Build Ecommerce Website Free on Google Sites and More

Building an ecommerce website doesn't have to break the bank. Google Sites is a free platform that allows you to create a website in minutes.

With Google Sites, you can choose from a variety of customizable templates to get started. You can add text, images, and other media to make your website visually appealing.

Google Sites also integrates with Google Drive, allowing you to easily upload and manage your website's content. This makes it easy to update your website with new products, promotions, and other information.

Choosing a platform for your ecommerce website can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you covered. There are many options out there, including Magento, Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce, Squarespace, and more.

To choose the right one for your business, consider the type of products you're selling, the size of your business, your budget, and your technical skills. This will help you narrow down your options and find a platform that suits your needs.

Some popular free ecommerce platforms include Ecwid, Big Cartel, and Gumroad, but keep in mind that they may come with transaction fees. Shopify and Wix also offer free ecommerce websites, but you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan to start selling.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing an ecommerce platform:

Remember to think about scalability and whether the platform will grow with your business.

Choosing a business niche is a crucial step in building a successful online store. Your niche is the market segment you'll focus on selling to, and it will help you define your target audience and competitors.

Your niche can be as broad as women's fashion or as specific as men's hiking boots. Consider your interests, skills, and experience when choosing a niche. This will make it easier to stay motivated and focused on your business goals.

A niche store can be more profitable than a general store, as you'll be targeting a specific audience with specific needs. A single product store can also be a good option if you have a unique product that appeals to a wide audience.

To choose a niche, ask yourself: What type of product do you want to sell? Do you want to sell physical products, digital products, or services? What type of store do you want to launch? Do you want a single product store or a niche store?

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a niche:

Finding the right suppliers is crucial to timely order fulfillment. Consider your suppliers' reputation, product quality, and shipping times when making your decision.

Choosing the right eCommerce website platform can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. There are many different types of eCommerce website builders or platforms such as Magento, Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce, Squarespace, and more.

The best eCommerce website builders will have everything you need to get started, including templates, designs, hosting, payment processing, and shipping options. You can choose from a variety of platforms, such as WooCommerce, which is included with WordPress.com and is free.

Some platforms, like Shopify and Wix, will let you create a free eCommerce website, but you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan to start selling to customers. Others, like Ecwid and Big Cartel, offer a free eCommerce platform, but with limitations.

When choosing a platform, consider the type of products you're selling, the size of your business, your budget, and your technical skills. You may also want to think about whether the platform offers a scalable eCommerce project architecture.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform:

By considering these factors and doing some research, you can find the right eCommerce platform for your business.

Choosing a theme for your eCommerce website is a crucial step in creating a personalized and trustworthy storefront. The theme you choose will greatly impact how your customers perceive your brand.

You should consider the theme responsiveness, as it will affect how your website looks on different devices. Some themes are designed specifically for mobile devices, while others are optimized for desktop computers.

The store category the theme is designed for is also important. If you're selling a variety of products, you'll want a theme that can accommodate multiple categories. This will make it easier for customers to find what they're looking for.

Catalog size is another factor to consider. If you have a large catalog of products, you'll want a theme that can handle it. Some themes are designed for small catalogs, while others are optimized for larger ones.

The scope of customization or future expansion is also worth considering. If you plan to add new features or products to your store in the future, you'll want a theme that can accommodate it.

After-sales support is also important. You'll want to choose a theme that has good customer support in case you need help with any issues that arise.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a theme:

To set up your website, start by navigating to Google Sites and creating a free online store. You can add a product like a "vertical bar necklace" and turn on the toggle that says 'Enabled' under 'Product availability'.

To add more products, you would typically create categories, but since we're covering the free plan, let's skip that for now. If you only sell products within a specific region, like New Zealand, you can leave the categories out.

To get started with embedding an online store onto Google Sites, you'll need to use Ecwid and drag the corners and sides of the layout to make it responsive and fit on the page perfectly.

Embedding your online store on Google Sites is a straightforward process. You can successfully embed the Ecwid online store into Google's e-commerce website builder.

To make the store more responsive and fit perfectly on the page, you'll need to drag the corners and sides of the layout.

You can customize the layout of your online store before publishing by heading back to Ecwid and making the necessary changes.

To launch your Google Sites online store and start receiving orders, simply hit the 'Publish' button.

Setting up your website on A2 Hosting is a great way to get started with Spree Commerce. A2 Hosting offers dedicated Spree hosting packages that are more affordable than some other alternatives.

Spree Commerce is a versatile and open-source ecommerce platform ideal for a variety of use cases. It offers pre-built integrations for React and Vue storefronts, support for native mobile apps, and a mobile-first experience.

You can build a fully functional storefront with mobile-first experience using Spree Commerce. Utilize pre-built integrations for React and Vue storefronts, support for native mobile apps on iOS and Android, advanced site search and guided shopping features, and personalized shopping experiences with product recommendations and wishlists.

Spree Commerce is open-source, which means it's a completely 100% free ecommerce platform. However, you will still need to pay for hosting and possibly spend money on hiring a web developer with some professional experience.

Here are some key features of Spree Commerce:

To customize your online store, locate the 'Configuration' menu and click on it. From there, select 'Design' to change the appearance, look, and feel of your store.

You can choose an image size, which determines how products appear on the store, and select a desired image aspect ratio. The 'Darken image backgrounds' option can be enabled or disabled, and you can also customize the product card details and layout.

Here are some key customization options to consider:

Remember, you can always customize these settings later if you don't like the initial results.

To create a page for your website, hover over to the right-hand side of your Google Sites website. This will give you access to various options, including creating a new page.

Name your page, for example, "Store" as we'll be using in this tutorial. This will create a new page that will appear in your menu.

The new page will be empty, so you'll need to add content to it. In this case, we'll be adding our online store.

Customizing your website is a crucial step in making it stand out and reflecting your brand's unique vibe. You can select a look and feel for your online store, using dynamic styling tools to customize colors, fonts, image shapes, and more.

To customize your online store, start by locating the 'Configuration' menu and clicking on it. Then, select 'Design' to customize the appearance, look, and feel of your store.

When choosing an image size, consider how your products will look on the eCommerce store. For this Google Sites ecommerce tutorial, we'll pick 'medium' as the image size.

You can also select the desired image aspect ratio, such as square 1:1. Additionally, enable or disable the 'Darken image backgrounds' option to suit your store's design.

Customizing the product card details and layout is also important. You can change the content alignment to left, right, or justify, and disable or enable the product card frame.

To make your store more user-friendly, choose to hide or show the product price, SKU, image, etc. However, it's recommended to keep the default 'Show' button on for these options.

The Buy Now button can be displayed in two ways: 'Show' (it will appear below the content) and 'Show on mouse hover'. You can customize this option to suit your store's design.

Finally, pick the desired product pagelayout and layout for image gallery thumbnails. Keep checking the preview to ensure everything looks as expected.

Here's a summary of the customization options for your online store:

By customizing these options, you can create a unique and user-friendly online store that reflects your brand's identity.

Having a well-organized and complete website is crucial for a seamless shopping experience. A collection page is a must-have for showcasing related products together.

To create a collection page, you can organize your products in categories such as clothing, shoes, and accessories. This will make it easier for customers to find what they're looking for.

A clear and concise navigation menu is essential for guiding customers to important pages. You should add links to pages like collection pages, about us, contact us, blog page, shipping policy, cancellation policy, refund policy, privacy policy, terms & conditions, and order tracking.

A well-designed product page is also crucial for a successful eCommerce website. Make sure to add high-quality product images that showcase the product from different angles. Use high-resolution photos to help customers get a clear idea of the product's quality and look.

Here are the recommended pages you should add to your eCommerce website:

By adding these pages and optimizing your website, you'll be able to provide a better shopping experience for your customers and increase your chances of success.

Payment and Shipping is a crucial aspect of building an ecommerce website. You'll want to set up multiple shipping methods depending on where your customers are based, such as free delivery, conditional free delivery, flat rate, and custom rates.

For example, you can set up a flat rate of $5 for everyone in New Zealand. To do this, click on 'Add Delivery' under 'Local Delivery', choose a local delivery method, and then tap on the 'Set Up Flat Rate' button. Under 'Delivery rates', select 'Amount (tax-inclusive)' and enter the flat rate.

You can also decide to offer COD (cash on delivery) as a payment method if you're shipping physical products. Additionally, you may want to consider offering "Scan & Pay" or mobile payment methods such as Google Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay Cash, and more.

Here are some common shipping methods you may want to consider:

Remember to keep your customers in the loop about the whereabouts of their order at all times. This can be achieved by setting up shipping zones and rates so that your customers will know how much it will cost to ship their orders.

Setting a competitive price for your product is crucial to attracting and retaining customers. You can find out what your customers are willing to pay by doing market research or a price analysis.

To determine your pricing, you'll want to see how your prices stack up against your competitors. This is where price comparison tools come in handy.

By understanding the market and your place in it, you can set a price that's appealing to your target audience. This will help you stay competitive and avoid pricing yourself out of the market.

To set up payments for your eCommerce website, you'll need to choose a payment processor from options like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net.

Your goal should be to make the payment process effortless for your customers.

Decide whether to offer credit card, debit card, or bank transfer as payment options.

Many eCommerce websites now offer "Scan & Pay" or mobile payment methods like Google Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay Cash, and more.

You can also offer COD (cash on delivery) as a payment method if you're shipping physical products.

Consider offering buy now, pay later with Afterpay, which lets customers pay in four interest-free installments while you get paid in full right away.

Shipping Methods are a crucial part of your online store, and setting them up is quite easy with the right tools.

You can offer multiple shipping methods depending on where your customers are based, such as free delivery or flat rate shipping.

To set up shipping methods, click on 'Add Delivery' under 'Local Delivery' and choose a local delivery method like free delivery, conditional free delivery, flat rate, and custom rates.

You can set up a flat rate shipping method, which means all customers pay the same shipping fee, like $5 for everyone in New Zealand.

When choosing a shipping method, ensure all shipping and delivery details are accurate to avoid any issues.

Here are some common shipping methods to consider:

You can also offer local pickup as a shipping method, allowing customers to pick up their orders in person.

It's essential to consider your shipping location and the type of product you're selling when deciding which shipping methods to offer.

You need to offer at least one shipping method, but you can offer multiple shipping methods if you want, such as Standard, Express, or Next Day delivery.

Finally, make sure your customers are kept in the loop about the whereabouts of their order at all times, including tracking information and estimated delivery dates.

Publishing and Launching your online store is a crucial step, but it's also a breeze with the right tools. You'll want to review all the functionalities and settings of your eCommerce website to make sure everything is working correctly.

Before launching your online store, you should test whether all the product pages are visible. This is a must-have to ensure customers can find what they're looking for.

The shopping cart and checkout process should be optimized for a smooth customer experience. Make sure the shipping and delivery methods are accessible, and the payment methods are functional.

A working contact page and forms are essential for customer support. You should also check if the eCommerce website is responsive on all devices.

Here's a checklist to get you started:

Once you've checked off all the boxes, you're good to go!

You can create a free ecommerce website using various platforms, including Ecwid, Big Cartel, and Gumroad. Ecwid allows you to create a working store for free as part of your business plan, while Big Cartel offers a free Gold plan that lets you start your store with up to five products.

To get started with Big Cartel, you can pick a theme and customize it, add one image per product with product options and categories, and sell in person and on Facebook. However, the free plan has some limitations, such as not being able to have a custom domain or add multiple images per product.

Gumroad is another option, but it charges a commission on everything you sell, unlike other open-source ecommerce platforms. Despite this, it's a great choice for selling digital, physical, and creative goods, and you can create a free ecommerce website upfront.

You can create a free website with Google Sites, and it's surprisingly easy. Google Sites is a free online platform that allows you to create a website with a drag-and-drop editor.

To get started, you can navigate to Google Sites and create a new site. Since we're covering the free plan, you won't need to worry about any costs or subscriptions. One of the products you can add to your Google Sites website is a "vertical bar necklace".

If you want to add more products, you can enable product availability by turning on the toggle that says 'Enabled'. However, since we're on the free plan, you'll only be able to list up to 5 products.

To create an online store page, hover over to the right-hand side of your Google Sites website and name your page. For this example, we'll call it 'Store'. This will give you a new page that you can customize to fit your needs.

You can use the Ecwid online store builder to design an online store for free, and then embed it onto your Google Sites website. This will allow you to sell products online using the Google Sites eCommerce store.

Here are some key features of Google Sites:

The best part is, you can create your online store for free, and you can even integrate it with premium online store builders like Shopify and WooCommerce.

If you're looking for free ecommerce platforms, you've got plenty of options. Big Cartel is one of them, offering a free Gold plan that lets you start a store with up to five products, pick a theme and customize it, and add one image per product with product options and categories.

Ecwid is another option that's free, and it integrates with Google Sites, allowing you to create an online store for free. Gumroad is also a free ecommerce platform, but it charges a commission on everything you sell, unlike other open-source ecommerce platforms.

You can sell digital, physical, and creative goods on Gumroad, but be aware that you'll pay a higher transaction fee in a free account. If you're willing to put up with transaction fees, Gumroad is a viable option.

Here are the 7 best free builders:

Shopify and Wix also offer free ecommerce websites, but you'll need to subscribe to a paid plan once you're ready to start selling publicly. This means they aren't fully free ecommerce platforms in the same way that some of the other options on this list are.

To build an ecommerce website for free, you'll need to start by setting up a local development site. Installing XAMPP on your Windows PC is a great first step, allowing you to host a website right from your own computer.

You can install XAMPP and WordPress together to create a local development site. This will give you a private space to test and experiment with your ecommerce website without affecting the live version.

To launch a new WordPress site, you'll need to start the XAMPP server and access the phpMyAdmin tool. This will allow you to set up a new database for your WordPress site.

With XAMPP and WordPress installed, you can start building your ecommerce website. You can use the WordPress dashboard to customize your site and add ecommerce functionality.