Checklist for launching your online store

Are you determined to embark on the PrestaShop adventure? Here is a list of key points to organize before, during, and after the opening of your store.

Even before installing your store.

The first step is to consider and gather all the information you will need:

• What is the best legal status for your e-commerce activity?
• What will be the visual identity of your brand?
• How will your product catalog be organized?
• Who will be your suppliers and carriers?
• What payment methods will you offer to your clients?
• And finally, an important element: which solutions to choose for hosting and a domain name?

Set up your store.

With these elements in hand, you can download and install your store. Several solutions exist for installing a PrestaShop store; you may choose to use:

• One of the PrestaShop offers available on our website.
• An installation service with hosting; you can refer to the dedicated article here and watch the corresponding video on the PrestaShop Care Center.
• A freely downloadable version of PrestaShop, to be installed entirely manually.

Configure your store.

First, set your maintenance mode so that only your IP address has access to the front office. This will allow you to take the time to configure your store without it being accessible online.

The main features to configure are:

• Customize the appearance of the store
• Add a product
• Configure the delivery methods
• Set up payment methods
• Respond to legal obligations
• Configure the domain name

Test your store

Once your settings are in place, ensure that your store operates as you desire:

• Check the appearance of the mobile version of your store
• Ensure that there is no test content remaining on your store, such as a fake product.
• Ask other individuals to provide their feedback on your website by adding their IP addresses, separated by commas, to the list of addresses that are permitted to access the store in maintenance mode.
• Test the performance, SEO, and accessibility of your website using automated audit tools.
• Ensure that you are adhering to best practices in information security.
• Plan a regular and designated time to conduct tests and maintenance on your website.

Launch your store.

It is time to open your store!

• Disable maintenance mode so that your store appears online.
• Initiate promotional operations on your scale, for example, on social media.
• Verify that the initial orders are proceeding correctly.
• Monitor the customer service tab of your store to identify any potential returns from customers.
• Is everything going well? Think about the future and how to develop your e-commerce!