Beginner's Guide
How to Start an Online Store in 2026
Pick your path below — the first step is the same for everyone: check your name is available before you fall in love with it.
Jump to your path:
Starting a Shopify Store
Shopify is the fastest path from zero to selling product online. Here are the five steps.
Pick your store name and check availability
Brainstorm names that match your product and brand. Use Namecheckly to check your domain and social handles simultaneously.
Check with NamechecklyRegister your domain
Register at Namecheap for transparent pricing and support. Choose .com if available. Enable domain privacy and email forwarding.
Register at NamecheapChoose your Shopify plan
Shopify offers $1/month for 3 months as a new merchant offer, then plans start at $29/month. Read the pricing guide for details.
See Shopify pricing guideSet up your store
Pick a theme, add your products, configure payments, and customize your storefront. Shopify's onboarding walks you through everything.
Start Shopify for $1/monthStart selling
Add payment methods, set up shipping, and go live. Check out the dropshipping or print-on-demand guides for passive income models.
Dropshipping guideMore Shopify resources:
Starting an Online Business
An online business can be a service, SaaS, agency, or product — the setup steps are the same.
Brainstorm and vet name ideas
Use our name generator tools or brainstorm manually. Test ideas for memorability, domain availability, and brand fit.
Check name availabilityCheck domain and social handles
Ensure your name is available as a domain AND on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc. Consistency across platforms is critical.
Check all platforms at onceRegister your domain
Register at Namecheap. Choose .com if available; .io or .co work as alternatives. Enable email forwarding.
Register domainClaim your social handles
Register the same handle on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter immediately — even if you don't post yet. Prevent handle squatting.
Naming consistency guideBuild your website
Set up a simple landing page or full website. Use Lovable for quick builds, or Squarespace/WordPress for more control.
Full beginner's checklistMore resources:
Creating a Portfolio Website
Target: Photographers, designers, writers, developers, creative professionals.
Your portfolio domain is your professional identity — it needs to be consistent across social platforms and look professionally designed.
Choose your portfolio name
Decide between your full name (janedoe.com), a studio name (janedoephoto.com), or a professional handle. Your choice sets your personal brand.
Check name availabilityCheck domain and social media availability
Your name should match across your domain, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms. Use Namecheckly to check all at once.
Check Instagram + LinkedIn + domainRegister your domain
Register at Namecheap. .com is strongest for portfolios. If taken, try variations (jdoe-photo.com) rather than niche TLDs.
Register at NamecheapChoose a portfolio builder
Squarespace (beautiful templates, no code), Webflow (full control + design), Framer (for developers), or Lovable (fastest setup).
See portfolio builder guideConnect domain and publish
Update your portfolio builder's DNS settings to point to your domain. Takes 10 minutes. Then fill it with your best work.
Full portfolio domain guideLearn more about portfolios:
Building a Website
Not sure which category fits? If you need a website, start here.
Pick your name
Brainstorm a site name or use your personal/business name. Keep it simple, memorable, and easy to spell.
Check name availabilityGet your domain
Register at Namecheap. Choose .com first. Alternative TLDs (.io, .co, .design) work if .com is taken.
Domain guideChoose a platform
Wix and Squarespace for beginners (drag-and-drop, all-in-one). WordPress for blogs. Lovable for custom sites.
See comparisonConnect domain and launch
Point your domain to your platform using nameservers. Add your content. Publish and go live.
Domain registrar guideCommon questions
What's the difference between a domain and a website?
A domain is your online address (yourname.com). A website is the content hosted at that address. You can own a domain without a website, but you need both for a live online presence.
Do I need a business license to sell online?
Requirements depend on your location and business type. Most solopreneurs can start without a formal license, but you may need one for tax purposes or once you hit a revenue threshold. Check your local regulations.
How much does it cost to start an online store?
Budget $10–100+ per month: domain ($8–15/year), platform ($0–300/month for Shopify), email ($0–5/month), and SSL certificate (usually free). You can start lean with free tiers and upgrade as you grow.
Should I register my domain before building my site?
Yes. Register your domain first, then build your site. Registering early prevents name changes and ensures you have your first-choice brand locked in. You can build your site in the weeks after.
Can I change my store or business name later?
You can buy a new domain and redirect the old one, but rebranding is costly (lost SEO, customer confusion). Get your name right the first time — use Namecheckly to check domain + social handles together.
What's the best platform for a complete beginner?
Shopify for e-commerce (simplest setup, most support), Squarespace or Webflow for portfolios (beautiful templates, no coding), or WordPress/Lovable for blogs (most customization). Pick the one that fits your goal.
Ready to claim your name?
Check availability across domains and social handles — free, instant, no signup required.
Check availability nowThen follow the five steps above for your path.
