How to set up an e-commerce site
What to look for when choosing a platform
There are two ways to set up an e-commerce site: have custom software built from scratch, or use a ready-made e-commerce platform. For most small and medium-sized businesses a ready-made platform is faster and less risky; the platform provider handles servers, security and updates, while you focus on your products and sales.
In this guide we have gathered the steps from launching the site to the first order, and the questions to ask when choosing a platform.
What to prepare before you start
- Company and tax details: Applications for a virtual POS and marketplaces require a company or sole trader registration, a tax certificate and a bank account in the business's name.
- Domain name: A short address carrying your brand, for example yourbrand.com or yourbrand.com.tr.
- Product list: Name, SKU, barcode, price, stock, description, category and photos. Gathering these in an Excel file speeds up uploading.
- Shipping agreement: Which carrier you will work with and the shipping rates.
- Legal texts: Distance sales contract, pre-contract information form, return conditions, KVKK privacy notice and cookie policy, as required in Türkiye.
Step-by-step setup
- Choose the platform. Ask the provider the questions in the table below; if possible, try it with your own products in a demo account.
- Design the storefront. Set up your logo, colours, home page images and menu. Always check the mobile view on a phone; a large share of your visitors will come from phones.
- Upload the products. If you have few products, enter them by hand; if you have many, upload them in bulk with Excel. Enter variants (size, colour) and SKUs properly from the start; marketplace matching is done with these codes.
- Connect payments. Apply to a payment provider such as iyzico or PayTR, or to your bank's virtual POS, enter the details you're given into the panel and place a test order with 3D Secure.
- Connect shipping. Enter the carrier's integration details so that shipments are created and the tracking number goes to the customer automatically.
- Add the legal pages. Publish the contracts and return conditions, and have the customer accept them at checkout.
- Connect the domain. Point your domain's DNS record to the address provided by the platform provider.
- Test and launch. Place orders with different phones, make a return and check the emails. If everything is in place, announce it.
What to look for when choosing a platform
| Topic | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Payments | Which virtual POS and payment providers are already connected? Who sets the commission? |
| Shipping | With which carriers are shipments and tracking numbers automatic? |
| Marketplaces | Are Trendyol, Hepsiburada and N11 orders and stock in the same panel? |
| Dealers (B2B) | Are there dealer-specific prices, approved membership and wholesale orders? |
| Product import | Can you move your products over from another platform? |
| Marketing | Which plan includes campaigns, coupons, SMS and visitor analytics? |
| Domain name | Can you use your own domain? |
| Limits | Is there a limit on products and users, and what happens if you exceed it? |
| Leaving | If you want to leave in future, can you export your data? |
Marketplaces and your own site together
Marketplaces bring fast sales but take a commission on each sale, and the customer relationship stays with the marketplace. Your own site gives you commission-free sales and your own customer list, but you have to bring in the visitors yourself. Most businesses use both.
In that case the most important issue is stock: when the last unit of a product sells on a marketplace, stock on your site must drop too. On a platform with marketplace integration, orders and stock are managed from one panel. In Mağazabulut, products are matched by barcode on Trendyol and by SKU on other marketplaces; the product must already be listed on the marketplace.
Retail and dealer sales in the same store
Instead of setting up a separate dealer site, companies that sell wholesale can open dealer membership in the same store. When a customer approved as a dealer logs in, they see their own prices, while retail customers see the normal price. Wholesale rules such as case or pack quantities are defined on the product card.
Cost items
The cost of an e-commerce site is more than a single plan price. When budgeting, consider these items separately:
| Item | How is it charged? |
|---|---|
| Platform subscription | Monthly or yearly; varies by plan. |
| Domain name | Yearly; varies by registrar and extension. |
| Virtual POS | Commission per sale; the rate is set by the bank or payment provider. |
| Shipping | Per shipment; depends on your agreement with the carrier. |
| Marketplace | Commission per sale plus some service fees. |
| SMS | Bought as a message bundle from an SMS provider. |
| Photos and content | You can prepare them yourself or use a service. |
You can see Mağazabulut plans and current prices at magazabulut.sophiras.com.
Frequently asked questions
Ready-made platform or custom software?
For standard retail or wholesale selling, a ready-made platform is usually enough and launches faster. If your workflow is very different, or you need deep connections to your own systems, custom software may be worth considering; Sophiras does both.
How long does it take to launch an e-commerce site?
Once the platform is ready, the timing is mostly determined by preparing the products and getting the virtual POS application approved. If your product list is ready, the store can open quickly; POS approval times vary by bank.
Can I manage marketplace orders from the same panel?
Yes. In Mağazabulut, Trendyol, Hepsiburada and N11 orders arrive in the same panel and stock is shared.
Can I use my own domain?
Depending on your plan, you can connect your own domain or use the magaza.sophiras.com/yourstore address.
Can I move over from another platform?
Yes. You can import your products in bulk with Excel or an export file; if you import the same file again, products are matched by SKU and updated.