Choose a local payment provider
Use a regulated provider that supports your country, business type, currency and preferred checkout methods.
Compare payment resources →Availability, onboarding, settlement time and transaction fees vary.FREE COMMERCE STARTER KIT
Start selling with
a lighter stack.
A practical starting point for new online businesses: open-source software, useful free plans and services that charge only when you use them.
Free does not mean zero operating cost.
A domain, suitable hosting, premium extensions, payment processing, advertising, delivery and professional help may still cost money. We label each business model so you can plan honestly.
THE MINIMUM VIABLE STACK
Choose one useful tool for each job.
Do not install everything. Begin with the fewest tools needed to publish products, accept an order, communicate with a buyer and understand what is working.
01
Build your storefront
Publish products, manage orders and create a checkout.
Open source
WooCommerce
A free, open-source commerce platform for WordPress. You control the store and its data.
Download WooCommerce ↗Hosting, domain and some extensions cost extra. Open sourceWordPress
The content-management foundation used by WooCommerce for pages, products and editorial content.
Explore WordPress ↗The software is free; running it requires hosting.02
Create product and campaign visuals
Prepare storefront banners, social posts and simple brand material.
03
Help shoppers discover you
Understand search visibility and make eligible products available across Google.
Free tool
Google Search Console
Measure search traffic, submit sitemaps, inspect indexing and identify technical search issues.
Open Search Console ↗Site ownership verification is required. Free toolGoogle Merchant Center
Manage product data and become eligible for free product listings across supported Google surfaces.
Explore Merchant Center ↗Eligibility and features vary by market; appearance is not guaranteed.04
Learn what visitors do
Measure acquisition and see where the shopping experience creates friction.
Free forever
Microsoft Clarity
Session recordings, heatmaps and behavioral insights for understanding how people use a store.
Explore Microsoft Clarity ↗Review privacy requirements and configure consent where required. Free toolGoogle Analytics
Measure visits, acquisition and commerce events across the customer journey.
Open Google Analytics ↗Correct event and consent configuration matters.05
Send essential customer email
Deliver confirmations, receipts, account messages and early campaigns.
06
Publish a lightweight front end
Useful for landing pages, headless storefronts and static commerce experiences.
07
Accept payment when you sell
Some providers have no monthly platform charge but deduct processing fees from transactions.
ONE PRACTICAL RECIPE
A lean first version.
Start with a small catalogue and prove that customers can discover, trust and buy from you before adding complexity.
- Store: WordPress + WooCommerce on suitable hosting
- Creative: Canva Free
- Discovery: Search Console + Merchant Center
- Measurement: Google Analytics + Microsoft Clarity
- Messaging: Resend for essential transactional email
- Checkout: an eligible local provider with transparent fees