With the abundance of resources available online, taking your store online is a breeze. Making use of free online store hosting comes in handy! If you want to build an online store without spending any money, you’ve found the right place. Read on to see the list of the best free online store websites you can opt for. We also explained the steps to take to build an online store. Why not dive in to get the full information?<\/p>
Having an online store will make your business more visible to your target audience to see. The following are the free online stores you can go for:<\/p>
When it comes to online stores, WooCommerce is by far the most widely used solution. This is because WooCommerce is not a stand-alone e-commerce platform, but rather a free, open-source WordPress plugin. This open-source program is compatible with any web host and is available at no cost to users.\u00a0WooCommerce requires an existing WordPress installation. It’s flexible and extensible because it’s open source. There are thousands of free and premium themes and plugins available, as well as SEO tools, shipping add-ons, and communication modules.\u00a0<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> Wix includes a user-friendly website builder (similar to Weebly or Squarespace) to assist you in making a website the simple way (using drag-and-drop) or the even simpler way (using Wix’s ADI artificial intelligence designer). Furthermore, it allows for extensive customization without any knowledge of code. Wix is a great option if you want to combine your social network presence with your online store, or vice versa.<\/p> Companies like how Wix listens to its clients and implements their suggestions for new features and improvements. Wix’s numerous storefront configurations are among its most valuable features.\u00a0 You can also accept online bookings, arrange for orders to be picked up later, and sell event tickets in addition to physical things.<\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> Shopify also provides a hosted version of its shopping cart software. You may create an online store and start accepting orders risk-free for 14 days with no obligation to provide financial information. Shopify’s flexibility and feature set have made it a frontrunner among eCommerce systems. After the trial period expires, users can choose from four membership options that range in price from $9 per month for the most basic to $299 per month for the Advanced Shopify plan.<\/p> The Shopify platform is free to use, but there are additional fees for things like premium store themes, a physical point of sale, and shipping labels. Shopify makes it easy to buy domain names within the platform, but you’ll have to foot the bill for this service.<\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> Using the Web.com eCommerce platform has its perks, and one of them is that you get a free custom name and SSL certificate from them when you host your store with them. Though there is no free option for Web.com’s platform, the first month will only set you back $1.95.\u00a0 The eCommerce plan starts at just $3.95 per month once the first month has passed, which is still a tremendous value.<\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> In contrast to the other solutions we’ve discussed in this piece, BuyNow Plus has fewer features than the others. You can use it to make “Buy Now” buttons for your website or blog. You will need to sign up for a free Stripe account in order to utilize BuyNow Plus. It is one of the best free online store hosting you can opt for.<\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> Ecwid may be the answer if you are seeking a low-cost multichannel eCommerce solution like online sales galleries. The first ten products you list on the platform are free, and each subsequent item, as well as any premium services, will cost you only $15 a month.<\/p> Ecwid enables e-commerce on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.\u00a0 Another piece of good news is that your Ecwid store will fit in nicely with your existing Wx, Joomla, Square Online, WordPress, or Square Online website. It is one of the best free online store hosting you can go for.<\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> The Square payment system drives Weebly.\u00a0 It’s not as well-known as some other shopping cart software, but it’s a powerful, free option. The availability of a free eCommerce package is a major selling point for Weebly. However, it won’t let you use your own domain name and will instead fill your online store with advertisements from Weebly and Square.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> However, features like an online store and promotional materials are included in the free plan to help you get started. You can use your own domain and get additional features with one of several paid options.\u00a0 The Personal plan begins at $6 monthly, while the Professional plan, beginning at $12 monthly, provides a free domain name and eliminates advertisements from your online store, giving it a more polished, professional appearance.<\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> Businesses of all sizes have found success with BigCommerce’s online store creation tools. If you don’t already have a website, you can use their WordPress plugin to set up an online store, or they provide a fully hosted eCommerce platform. The first month of using BigCommerce is free, giving you plenty of time to create your store and familiarize yourself with the platform before you have to start paying. Beginning use of this system couldn’t be simpler.<\/p> BigCommerce provides a comprehensive set of tools for establishing, running, and expanding an online store. <\/p> Pros:<\/strong><\/p> Cons:<\/strong><\/p> Thinking of how to build an online store by using free online store websites? Here are some steps to build an online store:<\/p> The first step is to evaluate the market potential of your products. This is when studies of the market come in handy. Whether you’re developing a new musical instrument or a canned remedy for tiredness, your research aims to help you evaluate the viability of your product. In order to determine who to sell to and how to improve their product, businesses must conduct market research.<\/p> By conducting market research, you can find a specific segment in which to:<\/p> The decision about which platform to choose is not simple. You may begin promoting your wares on social media or launch your very own e-commerce website. The optimal e-commerce platform for you will be unique to your business, your product, and your desired level of involvement with your online store.<\/p> The following are things to consider when choosing a free online store hosting for your online store:<\/p> There are two primary approaches to creating an online store: (1) developing the store as a standalone asset, and (2) incorporating the store within an already existing website. You can set up individual storefronts on most Ecommerce platforms. On that system, you can make pages and customize the various elements. The overall website design might be affected by these platforms’ global settings.<\/p> However, there are situations when a second website is unnecessary because the first one already has plenty of visitors. Some platforms provide an embedding option to monetize this traffic without the need for a second website on a different domain (or subdomain). Using embedding, a shopping cart may be added to a website created using nearly any website builder. <\/p> The data that makes up your online store is crucial. Internet users will be able to locate your wares by searching for keywords related to your store’s name on popular sites like Google and Facebook.<\/p> If you want to compete with giants like Amazon and Etsy on the web, you need a domain name that is just as memorable and easy to remember. Pick a name that you are confident will resonate with your target market.<\/p> Making interesting product pages is a must when designing a website for your retail establishment. To make purchasing a breeze, you must prepare your product category pages, compose compelling product descriptions, and upload engaging images.<\/p> Make sure people can easily find your products through online searches by using consistent labels and keywords on your product pages. Make sure your product page is engaging by providing useful information and eye-catching visuals to potential buyers. Find out what makes a good product page and how to make one.<\/p> If you want people to buy something from you, you need to give them as much information as possible about it. Don’t worry about overwhelming your audience with details, especially if the images already reveal the solution. You should provide information in various locations so that customers who may have missed certain data in one location can easily locate it in another. Find out what you can about describing products.<\/p> Your products (and your ability to sell them) are the lifeblood of your business. How you present them attractively online can make or break your success at converting site visitors into buyers. The first step you should take is to take some carefully planned photographs. Today’s smartphones already have camera quality that exceeds that of many point-and-shoots. It’s simple to ensure that your product images are of great quality. Take some classes on photographing products.<\/p> The majority of e-commerce website builders provide templates for websites in a variety of market (or product) verticals. In this context, “verticals” refer to content that specifically targets your target audience. Pick a format that works for you and tweak it so it fits in with the rest of your company’s materials.<\/p> Shipping and tax issues must be resolved before goods may be delivered to the customer. Choose a shipping method that works well for your business and your clients. Select your desired shipping method, and then decide whether to use a free shipping option, a flat charge, live carrier rates, or a combination of these two. Make sure your shipping policy is as transparent as possible to give customers the best possible experience. Terms, fees, and restrictions should all be spelled out.<\/p> Taxes are something that will have to be looked into once you’ve settled on a location for your company. One of the first things you should do when starting a business, especially one that operates online, is investigate taxation policies. Even though you probably don’t think about accounting very often, you still need to keep up with it. <\/p> When launching an online store, it’s important to provide customers with reliable and hassle-free payment methods. That’s why it’s important to give some serious consideration to your online payment options. Managing your company’s cash flow is just as important as meeting your customers’ expectations. The kind of infrastructure your company needs will depend on the kinds of payments it accepts.<\/p> In today’s corporate world, it is common practice to accept a variety of different payment types, including but not limited to cash, cheques, credit\/debit cards, money orders, bank transfers, and online payment gateways like PayPal.<\/p> Once you’ve finished configuring your online store, you may check off each item on the list below to make sure everything is in order. As soon as you do that, you can open for business!<\/p> The following are features to look for when choosing from free online store websites:<\/p> Yes, you can, with some free online stores. Weebly is a great option if you want to open an online store without spending any money. Unlike Shopify and BigCommerce, there is no trial period, and the free plan is permanent.<\/p> Wix allows you to open an online store for free, without any sort of trial period. You should switch to a Business or eCommerce Premium account whenever you’re ready to start accepting payments on your site.<\/p> No, you can\u2019t. You need an e-commerce website if you run a company that sells goods or provides a service. In order to make the buying and selling process easier for both you and your consumer, you should use an e-commerce website. It takes more effort and resources to run a brick-and-mortar store.<\/p> You can achieve the same results by selling your company online without a website. In order to get your products in front of the right people at the right time, you need to use marketing channels and sales methods that put you in the right place. signing up for internet shops like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon. Incorporating social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.<\/p> All of Shopify’s pricing tiers come with a free trial. However, there is no free option available. During the free trial period, you can create your store, but you won’t be able to sell anything unless you upgrade to a premium plan.<\/p> You can open an online store with the help of any number of outstanding eCommerce platforms, both free and paid. Many of these services allow you to create, maintain, and expand your online shop without ever having to pay a dime. Before settling on a free online store for your eCommerce business, make sure you’ve explored all of your possibilities. Make sure the choice you choose has the capabilities and integrations that will help your business thrive as it expands, whether that’s locally or worldwide.<\/p>#2. Wix<\/span><\/h3>
#3. Shopify<\/span><\/h3>
#4. Web.com<\/span><\/h3>
#5. BuyNow Plus<\/span><\/h3>
#6. Ecwid<\/span><\/h3>
#7. Weebly<\/span><\/h3>
#8. BigCommerce<\/span><\/h3>
How to Build an Online Store<\/span><\/h2>
#1. Conducting Market Analysis<\/span><\/h3>
#2. Choosing a Platform<\/span><\/h3>
#3. Creating a Storefront<\/span><\/h3>
#4. Choosing a Domain Name<\/span><\/h3>
#5. Adding Products to Your Online Store<\/span><\/h3>
Product page<\/span><\/h4>
Product descriptions<\/span><\/h4>
Product images<\/span><\/h4>
#6. Customize the Look of Your Online Store<\/span><\/h3>
#7. Set Up Shipping and Taxes<\/span><\/h3>
#8. Set Up Payment Methods<\/span><\/h3>
#9. Launch Your Online Store<\/span><\/h3>
Features to Look for When Choosing from Free Online Store Websites<\/span><\/h2>
Can You Set up an Online Shop for Free?<\/span><\/h2>
Is Wix Ecommerce Free?<\/span><\/h2>
Can You Have an Online Store Without a Website?<\/span><\/h2>
Can I Sell a Product Without a Website?<\/span><\/h2>
Is Shopify Free to Use?<\/span><\/h2>
Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>
Related Articles<\/h2>
References<\/h2>