In a nutshell — To set up an online shop you need five things: decide what you're selling and to whom, choose a platform, build your catalogue with good photos and descriptions, configure payments and shipping, and comply with legal requirements (legal notice, privacy, terms and conditions). You can do it yourself with a simple platform or leave it to a specialist to ensure it's done right from the start. Here's the complete guide, in plain language.
1. First things first: what you're going to sell and to whom
It seems obvious, but it's where most people go wrong. Define your product, your customer, and your unique selling point. An online shop competes with the entire internet: if it's not clear why people should buy from you, it doesn't matter how pretty it is. Write in one sentence what you sell, for whom, and what makes you different.
2. Choose your platform
This is the most important decision because it dictates everything else. Broadly speaking:
- Closed platforms, quick to set up, with a monthly fee.
- Open platforms, offering more control, but requiring maintenance.
- Systems that integrate your shop with your business management (stock, invoicing, physical shop).
Which one suits you depends on whether you just want a shop or if you want it to be part of your entire business. We explain it objectively in Odoo versus Shopify and PrestaShop.
3. Build your catalogue (this is where sales are made or lost)
- Good photos. This is the first thing a customer looks at. Several per product, with a clean background.
- Useful descriptions. Don't just copy the manufacturer's spec sheet: explain what it's for and what problem it solves.
- Categories and search function. Ensure items can be found in two clicks.
- Clear pricing and real-time stock. Nothing is more frustrating than "out of stock" after entering payment details.
4. Configure payments and shipping
- Payments: card and Bizum as a minimum; the more options, the fewer abandoned baskets.
- Shipping: define zones, costs, and realistic delivery times. If you have a physical shop, consider in-store collection:
it converts very well and saves on shipping.
- Returns: a clear policy builds trust and is legally required.
5. Comply with legal requirements (mandatory in Spain)
Every online shop needs a legal notice, privacy policy (GDPR), terms of sale, and cookie policy. This is required by the Spanish e-commerce regulations. It's not optional, and penalties exist. A specialist will set it up for you, giving you peace of mind.
6. Publish, measure, and improve
Launching your shop is the beginning, not the end. From day one, it's advisable to measure what's being visited, what's being bought, and where people are dropping off, in order to improve. And most importantly: you need to drive traffic, because a shop without visitors doesn't sell. That's what this is about: getting customers for your shop.
Do you do it yourself or leave it in capable hands?
You can set it up yourself with a simple platform if your needs are basic. If you want the shop to be connected to your stock, invoicing, and physical shop from day one — and not piece together a puzzle of tools — it's best to do it with a specialist. We set up your online shop with Odoo and, if you like, we can also bring you customers. Before deciding, take a look at how much it costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to create an online shop?
From a few hours with a very simple platform to a few weeks if you want a serious shop, integrated with your management system. The time mainly depends on the catalogue and whether you integrate a physical shop.
Can I create an online shop by myself?
Yes, for basic cases. When you want the shop to communicate with your warehouse, invoicing, and POS, or if you sell to businesses, a specialist is advisable to avoid ending up with disparate tools that don't integrate.
What legal requirements do I need to meet to sell online in Spain?
Legal notice, privacy policy (GDPR), terms of sale, and cookie policy. These are mandatory.
Which platform is best for a shop with a physical store?
One that unifies the website and POS into a single stock system. We explain it in Odoo omnichannel retail and in the platform comparison.