Create an Online Store in Minutes
No coding. No guesswork. Use Olitt, our most powerful and complete online store builder.

There uptime is amazing and before I forget, they are the most cheapest domain registrar in Kenya.
Sell More with Truehost Websites
Website Builder Starter
$1.58/mo when billed annually.
- 1GB Storage
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Free Domain (.shop/.top/.info/.xyz)
- 1 Business Email
- Google ranking with SEO
- DNS Management
- Web Security with SSL
- Discounted Domains
- 100 contacts
- 5 forms
- Bulk Email, Drip Campaigns, Forms, Contacts & Segments
Website Builder Pro
$4.08/mo when billed annually.
- Everything in Starter
- 10GB Storage
- 25 forms
- 500 Contacts
- 3 Business Emails
- Shop
- Accept Payment
- Marketing Suite
- Auto Prospecting
Website Builder Business
$16.67/mo when billed annually.
- Everything in Pro
- 50GB Storage
- Unlimited Forms
- 2000 Contacts
- 7 Business Emails
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15+ payment platforms
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Accept mobile payments
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Free Hosting included
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100+ eCommerce websites
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Social selling features
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Free Business emails
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Social media integrations
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Whatsapp Integrations
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Unlimited landing pages
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Stock management
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Include product prototypes
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Add custom fields as product properties
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Easy navigation items management
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Sell unlimited products
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Supports product variants (colors, sizes, etc)
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Add and manage product categories
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Seamless product management
How to Create an Online Shop with Olitt
1) Choose your plan and register your domain
Choose your plan above (Website Builder Pro plan is recommended). You can use an existing or new domain for your site.
2) Access the online shop builder
Once your account is active, log into your account and open the Website Builder. You will be able to access various sections for you to customize and manage
3) Customize your store
Use the drag-and-drop editor to:
- Add your logo, brand, & colors
- Upload product images and descriptions
- Set prices and stock quantities
- Create categories and menus
- Customize pages look and layout
4) Set up payments and shipping
From the dashboard, integrate your preferred payment methods, including Flutterwave, PayPal, or Bank Cards.
Also, configure your shipping zones and options (pickup, delivery, courier, etc.)
5) Launch and share your store
Click Publish to make your online shop live. Then:
- Share your store link on social media
- Connect it to Facebook or Instagram
- Run a WhatsApp broadcast to announce your launch
Which is the best eCommerce Builder for creating an Online Shop?
A modern drag-and-drop shop builder, Olitt, lets you launch a stunning, mobile-ready online store in under 30 minutes. For just $49 / year, you can access a complete eCommerce suite. This includes everything from inventory tools to Flutterwave integration, offering a simpler alternative to Shopify or WooCommerce.
| Feature / Platform | Olitt by Truehost | Shopify | Wix eCommerce | WooCommerce (WordPress) | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (monthly) | $49 / year | From $29/month | From $27/month | Varies (Hosting + Plugins) | From $39/month |
| Free domain & hosting | β Included | β Extra | β Limited | β Needs separate setup | β Separate hosting |
| M-Pesa Integration | β Built-in | β Not seamless | β Manual setup | ? With plugins | β Not native |
| Local support (Kenya) | β 24/7 | β None | β None | ? Community support | β None |
| Ease of use | β Beginner-friendly | β Very easy | β Very easy | ? Intermediate | ? Intermediate |
| Templates / designs | β 200+ free templates | β Premium themes | β Drag-and-drop | ? Depends on theme | ? Functional first |
| Transaction fees | β None | β Yes (unless Shopify Payments) | β None | β None | β None |
| Digital & physical products | β Both | β Both | β Both | β Both | β Both |
| Mobile responsive | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes |
| SEO | β Advanced | β Basic | β Basic | β Advanced | β Advanced |
| Email & SSL | β Free email + SSL | β Paid add-ons | β Free SSL | β Depends on host | β SSL only |
Who is this for?
- Boutique owners selling fashion, accessories, or cosmetics
- Side hustlers flipping electronics, shoes, or second-hand items
- Freelancers offering services like web design, writing, or consulting
- NGOs & Charities accepting donations online
- Local brands exporting products to the diaspora
- Instagram sellers and TikTok marketers
- Content creators and coaches
- Dropshippers targeting Africa and beyond
100+ eCommerce Templates for Every Use Case
Our Integrations
Use your Truehost Online Shop Builder dashboard to supercharge your eCommerce store with powerful, plug-and-play tools.
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Mobile Payments: Accept mobile payments with real-time STK Push
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Card & bank payments: Integrate with PayPal, Stripe, Flutterwave, and more
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Email marketing: Sync with tools like Mailchimp, Sender, and Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
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Facebook & Instagram Shops: Sell directly from your social media pages
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Google Analytics & Tag Manager: Track conversions, traffic, and customer behavior
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Live chat & support: Add tools like Tawk.to or WhatsApp to boost engagement
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Shipping & delivery: Connect with local couriers like Fargo or Sendy (API-ready)
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CRM & automation tools: Use webhooks or Zapier for order follow-ups, notifications, and customer management
How much do you pay to build an online shop?
The cost to build an online shop varies widely depending on several factors like platform, features, design complexity, and who builds it (DIY vs agency). Here’s a general breakdown to guide you:
Estimated Cost to Build an Online Shop
| Type of Store | Platform/Approach | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Store (Basic) | Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce | $100 β $500 |
| Custom Store (Freelancer) | WordPress + WooCommerce / OpenCart | $500 β $1,500 |
| Professional Store (Agency) | Magento, Custom Laravel, Shopify Plus | $2,000 β $10,000+ |
Whatβs Included in the Cost?
β Domain & Hosting ($20β$200/year)
β Design & Theme Customization
β Product Listings & Categories
β Payment Gateway Integration
β Shipping & Tax Setup
β SSL Certificate (Free to β¦50,000/year)
β Mobile & SEO Optimization
Additional Costs to Consider:
- Ongoing Maintenance: π΅ $15 β $70/month (Covers updates, backups, bug fixes, minor edits)
- Marketing Tools (Email, SMS, SEO): π΅ $7 β $35/month (For tools like Mailchimp, SEO plugins, SMS gateways)
- Custom Features / Integrations: π΅ Varies (e.g., booking systems, CRM integration, multi-vendor setup)
- Content / Product Uploads (if outsourced): π΅ $1 β $4 per product (Useful if you have a large inventory and need help entering it)
Online Store FAQs
How much does it cost to start an online store?
There are a lot of factors that come into play when calculating the cost of starting an online store.
The cost of starting an online store depends on the type and size of your business. It also depends on what type of products you sell, where you will sell them from, and how many products you have in stock at any given time.
The most expensive part is usually the inventory since most businesses need to buy new items or replenish their stocks after they sell out.
Is an online store profitable?
There are many online stores that are profitable, but it is important to note that this does not mean that every online store will be successful. There are many factors that contribute to the success of an online store.
Online stores can become profitable in several ways. Some of these include:
- Offering a unique product line
- Focusing on customer retention and loyalty
- Using social media marketing strategies to grow brand awareness
- Offering discounts and promotions
- Offering free shipping
Setting up your website for success
Setting up your online store website for success is not a difficult task, but it does require some planning. The key is to know what you want to sell, who you want to sell it to, and what will make your store stand out from the rest.
For example, if you are selling clothes then consider using a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce. If you are selling food or drinks then Shopify might not be the right choice for you because of the fees associated with Shopify.
How to Market Your Business Online
Social media marketing is a cost-effective way to reach your target audience. Itβs also one of the best ways to establish a brand and build a loyal following. Social media marketing can be used for many different purposes, including building a loyal following, establishing a brand, and reaching your target audience.
- Build a loyal following
- Increase awareness of your brand or product by being part of the online conversation.
- Reach your target audience in an efficient and cost-effective way.
- Establish a brand
- Generate a consistent message to establish your personal brand or companyβs identity.
Why Does Every Business Need a Website?
A website is the most effective way for a business to reach out to its audience, generate leads and increase revenue. It is also one of the key factors that drive customer loyalty.
A website allows businesses to present themselves in a professional manner, which gives them an edge over their competitors.
How to Create an Efficient & Profitable Online Store with B2B/B2C Businesses
The first step in starting a business is to decide what you want to sell.
When it comes to selling products online, there are two types of businesses: B2B and B2C. A B2B business sells products or services for other companies, while a B2C business sells products or services for consumers.
The difference between the two types of businesses is how they sell their products and services. With a B2B business, the company that is being sold to has already established itself in the market with its own brand and customer base, while with a B2C business, the company that will be selling the product already has no presence in the market before its launch.
How to Start an Online Store
Step 1: Choose a niche and develop a business plan.
Step 2: Select your domain name
Step 3: Pick your e-commerce website builder.
Step 4: Design the look of your online store.
Step 5: Add products to your online shop.
Step 6: Set up shipping
Step 7: Market your online store.
Step 8: Launch your online store.
Is dropshipping illegal?
Yes, dropshipping is legal. There are many business owners that utilize this method for order fulfilment and it’s known to be a legitimate way to run a business. What you need to do is be careful with the suppliers you choose and make sure they are not using another company’s intellectual property.
How long does it take to build an online business?
It takes time to build an online business. It takes a lot of time and effort to get started.
In order to start an online business, you need to have a clear vision of what you want your business to be. You need a plan on how you will generate revenue, how you will market your product or service, and how you will reach out to customers.
It is important that the first step in the process is getting clarity of what it is that you are trying to accomplish with your online business. This can help reduce the amount of wasted time and effort that goes into building something that may not work for your goals.
How can I start a small business online with no money?
The first step is to figure out what you want to do. For example, if you want to sell clothing online, you could start with a blog or a website where you share your personal style and experiences. If you want to make music, create a YouTube channel where people can watch videos of your songs.
If you don’t have any money to start a small business online, then it might be best for you to find an idea that doesn’t require much capital. For example, if you’re not good at marketing or website design, but are good at social media and content writing, then starting an Instagram account might be perfect for your needs.
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