1. Decide what you are testing

• Name one customer group and the problem your product solves.
• Record evidence of demand separately from likes and compliments.
• Choose a small initial catalog and one primary sales channel.
• Write your maximum launch budget and a date to review the decision.

Validate your product idea →

2. Build a cash budget

• Record supplier, packaging, shipping, domain, and software quotes.
• Calculate contribution per order after variable costs.
• Separate startup inventory cash from the product cost of units sold.
• Put annual prepayments, introductory offer end dates, and renewals on a calendar.
• Model a slower-sales month and keep a reserve for payout timing and replacements.

Use the startup cost calculator →

3. Prepare your catalog

• Give each variant a consistent identifier and check its price and stock.
• Use accurate photos and descriptions, including dimensions and what is included.
• Check physical versus digital delivery requirements.
• Import a small sample before uploading the rest of the catalog.

Prepare your product import →

4. Configure the store

• Confirm the correct owner account, business details, and access permissions.
• Connect your domain without removing records used by business email.
• Choose a payment provider offered for your business and location.
• Configure delivery or pickup, contact details, and accurate customer policies.
• Add apps only for requirements the built-in tools do not meet.

Connect your domain safely →

5. Test the whole order

• Check mobile product selection, cart, payment, and delivery choices.
• Run the appropriate test order and confirm it reaches the right fulfillment workflow.
• Review the customer emails and any digital download or pickup instructions.
• Check your cancellation, refund, stock adjustment, and support process.
• If migrating, test the old URLs that matter most and keep a rollback record.

Run the checkout test →

6. Review the first week

• Compare actual orders, costs, and payouts with the opening budget.
• Record customer questions and fix the product pages that caused confusion.
• Check app renewals and remove tools that are not doing a useful job.
• Choose the next improvement from observed customer behavior.

Plan your first month →