Creating an online shop: platforms, cost and where to start
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Creating an online shop is the first practical step for anyone who wants to sell online: dropshipping, print on demand, handmade goods or their own products. The searches “el. parduotuvės kūrimas”, “el. parduotuvės kūrimas kaina” and “el. parduotuvės kūrimas nemokamai” reveal the three main questions: how, for how much, and whether it can be done at no cost.
This part of the guide covers the ways of creating an online shop, the costs to expect, what is mandatory under Lithuanian rules and where to start.
In short
- The quickest way is a platform on which you build the shop yourself from a template.
- Completely free online shops hardly exist: you pay for the platform, the domain or commission on sales.
- You must state the seller’s details, prices including taxes, the delivery and returns terms, and a privacy policy.
Three ways to create an online shop
| Method | How it works | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Shop platform | You build it yourself from templates and pay a monthly fee or commission | Beginners, dropshipping, a small product range |
| Open-source solution | The shop is installed on your own server, with many plugins | Those with technical knowledge or a developer |
| Custom development | Built by an agency or a developer to your requirements | Growing businesses with specific needs |
A platform is usually enough to begin with: it lets you check quickly whether the products sell, and you can move to more complex solutions later.
How much an online shop costs
The cost of an online shop is made up of several parts:
- Platform or hosting – a monthly fee or the cost of a server.
- Domain – an annual fee for the address.
- Design – a free template or a paid, custom design.
- Accepting payments – fees on every payment.
- Delivery integrations – connecting parcel lockers and couriers.
- Content – product photos and descriptions.
“Free” shops usually charge a higher commission on sales or restrict features. That can be a good start, but it is worth calculating how much it will cost once sales increase.
What the shop must have
The mandatory minimum
- the seller’s details: personal name or company name, registration code, contacts;
- final prices including taxes, and delivery prices;
- purchase, delivery and returns terms, including the 14-day right to withdraw from the contract;
- a privacy policy and cookie consent, if cookies are used;
- a clear order confirmation for the buyer.
Where to start
- Products and audience. First know what you will sell and to whom – the platform is secondary.
- Form of activity. Trade is an economic activity – it has to be formalised. Which form suits you is explained in the ACS.lt article “Self-employment: registration certificate or business certificate”.
- Platform and domain. Choose one you will be able to manage yourself.
- Payments and delivery. In Lithuania buyers are used to bank payments and parcel lockers.
- Photos and descriptions. Your own photos and answers to buyers’ questions sell better than the supplier’s texts.
- First buyers. Start with your own social networks and acquaintances, and increase advertising only once you see what works.
For service businesses that need bookings and advance payment rather than a shop, a booking system is enough, for example mr.lt.
Frequently asked questions
Can you create an online shop for free?
Partly – some platforms charge no monthly fee but take a commission on sales or restrict features. You will still have to pay for the domain and payment fees.
How long does it take to create an online shop?
On a platform – from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the number of products and the content. Custom development takes longer.
Does an online shop require self-employment registration?
Yes, regular trade is an economic activity that has to be formalised as self-employment or through a company.