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by Mike Vestil 

How To Create A Website To Sell Products

If you’re ready to start earning money online, creating a website to sell products is a fantastic place to start. Nowadays, online shopping is more popular than ever—but how can you get in on the action as a seller? 

When creating your own website to sell products, it’s essential to consider what website builder to use, what products you will sell, and how to ensure your store stands out against the competition. This article will take you through how to make your own website to sell products, so that you’ll be ready to launch your site successfully and start making money.

Let’s get started!

How To Make A Website For Selling Products: Overview

How To Make A Website For Selling Products

Image credit:.Bitdegree.org

The internet has created opportunities for people to sell products and services to a global audience. Setting up a website to sell things can be a lucrative endeavor, but there are certain things you need to do to make your site successful. In the following sections, I’ll guide you through how to sell on your own website.

How To Create A Website And Sell Products

First, you need to create a sales plan to determine your niche and who your target market is. This roadmap of your business will help you decide which type of website you need, as well as the products you should sell. Additionally, you should think about your branding, marketing strategy, and how you will handle customer service.

The next thing to consider is the products you want to sell. Not all products are created equal, and some will sell better than others online. You'll need to research what products are popular online and what your competition looks like. Later in the article, I’ll take you through some ideas so you can begin to brainstorm what your website niche will be. 

Once you have created a plan for your business, you need to set up a website to sell your stuff. You’ll need to evaluate your experience and determine how much time you want to delegate to creating your website. If this is your first time opening an online store, you should consider using an online website builder.  

Now that you understand the overall process, let’s get into the details of building a website. 

How To Create A Website To Sell Things

You’ll need a website to house your store when you're looking to start selling products online. You could hire a web developer to create a custom website, but that can be expensive. A quicker and cheaper option is to use a website builder.

Many different website builders are available, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some are better for creating simple websites, while others are more suited for complex eCommerce stores. There are free and paid options—the more you spend, the more access to special eCommerce features you will have. However, I will outline both types below, so you can still build a website even if you don’t have much money to spend. 

Best Paid Website Builders

Paid website builders are digital platforms that allow you to create a professional-looking website without coding or design experience. They typically have templates you can customize and provide hosting and domain name registration.

There are many different paid website builders available, so it's essential to do your research before choosing one. Below are some of my recommendations to help you get started (and if none of them feel like the right fit, be sure to check out my article on the best CMS for online businesses for more options!)

Squarespace

Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder that offers award-winning templates and an intuitive platform to help you design a beautiful selling website in minutes. Additionally, the platform provides various tips for wealth, ranging from built-in marketing tools to free webinars, to help you get started. 

Squarespace offers a free trial, so you can see if the platform is right for you. If you decide it’s the perfect fit, there are a variety of paid plans to choose from, starting at just $16 a month.

Shopify

Shopify

Shopify is one of the top website builders in the game and for a good reason—the site offers easy-to-use templates, seamless advertising integrated with social media sites, and a large community of like-minded sellers to interact with on Shopify forums.

Shopify offers a free trial, and if you like what you see, you can take your store live with any of their plans. It’s important to note that Shopify is a bit more expensive than Squarespace, starting at $29 a month.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce

If you're looking for an eCommerce platform that provides everything you need to start selling online, BigCommerce is a fantastic option. It's one of the most popular website builders out there, and it's packed with features to help you succeed, from customizable checkout options to powerful marketing tools. 

You can try BigCommerce free for fifteen days before deciding on one of their three pricing plans. The platform is comparable to Shopify pricing, with the cheapest plan priced at $29.95 monthly. 

Best Free Website Builders

If you’re new to selling online, you may want to consider using a free website builder before investing in a paid plan. Luckily, there are a few fantastic options that come at low to no cost! Let’s take a closer look at how to make a free website to sell things.

Wix

Wix

Wix is a free website builder that allows you to create a website in minutes. There are no subscription fees (although if you want more features, you can upgrade to a premium plan), and Wix is incredibly easy to use—even if you don't have any experience building websites. You can choose from various templates or design your own site from scratch. And, if you need help, Wix has plenty of tutorials and support materials available online.

WordPress

WordPress

Wondering how to make a free website to sell things that’s also used by millions of other people? WordPress is a popular website builder and one of the cheapest options if you’re looking to create an online store. While you’ll be able to develop a site for free, the paid plans are also quite affordable and give you access to a free domain name, customer support, and over 50,000 WordPress plugins that can help you improve the functionality of your website.

Webflow

Webflow

Another awesome website builder for selling products is Webflow, an easy-to-use site developer that requires no coding expertise. The free option gives you access to a domain name and allows you to list 50 CMS items, so you can start selling products immediately upon launching your site.

What To Sell On A Website

What To Sell On A Website

Image credit: Saga.co.uk

The sky's the limit when it comes to what to sell on a website. But that doesn't mean that everything will sell well. It’s essential to do some research and find out what people are buying online before investing in inventory. You’ll want to decide on a specific niche as part of your business plan, whether that’s selling organic goods or designer bags, to better appeal to your target audience. 

Below are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Physical products: This could include anything from apparel to pet supplies. Determine your niche, and you’ll find many buyers looking for exactly what you’re selling. 
  • Homemade products: If you’re crafty, monetize your hobbies by selling your own products online, whether it’s jewelry or homemade cards. 
  • Digital products: This category includes e-books, digital courses, or even software products. Digital products are a great option because they're easy and inexpensive, and there's no shipping involved.
  • Services: Are you a great writer? Why not start an online writing service? Are you handy with tools? Start an online home repair service. The possibilities are endless regarding services that you can offer online.

To further research what products are trending, you can use tools like Google Trends and the Amazon Best Sellers list. 

When learning how to make money with a job, the first step is to find the perfect product to sell. Then, things will become much more straightforward.

How To Set Up A Website To Sell Things: Tips And Tricks

How To Set Up A Website To Sell Things: Tips And Tricks

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Choosing a website builder and sourcing your products are essential steps when opening an online business, but there are other aspects of your digital store to consider. Below are some suggestions to ensure that your store is not only functional, but exceptional.

How To Build A Website For Selling Products

  • Create an attractive and user-friendly website: Your website is the face of your business, so it's important to make sure it looks good and is easy to use. Use simple fonts and colors, and make sure your product images are high quality. Also, be sure to include clear descriptions of your products and pricing information. It’s also important to check that your site is accessible on mobile devices and that customers can shop on their phones. 
  • Choose an accurate domain name: When choosing a domain name, make sure it's easy to remember and reflects the type of products you're selling. You should also consider what keywords people will search when looking for your product—for example, if you sell dog food, try to have the keyword “dog food” in your domain name or URL. 
  • Use professional graphics and photos: Make sure your website uses professional graphics and photos. This detail will make your site look more credible and trustworthy to potential customers and is worth the investment, even if you have to hire a professional photographer or developer. 
  • Promote your store: Use social media sites like Instagram and Facebook to get the word out about your store. Many website builders, like Shopify and Squarespace, have options to let you run advertisements through their platform, so research what marketing options you have before deciding on a plan. 

FAQ: How To Start A Website To Sell Products

How Can I Create A Free Website To Sell Products?

There are many ways to make a website to sell stuff for free. One way is to use a free website builder like Wix, WordPress, or Webflow, which offer free plans.

How Can I Make My Own Website To Sell Things?

Creating your own website is a great way to sell your products and services online. Many website builders are available, allowing you to create a website for free. These builders are easy to use and enable you to create a professional-looking website in minutes. You can add images, videos, and text to your website, and you can also add a shopping cart to sell products and services online.

Which Online Platform Is Best For Selling Products?

Regardless of your budget or experience, there is a website builder out there to fit your online selling needs. Below are some of my suggestions, as mentioned in the article:

  • Squarespace
  • Shopify
  • WooCommerce
  • Wix
  • WordPress
  • Webflow

Building A Website To Sell Products: Final Thoughts

Building A Website To Sell Products: Final Thoughts

Image credit: Dreamhost.com

Creating an online website is a fantastic way to start selling products. It's easy to set up and doesn't require a lot of money, depending on the website builder you select. However, there are a few things to remember when starting out. When you build a website to sell products, make sure your budget fits your plan, and that you have researched what items will sell well online. You should also have a target market and as part of a niche that helps you stand apart from other sellers. 

While making a website may initially seem overwhelming, you can be on your way to a successful online business with some planning and effort! With the help of this guide, you will know how to build a website to sell products. And if you need more ideas on how to make money online without the hassle (plus some tips for happiness and tips for traveling) be sure to check out my book, “The Lazy Man’s Guide To Living The Good Life.” 

Happy selling!

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About the author 

Mike Vestil

Mike Vestil is an author, investor, and speaker known for building a business from zero to $1.5 million in 12 months while traveling the world.

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