9 Steps for starting an online business the right way (and how to create an online store that actually sells)

Bruno Veberis
9 Steps for starting an online business the right way (and how to create an online store that actually sells)

Starting an online business used to be considered a high-risk, high-cost venture. Years ago, if you wanted to sell products online, you’d have to hire a developer, pay thousands for a custom-built website, set up your own servers, and figure out a complicated payment system. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has completely changed.

Now, anyone — from a student with a side hustle idea to a small business owner looking to expand online — can create an online store quickly and affordably. All it takes is a clear plan, the right ecommerce platform, and a step-by-step process to follow.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start an online store: from choosing your product idea to setting up shipping and payments, from launching your ecommerce website to optimizing it for more sales. We’ll also explore how platforms like Mozello make the process simple, even if you’ve never built a website before.

By the end, you’ll not only know how to create an online store — you’ll also have a roadmap to turn it into a successful online business.

What You Really Need to Start an Online Business

The essentials are surprisingly simple. To get your online store off the ground, you’ll need:

  • A business idea – A product or service people want to buy.
  • An online store – Your digital shopfront, where visitors can browse and purchase.
  • A product source – Whether that’s your own creations, a supplier, or a dropshipping partner.
  • Payments and shipping methods – The logistics that make transactions smooth.
  • Marketing and traffic – Without this, your store is invisible.
  • Data-driven improvements – To refine and grow over time.

And no, this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a modern ecommerce website builder like Mozello, you can design your store, add products, connect payments, and go live without needing to hire a developer. This is why so many small businesses are now making the move online.

Part I: What Will You Sell?

Step 1: Find Your Business Idea

The starting point for any online business is deciding what to sell. Many beginners get stuck here, thinking they need a completely original, groundbreaking idea. The truth is, originality is optional — solving a problem is what matters.

Think of it this way: most successful online stores sell products that already exist. People don’t need something entirely new; they want something reliable, well-presented, and convenient to buy.

Here are some strategies to generate your idea:

  • Follow your passions: If you love cooking, consider selling specialty utensils or custom recipe kits. Passion keeps you motivated.
  • Identify problems: Is there something people often complain about? A small solution could turn into a profitable product.
  • Look to trends: Check Google Trends, TikTok, or Etsy to see what’s popular. For example, eco-friendly products, wellness items, or home organization tools are all growing categories.
  • Niche down: Instead of selling “clothing,” focus on “sustainable yoga wear” or “matching outfits for pets and owners.” Narrow niches often win.

💡 Tip: Write down five potential product ideas, then score them on demand, competition, and personal interest. This will help you choose a winner.

Step 2: Research Your Market

Once you have a shortlist of ideas, it’s time to research. This step separates dreamers from doers.
Here’s how to validate your idea:

  • Check demand: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to see how many people are searching for your product.
  • Analyze competitors: Look at their websites. What are they doing well? Where do they fall short? If reviews mention “slow shipping,” you’ve found a weakness to improve upon.
  • Estimate profitability: Calculate potential profit margins. For example, if a product costs $5 to source but sells for $30, that leaves room for marketing and shipping costs.
  • Test quickly: Before committing, try listing your product on a small scale (e.g., on social media or a marketplace) to see if people show interest.

Many entrepreneurs skip this step, but it’s one of the most important. A little research upfront can save you months of wasted effort later.

Step 3: Source Your Product

Now that you know people want your product, you need to secure supply. There are multiple approaches:

  • Make it yourself: Ideal for handmade or custom products.
  • Work with a manufacturer: For larger-scale physical products.
  • Print on demand: T-shirts, mugs, posters, and more can be automatically created when ordered.
  • Dropshipping: You sell products that ship directly from the supplier to the customer. No need to hold inventory.
  • Digital goods: Create e-books, online courses, templates, or digital art. Zero shipping required.

In the beginning, don’t overcomplicate things. You don’t need a warehouse of stock. Just make sure you can fulfill the first few orders once your online store is live.

Part II: Setting Up Your Store

Step 4: Build an Online Store

This is the step that turns your idea into reality. Without an online store, you can’t make sales. Thankfully, website builders like Mozello make it simple to design a professional-looking ecommerce site without coding.

Here’s how it works with Mozello:

In just a couple of hours, you can go from having nothing to owning a fully functional ecommerce website. That’s the beauty of using a beginner-friendly platform instead of spending weeks building from scratch.

💡 Pro tip: Keep it simple. A clean, easy-to-navigate store is better than a cluttered one.

Step 5: Organize Shipping

Shipping is often underestimated by new business owners. Customers expect fast, affordable, and reliable delivery.

Early on, you don’t need an advanced logistics system. Here’s what you can do:

  • Ship parcels directly through your local post office.
  • Partner with courier services for faster delivery.
  • Use parcel lockers or machines for convenient pick-up points.
  • Offer free or flat-rate shipping to simplify costs.

As your sales grow, you can negotiate bulk shipping discounts or work with fulfillment centers. But in the beginning, focus on simply getting products to customers quickly and safely.

Step 6: Set Up Payments

Payments are the lifeblood of your online store. If customers can’t pay easily, they won’t complete their purchase.

Mozello integrates with popular payment systems like:

  • PayPal
  • Stripe (for card payments)
  • Bank transfers
  • Cash on delivery in certain regions

Setting this up is straightforward and takes just minutes. Once connected, your ecommerce platform is ready to accept money worldwide.

💡 Tip: Offer at least two different payment options. Customers are more likely to buy if they can choose their preferred method.

Part III: Optimize and Market

Step 7: Final Polish and Launch

Launching your store is an exciting milestone. But before you hit “publish,” do a quality check:

  • Proofread all text for typos.
  • Test the full buying process, from adding a product to checkout.
  • Double-check your contact details and store policies.
  • Ask a friend or relative to place a test order.

When everything runs smoothly, go live. Remember, your store doesn’t need to be perfect at launch. It needs to be functional and ready for feedback. You’ll improve it as you go.

Step 8: Attract Traffic

An online store without visitors is like a shop hidden in the middle of the desert. You need traffic — real people browsing your products.

Some beginner-friendly ways to drive traffic include:

  • Social media marketing: Share posts on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or Pinterest.
  • Search engine optimization (SEO): Use keywords like “create an online store” naturally in your content.
  • Content marketing: Start a blog on your site. For example, if you sell skincare, write about routines, ingredients, or trends.
  • Paid advertising: Start small with Facebook Ads or Google Ads. Even $5 per day can bring in your first visitors.
  • Email marketing: Collect emails and send updates, offers, and tips.

💡 Pro tip: Focus on one channel first. Master it before expanding to others.

Step 9: Improve with Data

Once your store is live, the real growth happens when you start making data-driven improvements.

Analytics tools show you:

  • Which pages get the most visits.
  • Where visitors drop off in the checkout process.
  • Which products sell best.
  • Where your traffic comes from.

With this information, you can refine everything: improve product descriptions, test different photos, adjust pricing, or try new marketing campaigns.

Think of your online store as an evolving project. Every week, make one small improvement. Over time, these small changes compound into big results.

Choosing the Right Ecommerce Platform

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is your ecommerce platform. This determines how easy it is to build, manage, and grow your online store.

There are many options out there, but for small businesses and beginners, simplicity and affordability are key. That’s where Mozello stands out and is a great Shopify alternative especially for businesses just starting out.

Here’s why Mozello is a smart choice if you’re wondering how to start an online store:

  • All-in-one solution: A website builder and ecommerce tools in one.
  • Beginner-friendly: No coding required.
  • Multilingual support: Sell in multiple countries.
  • Affordable plans: Perfect for making a website for a small business.
  • Scalable features: Start small and add more as you grow.

With Mozello, you don’t just create a website — you build an online store designed to sell.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Create Your Online Store

Starting an online business doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or overwhelming. By following these 9 steps, you can go from idea to launch without years of trial and error.

The most important part is to take action. Don’t wait until everything feels “perfect.” Launch your store, learn from real customers, and improve as you grow.

If you’re serious about building an online business, there’s no better time than now. With Mozello, you can create an online store in just a few hours, customize it to your brand, and start selling worldwide.

👉 Ready to bring your business idea to life? Create your online store with Mozello today and take the first step toward your online success.