just starting out who prioritize visual design.

Each platform has different advantages, but they all share one thing in common: they let you create an online store with no need to code.

How to build and set up your online store

The process for building an online store usually follows the same steps, no matter which platform you choose.

1. Choose your platform and plan

Select the plan that best fits the size of your store and your budget. Here are some examples of the types of plans ecommerce platforms usually offer:

• Basic Plan: includes the essential tools to create and manage an online store. On some platforms it may be free or have an affordable starting cost.
• Pro Plan: adds more advanced features to drive business growth, such as greater customization, automations, reports, and marketing tools.
• Enterprise Plan: designed for businesses with larger-scale options or specific needs, offering advanced features, greater flexibility, and specialized support.

2. Customize your design

Most platforms offer pre-designed templates you can customize using drag-and-drop tools, with no need to code. Many also let you build a store or design pages completely from scratch, giving you more freedom to develop an experience tailored to your business's needs.

3. Upload your products

Add good-quality photos, clear descriptions, and up-to-date prices so your customers have all the information they need before buying. It's also a good idea to organize products by category and follow content best practices to improve the shopping experience.

4. Set up payment and shipping methods

This step is key to selling online securely and providing a better shopping experience.

Most ecommerce platforms let you set up different payment methods and shipping options with no hassle. Solutions like Ecart Pay can help you accept all payment methods from a single place, providing secure transactions and making it easier to manage your payments.

Tip: You don't need to be a developer to have a professional store. Most of these platforms are specifically designed for businesses with no technical experience.

You've created your store — now what apps should you install?

Once your online store is ready, it's time to integrate apps that help you manage and grow your business. Most ecommerce platforms have an app store where you can discover, compare, and install tools for marketing, customer service, logistics, payments, analytics, and many other functions. These integrations automate processes, optimize your operation, and improve the shopping experience for your customers.

One of the most important integrations for any online store is logistics. Envia.com lets you manage all of your ecommerce logistics from a single platform. Connect your store so your order labels are generated automatically, and get access to preferred rates with more than 10 carriers for local, domestic, and international shipping.

You'll also be able to schedule pickups, offer real-time tracking, send automatic notifications and personalized emails to your customers, and share branded tracking pages to improve the shopping experience.

With integration to more than 40 ecommerce platforms, Envia.com helps you automate your shipping with no monthly fees or hidden costs: you only pay for what you ship.

Creating an online store today is more accessible than ever. With the right platforms and the right integrations, anyone can launch their online business in a short time and start selling online professionally.

Explore the different ecommerce platforms and choose the one that best fits your business's needs. Once your store is ready, remember that Envia.com can help you manage all of your logistics so you can focus on growing your business."