logo
Start Free Trial
Getting Started

Welcome to PlanetShopping

Learn the essential steps to build, configure, test and launch your first PlanetShopping online store.

Purpose

Welcome to PlanetShopping. This guide shows you the shortest path from a new account to a professional online store that is ready to accept its first order.

PlanetShopping is designed to keep ecommerce setup focused. You do not need to configure every feature before launch. Start with the essentials, complete the full customer journey, test it, then expand your store as your business grows.

What You’ll Learn

  • You’ll understand the Merchant Panel, the recommended setup order and the core tasks to complete before publishing your store.

Your Phase 1 Launch Path

  1. Create your first store.

  2. Choose and set up a theme.

  3. Customise your branding and storefront.

  4. Add and organise products.

  5. Set up payments.

  6. Configure shipping.

  7. Configure taxes.

  8. Connect your domain.

  9. Review customer email notifications.

  10. Complete an end-to-end test order.

  11. Choose your subscription and publish.

  12. Manage your first live orders.

Before You Begin

Have your business name, logo, product information, pricing and basic shipping plans available. If you already own a domain, keep access to your domain provider handy for the domain-connection step.

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER — Merchant Panel homepage / main navigation. Show the primary areas used during setup. Annotate only confirmed production navigation labels.]

The Merchant Panel

The Merchant Panel is where you manage your PlanetShopping store. It brings together the tools used to configure the storefront, products, payments, shipping, taxes, domains, orders, customers and reporting.

Use the labels shown in your Merchant Panel. PlanetShopping Help Centre guides follow the same terminology so you can move between the guide and the platform easily.

Start with Your Store

Create your store and confirm the basic business information first. Then move into Store Builder to choose a theme and make the storefront look like your brand.

Add Products Before Fine-Tuning Design

A storefront is easier to evaluate once real products are visible. Add representative product content early so you can judge your homepage, categories and product pages using realistic information.

Set Up the Transaction Flow

Before launch, configure payments, shipping and taxes. These settings directly affect whether a customer can complete checkout successfully.

Connect Your Domain

A custom domain gives customers a professional address for your store. PlanetShopping’s domain guide walks through connecting an existing domain and updating the required DNS records.

Test Before Publishing

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER — Store preview and checkout test. Show the storefront/cart/checkout stage used for an end-to-end test order.]

Complete at least one end-to-end test order. Review the storefront, cart, checkout, shipping, taxes, payment, order creation, customer email and inventory behaviour.

Publish When You’re Ready

PlanetShopping provides a 15-day free trial with no credit card required. You can build and configure your store during the trial. A paid subscription is required when you are ready to publish and accept live customer orders.

Note

Follow the launch path in order the first time. It prevents the most common setup problem: polishing the storefront before the core payment, shipping, tax and checkout flow has been verified.

Tips & Best Practices

Keep your first launch focused. Use real product content as early as possible. Test on mobile and desktop. Resolve payment verification early. Keep shipping and category structures simple at first. Make advanced changes after the basic customer journey works reliably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to finish every PlanetShopping feature before launch?

No. Phase 1 focuses on the essential tasks required to launch and accept your first successful order.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. The 15-day PlanetShopping trial does not require a credit card.

Can I change my store after publishing?

Yes. Your store will continue to evolve after launch. Preview and test important changes before making them live.

Where should I start if I already have products and a domain?

Still begin with store setup and theme configuration, then add or import your products and connect your domain as you move through the launch path.

Related Articles

Next Step

Continue to Create Your First Store.