Online store definition: Types and how to build

An online store is a website, app or platform that helps businesses sell their products or services digitally. Online stores offer convenience, accessibility, and often a wider range of products than bricks-and-mortar stores, allowing customers to browse, place orders, and make payments virtually.

The types of online stores are endless, but many fall into the following categories:

• General merchandise - The likes of Amazon and eBay sell a wide range of goods from household goods to electronics
• Niche market - ASOS sells clothes and accessories, Chewy sells pet supplies and Ocado sells groceries
• Subscription - Birchbox and Dollar Shave Club provide beauty and men’s grooming products respectively when customers sign up for regular deliveries
• Digital products - Mobile app stores like Google Play Store allow users to download applications, while the Amazon Kindle Store performs a similar role for books
• Services - Upwork, Coursera, and Booking.com offer freelance marketplaces, online courses and travel bookings respectively
• Marketplaces - Platforms like Etsy and Alibaba list thousands of different online stores, connecting them instantly with consumers
• B2B - SwagUp, Acme and General Electric all sell directly to business
• Local - DoorDash, Instacart, and Postmates prioritise local and regional markets

Building an online store requires several steps. Here's a brief overview:

• Pick an online selling platform that suits your needs, such as Builder.ai, Shopify or WooCommerce
• Buy a domain name and set up hosting
• Add your branding to your store and make customisations
• Upload your products to your catalogue, including descriptions, images and prices
• Set up shipping options and create payment gateways
• Test the functionality of your online store before going live
• Launch your store and create marketing strategies that drive traffic to it