Make Money Now: How to Start an Ecommerce Store That Sells

Imagine waking up to a string of “New Order Received” notifications. Cha-ching 💸.

Not a fluke. Not a one-off. Just your store doing what it was built to do—sell.That’s not some dream reserved for influencers or marketing pros. It’s the reality of ecommerce store owners who started with the right plan.

You’re not here to build a website for fun.You’re here to build something that brings in real orders, real customers, and real momentum.

But, learning how to start an ecommerce store is one thing. Learning how to sell products online? That’s the part most people miss.

This guide fixes that.

We’ll walk through:

• How to choose a product people actually want (and can find)

• What to put on your pages to build trust and drive clicks

• Simple ways to get traffic to your store and guide it toward a sale

Before we jump into tools and tactics, there’s one mindset shift that changes everything and that’s where we’re starting in Step 0.

Step 0: The One Mindset Shift That Helps You Start an Ecommerce Store That Actually Sells

When I built my first online store, I really thought I had it figured out.

I picked a platform, designed the homepage, uploaded my products, wrote some solid descriptions, and even had a discount code ready to go. I thought, “This is it—I’ve launched. Time to sell.”

But sales? Yeah... they didn’t come.

What I’d done, without realizing it, was follow the classic “store-first” playbook:

Set up shop, put your products on display, and wait.

Spoiler Alert: that store failed. (As do 80 - 90% of eCommerce stores worldwide.) And it sucked. I may still be a bit tender from that flop. But honestly? I’m weirdly grateful for it.

Because that experience gave me the exact perspective I needed when I started freelancing. I worked with clients who were also wondering why their “perfectly good” stores weren’t making money; and suddenly, I knew exactly what was missing.

They didn’t need more traffic or prettier pages. They needed a funnel.

Not the over-complicated, guru-style funnel. Just a clear, intentional path that helped their customers say “yes” at the right moments.

That’s funnel-first thinking, and it’s the mindset that changes everything.

Here’s how that looks in a real ecommerce store:

1. Entry point – how people find you

• A blog post that solves a specific problem

• A product quiz that helps them choose

• A helpful social post or opt-in freebie

This isn’t just “marketing”—it’s being useful.

2. The middle – your product page

This is your chance to walk them through the value:

• What’s in it for them?

• Why should they trust you?

• What’s the next best step?

Trust signals. Clear benefits. One obvious button.

3. The exit – what happens next

• If they buy: amazing—offer a bonus, upsell, or bundle

• If they don’t: follow up with an email, reminder, or second-chance offer

A store without a funnel is like a store with no staff. You know, people walk in, look around, and leave confused. And we don’t want that.

That’s what this guide will help you do. Step by step. Because I’ve made the mistakes (painfully), and now I want to help you skip them.

Step 1: Start With a Product People Actually Want (and You Can Guide Them Toward)

Let’s say this upfront: not every product idea deserves a whole online store.

It doesn’t have to be life-changing or revolutionary. But it does need to solve a real problem, make someone’s day better, or at least give them a clear reason to care.

Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a very pretty website… and a very quiet inbox.

Go niche, and think about how people search

Trying to sell “home goods” or “clothes” is like whispering into a hurricane. You need to get specific:

• Who are you helping?

• What’s bothering, frustrating, or slowing them down?

• What would make them say, "Finally, someone gets it"?

This is where a little detective work goes a long way:

• Amazon reviews – Find out what real people love and hate

• Reddit threads – Listen for emotional language around problems

• LowFruits (keyword tool) – See what people are actually Googling

You’re not just here to chase trends. Focus on meeting needs that already exist.

Ask yourself: Can I create a clear path to this product?

This is the golden question.

It’s not just “Is this a good product?” It’s:

Can I imagine how someone would find this, understand it, and decide to buy—without me standing next to them explaining it?

For example:

• Could you write a blog post that naturally leads to your product?
• Could you create a quiz, checklist, or simple offer that guides people there?
• Is there a clear entry point where their problem meets your solution?

If you can’t immediately think of that path, it doesn’t mean the product’s a no-go. But it probably means you’ll need way more marketing gymnastics to sell it consistently. And why make life harder than it needs to be?

🧠 Want to dig deeper into how people move from “just browsing” to “ready to buy”? Check out this guide to the buyer’s journey — it breaks down the key stages and helps you match your product to what your customer needs to see right now.

Step 2: Quick Check – What’s the Best Way to Get Your Product Out There?

Already know what you want to sell? Love that for you.

But before we sprint into building pages and planning promos, let’s hit a quick gut-check: Is your delivery method quietly setting you up for a marketing headache?

Because how you source and deliver your product affects everything:

• How you price

• How you promote

• How you keep customers happy (or stressed out)

And if your fulfillment model can’t keep up with your sales strategy, you’ll feel it fast.

Here’s your super quick delivery cheat sheet:

Now ask: does your model support the kind of store you want to build?

• Can you offer bundles or upsells?

• Is the shipping fast enough for urgency-based promos?

• Can you create a consistent customer experience or are you at the mercy of suppliers?

If you’re already seeing limitations pop up, it doesn’t mean you need to ditch your idea. It just means you’ll need to plan your marketing (and your promises to customers) around what’s realistic.

Build your funnel around what you can actually deliver – not just what sounds good on a sales page.

🚚 Delivery Model Quick Quiz: Which One Might Fit You Best?

Answer a few quick questions to spot your best starting point:

1. I want low startup costs and don’t mind thinner margins. 👉 Dropshipping could be a good fit.

2. I love making things myself and want full creative control. 👉 Handmade might be your lane.

3. I want my own brand, higher margins, and more control over quality. 👉 Private label could be worth the investment.

4. I’m good with slower shipping if it means low risk and unique designs. 👉 Print-on-demand could be your sweet spot.

Step 3: Choose a Platform That Works with Your Store Strategy, Not Against It

You can throw a rock and hit five different platforms promising to make selling online “easy.”

And sure, starting an ecommerce store is easier than it used to be. But picking the wrong platform? That’s like buying the snazziest pair of shoes you’ve ever seen and realizing halfway through the night they’re two sizes too small. Yikes. 

It won’t matter how pretty they look. You’re going to be limping, distracted, and wondering why you didn’t just pick something that actually fits.

The big question: where should you actually build your store?

Here’s the real-world breakdown:

• Shopify – Easy to set up, clean-looking, great for beginners. But those monthly fees and add-ons can sneak up on you like late-night online shopping regrets.

• Wix – Visually simple and very user-friendly. If you want a “look, Mom, I built a site” moment, it’s fine. If you want serious ecommerce growth? It gets cramped fast.

• WordPress – Takes a little more setup love. But if you want real control, better branding, serious marketing tools, and a site that grows with you, not against you—this is the move.

If your goal is long-term sales, flexibility, and real marketing power, WordPress gives you the room you’ll need later (even if you don’t realize it yet).

Why I Recommend WordPress + Thrive if You're Serious About Selling

When people ask me what platform they should use for their ecommerce store, I don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. But if they say something like:

• “I want the freedom to build what I need, without being boxed into templates.”

• “I want to scale without switching platforms three months in.”

• “I’m trying to keep costs down without sacrificing quality…”

That’s when I say, “Okay, let’s talk about WordPress and Thrive Suite.”

Because I’ve seen what happens when you build on the wrong foundation—clients locked into platforms with rising monthly fees, limited customization, and zero flexibility when they’re ready to grow.And I’ve seen how much smoother things run when you start with something that’s meant to evolve with you.

Plus, here’s the stat I always come back to: 👉 Over 43% of all websites are built on WordPress – and for good reason. It’s open-source, endlessly customizable, and doesn’t hit you with recurring fees every time you want to install a new feature.

Here’s what Thrive + WordPress helps you do (without needing a dev team):

• Design pages that actually sell – You can build custom landing and product pages that match your brand, not whatever your theme allows.

• Add conversion elements anywhere – Want to drop in a countdown timer, upsell block, testimonial carousel, or opt-in form? You can. And you don’t have to beg a developer to make it happen.

• Test your ideas before committing – Use Thrive Optimize to A/B test different headlines, layouts, and CTAs, so you know what’s working, not just what looks good.

• Show the right content to the right people – Use conditional display rules to tailor your site based on who’s visiting, what they’ve seen, or what they’ve bought.

If you’re looking for freedom, scalability, and a way to build a store that actually grows with you—this is what I’d recommend every time.

Step 4: Build a Store That Helps People Buy (Not Just Browse)

You know the kind of store I’m talking about.It’s beautifully designed. Gorgeous product photos. Fonts that scream “aesthetic.” Product descriptions that read like they were pulled from a lifestyle magazine.

And yet… no sales.

I remember reviewing a client’s store once. Everything looked amazing—but when I asked what the conversion rate was, they blinked and said,

“Oh. I didn’t really set anything up to track that.”

That’s the problem.

They’d built a brochure, not a buying experience.It’s like setting the table for a five-course dinner but forgetting to cook the food. Looks great, sure. But no one’s sticking around on an empty stomach.

On average, ecommerce conversion rates hover between 2% and 3%. However, top-performing stores – those that provide a seamless, trust-building experience – can achieve rates of 4% or higher.

The difference between an average store and a high-converting one often comes down to the details: clear calls to action, intuitive navigation, and a compelling value proposition.

Your Product Page Isn’t Just “Nice to Look At”—It’s a Guide

Your goal isn’t to impress. You’re here to lead.

Think of your product page like a helpful, zero-pressure store assistant. It’s there to answer questions, calm doubts, and nudge people closer to that “Add to Cart” click.

Every element—headline, image, review, button—has a job to do.

What a Sales-Ready Product Page Actually Looks Like

Here’s what needs to show up if you want people to go from “hmm” to “I need this”:

✅ A clear, benefit-driven headline (not “Cotton Hoodie – Beige”)

✅ High-quality images that show details and tell a story

✅ Social proof – reviews, real customer photos, or video testimonials

✅ A bold, uncluttered “Buy Now” button

✅ Trust boosters – shipping info, refund policy, secure checkout badges

✅ Optional urgency – a countdown, low-stock alert, or limited bonus

If it’s not helping someone make a decision, it might be getting in the way.

Need more tips for improving landing page conversions? Check out this guide.

Real Talk: The Tools Make This Way Easier

Don’t worry—you don’t need to know code or have a design background to make this happen. The right tools let you do it fast and make it look polished.

🛠 With Thrive Architect, you can:

• Drag in pre-built blocks for testimonials, comparisons, and guarantees

• Build layouts that spotlight what matters most (and ditch the distractions)

• Create mobile-friendly versions so your page doesn’t turn into a jumbled mess on someone’s phone

Want to see what our tools can do for you? Check out this super simple tutorial from Tony, as he shows you how to create a high-converting eCommerce homepage without needing to code:

Don't Just List Products—Map the Journey

Once someone’s on your site, they’re already interested. Now your job is to show them the next best step.

Here’s how to make that path clear and easy:

• A product quiz to help them pick the right fit

• Opt-ins to grow your email list and send helpful follow-ups

• Bundles to increase order value without feeling pushy

• Post-purchase offers like “Want the full set?” or “Add this before we ship!”

Step 5: Source Products That Match Your Sales Strategy

You’ve got the product idea. Great!Now let’s talk about how it gets from your brain (or your supplier) into your customer’s hands.

I get it. Logistics and fulfillment aren’t the glamorous side of ecommerce. But here’s what most people miss:The way you deliver your product affects every piece of your funnel.

So before you dive into “Add to Cart” buttons and urgency timers, ask yourself:

• Is this a one-time product or a subscription?

• Is it low-ticket and fast to sell, or something premium that needs nurturing?

• Can I bundle items? Run flash sales? Deliver on a deadline?

• Will my fulfillment setup actually support the experience I want customers to have?

Because nothing’s worse than planning a “limited-time bundle” and realizing your supplier can’t even ship two products together.

Even if you’re using dropshipping or print-on-demand, you’ve still got options. Just lean on creative bonuses, countdowns, and time-sensitive offers instead of inventory scarcity.

Bottom line: You don’t need a warehouse. You need alignment. Make sure your delivery model matches your store’s strategy, or you’ll be fixing things mid-launch (ask me how I know).

Step 6: Price Your Product Like It Deserves the Click

I’ll be honest: pricing used to make me nervous. There’s nothing quite like staring at your product page thinking, “Is $39 too much? Will $19 make it seem cheap?” It’s a weird mix of math, gut instinct, and overthinking.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Your price doesn’t just cover costs. It sets the tone.

It tells a story about your product’s value, your brand, and what kind of experience your customer can expect.

Too low? People assume it’s low quality. Too high with no context? They bounce before they even scroll.

So instead of guessing, ask yourself:

• What outcome does this product help someone get?

• How does it compare to similar offers in quality, ease, or vibe?

• What would make the price feel like a smart, satisfying purchase?

People aren’t just buying a thing. They’re buying a result. So your job isn’t to justify the price. It’s to make the value obvious.

If you offer different options (like sizes, bundles, or tiers), a simple pricing table can help make the choice easy and prevent analysis paralysis.

And don’t forget to match your price to your funnel strategy:

• Low-ticket (< $30): Great for tripwire funnels, quick wins, and building trust

• High-ticket ($100+): Needs nurturing. Think testimonials, guarantees, and some solid pre-sale content

A clear price, backed by clear value, makes buying feel like a no-brainer—not a risk.

💡 Want to make sure your price isn’t secretly scaring people away?

Check out these common pricing mistakes to avoid before you hit publish.

Step 7: Set Up Payments and Analytics Like a Funnel Pro

This part’s not flashy. No one brags about their payment gateway setup on launch day.

But if you skip it?

You’ll be that person frantically Googling “how to accept payments” the night before you’re supposed to go live.

Let’s avoid that.

First: Make sure you can actually get paid

You don’t need a fancy setup; just one that’s secure, simple, and familiar to your buyers.

Here’s what I recommend (and have helped others set up more times than I can count):

• Stripe – Super smooth for card payments. It just works, and it plays nicely with most ecommerce tools.

• PayPal – Some buyers only trust PayPal. Including it covers your bases.

• WooCommerce Payments – If you’re using WordPress, this keeps everything tidy and integrated inside your site.

• WP Simple Pay – Perfect if you want Stripe without the full WooCommerce setup (especially good for single-product sales or digital offers)

• Easy Digital Downloads – Great for selling digital products like downloads, guides, or templates

💡 Confused about which one to go with? Check out this guide to choosing the right WordPress payment plugin before you commit.

Next: Track what’s actually working (so you’re not guessing)

If you want to improve your store, you need to know what’s happening inside it—not just cross your fingers and hope.

Start by tracking:

• Where your visitors are coming from

• Which pages they’re visiting (and leaving)

• What’s converting—and what’s quietly leaking revenue

🛠 I recommend MonsterInsights for WordPress – it connects your site to Google Analytics without making your head explode. Here’s a full walkthrough on setting up Google Analytics in WordPress if you haven’t done that part yet.

Step 8: Launch Like You’re Testing a Funnel – Not Just “Going Live”

Your product’s live. Your store looks great. You’re hovering over “post” with sweaty palms and big dreams.

Pause. Because if your launch strategy is just “drop the link and hope,” we need a quick reroute.

You’re not just going live. You’re testing your funnel in the real world.

And that shift changes everything. Even 10–20 real visitors can teach you what’s working, where people drop off, and what you need to tweak next.

So instead of blasting your link into the void, try this:

• Share sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes content on social to build interest

• Create an early access or VIP list with a clear reason to join

• Launch with an actual offer—not just “it’s up,” but “here’s what it helps you do, and why now’s the time to buy”

Want to nudge people to act without sounding pushy? Use urgency the right way—with countdowns, bonuses, or time-limited deals that feel real.

Step 9: Drive Traffic That Feeds Your Funnel

So your store’s live. Your funnel’s set up. Now comes the big question: How are people actually going to find it?

Spoiler: “Posting on Instagram and hoping it goes viral” is not a strategy.

You don’t need more traffic—you need the right traffic. People who are already looking for what you offer, and just need a clear reason to click.

Here are four smart places to begin (with some suggested beginner guides):

• SEO – Write blog content that solves real problems or answers buyer questions

• Social media – Share behind-the-scenes, how-tos, or product moments that build trust

• Email – Build your list early and send offers based on what they actually care about

• Paid ads – Use small budgets to boost top-performing posts or retarget site visitors

💡 Want help planning this? Here’s a guide to driving traffic to your website that breaks it all down.

But getting people to your site is only half the job.You also need to give them a reason to stay, engage, and come back.

That means:

• Adding opt-ins that match what they came for

• Guiding visitors to the next logical step (quiz, product, freebie, etc.)

• Using well-placed CTAs, offers or reminders without overwhelming them

Step 10: Turn First-Time Buyers Into Repeat Customers

That first sale? A big deal. Seriously—celebrate it. 

But if you want to build a business, not just a moment, your next step is turning that one-time buyer into a returning fan. That means tracking what matters (like conversion rate, average order value, and returning customer %) and optimizing the journey so more people buy—and come back.

Start small: test headlines, offer a post-purchase upsell, or send a follow-up with a bonus. Want to make sure you're not missing a step? Grab this conversion optimization checklist. 

And when you're ready to go deeper, this guide on upsells, cross-sells, and downsells will help you boost revenue without feeling pushy. A funnel that follows up is a funnel that keeps growing.

Wrap-Up: If You Built a Store, Congrats. If You Built a Funnel, You’re in Business.

You made it! 🎉

Whether you’re still sketching out product ideas or knee-deep in funnel tweaks, you now know how to start an ecommerce store that actually sells—not just sits there looking pretty while your checkout gathers cobwebs.

Let’s recap what makes your store different:

• You’re not just launching pages—you’re building a path.

• You’re not chasing traffic—you’re guiding it with purpose.

• You’re not guessing—you’re growing with data, strategy, and some seriously good tools.

And even if you’re starting small (or scrappy), you’re already ahead of most store owners who think slapping a few products on a homepage = success.

Now it’s your turn:

Pick one thing from this guide and take action today. Set up that product page. Launch that opt-in. Sketch your funnel on the back of a napkin if you have to.

Progress beats perfection—every single time.

💡 Using WordPress? Want to build your funnel without duct taping 12 tools together? Then Thrive Suite is hands down the smartest move you can make.

You’ll get:

• Thrive Architect to build landing pages and product pages that actually convert

• Thrive Leads for high-performing opt-ins and email growth

• Thrive Ultimatum for time-sensitive offers that drive real action

• Thrive Theme Builder to design your entire site with marketing baked in

• …and so much more

All fully integrated, no code required, and built to help your store sell—not just exist.

👉 Got questions? Want to share your product idea or funnel setup? Drop it in the comments—we love a good behind-the-scenes strategy chat.

Now go build something amazing. Something that sells. You’ve got this. 💪