A curated collection of free tools, platforms, and in-depth guides for starting and growing an ecommerce business.
Whether you are launching your first online store or scaling an established business, this list covers everything from choosing a platform to managing finances. All tools listed are free or have a meaningful free tier.
Guides are provided by AFCommerce, which has been in ecommerce since 2003.
- Ecommerce Platforms
- Selling Online
- Digital Marketing
- Store Operations
- Business Finance
- Starting a Business
- Career and Income
- Contributing
- Shopify - Hosted ecommerce platform with themes, apps, and built-in payments. Free trial available.
- WooCommerce - Free WordPress plugin that turns any site into a full online store.
- OpenCart - Free open source PHP shopping cart with a large extension marketplace.
- PrestaShop - Free open source ecommerce platform with 300+ built-in features.
- Medusa - Open source headless commerce engine built with Node.js.
- Saleor - GraphQL-first open source ecommerce platform built with Python and Django.
- Vendure - Open source headless commerce framework built with TypeScript and NestJS.
- WordPress - Free CMS that powers WooCommerce and dozens of other ecommerce plugins.
- Cloudflare Pages - Free static site hosting, useful for headless storefronts.
- Best Ecommerce Platforms Compared - Side by side comparison of major platforms with pricing, features, and recommendations.
- Shopify: Complete Store Owner Guide - Setup, pricing, themes, apps, and growth strategies for Shopify stores.
- WooCommerce: Setup and Optimization - Installation, plugins, performance tuning, and scaling your WooCommerce store.
- Ecommerce Website Design - Design principles, UX best practices, and conversion optimization for online stores.
- Website Hosting for Online Stores - Hosting options compared for speed, security, and ecommerce workloads.
- Amazon Seller Central - Free to sign up, sell on the largest marketplace in the world.
- Etsy - Marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique goods. Free to open a shop.
- eBay Seller Hub - Free selling dashboard with analytics, listing tools, and order management.
- Printful - Print on demand fulfillment with no upfront costs. Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and more.
- Printify - Print on demand with a free plan, connects to 10+ sales channels.
- Gumroad - Sell digital products directly to your audience. Free to start.
- Payhip - Sell digital downloads, courses, and memberships with a free plan.
- Google Merchant Center - Free product listings in Google Shopping search results.
- How to Start an Online Store - Step by step guide from idea to first sale.
- Dropshipping Guide - Finding suppliers, choosing products, and building a dropshipping business.
- Amazon FBA Guide - Fulfillment by Amazon explained, from product research to launch.
- Selling on Etsy - Shop setup, SEO, photography, and growth strategies for Etsy sellers.
- Print on Demand - How to start a print on demand business with no inventory.
- Selling Digital Products - Creating and selling ebooks, courses, templates, and software.
- Online Marketplaces - Comparing eBay, Walmart, and other marketplace options.
- Private Label Products - Building your own brand with private label manufacturing.
- Subscription Box Business - Planning, sourcing, and launching a subscription box.
- Wholesale Ecommerce - Buying and selling wholesale online.
- Google Search Console - Free SEO monitoring, indexing, and search performance data directly from Google.
- Google Analytics - Free website analytics with audience, behavior, and conversion tracking.
- Ubersuggest - Free tier keyword research, site audit, and competitor analysis.
- AnswerThePublic - Free content idea generator based on real search queries.
- Mailchimp - Email marketing with a free plan for up to 500 contacts.
- Brevo - Email marketing with a free plan for 300 emails per day, unlimited contacts.
- Canva - Free graphic design tool for social media posts, ads, and marketing materials.
- Buffer - Free plan for scheduling social media posts across 3 channels.
- Google Ads Keyword Planner - Free keyword research and search volume data for ad campaigns.
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - Free backlink and SEO health monitoring for sites you own.
- Google Trends - Free trend analysis for product research and content planning.
- SEO for Online Business - Technical SEO, content strategy, and link building for ecommerce sites.
- Email Marketing - List building, automation, segmentation, and campaign strategy.
- Google Ads and PPC - Campaign setup, bidding strategies, and optimization for ecommerce.
- Social Media Marketing - Platform selection, content strategy, and paid social for online stores.
- Content Marketing - Blog strategy, content planning, and SEO content that drives sales.
- Affiliate Marketing - Setting up and managing an affiliate program for your store.
- Influencer Marketing - Finding influencers, negotiating deals, and measuring ROI.
- Conversion Rate Optimization - A/B testing, checkout optimization, and increasing revenue per visitor.
- ShipStation - Shipping software with a free trial, compares rates across carriers.
- Pirate Ship - Free shipping software with discounted USPS and UPS rates.
- Easyship - Free plan for up to 50 shipments per month with rate comparison.
- InFlow Inventory - Free inventory management for small businesses.
- Sortly - Visual inventory tracking with a free plan.
- Tidio - Free live chat and chatbot for ecommerce customer service.
- Freshdesk - Customer support helpdesk with a free plan for up to 10 agents.
- Hotjar - Free heatmaps and session recordings to understand customer behavior.
- Shipping and Fulfillment - Carrier comparison, packaging, rates, and fulfillment strategies.
- Product Sourcing - Finding manufacturers, negotiating, and vetting suppliers.
- Inventory Management - Stock tracking, reorder points, and avoiding stockouts.
- Pricing Strategy - Markup, margin, competitive pricing, and psychological pricing.
- Ecommerce Automation - Automating order processing, email, inventory, and marketing.
- Customer Service - Support channels, response templates, and building loyalty.
- Analytics and Reporting - KPIs, dashboards, and data-driven decision making.
- Ecommerce Security - SSL, PCI compliance, fraud prevention, and protecting customer data.
- Wave - Completely free accounting software with invoicing and receipt scanning.
- PayPal Business - Free to set up, accept payments online and in person.
- Stripe - Payment processing with developer-friendly APIs. No monthly fees.
- Square - Free POS system and online payment processing.
- Novo - Free business checking account designed for ecommerce sellers.
- Mercury - Free startup banking with built-in bookkeeping tools.
- ZipBooks - Free cloud accounting with invoicing and time tracking.
- SBA Lender Match - Free government tool to match small businesses with lenders.
- Grants.gov - Search and apply for federal business grants.
- Payment Processing - Comparing payment gateways, fees, and integration options.
- Small Business Loans - Loan types, qualification, and finding the best rates.
- Building Business Credit - Establishing and growing your business credit score.
- Business Insurance - Coverage types, costs, and choosing the right policies.
- Business Banking - Choosing a bank, managing cash, and separating finances.
- Ecommerce Accounting - Bookkeeping, tax prep, and financial reporting for online sellers.
- Sales Tax - Nexus, collection, filing, and compliance across states.
- Grants and Funding - Finding and applying for small business grants.
- Cash Flow Management - Forecasting, managing, and improving cash flow.
- SCORE - Free business mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, backed by the SBA.
- SBA.gov - Free guides, tools, and local assistance from the Small Business Administration.
- LegalZoom - Business formation services starting with free LLC guides and resources.
- IRS EIN Application - Get a free Employer Identification Number in minutes.
- Trello - Free project management boards for planning and tracking business tasks.
- Notion - Free workspace for business planning, docs, and project management.
- ChatGPT - AI assistant for brainstorming, writing, and business research.
- Claude - AI assistant for analysis, writing, and technical business tasks.
- G Suite / Google Workspace - Free tier with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive for business operations.
- Starting a Small Business - Complete walkthrough from idea validation to launch.
- Business Planning - Writing a business plan, financial projections, and goal setting.
- Small Business Legal - Business structures, contracts, trademarks, and compliance.
- Hiring and Team Building - When to hire, where to find talent, and managing remote teams.
- AI Tools for Business - Using AI to automate, create content, and run your business faster.
- Business Software Reviews - Comparing tools for project management, CRM, and productivity.
- Upwork - Freelance marketplace for finding clients in any skill area.
- Fiverr - Sell services starting at any price point. Free to list.
- Toptal - Freelance network for top developers, designers, and finance experts.
- FlexJobs - Curated remote and flexible job listings.
- We Work Remotely - Free job board focused on remote work opportunities.
- Indie Hackers - Community of founders building profitable online businesses.
- Freelancing Guide - Finding clients, setting rates, and building a freelance business.
- Side Hustle Ideas - Profitable side businesses you can start while working full time.
- Work From Home - Remote work opportunities, productivity, and home office setup.
- Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs - Managing personal finances while building a business.
Contributions are welcome. Please read the contributing guidelines before submitting a pull request.
