Starting a webshop for free: is that possible?
More and more entrepreneurs want to start a webshop for free. And that makes sense: why would you invest before you know whether your product catches on? The good news is that there are now several ways to set up an online store without startup capital. But how realistic is it to start a webshop for free? In this article you discover which free platforms exist, what the hidden costs are and when you are better off paying for a professional solution.
Can you really start a webshop for free?
The short answer: yes, you really can start a webshop for free. There are several platforms that offer a free plan with which you can sell products. But there is an important difference between "starting for free" and "continuing to run for free".
Most free webshop solutions work with a freemium model. You get basic functionality without paying, but for extra features, more products or the removal of their branding you pay after all. That is not necessarily a bad thing - it gives you the chance to experiment without financial risk.
There are two main categories for starting a webshop for free:
- Hosted platforms - everything is arranged for you (Ecwid, Square Online, Big Cartel)
- Self-hosted software - you install the software yourself on your own hosting (WooCommerce, PrestaShop)
With hosted platforms you pay nothing for the software, but you are bound by their limitations. With self-hosted software the software is free, but you do need webshop hosting - and that typically costs a small amount per month.
The best free webshop platforms compared
To help you make the right choice, we have put the most popular free webshop platforms side by side. Below you find an extensive comparison of the options with which you can start a webshop for free.
| Platform | Type | Free products | Transaction fees | Own domain | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Self-hosted | Unlimited | None (only payment provider) | Yes (own hosting needed) | Serious webshops |
| Ecwid | Hosted | 5 | None | No (on the free plan) | Small stores, embed |
| Square Online | Hosted | Unlimited | Yes (per transaction) | No (on the free plan) | Physical stores + online |
| Big Cartel | Hosted | 5 | None | No (on the free plan) | Artists, creatives |
| PrestaShop | Self-hosted | Unlimited | None | Yes (own hosting needed) | Experienced users |
| Saleor | Self-hosted | Unlimited | None | Yes (own hosting needed) | Developers |
WooCommerce: the most popular free option
WooCommerce is by far the most popular free e-commerce platform in the world. It is a plugin for WordPress and powers more than 25% of all online stores. The software itself is completely free and open source, which means you can add unlimited products and pay no transaction fees to the platform.
The downside? You do need WooCommerce hosting. But with affordable hosting plans from a few euros per month, this is still the cheapest route to a professional webshop.
Ecwid: a free webshop widget
Ecwid offers a free plan with which you can sell up to 5 products. What is special about Ecwid is that you can place it as a widget on any existing website. Ideal if you already have a website and want to add a small store to it, but less suitable for a full-fledged webshop.
Square Online: free with transaction fees
Square Online offers a free webshop with unlimited products, but charges transaction fees per sale. This platform is especially popular with entrepreneurs who also have a physical store and want to combine their online and offline sales.
Hidden costs of a free webshop
If you want to start a webshop for free, it is important to also know the hidden costs. "Free" rarely means truly free if you want to sell seriously. These are the costs many beginners do not think of:
- Domain name - a .nl domain of your own costs around €8-15 per year. Without your own domain you sell from a subdomain such as yourstore.platform.com, which does not look professional.
- SSL certificate - essential for safe payments. With hosted platforms this is often included, but with self-hosted solutions you sometimes have to arrange it separately (although most hosting providers now offer it for free).
- Payment processing - every payment provider (Mollie, Stripe, PayPal) charges transaction fees. This is unavoidable, no matter which platform you use. Count on 1.5-3% per transaction.
- Premium themes - free themes are limited in design. A professional theme costs €30-100 one-off.
- Extra functionality - free platforms offer basic features. For things like discount codes, automatic emails or advanced statistics you often need a paid plan.
- Transaction fees of the platform - some free platforms charge extra transaction fees on top of those of your payment provider. This can add up at higher revenue.
An honest estimate of the minimum costs for a "free" webshop that looks professional:
- Hosted platform (Ecwid/Square): €0-10/month + transaction fees + domain
- Self-hosted (WooCommerce): €3-10/month hosting + transaction fees + domain
When should you pay for your webshop?
A free webshop is fine to start with, but there comes a moment when investing in a paid solution is wiser. You recognise that moment by these signals:
- You exceed product limits - when 5 products are no longer enough and you want to grow
- You want to look professional - your own domain, no platform branding, a professional theme
- Your revenue grows - the platform's transaction fees eat into your margin; a paid plan without extra transaction fees is then more advantageous
- You need advanced features - discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, advanced shipping options
- SEO becomes important - free plans often offer limited SEO options
- You want multiple payment methods - iDEAL, credit card, Bancontact - the more options, the higher the conversion
As a rule of thumb: as soon as you turn over more than €500 per month, a paid plan (or your own WooCommerce hosting) pays for itself through lower transaction fees and better conversion options.
Starting a free webshop with WooCommerce
Of all the free options, WooCommerce is the most professional choice for starting a webshop for free. Although you do need hosting, the software itself is completely free and offers more possibilities than any free hosted platform. Here is how you start in five steps:
- Choose your hosting - take a WordPress hosting plan that is optimised for WooCommerce. This usually costs between €3 and €10 per month.
- Install WordPress - most hosting providers offer a one-click installer for WordPress.
- Install WooCommerce - go to Plugins > New plugin > search for "WooCommerce" > Install > Activate.
- Go through the setup wizard - WooCommerce guides you through the basic configuration: location, currency, payment methods and shipping.
- Add products - go to Products > New product and add your first items with a photo, price and description.
With WooCommerce you have access to thousands of free plugins and themes. You can set up your webshop entirely as you wish without monthly software costs. The only ongoing costs are your hosting and domain name.
Tips for a successful free webshop
Whether you choose a hosted platform or WooCommerce, these tips help you get the most out of your free webshop:
- Invest in good product photos - this is the most important factor for conversion. Use a white background and take photos from several angles. A smartphone with a good camera is enough.
- Write unique product descriptions - do not copy from suppliers. Unique texts help with SEO and convince visitors better.
- Offer multiple payment methods - in the Netherlands iDEAL is the most popular payment method (60%+). Also offer credit card and possibly pay-later.
- Optimise for mobile - more than 60% of webshop traffic comes from mobile devices. Test your webshop thoroughly on phone and tablet.
- Set clear shipping costs - unexpected shipping costs are the number 1 reason for abandoned shopping carts. Be transparent or offer free shipping above a certain amount.
- Start with a niche - do not try to sell everything. Focus on a specific product category and become the expert in it.
- Measure your results - connect Google Analytics to your webshop. That way you see where visitors come from and where they drop off.
Frequently asked questions about starting free webshops
Is a free webshop really completely free?
The software or the platform can be free, but you always pay transaction fees to your payment provider. A domain name of your own also costs money. So "free" means: no monthly software costs, but there certainly are additional costs.
Which free platform is best for beginners?
For absolute beginners, Ecwid or Square Online is easiest, because you do not have to arrange hosting. For the most room to grow and freedom, WooCommerce is the best choice, but then you do need basic WordPress knowledge.
Can I upgrade later from free to paid?
Yes, with all the mentioned platforms you can upgrade to a paid plan. With hosted platforms this is done with a click. With WooCommerce you can add premium plugins and themes whenever you want.
How many products can I sell with a free webshop?
This differs greatly per platform. Ecwid and Big Cartel limit you to 5 products on the free plan. WooCommerce and Square Online have no product limit.
Do I need technical knowledge to start a webshop for free?
For hosted platforms (Ecwid, Square Online) you need minimal technical knowledge. The interface is user-friendly and everything is managed for you. For WooCommerce some familiarity with WordPress is handy, but with the many tutorials and the setup wizard you get a long way.
Is a free webshop suitable for selling in the EU?
Technically yes, but pay attention to the legal requirements: you need a privacy policy, must handle VAT correctly and must comply with European consumer rights (14-day right of return). Most free platforms offer basic functionality for this.
Can I start a free webshop and migrate it later?
With WooCommerce, migrating is relatively easy because you have full control over your data. With hosted platforms this can be more difficult - some platforms make it hard to export your product data. Keep this in mind when making your choice.
It is absolutely possible to start a webshop for free. The key is to be realistic about what you need and which limitations you can accept. Start for free, test your concept and invest as soon as you notice that your webshop is growing. That way you limit your risk while still seizing the chance to sell online.
Starting a webshop for free: hidden costs unmasked
Although you can start a webshop for free, there are various costs to take into account as soon as you start selling seriously. It is important to know these before you get started.
Transaction fees and payment processing
Every online payment brings costs, no matter which platform you use:
- Payment costs per transaction - iDEAL costs €0.29 per transaction, credit card payments 1.5-3% of the amount
- Platform commission - some free platforms take a percentage of your revenue (1-5%)
- Currency conversion - with international sales you pay extra for currency conversion
- Chargebacks - chargebacks cost €15-25 per case on top of the refunded amount
Costs as you grow
Free plans always have limits. As soon as your webshop grows, you run into these:
| Growth phase | Typical need | Expected costs |
|---|---|---|
| 0-10 products | Free plan is sufficient | €0/mo + transaction fees |
| 10-100 products | More storage space, own domain | €10-30/mo |
| 100-1000 products | Advanced filters, inventory management | €30-80/mo |
| 1000+ products | Enterprise features, API access | €80-300/mo |
Free webshop vs paid solution: an honest comparison
To make an informed choice about starting your webshop for free, it is important to weigh the pros and cons honestly:
- Free advantage - no startup investment needed, ideal to test your concept without financial risk
- Free disadvantage - limited features, the platform's branding, no domain name of your own
- Paid advantage - full control, a professional appearance, no platform commission
- Paid disadvantage - monthly costs from the start, even if you sell little
A smart intermediate step is to start for free to validate your product range and then upgrade as soon as you have made the first sales. For a more professional approach, consider a WordPress webshop with WooCommerce. This gives you full control over your platform and you pay no commission per transaction.
Practical tips for starting for free
If you decide to start your webshop for free, follow these tips for the best result:
- Choose the right platform - select a platform that suits your product type (physical, digital, services)
- Invest in good product photos - this is the most important factor for online sales, whatever your budget
- Write convincing product descriptions - describe not only what the product is, but why the customer needs it
- Set shipping costs transparently - unexpected shipping costs are the number one reason for abandoned shopping carts
- Start with a limited range - start with your 5-10 best products and only expand once the first sales come in
Starting a webshop for free: legal requirements
Even if you start a webshop for free, you must comply with legal requirements from the first sale. Failing to do so can lead to fines and legal problems.
The most important legal requirements for every Dutch webshop are:
- Chamber of Commerce registration - you are required to register your business with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce before you start selling. This also applies to hobby-based sales above a certain revenue threshold.
- Terms and conditions - draw up clear sales terms that your customers accept at purchase. Use the model of the Thuiswinkel Waarborg as a basis.
- Privacy statement - you are legally required to state which personal data you collect and how you use and protect it.
- Right of withdrawal - consumers have 14 days to reconsider online purchases. State this clearly on your website and make the return process simple.
- Price display - all prices must be shown including VAT, and shipping costs before the customer starts the ordering process.
Invest in a professional appearance even if you start for free. A professional email address on your own domain inspires more trust than a Gmail address. Many customers check the reliability of a webshop before they place an order, and a professional impression is decisive in that.
Starting a webshop for free: conclusion and advice
It is certainly possible to start a webshop for free, but go in with realistic expectations. A free platform is excellently suited to validate your product concept and make your first sales. As soon as your webshop grows and you want to operate more professionally, you inevitably run into the limitations of a free plan.
The smartest advice is to start for free with a clear plan for the next phase. Choose a platform that makes easy upgrading possible without having to rebuild your whole webshop. Test your product range, gather customer feedback and optimise your product presentation. As soon as you consistently generate sales, invest in your own domain, professional email and a paid plan that removes all limitations of the free platform. The transition from free to paid does not have to be abrupt: grow gradually and only invest when the revenue justifies the costs. With this approach you minimise your financial risk while laying a solid foundation for a profitable webshop.
Starting a webshop for free: immediate next steps
If you have decided to start your webshop for free, here are your immediate next steps. Choose a platform today: Shopify offers a free trial period, WooCommerce is free to install on your own hosting, and platforms like Ecwid offer a permanently free basic plan. Register a domain name that fits your brand, even if you still start on a free subdomain. Take product photos of your first five to ten products and write convincing descriptions. Set up shipping options and payment methods. Publish your webshop and share it with your network for initial feedback. Use that feedback to improve your product presentation and the ordering process before you promote more widely. The perfect webshop does not exist; start and improve as you go, based on data and customer feedback.
Common mistakes when starting a webshop for free
When starting a webshop for free, mistakes are regularly made that are easy to prevent. The most common mistake is launching too many products at once without the descriptions and photos being in order. Rather start with five perfectly presented products than with fifty mediocre items. A second common mistake is ignoring the legal requirements: even a small webshop must comply with the Distance Selling Act, have a return policy and state a Chamber of Commerce number. The third mistake is neglecting shipping costs in the price calculation, which makes your margin disappear with every order. Spend time up front calculating all costs, including packaging material, shipping and transaction fees, to guarantee that every sale is profitable.
Sources and references
- WooCommerce - Official documentation (woocommerce.com)
- Thuiswinkel Waarborg - Quality mark for online stores (thuiswinkel.org)
- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (kvk.nl)
