Starting an online store used to require developers, designers, and significant technical investment. Today, anyone can launch a professional store without writing a single line of code.
This guide walks you through the entire process—from choosing what to sell to processing your first order. Whether you're selling physical products, digital downloads, or services, you'll have a functioning store by the end.
What You Actually Need
Let's start by demystifying what an online store requires. The essentials are simpler than most people think.
Products: Something to sell. This could be physical items you ship, digital files customers download, or services you deliver.
Product pages: Where customers see what you're selling—photos, descriptions, prices.
Shopping cart: Where customers collect items before buying.
Checkout: Where customers enter payment and shipping information.
Payment processing: How you actually collect money.
Order management: How you track and fulfill orders.
Custom development: Modern store builders handle everything.
Expensive hosting: Cloud-based platforms include hosting.
Design skills: Templates make anyone look professional.
Inventory management software: Built into most platforms.
Separate payment accounts: Integrated payment processing handles this.
Step 1: Choose What to Sell
Before building anything, clarify what you're selling. This affects which platform features matter.
Items you ship to customers. Requires:
• Inventory tracking
• Shipping integration
• Variant management (sizes, colors)
• Physical product photography
Examples: Clothing, accessories, home goods, art prints, handmade items, books.
Files customers download after purchase. Requires:
• Secure file hosting
• Automatic delivery
• Download limits (optional)
• License management (optional)
Examples: Ebooks, templates, software, music, photos, courses, presets.
PayRequest's digital products feature handles secure delivery automatically.
Time or expertise customers book. Requires:
• Booking system
• Calendar management
• Possibly deposits or deposits
Examples: Consulting, coaching, design services, tutoring, photography sessions.
Many businesses combine types:
• Physical products + digital bonuses
• Services + digital resources
• Digital products + live coaching
Choose a platform that supports your full model, not just your primary product type.
Step 2: Select Your Platform
No-code store builders vary in focus and features. Match the platform to your needs.
PayRequest excels at selling digital products and services. The store feature combined with digital products provides:
• Instant product setup
• Automatic file delivery
• Multiple payment methods
• No transaction fees from the platform
• Built-in customer management
Best for: Creators, coaches, consultants, digital product sellers, service providers.
Shopify dominates physical product e-commerce with:
• Robust inventory management
• Shipping integrations
• Extensive app marketplace
• Point-of-sale for retail
Best for: Retail businesses, product brands, high-volume sellers.
Etsy provides a built-in marketplace audience:
• Existing buyer traffic
• Simplified setup
• Community features
• Built-in search visibility
Best for: Artisans, crafters, vintage sellers who want marketplace exposure.
Gumroad offers minimal setup for basic selling:
• Quick product creation
• Built-in audience features
• Simple pricing
Best for: Creators testing products, simple digital sales.
Step 3: Set Up Your Products
With a platform chosen, it's time to add products. This process is similar across platforms.
Before starting, gather:
• Product name
• Description (short and detailed)
• Price
• Photos (multiple angles for physical, mockups for digital)
• Variants (if applicable)
• Category
• Files to deliver
• File format details
• Any usage instructions
• Dimensions and weight
• Shipping requirements
• Inventory count
• SKU or product code
Good product descriptions sell. Poor ones don't.
Structure: 1. Hook: First line grabs attention 2. Benefits: What the customer gets (outcomes, not features) 3. Details: Specifications they need to know 4. Social proof: Reviews, testimonials, or usage numbers 5. Call to action: Clear "add to cart" prompting
*"Stop starting from scratch. This Notion template organizes your entire client workflow—from inquiry to invoice—in one dashboard.*
*What you get:* *- Pre-built client database with smart views* *- Project tracker with automated status updates* *- Invoice log with payment reminders* *- Meeting notes linked to each client*
*Used by 500+ freelancers to manage clients without chaos.*
*Works with Notion free and paid plans. Instant download after purchase."*
For physical products, photos sell. Invest time here.
• Main product image (clean, well-lit)
• Multiple angles
• Scale reference (show size)
• In-use or lifestyle shots
• Detail close-ups
• Mockups showing the product in use
• Screenshots of what's included
• Before/after if applicable
• Natural light near a window works well
• Plain backgrounds (white, wood, fabric)
• Smartphone cameras are sufficient with good lighting
• Free mockup generators exist for digital products
Pricing affects both sales and profit. Consider:
• Cost of goods
• Shipping materials
• Platform fees
• Desired profit margin
• Competitor pricing
Formula: (Cost × 2.5 to 4) = Retail price
• Creation time investment
• Ongoing value to customer
• Competitor pricing
• Volume expectations
Digital products can often command higher margins since there's no per-unit cost.
Step 4: Configure Payment Processing
You need to actually collect money. Modern platforms make this straightforward.
Stripe: Most popular for online payments. Works worldwide, handles cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
PayPal: Familiar to customers. Good for international payments.
Mollie: Popular in Europe. Supports iDEAL, Bancontact, and other local methods.
PayRequest integrates with all three through payment providers, letting you offer multiple options.
Typical setup process:
1. Create account with payment provider 2. Complete verification (identity, bank account) 3. Connect to your store platform 4. Test with a small transaction
Timeline: Stripe and PayPal can be ready in hours. Bank verification might take 1-2 days.
Every payment method has fees:
• Cards: Typically 2.9% + €0.30 per transaction
• iDEAL/SEPA: Often lower (€0.29-0.50 flat)
• PayPal: Around 3.4% + fixed fee
PayRequest charges 0% platform fees—you only pay the payment provider.
Step 5: Set Up Shipping (Physical Products)
If selling physical products, shipping configuration is essential.
Flat rate: Simple pricing (€5 for all orders). Easy to understand but may over/undercharge.
Weight-based: Accurate but requires product weights configured.
Carrier-calculated: Real-time rates from carriers. Most accurate.
Free shipping: Built into product prices. Great for conversion but requires careful pricing.
Define where you ship and rates for each region:
• Domestic (usually cheapest)
• European Union (consistent rates)
• International (higher rates, more complexity)
Don't forget packaging costs:
• Boxes or mailers
• Packing materials
• Tape and labels
• Branded elements (optional)
Budget €0.50-2 per package for materials.
Step 6: Configure Your Store Settings
Beyond products, stores need configuration.
• Logo
• Colors
• Store name and tagline
• Email address (use a professional domain)
• Phone (optional)
• Physical address (may be required for legal reasons)
• Refund/return policy
• Shipping policy
• Privacy policy
• Terms of service
Many platforms provide policy templates. Customize them for your business.
EU sellers: Must handle VAT. Options:
• Include VAT in prices (simpler for customers)
• Add VAT at checkout (shows net prices)
PayRequest's tax features can automate VAT handling.
US sellers: Sales tax varies by state. Use automated tax calculation.
Step 7: Test Everything
Before launching, test the entire customer experience.
• [ ] Products display correctly
• [ ] Images load properly
• [ ] Descriptions are accurate
• [ ] Prices are correct
• [ ] Categories work
• [ ] Adding items works
• [ ] Quantity updates work
• [ ] Removing items works
• [ ] Cart total is accurate
• [ ] All form fields work
• [ ] Payment processing works (use test mode)
• [ ] Order confirmation appears
• [ ] Customer receives confirmation email
• [ ] Digital products deliver automatically
• [ ] Download links work
• [ ] Physical order appears in admin
• [ ] Test entire flow on phone
• [ ] Buttons are tap-friendly
• [ ] Text is readable
• [ ] Checkout works on mobile
Step 8: Launch Your Store
With testing complete, it's time to go live.
Consider a soft launch before wide promotion:
• Share with friends/family first
• Process a few real orders
• Identify any issues
• Gather initial feedback
If you have existing followers:
• Email list announcement
• Social media posts
• Personal outreach to likely customers
• [ ] All products published
• [ ] Payment processing in live mode
• [ ] Shipping rates configured
• [ ] Policies published
• [ ] Contact info correct
• [ ] Analytics connected (Google Analytics, etc.)
• [ ] Store URL is correct
After Launch: Operations
Running a store requires ongoing attention.
• Check for new orders
• Respond to customer questions
• Monitor inventory (physical products)
• Ship pending orders
• Review sales data
• Update inventory
• Check for abandoned carts
• Analyze best/worst sellers
• Review pricing
• Update product descriptions
• Plan promotions
Prepare for common questions:
• Order status inquiries
• Return requests
• Product questions
• Technical issues
Set up templates for frequent responses.
Growing Your Store
Launch is just the beginning. Growth requires ongoing work.
Email marketing: Collect emails, send updates, announce new products.
Social media: Share products, behind-the-scenes content, customer photos.
Content marketing: Blog posts, tutorials, guides related to your products.
Paid advertising: Facebook, Instagram, Google ads once you understand your customers.
Conversion rate: Test product pages, checkout flow, pricing.
Average order value: Bundles, upsells, free shipping thresholds.
Repeat purchases: Email follow-ups, loyalty programs, new product launches.
Once your store works:
• Add more products
• Expand to new categories
• Consider wholesale/B2B
• Explore new marketing channels
Get Started with PayRequest
PayRequest makes launching a store simple. The store feature handles products, payments, and delivery while you focus on what you're selling.
Combined with digital products for automatic delivery and smart payment links for flexible selling anywhere, you have everything needed to sell online.
No coding. No design skills. Just your products and customers.
Start your store today at payrequest.app/register.