Checklist: Building an Online Store
From writing product descriptions and capturing stunning imagery to setting up shipping and order fulfillment, there are many steps to creating an online store. As a web designer, you can help clients sell their products and services and set them up with a website that attracts and converts customers.
Whether your client is starting a new business and needs an online store built from scratch or an experienced entrepreneur who wants you to optimize and refresh their existing website, you can provide world-class web design services with Squarespace’s robust suite of ecommerce features.
1. Interview your client
Ask your client about their business and goals. You’ll want to know what kind of products or services they sell, whether they offer subscriptions or gift cards, and what kind of content they already have. Using this information can help you work with your client to select the right Squarespace plan for their business.
2. Outline the store
Once you understand your client’s needs, outline the information architecture of the store. This includes creating a clear user journey and making it obvious what visitors should do when they land on your client’s site. Mapping out specific sections like the header and footer, homepage, and product pages can help you lay out the site effectively.
3. Choose a design
Look to your client’s branding for inspiration as you select their website’s design, color scheme, and fonts. You’ll want the website to closely resemble their current aesthetic (unless part of the project is to revamp all visual marketing). For instance, if you are building a website for a clothing line, you may be inspired to incorporate characteristics of the store’s inventory.
4. Build it out
Some of the same principles apply to building an online store as they do to building a personal website or portfolio. You’ll still want to adjust styles, layouts, and content.
Additional steps to building an online store include:
Building out the products page and product items
Writing product descriptions
Customizing the checkout process with checkout form and store policies
Connecting a payment processor
Setting up taxes
Setting up shipping rates
Connecting social media accounts
Boosting search engine optimization (SEO)
Customizing order emails
Enabling customer accounts
Pro tips:
Squarespace offers integrations that help streamline the fulfillment process. You can connect these to your client’s site for an extra charge, or as part of a package.
The Squarespace App can help streamline the fulfillment process and is available for iOS and Android.
If you’re building for a client outside of the US, check out Squarespace’s supported countries and currencies.
5. Place a test order
If your client is selling products online, you’ll want to go through the flow of purchasing and returning a product to verify the store functions and products appear as intended. Consider completing this step with your client so they can see how their customers interact with their website and buy from them.
6. Client walkthrough
Unless your client plans to keep you on retainer to provide long-term support, it’s a good idea to show them how to add, edit, and remove products. This will help them manage the store, adjust inventory, and update policies on their own after you hand over the site.
Pro tip: Record a tutorial for each client that you deliver as part of the client handoff. If your client wants to hire you for updates later on, keep rates in mind for this type of service.
7. Publish
It’s time to turn that trial into a live website. If your client will be paying for the Squarespace subscription themselves, remember to enter their payment details as you complete this step.
Pro tip: As an added bonus, Circle members and their clients get 20% off new annual subscriptions. Learn about additional Circle member benefits.
The ecommerce industry is vast and full of unique businesses with varying needs. Squarespace offers Basic and Advanced Commerce plans to support your clients as they meet their business goals.
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional web designers, developers, digital entrepreneurs, and creatives. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from all across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
