How to Open an Online Store in USA (10-Step Guide)
How to open an online store in USA sounds exciting, until you sit down with your laptop and realize you don’t even know where to start. I’ve been there, that mix of excitement and fear when ambition is high, but the roadmap feels invisible. If that’s exactly how you feel right now, you’re not alone. What You’ll Get From This Article By the end of this guide, you will know: <ul> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> How to legally open an online store in the USA </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> How to set up a WordPress WooCommerce store, step by step </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> How to avoid common mistakes most beginners make </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> How to design your store so customers trust it immediately </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> How to get your first paying customers without spending a fortune </li> </ul> <h2>Step 1: Decide What to Sell</h2> Let me explain this simply, you don’t need 50 products, or even 10. One strong product is enough to start.Why Focusing Helps<p>From my experience helping over<a href=”https://webstarx.com/portfolio/”> 600 clients</a>, stores with a focused niche grow faster. For example, a client of mine sold only one book. Today, her WooCommerce store is one of the top in her niche.</p>Mistakes to Avoid <ul> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 448 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M190.5 66.9l22.2-22.2c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0L441 239c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L246.6 467.3c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.2-22.2c-9.5-9.5-9.3-25 .4-34.3L311.4 296H24c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24v-32c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h287.4L190.9 101.2c-9.8-9.3-10-24.8-.4-34.3z”></path></svg> Avoid chasing every TikTok trend you see. Trend products burn money quickly. </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 448 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M190.5 66.9l22.2-22.2c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0L441 239c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L246.6 467.3c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.2-22.2c-9.5-9.5-9.3-25 .4-34.3L311.4 296H24c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24v-32c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h287.4L190.9 101.2c-9.8-9.3-10-24.8-.4-34.3z”></path></svg> Don’t overcomplicate your first store with too many product categories. </li> </ul> Quick TipAsk yourself, “Would I buy this personally?” If the answer is no, rethink it. <h2>Step 2: Choose WordPress with WooCommerce</h2> <p>Here’s the thing: in 2025, <a href=”https://webstarx.com/”>WordPress</a> with <a href=”https://woocommerce.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>WooCommerce</a> is unbeatable for beginners and advanced users alike. It gives you flexibility, full control, and the ability to scale with plugins for payments, shipping, SEO, email marketing, and more.</p>Real-Life StoryI once helped an author client who insisted on a custom-coded site because she thought it would be “better.” Two months later, her site was slow, buggy, and confusing for customers. I rebuilt it on WordPress with WooCommerce. Within one week, her sales doubled. Pages loaded faster, checkout was smooth, and plugins handled taxes automatically. Mini Tip Start simple. Focus on WordPress and WooCommerce first. Add plugins gradually as your store grows. Step 3: Register Your Business Skipping this step is a mistake many beginners make. US banks and payment gateways verify businesses strictly in 2025.What You Need <ul> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> Business name </li> <li> <a href=”https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number” target=”_blank”> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> EIN (Employer Identification Number) </a> </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> Business bank account </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> Optional LLC for legal protection </li> </ul> Mini Case StudyA client opened her store without an LLC. When a customer dispute happened, she had to use her personal account. After registering an LLC, she could separate business and personal finances, and it simplified taxes and legal protection.TipWyoming and Florida are affordable, business-friendly states to start an LLC. <h2>Step 4: Payment Gateways</h2> Nothing is more frustrating than launching a store and realizing customers cannot pay.Best Options in the USA <ul> <li> <a href=”https://stripe.com/” target=”_blank”> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> Stripe </a> </li> <li> <a href=”https://www.paypal.com/sg/home” target=”_blank”> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> PayPal </a> </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> Apple Pay </li> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z”></path></svg> Google Pay </li> </ul> Real ExampleA client had 300 visitors on launch day. People added products to their cart but abandoned checkout because PayPal wasn’t enabled. Adding it increased sales instantly.TipAlways enable both Stripe and PayPal. Customers trust these the most. <h2>Step 5: Design Your Store</h2> Design builds trust instantly. Messy stores lose potential customers in seconds.Checklist <ul> <li> <svg aria-hidden=”true” viewBox=”0 0 512 512″ xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/2000/svg”><path d=”M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 … Read more