Last updated on June 8th, 2024 at 07:42 pm
Are you looking to start selling products in online stores in Canada for free?
Great news!
With the rise of e-commerce, there are now many free online stores that can help you sell your products without spending a lot of money upfront.
Whether you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or just someone with skills or products to sell, these platforms make it easy and affordable to reach more people and grow your business.
In this article, we’ll check out the best free online stores for selling products in Canada.
We’ll talk about what they offer, why they’re great, and how you can get started with each one.
Why Choose Free Online Stores?
Thinking about using free online stores to sell products in Canada?
For small businesses, this option offers several benefits that can help you grow and thrive in the competitive world of e-commerce.
Cost-effectiveness
One big advantage of free online stores is that they save money.
Instead of spending a lot on developing and maintaining a custom ecommerce site, you can use your resources for other important things like marketing, managing inventory, and providing great customer service.
Ease of Setup and Use
Free online stores are usually very user-friendly and easy to set up.
This means you can start selling online quickly without needing a lot of technical know-how.
It’s perfect for businesses that might not have a big tech team or budget.
Access to a Wide Range of Tools and Features
Many free online stores come with helpful tools and features.
These can include systems for managing inventory, payment gateways, shipping integrations, and marketing tools.
All these features can make your operations smoother and enhance the customer experience.
Addressing Common Concerns About Free Online Stores
When it comes to free online stores, people often have a lot of questions.
Let’s talk about some of the most common concerns and how these platforms address them.
Security and Reliability
Security and reliability are super important for any online store.
The good news is that free online store platforms can still offer strong security measures and dependable uptime.
This means that even small businesses can feel confident their customers’ data is safe and their store will be up and running smoothly.
Customization Options
You might think free online stores don’t offer much in the way of customization, but many platforms actually provide a variety of templates and design choices.
These options can help small businesses create a unique and professional-looking store.
Plus, some platforms let you add custom coding or integrate third-party services to make your store even better.
Scalability
Worried about outgrowing your free online store?
Don’t be.
Many free platforms are scalable, meaning they can grow with your business.
As your sales and customer base expand, these platforms often have flexible pricing plans or tiered systems to meet your changing needs.
Top Free Online Store Platforms in Canada
If you’re looking to start selling products online in Canada without breaking the bank, here’s a rundown of the top free online store platforms you can use:
#1. Shopify
Let’s kick things off with Shopify.
It’s a big player in the e-commerce game, offering a free plan that comes with some basic features.
If you need more firepower, you can upgrade to paid plans starting at $29 per month.
Shopify is great for Canadian businesses because it’s got built-in support for Canadian payment methods, taxes, and shipping.
Loads of successful Canadian businesses, like Kotn and Frank And Oak, use Shopify to run their online shops.
To start using Shopify, here’s what you’ll need:
Free Plan: Sign up on Shopify’s website.
Paid Plan: If you opt for a paid plan, you’ll need a credit card to subscribe.
Domain Name: Optional, but recommended for a professional look.
Products: Details like images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Setup: Configure supported payment methods (Shopify Payments, PayPal, etc.).
#2. WooCommerce
Next up, we’ve got WooCommerce.
It’s a free plugin for WordPress that lets you turn your regular ol’ WordPress site into a fully functioning online store.
It’s got tons of customization options and supports Canadian payment methods and taxes.
If you’re already comfy with WordPress, this could be a good fit for you.
Just keep in mind, it might require a bit more tech know-how than some other options.
Here is what you’ll need to start using WooCommerce:
WordPress Website: Install WordPress on your hosting provider.
WooCommerce Plugin: Download and install the WooCommerce plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
Domain Name: Required for your WordPress site.
Hosting: Purchase web hosting to support your WordPress site.
Products: Add product details like images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Plugins: Install plugins for Canadian payment methods and configure them.
#3. Square Online Store
Now, let’s talk about Square Online Store.
This one’s brought to you by Square, a popular payment processing service.
It’s completely free and pairs up seamlessly with Square’s payment system, making it super easy to accept payments online.
The free plan includes a website builder, unlimited products, and even social media integrations.
If you want to use the free Square Online store, here is what you will require:
Square Account: Create a free account on Square’s website.
Domain Name: Optional, but you can purchase one for a custom URL.
Products: Add your products with images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Setup: Connect your Square account for payment processing.
#4. Olitt
Olitt is a newer platform that allows you to create a free online store with ease.
It offers a variety of templates and a simple drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for beginners.
Olitt supports multiple payment gateways and provides tools for SEO and social media integration.
To start with the Olitt website builder free plan to create an online store, you need these:
Olitt Account: Sign up for a free account on Olitt’s website.
Free Plan: The free plan includes basic features to set up an online store.
Domain Name: Olitt provides a free subdomain, but you can purchase a custom domain.
Products: Add product details, including images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Setup: Integrate with supported payment methods, such as PayPal or Stripe.
Website Builder: Use Olitt’s drag-and-drop builder to create your store.
#5. Wix eCommerce
Also, we’ve got Wix eCommerce.
Wix is known for its user-friendly website builder, and its ecommerce features are no different.
The free plan gives you a taste of what’s possible, but there are some limitations, like Wix branding on your site.
If you’re willing to invest a bit more, their paid plans offer more flexibility and perks.
Here is what you require to launch your free online store for selling products with Wix in Canada:
Wix Account: Sign up on Wix’s website.
Free Plan: Start with the free plan; upgrade later if needed.
Domain Name: Optional, but can be purchased through Wix for a custom URL.
Products: Upload product details like images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Setup: Set up supported payment methods.
#6. Big Cartel
Big Cartel is another great free option, especially if you’re an artist or a small business.
The free plan lets you list up to five products and comes with some basic customization options. It’s easy to use and great for those just starting out.
If you need more features, their paid plans are quite affordable.
Here is a list of everything you need to get started:
Big Cartel Account: Create an account on Big Cartel’s website.
Free Plan: The free plan allows you to list up to five products.
Domain Name: Optional, but you can use a custom domain if you upgrade to a paid plan.
Products: Add your products with images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Setup: Configure PayPal or Stripe for payments.
#7. Truehost
Truehost is another platform to consider.
They offer a range of web hosting services, including free plans that come with the ability to set up an online store.
Truehost.ca is tailored for Canadian users, providing local support and services.
To use Truehost’s free hosting services and tools you need:
Truehost Account: Sign up for a free account on Truehost’s website.
Free Hosting Plan: Utilize their free hosting plan to build your online store.
Domain Name: Truehost provides a free subdomain, but you can purchase a custom domain.
Website Platform: Install a free e-commerce platform like WooCommerce or OpenCart on your Truehost hosting account.
Products: Add product details, including images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Setup: Configure payment methods supported by your chosen e-commerce platform.
#8. Ecwid
Ecwid offers a free plan that allows you to set up a basic online store with up to 10 products.
It’s very straightforward to use and can be added to any website or social media platform.
Plus, it supports Canadian payment gateways and tax settings, making it a solid choice for Canadian sellers.
Here is what you need to start:
Ecwid Account: Sign up for a free account on Ecwid’s website.
Free Plan: The free plan allows you to list up to 10 products.
Website/Social Media: You can integrate Ecwid into an existing website or social media page.
Products: Upload your product details.
Payment Gateway Setup: Set up payment methods supported by Ecwid.
#9. Weebly
Weebly, now part of Square, offers a free plan that includes ecommerce functionality.
You can set up an online store with a drag-and-drop builder, making it easy to use even if you’re not tech-savvy.
The free plan includes basic features and comes with Weebly branding.
Here is a list of everything you need to get started:
Weebly Account: Sign up on Weebly’s website.
Free Plan: Start with the free plan, which includes basic ecommerce functionality.
Domain Name: Optional, but you can purchase one for a custom URL.
Products: Add product details like images, descriptions, and prices.
Payment Gateway Setup: Integrate with Square or other supported payment methods.
General Requirements for All Platforms
Basic Computer Skills: Comfort with using web browsers and basic web applications.
Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection to manage your store.
Product Information: High-quality images, detailed descriptions, and pricing for each product.
Legal Requirements: Ensure you comply with local laws regarding online sales, taxes, and shipping.
Marketing Tools: Consider using additional tools and plugins for SEO, email marketing, and social media integration to promote your store.
When you’re choosing which platform to go with, think about things like how easy it is to use, what customization options you need, and whether it supports the payment methods you want to use.
And remember, while these platforms are free to use, you might still have to fork out some cash for things like a domain name, web hosting, or payment processing fees.
Tips for Success with Free Online Stores
1. Choose the right platform.
2. Optimize product listings and descriptions.
3. Implement effective marketing strategies.
4. Provide excellent customer service and support.
5. Use analytics to track performance and improve.
Conclusion
E-commerce in Canada offers great growth opportunities.
It’s a big part of the market, especially in wholesale, transportation, and manufacturing.
Free online stores for selling products in Canada make it easy for any business to go digital.
By adopting these free online stores in Canada for selling products, businesses can meet new needs and reach more markets.