What you actually need to create a store website
A store website needs three separate pieces: a domain name (the web address people type), hosting (the server that holds your files), and a platform to build the actual store. You do not need to code. Most store builders — Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace — handle all three or connect them for you, so you pick one platform and it handles the rest.
The choice between platforms matters because they differ in cost, how much control you have, and what you can do later. A hosted platform like Shopify charges monthly but handles security and backups. Self-hosted platforms like WooCommerce cost less per month but require you to manage your own hosting and updates. Neither is wrong — it depends on whether you want simplicity or flexibility.
Key Takeaways
- You need a domain name, hosting, and a store platform, but most store builders bundle these together so you only sign up once.
- Hosted platforms like Shopify charge monthly but include security and backups; self-hosted platforms like WooCommerce cost less but require you to manage technical details.
- Your platform choice affects what payment processors you can use, how much you pay in transaction fees, and whether you can move your store later.
- Before you pick a platform, decide what you are selling, how many products you have, and whether you need features like subscriptions or digital downloads.
Hosted platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace
Shopify is the largest hosted store builder. You pay a monthly fee ($29 to $299 depending on the plan), and Shopify handles your domain, hosting, security, and backups. You pick a template, upload product photos and descriptions, set prices, and connect a payment processor. Shopify takes a small percentage of each sale on top of the monthly fee, and you pay transaction fees to your payment processor (usually 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction if you use Shopify Payments).
BigCommerce works the same way but costs more ($29 to $239 monthly) and is built for stores with more products or higher sales volume. Squarespace is cheaper ($18 to $33 monthly) but has fewer store-specific features — it works well if you are selling a small number of items alongside a portfolio or blog.
The advantage of hosted platforms is simplicity: you do not manage servers, install updates, or worry about security patches. The disadvantage is that you own nothing — if Shopify changes its fees or policies, you have to accept it or move your entire store elsewhere, which is time-consuming.
Self-hosted platforms: WooCommerce and Magento
WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress that turns a blog into a store. You pay for hosting separately (usually $5 to $20 monthly from providers like Bluehost or SiteGround), buy or build a theme, and install WooCommerce. You then manage your own updates, security, and backups — or pay your host to do it for you.
WooCommerce costs less per month than Shopify, but you are responsible for keeping the software updated and making sure your site does not get hacked. If something breaks, you fix it or hire someone to fix it. You also have complete control: you can modify the code, use any payment processor, and move your store to a different host whenever you want.
Magento is a more powerful self-hosted platform built specifically for stores, not blogs. It costs more to set up and requires more technical knowledge, so it is usually chosen by stores with thousands of products or complex needs.
Choosing between hosted and self-hosted
Pick a hosted platform if you want to launch quickly, do not want to manage technical details, and are willing to pay monthly fees. Pick self-hosted if you have technical skills (or are willing to learn), want to own your data, or plan to run the store for many years and want to minimize long-term costs.
Consider also what you are selling. If you sell physical products, you need shipping calculators and inventory tracking — both platforms have these. If you sell digital products (ebooks, software, courses), WooCommerce and Shopify both handle downloads. If you need subscriptions or recurring billing, Shopify and BigCommerce have built-in tools; WooCommerce requires a paid plugin.
Payment processing is another factor. Shopify pushes you toward Shopify Payments (which charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction), but you can use Stripe or Square instead (same fees). WooCommerce works with any processor, so you can shop around for the lowest rates.
The actual steps to launch
For Shopify: sign up at shopify.com, choose a plan, pick a template, add your products (name, photo, description, price), set up tax and shipping rules, connect a payment processor, and publish. The whole process takes a few hours if you have product photos and descriptions ready.
For WooCommerce: buy hosting, install WordPress, install WooCommerce, pick a theme, add products the same way, set up tax and shipping, connect a payment processor, and publish. This takes longer because you are managing more pieces, but the monthly cost is lower.
Both platforms let you test your store before customers see it. Shopify has a preview mode. WooCommerce sites are usually private until you publish them. Use this time to check that product photos look right, prices are correct, and the checkout process works.
Costs you will actually pay
Shopify: $29 to $299 monthly, plus 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (or less if you use a different processor), plus $11 to $299 annually for a custom domain if you do not use a Shopify domain.
WooCommerce: $5 to $20 monthly for hosting, $0 to $200 annually for a theme, $0 to $50 annually for plugins, plus payment processor fees (usually 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). Total first-year cost is often $100 to $300 less than Shopify, but you are doing more work.
BigCommerce and Squarespace fall between these two. Both include a domain and hosting in the monthly fee. Neither charges a percentage of sales like Shopify does, but transaction fees still explore.
What happens after you launch
After your store is live, you need to tell people it exists. This means social media, email marketing, or paid ads — none of which the platform does for you. Most store builders include basic analytics so you can see which products sell and where visitors come from.
You will also need to handle customer service: answering questions, processing refunds, and managing returns. Shopify and WooCommerce both have tools for this, but the work is yours.
If your store grows and you outgrow your platform, moving is possible but painful. Shopify stores can export product data but lose customizations. WooCommerce stores can move to a different host but require technical work. Plan for this possibility when you choose, but do not let it paralyze you — most stores stay on their first platform for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to code to build a store?
No. Shopify, BigCommerce, and Squarespace require no coding — you use a visual editor. WooCommerce also does not require coding to set up, but if you want to customize the design beyond what themes offer, coding helps. You can hire a developer for that part.
Can I sell on multiple platforms at once?
Yes. You can sell on your own website and also on Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. Some platforms like Shopify have integrations that sync inventory across channels, so you do not oversell. WooCommerce requires plugins to do this.
What if I want to switch platforms later?
You can export your product data (name, price, description, photos) from most platforms, but you lose customizations, customer data, and order history. Switching is possible but time-consuming. Choose a platform you can live with for at least a year.
Which platform is cheapest?
WooCommerce has the lowest monthly cost if you manage it yourself. Squarespace is cheapest among hosted platforms. Shopify is most expensive monthly but includes more features and support. The "cheapest" depends on whether you count your own time as a cost.
Do I need SSL or a security certificate?
Yes. All store platforms include SSL (the lock icon in your browser) by default now. It encrypts customer payment information. You do not need to buy it separately.