Business Tips

How to create an Online Store for your business in 2025

Your customers are already shopping online, but the question is, can they shop from you? In 2025, having a proper online store isn’t a luxury. It’s how modern businesses grow, build trust, and make money around the clock.

Whether you’re selling clothing, skincare, food, digital products, or anything in between, this guide will walk you through how to create an online store for free without writing a single line of code.

And yes, we’ll show you how to do it all using Catlog, a store builder trusted by thousands of small business owners across Africa.

Why You Need an Online Store in 2025

More people are shopping online than ever before. If you're still relying on DMs to close orders, you're losing money and time. Here’s why setting up a proper online store is essential:

Professionalism: A real store link builds instant trust.
24/7 Sales: Your store works even when you’re asleep.
Order Clarity: Say goodbye to mixed-up DMs and missed orders.
Better Marketing: Share product links, run Instagram ads, and track results.

Step 1: Decide What You’re Selling

Every great store starts with clarity. Ask yourself:

What am I selling?
Who is this for?
Why would they choose me?

For example, if you sell handmade bags, are they affordable and trendy? Or luxury and minimalist? This helps you write better descriptions, choose better photos, and connect with the right customers.

Still figuring out whether starting a business is for you? Read this first →

Step 2: Choose a Store Builder That Works for You

There are a lot of tools out there — but not all of them are designed for real-life business owners in Nigeria.

That’s why Catlog is different. It’s designed for businesses just like yours. With Catlog, you can:

Create a store in under 5 minutes
Accept payments in NGN, GBP, USD, and more
Manage orders and customers from your phone
Add delivery options
Customize your store look, and even connect your own domain

Step 3: Add Your Products

Once your store is live, it’s time to upload your products. You’ll need:

Product names
Clear pricing
Sharp images or short videos
Descriptions (what it does, how it works, why it matters)

Pro tip: With Catlog, you can import all of this straight from your Instagram page. Just select your posts and they’ll automatically convert to product listings.

Step 4: Accept Payments — Locally and Internationally

Catlog lets you accept payments in multiple ways:

Card payments (local & international)
Direct transfers (via business bank accounts)
Payment links
Invoices

Step 5: Add Delivery Options

With Catlog, you can compare the prices of over 20 delivery providers in Nigeria , so your customers can receive their orders with ease.

You can:

Set up delivery rates
Offer pickup options
Track deliveries from your dashboard

Step 6: Customize Your Storefront

This is where your brand shines. Catlog gives you full control to personalize your store:

Upload a banner and logo
Set your brand colors
Add an About Us section
Add product testimonials
Add FAQs
Organize products into shoppable Highlights (like Instagram Highlights)

Want your store link to look more professional? Catlog also lets you buy a custom domain or connect an existing one for your store.

Step 7: Test Before You Launch

Before you start shouting about your store on social media, double-check everything:

Do links work?
Is checkout smooth?
Are product prices and descriptions accurate?
Can you track new orders?

Test the full customer experience — or ask a friend to.

Step 8: Start Selling!

Now it’s time to spread the word:

Add your store link to your Instagram bio & WhatsApp
Share product highlights and behind-the-scenes stories
Run limited-time offers using discount codes
Send payment links directly to customers
Run ads to your product pages

And if you're ready to go deeper, check out our post on How to Promote Your Online Store Without Paying for Ads.

Set Up an Online Store in 5 Minutes with Catlog

With Catlog, you don’t just get a store — you get a full toolkit to manage and grow your business.

✅ Create your store in minutes (no coding, no stress)

✅ Accept payments in multiple currencies

✅ Import products from Instagram

✅ Use videos, Highlights, and testimonials

✅ Connect a custom domain

✅ Book deliveries in-app

✅ Get insights on sales, carts, and more

And you can start with a 7-day free trial.

Create your Catlog store now

Your customers are online. Your store should be too.