What you’ll need before we start.
Your store runs on a few accounts that you own, in your name. Here’s what I recommend and what I use myself, whether I’m building your store, running it or marketing it. Already have some of these? Great, we’ll use what you’ve got.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I’d set up for my own clients.
The essentials
Every store needs these three. You pay each provider directly, separately from my fees. Already running a WooCommerce store? Keep the ones you have.
Domain name
Namesilo
Your store’s web address, like yourshop.com. I use Namesilo for my own domains: fair yearly prices and free WHOIS privacy, so your personal details stay off the public domain record.
Web hosting
BigScoots
Where your store lives online. This site runs on BigScoots, and it’s where I set up new stores: fast, reliable and with friendly support.
Start with the Shared 155CC plan. It’s what I use, and you can move up if your store outgrows it.
Payments
Stripe
Takes credit card, debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay payments, and connects Afterpay (Clearpay in the UK), Klarna and Affirm, with payouts to your bank. It’s what I set up for Tres Finds.
No monthly fee: Stripe charges a small fee per sale.
For marketing
Free Google and Meta accounts for Online Store Marketing. If you already have them, you add me with the access the work needs, and you can remove me any time.
Search
Google Search Console
Shows which searches bring people to your store and flags problems Google finds. Free, and needed for SEO and AI search (Growth).
Shopping listings
Google Merchant Center
Lists your products for free on Google Shopping, and powers Google Shopping ads if you add Scale. Free; I connect it to your store.
Social ads
Meta Business Suite
Where your Facebook and Instagram ads run if you add Scale. The ad account is yours, and you pay Meta directly for ad spend.
Optional
Handy, depending on how you want to run things.
Automated admin
Claude
Needed if you choose the Claude workflow add-on: the workflows run in your own Claude account, on a paid plan. I use Claude every day for admin work like this.
Sending and receiving money
Wise
Pay invoices in your own currency with low, upfront fees, or hold and receive money in other currencies. I use Wise for my business.
Not sure what you need?
We’ll go through it on a free 15-minute call, and I’ll tell you what you can skip.