Shop Checklist! Online Shop Setup for Beginners
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about online shop setup for beginners. Setup means getting everything ready!
Every online business needs a little setup besides its profile. The setup checklist has five kinds. An Own Online Shop might use all five one day, but only FOUR from the very first day!
The four you need
- Your offer
- Legal pages
- Payments
- Shipping
The fifth, partner agreements, only matters later, if your shop grows so much that shipping everything yourself gets too hard.
1. Your offer
Your offer is how your products look to the world: name, description, pictures, price and checkout.
Marketplaces have a built-in listing tool. Websites use tools like Shopify or Wix. In a social store, your offer is your post plus a payment link.
Tips for a clear offer:
- Take clear photos in daylight, from different sides.
- Explain size, material and care in simple words.
- Show the total price, with shipping, as early as possible.
- Say how long delivery takes, especially for made-to-order things.
2. Legal pages
When you run your own shop, it’s your job to show your legal pages to every visitor. At least: a privacy page, terms and conditions, a returns page, and a shipping page. They usually go at the bottom of every page, and near the checkout.
On a marketplace, some of this is covered by the marketplace’s own rules. But you still need your own shop rules, like returns. The legal requirements article explains the basics!
3. Payments
Customers pay you directly, so you need a safe way to get paid. Stripe and PayPal are the most popular. Both connect easily to most shops.
Shopify has its own built in. Stripe payment links work great in a social store, but then you have to count your stock yourself!
4. Shipping
This is what makes an Own Online Shop different from most other ways. You keep real products, and when someone buys, it’s your job to pack and send them! So you need at least one delivery company.
Watch shipping costs!
Shipping often costs more than people expect. And if a customer sees a surprise shipping fee at the very end, they might leave without buying!
So weigh and measure your packed product before you set a price. Check the cost to your main countries. Then decide: include shipping in the price, or show it separately?
Packaging matters!
Good packaging protects your product AND makes a great first impression. Pick a box that fits closely. And a little thank-you note costs almost nothing, but people remember it!
The step that can wait
Partner agreements are only for Route B, which is optional. Beginners almost never need one. So skip this step on the mountain path for now!
Small and private
You can do all four setup steps with free tools or tiny one-time costs. No monthly payments before anyone knows your shop! Upgrade when visitors come.
You can bring visitors yourself, no agency needed. And none of this needs your face!
What’s next?
That’s the end of the Own Online Shop module! Yay! The next article starts the second of the ten ways to earn, affiliate marketing, with five example characters. The whole module is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help set up your shop? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
What does an online shop need to start?
Four things: your offer, legal pages, payments and shipping.
Which legal pages do I need?
Privacy, terms and conditions, returns, and shipping.
Which payment helpers are most common?
Stripe and PayPal. Shopify has its own too.
Are there step-by-step lessons for starting each of the ten ways cheaply?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
How does shipping change my prices?
It can cost more than you think. Plan for it, and show it early!
Where can I get help starting a shop on a small budget?
Lynnaider shows you how to start an Own Online Shop for free, or for very, very little money. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step!
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
