How I Built My Online Store With $0 in 2025

Summary

In this video, Isabella, the owner of two successful six-figure online businesses, shares a step-by-step guide on how to create an online store for free. She emphasizes the ease of setting up an e-commerce website without spending any money, even for drop shipping or selling physical products. Isabella highlights a free website host that provides more features than other popular platforms like Shopify and Wix. Through her personal experience, she provides tips on adding products, managing shipping, setting up payment methods, and customizing store designs. The video is a helpful resource for anyone looking to start an online business with minimal investment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zero-cost website host: You can create an online store without any upfront or monthly fees, making it accessible for beginners with limited budgets.
• 😀 Platform for all types of stores: The website host works for a variety of businesses, including dropshipping, handmade goods, and e-commerce stores.
• 😀 No sponsorships or paid courses: The video emphasizes that there are no sponsored promotions, and the information shared is unbiased and independent of any course-selling agendas.
• 😀 Quick setup: You can create an online store in less than 10 minutes, even if you're starting with no prior experience.
• 😀 Free domain: The platform provides a free domain, though you can later purchase a custom domain if you prefer.
• 😀 Easy product addition: You can add products from suppliers like AliExpress, with the platform allowing you to easily upload images and set pricing.
• 😀 Shipping setup options: You can choose between fixed-rate shipping or free shipping, with the platform supporting easy shipping configuration.
• 😀 Multiple payment gateways: The platform supports PayPal, Stripe, and Square, with Stripe being recommended for its professionalism.
• 😀 Simple design customization: The platform offers easy-to-use themes and design options, allowing you to create a professional-looking store even without design skills.
• 😀 Marketing matters more than the domain: Isabella stresses that successful marketing is the key to making sales, rather than stressing over a paid domain or advanced design features.

Q & A

Why does Isabella recommend using a free website host for an online store?

Isabella recommends using a free website host because it allows beginners to start their online business without any upfront costs. She emphasizes that many business owners, including herself, started with free platforms due to limited budgets. Even as her businesses grew, she would still use free website hosts because they offer valuable features without ongoing monthly expenses.

How can you create an online store using the platform Isabella recommends?

You can create an online store by signing up for a free account on the website host Isabella recommends. After creating your account, you can follow a checklist to set up your store, add products, customize your site design, set pricing, and integrate payment options—all in under 10 minutes.

What type of businesses can benefit from the free website host Isabella suggests?

The free website host can be used by anyone starting a dropshipping store, selling handmade or physical goods, or offering any type of product. It’s a versatile platform suitable for a wide range of business models.

What are the potential drawbacks of using free website hosts for an online store?

While free website hosts have many advantages, one drawback is the inclusion of a domain name with the host’s extension (e.g., 'cozyhomes.company.site'). However, Isabella mentions that this is not a deal-breaker, and businesses can still see success through effective marketing even without a custom domain.

How does the payment setup work on the recommended platform?

The platform allows users to accept payments via PayPal, Square, and Stripe. Isabella personally recommends using Stripe, as it is often seen as more professional and reliable by customers. She also suggests reaching out to customer support if you encounter any issues with the payment integration process.

Why does Isabella discourage offering free shipping in an online store?

Isabella shares her personal experience, noting that she has never offered free shipping on her stores and still made a lot of sales. While many dropshipping stores offer free shipping, Isabella prefers to charge a flat shipping rate (e.g., $5.50), as it allows for clearer pricing and better management of costs.

What is the importance of store design, and how can it be customized on the platform?

Store design plays a key role in creating a professional and trustworthy appearance. On the recommended platform, users can choose from various themes and customize their store’s headline, images, background, and sections. Isabella encourages users to experiment with the design to make their store visually appealing and reflective of their brand.

How can users add and manage products on the free website host?

Users can add products by either uploading their own images or using images from suppliers (e.g., AliExpress). They will enter product titles, descriptions, and pricing details. The platform also allows users to set up shipping options and integrate a 'Buy Now' button for each listing.

What should users do to ensure their product listings appear correctly on the website?

Users need to make sure that the 'show product image' option is enabled in the product listing settings. Additionally, they should ensure the 'show buy now button' is checked and that all product images and information are properly saved. This will ensure the product appears correctly on the site.

How does Isabella suggest handling the website’s domain name if users are on a budget?

Isabella advises users not to worry about purchasing a custom domain right away. The platform provides a free domain with the host’s extension (e.g., 'cozyhomes.company.site'). She mentions that even with this free domain, her businesses were successful, and if users eventually want to purchase a custom domain, it’s an affordable option (around $10/year).