Starting an ecommerce business with zero capital can feel overwhelming, but thanks to modern technology, there are plenty of platforms that let you build your online store without upfront costs. In this tutorial, we’ll dive deep into how you can choose the right platform, set up a free domain name, and find hosting that costs you absolutely nothing.

Step 1: Choose a Free Platform

Before you start uploading products and designing your store, the first step is picking the right platform. A platform acts as the backbone of your ecommerce business. It’s where your products will live, where customers will shop, and how transactions will be processed. Luckily, there are several free or freemium platforms that let you set up a fully functional store without asking for any money upfront. Let’s explore a few of the best options:

WooCommerce

If you’re familiar with WordPress, WooCommerce is a fantastic option for building your online store without spending money. In fact, it’s one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the world. It’s a plugin that integrates seamlessly with any WordPress site and allows you to transform your blog or website into an online store.

Here’s why WooCommerce is a great option:

• Completely Free: The plugin itself is free, and you can use it on any WordPress site. Of course, you will still need to pay for hosting if you don’t already have it.
• Customizable: You can tweak your store to your heart’s content using WordPress themes and plugins. If you know how to work with WordPress, WooCommerce gives you endless flexibility.
• Extensive Plugins: WooCommerce works with thousands of plugins to help you add features like payment gateways, shipping calculators, and product variations without needing any coding knowledge.

Who It’s For: WooCommerce is perfect if you already have a WordPress site or are familiar with WordPress. It’s also great if you want maximum control over the look and functionality of your store. However, it does require you to be a bit more hands-on with the setup and maintenance.

Shopify Free Trial

Shopify is another widely-used ecommerce platform, but it’s different from WooCommerce in that it’s a fully-hosted solution. This means Shopify takes care of all the technical aspects of running your store, like hosting, security, and updates. It’s designed to be user-friendly and is particularly great for beginners.

What’s great about Shopify is that they offer a free 3-month trial. During this period, you can create your store, list products, and even make sales before you start paying for any plan.

Here’s why Shopify stands out:

• Beginner-Friendly: You don’t need any coding or technical knowledge to set up a store on Shopify. Their drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to design and manage your store.
• All-in-One Solution: Shopify provides everything you need to run your store, from hosting to customer management. You won’t have to worry about setting up plugins or choosing a hosting provider.
• Support: Shopify has excellent customer support. If you ever run into issues, their team is available 24/7 to help you out.

Who It’s For: Shopify is perfect for people who want a simple, all-in-one solution. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking to get your store up and running quickly, without having to worry about technical details like hosting or security. Keep in mind that after the free trial, Shopify does require a subscription.

Big Cartel

If you’re only selling a few products and want to dip your toes into ecommerce, Big Cartel is an excellent option. This platform is more niche and is particularly popular with artists, creators, and small businesses that don’t have a large inventory.

What makes Big Cartel unique is their free plan, which allows you to list up to 5 products without any monthly fee. If you’re just starting out and don’t have many items to sell, Big Cartel lets you test the waters without any cost.

Here’s why Big Cartel could work for you:

• Free for Small Sellers: If you’re only listing a few products, Big Cartel’s free plan is an easy way to start selling online without paying a monthly fee.
• Simple Setup: Big Cartel is designed for simplicity. You won’t find a ton of advanced features, but it’s very easy to use, and you can have your store up and running quickly.
• Good for Creatives: If you’re an artist or a creator selling a few unique items, Big Cartel’s minimalist design and straightforward approach make it an attractive option.

Who It’s For: Big Cartel is best for small sellers with just a few products. It’s a good platform for artists, creatives, or anyone who wants a simple, no-frills online store.

Step 2: Domain Name (for Free)

Once you’ve chosen your platform, the next step is to secure a domain name. A domain name is your store’s web address, like www.myonlinestore.com. It’s the link customers will use to find your site. When starting out, you can get a domain name without paying a cent.

Start with a Free Subdomain

Most ecommerce platforms offer a free subdomain when you sign up. A subdomain is a web address that includes the platform’s name in it, like www.myonlinestore.bigcartel.com. While this may not look as professional as having your own custom domain, it’s a great option if you’re starting out with no budget.

Here’s how subdomains work on different platforms:

• Shopify: With Shopify’s free trial, you’ll get a free subdomain like yourstore.myshopify.com. You can use this to start selling immediately.
• WooCommerce/WordPress: If you’re using WordPress, you can use a free subdomain like yourstore.wordpress.com. This is fine for starting out, but you’ll want to upgrade to a custom domain once you have the budget.

Free Custom Domains (for a Year)

If you want a custom domain name but don’t have the budget, look for deals that offer free domains for the first year. Many domain registrars and hosting companies run promotions where you can register a domain for free during the first 12 months. Here are a few places to find these deals:

• Namecheap: Namecheap often runs promotions where you can get a domain name for free or for just a few dollars for the first year.
• Bluehost: If you sign up for their hosting service, they’ll often throw in a free domain name for the first year.

Be sure to read the fine print—while these deals give you a domain name for free initially, you’ll have to start paying after the first year, usually around $10–$15 per year.

Step 3: Hosting (on the House)

Your online store needs a place to live on the internet, and that’s where hosting comes in. Hosting is what keeps your store’s files online and accessible to customers 24/7. Fortunately, there are free hosting options out there that let you get started without paying for a hosting plan.

InfinityFree

InfinityFree is a no-cost hosting provider that lets you host unlimited websites without paying a cent. It’s a great option if you’re starting out and don’t want to commit to paid hosting.

Here’s why InfinityFree is worth considering:

• Completely Free: As the name suggests, InfinityFree offers free hosting with no hidden fees or charges.
• Unlimited Bandwidth: This means you won’t have to worry about your site going down if you suddenly get a lot of traffic.
• No Ads: Unlike other free hosting services, InfinityFree doesn’t display ads on your site, giving you a clean, professional look.

Who It’s For: InfinityFree is great if you’re just starting out and want to experiment with your store. Keep in mind that while the service is free, it doesn’t offer the same level of support or performance as paid hosting.

GitHub Pages

If you’re a web developer and are familiar with platforms like Next.js, GitHub Pages offers free hosting for your store’s static files. It’s a bit more technical, but if you’re comfortable with coding, GitHub Pages is a great way to host your store without paying for traditional hosting.

Here’s why GitHub Pages stands out:

• Free for Developers: GitHub Pages is completely free and ideal for developers who want to deploy static websites (sites that don’t need a server to generate content dynamically).
• Easy Integration with Git: If you’re already using Git for version control, deploying your site to GitHub Pages is seamless.

Who It’s For: If you’re a developer and want to keep your costs down, GitHub Pages is a great option. It’s free, reliable, and integrates well with development workflows.

Why It Matters:

Getting the fundamentals right from the start is key to building a successful ecommerce business. By choosing a free platform, securing a domain name for free, and finding zero-cost hosting, you can launch your online store without worrying about upfront expenses. This means more money in your pocket, less stress about the technical setup, and more focus on growing your business. When you’re starting with no budget, every penny counts, and following these steps ensures you’re not spending anything before you make your first sale.

By leveraging free tools and resources, you can build a professional, functional ecommerce store without emptying your wallet. Now, with your store platform in place, you’re ready to move on to designing, adding products, and attracting customers!