You sell and want to stop depending on a marketplace or selling only through Instagram and WhatsApp. You want your own online store — with your brand identity, no per-sale commission, and control over your sales. This guide shows what a professional store needs, the ways to build one, and what can't be missing.
What every online store needs
Your own domain — your internet address (mystore.com). Conveys professionalism and is easy to remember. Costs between €10 and €20 per year.
Product catalogue — one page per product, with a quality photo, full description, price, and stock.
Cart and secure checkout — the customer adds products and pays safely. A complicated checkout is the leading cause of cart abandonment.
Payment method — integration (Stripe) to accept card and bank transfer.
Order management — a dashboard to see orders, update statuses, and manage stock.
Reliable hosting — the store must always be online, fast, and secure.
The three ways to have a store
| Path | What it is | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS platform (Shopify, WooCommerce) | fixed monthly fee; easy to set up, but customisation limits and cost that grows with volume | those who want to start fast and simple |
| Custom-built store | one-time investment, depending on scope; full control and no platform subscription | those already selling regularly who want margin and brand |
| Marketplace (Amazon, Etsy) | no upfront cost, but commission on every sale | validating a product and using it as an acquisition showcase |
On when a marketplace pays off and the real math of 2026 commissions, we have a full guide dedicated to that decision: own store or marketplace.
What can't be missing from your store
Card and bank transfer payment — essential, completed by the customer themselves.
Work well on mobile — most purchases today happen on a phone; the store must be flawless on mobile.
Basic SEO — optimised product titles, descriptions that answer customer questions, and readable URLs.
Clear delivery and returns policy — lack of clarity about shipping makes customers abandon the cart. Be transparent.
WhatsApp integration — for the last-minute question before completing the purchase.
When your own store is worth it
If you already sell regularly — even through Instagram or WhatsApp — your own store starts to make sense. The tipping point is usually when marketplace commission or the time spent managing sales by hand costs more than the store. Do the math for your case: what you pay in commission per month tends, within a few months, to cover the cost of your own store — and from then on, it's a recurring saving.
How Dilevate builds stores
Our stores are built with Next.js (fast and modern), Stripe for payment, an order management dashboard, and hosting on Vercel (speed and availability). The process is simple: brief, design, development, testing, and launch. You follow and validate each step before going live. If you want a store that truly works, get in touch: we analyze your product and situation to recommend the best approach.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to create an online store?
Is card payment essential?
Own store or marketplace, which is better?
How long until the store is ready?
Need help with this?
Dilevate helps small businesses grow online. Free quote, no commitment.
