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How to set up shop online: getting started with your e-commerce site 

Colourful credit card for making an online purchase

It’s one thing to tempt customers to your door – and another to make them want to spend their time (and money) with you. Here we explore the basics of creating an e-commerce site that turns your visitors into customers.

Step 1: picking a platform

Rather than build a system from scratch (complicated and costly), startup businesses tend to use a ready-to-go e-commerce platform. This lets you set up an online store and immediately start trading: selling your products, taking payments and handling shipping. To help you pick the best platform for your business, here are some pros and cons of popular e-commerce sites…