{"id":10534,"date":"2023-03-14T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-14T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/?p=10534"},"modified":"2023-11-15T10:50:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T09:50:41","slug":"how-to-start-your-own-webshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-start-your-own-webshop\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start your own webshop?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Starting an online shop means quite a lot of to-dos. Yet starting your own webshop is easier than ever. Although, of course, it is still very important to make the right choices. Starting with e-commerce? This blog article will tell you all about it.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1  uagb-block-6687c9d3     \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t><\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Table of content<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M192 384c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L192 306.8l137.4-137.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0s12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C208.4 380.9 200.2 384 192 384z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap\">\n<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#why-start-an-online-shop\">Why start an online shop<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#additional-sales-channel\">Additional sales channel<\/a><\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#setting-up-a-webshop-be-well-prepared\">Setting up a webshop: be well prepared<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#before-starting-a-webshop-put-your-elaborate-plan-on-the-table\">Before starting a webshop: put your (elaborate) plan on the table<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#starting-with-e-commerce-define-your-target-group-and-product\">Starting with e- commerce: define your target group and product<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#create-personas-do-market-research\">Create personas, do market research<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#do-product-research\">Do product research<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#starting-a-webshop-with-a-unique-offer\">Starting a webshop with a unique offer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#your-cakes-should-not-only-taste-good-but-also-be-profitable\">Your cakes should not only taste good, but also be profitable<\/a><\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#what-is-the-competition-doing\">What is the competition doing?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#choosing-and-deciding-domain-name-hosting-provider-and-cms\">Choosing and deciding: domain name, hosting provider and CMS<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#domain-name-for-your-shop\">Domain name for your shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#hosting-for-your-web-store\">Hosting for your web store<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#cms-for-your-web-store\">CMS for your web store<\/a><\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#start-a-successful-webshop-by-building-it-yourself\">Start a successful webshop by building it yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#those-who-choose-a-sitebuilder-package-get-free-hosting\">Those who choose a SiteBuilder package get free hosting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#process-payments-and-send-orders\">Process payments and send orders<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#starting-your-own-web-shop-dont-forget-your-shipping-and-return-policy\">Starting your own web shop? Don&#039;t forget your shipping and return policy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#free-shipping-vs-charging-shipping-costs\">Free shipping vs. charging shipping costs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#returns-and-exchanges\">Returns and exchanges<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#make-your-own-webshop-safe\">Make your own webshop safe<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#protection-against-ddos-attacks\">Protection against DDoS attacks<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#firewalls-at-combell\">Firewalls at Combell<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#back-ups-in-case-of-hacking\">Back-ups in case of hacking<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#continuous-security-updates-from-combell\">Continuous security updates from Combell<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#encrypted-encryption-via-ssl-is-a-must\">Encrypted encryption via SSL is a must!<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#installing-an-ssl-connection\">Installing an SSL connection<\/a><\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#comply-with-privacy-legislation-with-your-web-store\">Comply with privacy legislation with your web store<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mandatory-yes-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr-makes-sure-of-that\">Mandatory! Yes, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) makes sure of that<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#cookies-not-the-ones-to-eat\">Cookies: not the ones to eat<\/a><\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#starting-a-webshop-thats-promotion\">Starting a webshop, that&#039;s promotion!<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#keep-an-eye-on-your-webshops-figures\">Keep an eye on your webshop&#039;s figures<\/a><\/li>\n<ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\">\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#five-ways-to-improve-your-webshop\">Five ways to improve your webshop:<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions-about-starting-your-own-webshop\">Frequently asked questions about starting your own webshop<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why start an online shop<\/h2>\n<p>You want to start your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/build-your-webshop\">own professional webshop<\/a>, but you still have doubts? Of course you do! You don't start e-commerce just like that or without thinking. Although there is nothing wrong with keeping your first steps small-scale. Even starting with a <strong>small webshop<\/strong> gives you a lot of <strong>advantages<\/strong>. Just think of the larger target audience you can reach, the fast and budget-friendly start-up\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Opening an online shop equals investing in the future. Although; actually it's already investing in the here and now. The BeCommerce Market Monitor calculated that in the third quarter of 2022, Belgians already spent more than 3.6 billion euros in e-commerce. That is <strong>an increase of 12 percent<\/strong> compared to the same period last year, according to the sector federation. Good to know: clothes, games and entertainment are most often bought online.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional sales channel<\/h3>\n<p>Having a physical shop is logical and smart, but starting your own webshop - perhaps as an additional sales channel - is actually even more sensible. <strong>E-commerce is here to stay.<\/strong> Not surprising, considering all the convenience webshops offer customers.<\/p>\n<p>You can shop online day and night, you don't have to leave the house, no lugging bags around, the product range is usually more extensive and webshops are accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large is-style-devplus-image-rounded-shadow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Making-a-list-of-costs-for-a-webshop-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"A woman at her kitchen table lists her webshop costs.\" class=\"wp-image-10535\" title=\"Make a list of your webshop costs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Making-a-list-of-costs-for-a-webshop-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Making-a-list-of-costs-for-a-webshop-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Making-a-list-of-costs-for-a-webshop-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Making-a-list-of-costs-for-a-webshop.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Starting a webshop with homemade products? Make a list of all the things you need before starting an online shop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We Belgians spent a whopping 3.6 billion on online shopping in third quarter 2022 - BeCommerce<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Setting up a webshop: be well prepared<\/h2>\n<p>The opportunities may be there for the taking, but very good preparation is essential to make your own webshop a success.<\/p>\n<p>We will go through the main steps in this article, but for those who are impatient, we already list some <strong>important reasons why you should be well prepared<\/strong> before starting your own webshop:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list uagb-block-fed721ba\">\n<div class=\"uagb-icon-list__wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-634aa0ac\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Your financial plan needs to be right. It is important to know all the costs of setting up a webshop. Your e-commerce story needs a detailed, clear and straightforward financial plan.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM232 152C232 138.8 242.8 128 256 128s24 10.75 24 24v128c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24S232 293.3 232 280V152zM256 400c-17.36 0-31.44-14.08-31.44-31.44c0-17.36 14.07-31.44 31.44-31.44s31.44 14.08 31.44 31.44C287.4 385.9 273.4 400 256 400z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong>Your financial plan needs to be right.<\/strong> It is important to know all the costs of setting up a webshop. Your e-commerce story needs a detailed, clear and straightforward financial plan.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-0e62a0c8\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"There is a lot of competition. Therefore, try to stand out from the rest right away (e.g. with an original product) and convince your potential customers with the unique selling point of your webshop.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM232 152C232 138.8 242.8 128 256 128s24 10.75 24 24v128c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24S232 293.3 232 280V152zM256 400c-17.36 0-31.44-14.08-31.44-31.44c0-17.36 14.07-31.44 31.44-31.44s31.44 14.08 31.44 31.44C287.4 385.9 273.4 400 256 400z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong>There is a lot of competition.<\/strong> Therefore, try to stand out from the rest right away (e.g. with an original product) and convince your potential customers with the unique selling point of your webshop.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-2759a52a\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Webshops have a technical side. The right CMS, an attractive web design, the security of your online shop and day-to-day operations \u2026 Starting an online shop requires some technical knowledge. Thanks to user-friendly platforms, you do not need to be an IT prodigy, but it is of course important that you yourself are able to work with your shop.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM232 152C232 138.8 242.8 128 256 128s24 10.75 24 24v128c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24S232 293.3 232 280V152zM256 400c-17.36 0-31.44-14.08-31.44-31.44c0-17.36 14.07-31.44 31.44-31.44s31.44 14.08 31.44 31.44C287.4 385.9 273.4 400 256 400z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong>Webshops have a technical side.<\/strong> The right CMS, an attractive web design, the security of your online shop and day-to-day operations \u2026 Starting an online shop requires some technical knowledge. Thanks to user-friendly platforms, you do not need to be an IT prodigy, but it is of course important that you yourself are able to work with your shop.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-2bd38134\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"There are legal requirements. There are legal requirements. You can only start an online shop if your legal framework is in place. Think about your shop's general terms and conditions, privacy policy, the complicated GDPR rules \u2026 Inform yourself well in advance about the laws and regulations. That way you avoid problems with government bodies, or worse: fines.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM232 152C232 138.8 242.8 128 256 128s24 10.75 24 24v128c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24S232 293.3 232 280V152zM256 400c-17.36 0-31.44-14.08-31.44-31.44c0-17.36 14.07-31.44 31.44-31.44s31.44 14.08 31.44 31.44C287.4 385.9 273.4 400 256 400z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong>There are legal requirements.<\/strong> There are legal requirements. You can only start an online shop if your legal framework is in place. Think about your shop's general terms and conditions, privacy policy, the complicated GDPR rules \u2026 Inform yourself well in advance about the laws and regulations. That way you avoid problems with government bodies, or worse: fines.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-74f0e33c\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Your customer service needs to be top notch. Where it's good, that's where you come back. The same goes for your online shop. Customers count on a clear return policy (even free shipping), discounts and warranty conditions. Think carefully about how you will handle all that (and pack it, of course \ud83d\ude00).\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM232 152C232 138.8 242.8 128 256 128s24 10.75 24 24v128c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24S232 293.3 232 280V152zM256 400c-17.36 0-31.44-14.08-31.44-31.44c0-17.36 14.07-31.44 31.44-31.44s31.44 14.08 31.44 31.44C287.4 385.9 273.4 400 256 400z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong><strong>Your customer service needs to be top notch.<\/strong> <\/strong>Where it's good, that's where you come back. The same goes for your online shop. Customers count on a clear return policy (even free shipping), discounts and warranty conditions. Think carefully about how you will handle all that (and pack it, of course \ud83d\ude00).<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before starting a webshop: put your (elaborate) plan on the table<\/h2>\n<p>A question you are only too happy to have an answer to: how do you start your own webshop? Well, in the first place by working out the plan in your creative brain and literally and figuratively putting it on the table. Tinkering, tweaking and adjusting. \"Back to the drawing board\".<\/p>\n<p>It doesn't stop at one plan, by the way. Your <strong>business plan<\/strong> is not the same as the plan you use to organise the day-to-day operations of your webshop.<\/p>\n<p>A detailed plan gives direction and focus to your webshop. So you know where you want to go (goals and KPIs) and what you need to get there.<\/p>\n<p>That is why the financial part of your webshop plan is important. Map out your monthly, fixed costs. That way, there will be <strong>no surprises <\/strong>and you will know how much you can invest.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting with e- commerce: define your target group and product<\/h2>\n<p>One of the big advantages of starting your own webshop is reaching a wider target audience. But who is that target audience, who are your customers? You need to find out. Because the most important person in your organisation, is your customer.<\/p>\n<p>Are you going to open a webshop where you sell to everyone, or are you only targeting women? Or maybe only women between 25 and 45 with an interest in fashion and pets?<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create personas, do market research<\/h3>\n<p>Determining your target audience, you do it in different ways. Create personas (reference person), which is a fictional person who represents your target group. Personas are created based on age, gender, income, occupation, interests, etc.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-76bb621b uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Example of a persona:<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">\n<p>Say you sell jewellery with animal prints, then 19-year-old Amber, who is still studying, likes to shop and is a big animal lover, is your possible reference persona. You can work out more personas or describe your first benchmark persona in more detail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>To map out your customers, you can also do a market survey. Hit the streets! Or set up online surveys, launch <strong>an appeal on social media<\/strong> \u2026<\/p>\n<p>If you have already opened your webshop, keep a close eye on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/analytics.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Analytics<\/a><\/strong>. Because measuring is knowing. Use this tool to analyse who visits your website and which pages are visited most.<\/p>\n<p>This will tell you which groups of people are already interested in your products. This allows you to target your marketing and communication efforts more effectively!<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do product research<\/h3>\n<p>Starting your own online shop, but no idea what you want to sell or offer? That does not sound like a well-thought-out plan. \ud83d\ude09 Because <strong>determining your (type of) product <\/strong>is one of the most important steps if you want to set up an online shop.<\/p>\n<p>Determine the different features of your new products such as style, price, quality and quantity, among others. Besides giving your webshop a <strong>clear goal<\/strong>, this is also a way to find out which target group will be interested in your online products.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting a webshop with a unique offer<\/h3>\n<p>Market research also comes in handy here. Find out what the popular products are, what is in demand and where can you make the difference with your products or services. With a <strong>good product idea<\/strong>, you can distinguish yourself from other webshops. Customers should see you as a real expert.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, limit your product range. Sell what you are good at and define your offer. By the way, you have to dare to adapt that product range.<\/p>\n<p>Is your cutest but most expensive jewellery not selling? Then consider taking them off the range, at least for a while. <strong>Test <\/strong>and <strong>evaluate <\/strong>to find out which and how many products sell smoothly.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your cakes should not only taste good, but also be profitable<\/h3>\n<p>If you want to start a webshop, you need to consider the <strong>profit margin<\/strong>. After all, you may love baking and decorating that one delicious smurf cake until late at night, but you also need to make something from it. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n<p>So determine your profit margin. With a sufficient margin, you ensure a healthy (online) business and you get the budget to grow your own webshop further.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large is-style-devplus-image-rounded-shadow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Selling-self-made-cakes-on-your-webshop-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"A woman holding a box of nine cupcakes.\" class=\"wp-image-10540\" title=\"Starting a webshop, consider the profit margin\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Selling-self-made-cakes-on-your-webshop-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Selling-self-made-cakes-on-your-webshop-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Selling-self-made-cakes-on-your-webshop-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Selling-self-made-cakes-on-your-webshop.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the competition doing?<\/h2>\n<p>Keeping an eye on the competition is also a way of analysing your target group. Shop at another webshop and go to networking evenings. Not only will you get to know your customer better, you will also learn more about your competitors' <strong>strengths and weaknesses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Because while it is important to focus on your own business, don't think you are alone in the world. Being an entrepreneur is, after all, competing. So you better get to know your competition.<\/p>\n<p>You can grow by, for instance, offering better customer service (think faster or free shipping), coming up with creative campaigns and capitalising on certain trends in your <strong>niche market<\/strong>. So keep your ears and eyes open. That will keep you on your toes!<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing and deciding: domain name, hosting provider and CMS<\/h2>\n<p>Starting a webshop obviously involves <strong>start-up costs<\/strong>. The most important <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/what-does-a-webshop-cost\/\">costs of your webshop<\/a> are those that make it appear on the worldwide internet. In other words: your domain name, hosting and the software on which your shop runs, the Content Management System (CMS).<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Domain name for your shop<\/h3>\n<p>With your own domain name, you can start your own webshop. So choose a good company name. After all, this domain name is your <strong>online address where customers can find you. <\/strong>Fortunately, this is not the biggest expense. So do not immediately need to go for the cheapest one.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/domain-names\/registering-a-domain-name\"> Register your domain name<\/a> with a reliable hosting company. With Combell, you get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/registering-your-domain-name-with-combell-these-are-all-the-benefits\/\">many benefits and free extras as a gift!<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"card shadow border-0 bg-primary p-4 my-3\">\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/order-domain-names\" method=\"get\" novalidate=\"novalidate\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-8\">\n<div class=\"input-group\"><input class=\"form-control form-control-lg rounded js-search-input\" spellcheck=\"false\" autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"domainname\" type=\"url\" placeholder=\"Type domain name\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-4 mt-2 mt-lg-0\"><button class=\"btn btn-lg btn-warning btn-block rounded\" type=\"submit\">Search domain<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hosting for your web store<\/h3>\n<p>Now that your domain has been registered, it is time to claim your space on the Internet. Thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/web-hosting\">web hosting<\/a>, you can store your website online. You can't start an online shop without hosting. Will that cost you a lot of money? That may vary.<\/p>\n<p>So compare the different hosting providers and the packages they offer. Because there are very cheap providers. But will you get value for money? Only choose a package that suits the size and needs of your own web store.<\/p>\n<p>With Combell, you are in the right place for reliable advice. This way, you will not be stuck with high-tech gadgets afterwards. As a starter, you can already get very far with a solid and <strong>professional basic package<\/strong> such as the one from Combell.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-iconic-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/web-hosting\">Choose hosting for your web store<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CMS for your web store<\/h3>\n<p>Your professional shop needs web store software such as a Content Management System. Prices and costs depend on how big you see it and what your wishes are: is it a simple or rather extensive web store? For every idea, big or small, there is specific web shop software.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/WordPress-1-1024x263.jpg\" alt=\"The WordPress logo\" class=\"wp-image-9998\" style=\"width:350px\" width=\"350\" title=\"The WordPress logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/WordPress-1-1024x263.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/WordPress-1-300x77.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/WordPress-1-768x197.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/WordPress-1-1536x395.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/WordPress-1-2048x527.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/wordpress-webhosting\"><strong>W<\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/wordpress-webhosting\">ordPress <\/a>with the WooCommerce webshop plugin<\/strong>, for example, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/magento-webhosting\">Magento<\/a>. A WooCommerce webshop is a complete webshop solution (software as a service) with product and stock management, payment options, automatic confirmation and dispatch e-mails, etc.<\/p>\n<p>You are up and running in just a few clicks and do not have to buy everything separately! It is highly recommended for anyone who already has a WordPress website or knows something about WordPress as a CMS system.<\/p>\n<p>Starting a larger webshop? Then you're better off with a <strong>Magento <\/strong>webshop. That popular and robust system is ideally suited to heavier webshops.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-6229c4f5 uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Tip<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/what-cms-should-i-use-for-a-web-store\/\">Find out which webshop CMS is most suitable for you<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start a successful webshop by building it yourself<\/h2>\n<p>We urgently need to talk about our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/shopbuilder\">website builder with webshop<\/a><\/strong>! With this secret weapon from Combell, you can build your own web store on a limited budget.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to this easy-to-use package, you have everything you need to build your web store by yourself. Without having to be an IT professional. On our blog, the sisters behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/snoepfee-creates-her-online-webshop-herself-with-sitebuilder\/\">Snoepfee<\/a>, one of our satisfied customers, talk about how they created their own web store with SiteBuilder.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"SiteBuilder is not only affordable, but also the ideal website builder for people without experience like us.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>Receiving payments the way you want them, multiple shipping methods, managing your own orders \u2026 You do it all with our handy SiteBuilder.<\/p>\n<p>So if you want to keep it <strong>budget-friendly<\/strong>, there is no need to turn to a web design agency. Their professional work will of course provide you with a unique or specially designed web shop. So once you're bringing in revenue, outsourcing might be nice in the future.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-c55353ec uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Tip<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">SiteBuilder has been enhanced with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/ai-website-builder\">AI webshop builder<\/a>. You no longer have to build your webshop yourself; the Artificial Intelligence does it for you! Try it now.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/sitebuilder-templates-1-1024x319.png\" alt=\"An image with several examples of SiteBuilder webshop templates.\" class=\"wp-image-10545\" title=\"SiteBuilder: choose from more than 100 templates\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/sitebuilder-templates-1-1024x319.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/sitebuilder-templates-1-300x94.png 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/sitebuilder-templates-1-768x239.png 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/sitebuilder-templates-1-1536x479.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/sitebuilder-templates-1.png 2040w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With webshop software such as SiteBuilder, you can create a successful webshop with beautiful product photos. You can choose from more than a hundred themes!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Those who choose a SiteBuilder package get free hosting<\/h3>\n<p>Combell always makes sure that your experience on the web is simple and easy. SiteBuilder is a good example of this. Even if you are not familiar with the use of HTML or PHP, you can build your own website from scratch with our SiteBuilder. With the SiteBuilder package, you get free hosting and access to our 24\/7 support.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-iconic-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/free-hosting\">Go for free hosting with SiteBuilder<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Process payments and send orders<\/h2>\n<p>Time to make your cash register ring! To do that, you need to be able to process payments and, of course, ship orders.<\/p>\n<p>By integrating a payment gateway, customers can pay via your web shop. Several payment gateways, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mollie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mollie <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/stripe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stripe<\/a>, among others, specialise in setting up such integrations.<\/p>\n<p>Did you know that several hosting companies offer hosting packages or website builders that already include payment options? For instance, SiteBuilder and open source software such as the WooCommerce web store plugin in Combell's <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/hosting\/wordpress-webhosting\"><strong>WordPress package<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>So, this integration is a <strong>necessary investment<\/strong> for your web shop. You can start with links to Bancontact and Maestro. You need these payment options if you open a web store in Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>If you are aiming at an international target group, provide extra payment options such as Mastercard, Visa, Paypal or iDEAL. There is a <strong>small charge<\/strong> for each transaction. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mollie.com\/pricing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">usual rates vary per brand.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you really want to sell through your webshop, you better open a business bank account to keep those payments nice and separate.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large is-style-devplus-image-rounded-shadow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Package-products-you-sell-on-your-own-webshop-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"A woman packing her webshop orders to ship.\" class=\"wp-image-10548\" title=\"Having your own online shop also requires a good shipping and returns policy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Package-products-you-sell-on-your-own-webshop-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Package-products-you-sell-on-your-own-webshop-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Package-products-you-sell-on-your-own-webshop-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Package-products-you-sell-on-your-own-webshop.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Buying nice products? Fine! Don't forget to ship them efficiently afterwards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting your own web shop? Don't forget your shipping and return policy<\/h2>\n<p>As indicated, starting your own webshop requires a good shipping and return policy. Therefore, shipping your products is an important part of your shop. Customers want to receive their parcels quickly and undamaged. So think carefully about the packaging material you want to use. The stronger, the more expensive.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you would like to <strong>personalise <\/strong>your parcels by printing a logo and sticking it on the box? Of course, having your own personalised packaging printed is also an option. But that's obviously pricey, especially for those just starting a webshop.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free shipping vs. charging shipping costs<\/h2>\n<p>If you start an internet shop, you have to decide whether your customers can enjoy free shipping. Customers getting something for free? They're loving it! But in the end, it's you as a business owner who has to pay the cost. So it's not a bad idea to charge shipping costs anyway. Because such costs quickly add up.<\/p>\n<p>Charge shipping costs while keeping your customers happy? Do that with <strong>smart and budget-friendly promotions<\/strong> on your webshop. For example: reward someone who buys 50 euros worth of products with free shipping of the order.<\/p>\n<p>For your shipping, you can use the well-known players such as bpost, DPD, Mondial or UPS. They each have their own rates. Do not forget: Combell's SiteBuilder already offers various shipping options.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Returns and exchanges<\/h2>\n<p>Setting up a web store that charges return costs can be interesting for several reasons. Although it is a knife that cuts both ways. Because while you save money, you run the risk of <strong>dissatisfying your customers<\/strong>. Because paying to return something is not something shoppers like to do.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you do think about it, keep this in mind:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list uagb-block-66251e7d\">\n<div class=\"uagb-icon-list__wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-491e9082\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"By charging a return fee, your online shop can cover administration, packaging and shipping costs, thus saving costs.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM256 400c-18 0-32-14-32-32s13.1-32 32-32c17.1 0 32 14 32 32S273.1 400 256 400zM325.1 258L280 286V288c0 13-11 24-24 24S232 301 232 288V272c0-8 4-16 12-21l57-34C308 213 312 206 312 198C312 186 301.1 176 289.1 176h-51.1C225.1 176 216 186 216 198c0 13-11 24-24 24s-24-11-24-24C168 159 199 128 237.1 128h51.1C329 128 360 159 360 198C360 222 347 245 325.1 258z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">By charging a return fee, your online shop can <strong>cover administration, packaging and shipping costs, <\/strong>thus saving costs.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-17914a1e\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Customers may become more conscious and make fewer impulse purchases on your webshop. Which will reduce the number of returns.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM256 400c-18 0-32-14-32-32s13.1-32 32-32c17.1 0 32 14 32 32S273.1 400 256 400zM325.1 258L280 286V288c0 13-11 24-24 24S232 301 232 288V272c0-8 4-16 12-21l57-34C308 213 312 206 312 198C312 186 301.1 176 289.1 176h-51.1C225.1 176 216 186 216 198c0 13-11 24-24 24s-24-11-24-24C168 159 199 128 237.1 128h51.1C329 128 360 159 360 198C360 222 347 245 325.1 258z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Customers may become more <strong>conscious and make fewer impulse purchases<\/strong> on your webshop. Which will reduce the number of returns.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-76c869a4\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Give your customers a better and faster return service. By handling the returned parcel more efficiently, chances are your customers will see return costs as an added value.\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM256 400c-18 0-32-14-32-32s13.1-32 32-32c17.1 0 32 14 32 32S273.1 400 256 400zM325.1 258L280 286V288c0 13-11 24-24 24S232 301 232 288V272c0-8 4-16 12-21l57-34C308 213 312 206 312 198C312 186 301.1 176 289.1 176h-51.1C225.1 176 216 186 216 198c0 13-11 24-24 24s-24-11-24-24C168 159 199 128 237.1 128h51.1C329 128 360 159 360 198C360 222 347 245 325.1 258z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Give your customers a <strong>better and faster return service<\/strong>. By handling the returned parcel more efficiently, chances are your customers will see return costs as an added value.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-9844c352\"><a target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Think of it as a competitive advantage. If other web shops do not charge return costs, charging return costs can give you a competitive advantage as a start-up. By informing your customers about these costs before they make a purchase, customers think more carefully about their purchases and may be encouraged to keep shopping at your shop thanks to your transparent, fair prices. You hadn't thought of that yet, had you? \ud83d\ude04\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"#\"> <\/a><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M256 0C114.6 0 0 114.6 0 256s114.6 256 256 256s256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0zM256 400c-18 0-32-14-32-32s13.1-32 32-32c17.1 0 32 14 32 32S273.1 400 256 400zM325.1 258L280 286V288c0 13-11 24-24 24S232 301 232 288V272c0-8 4-16 12-21l57-34C308 213 312 206 312 198C312 186 301.1 176 289.1 176h-51.1C225.1 176 216 186 216 198c0 13-11 24-24 24s-24-11-24-24C168 159 199 128 237.1 128h51.1C329 128 360 159 360 198C360 222 347 245 325.1 258z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\">Think of it as a <strong>competitive advantage<\/strong>. If other web shops do not charge return costs, charging return costs can give you a competitive advantage as a start-up. By informing your customers about these costs before they make a purchase, customers think more carefully about their purchases and may be encouraged to keep shopping at your shop thanks to your transparent, fair prices. You hadn't thought of that yet, had you? \ud83d\ude04<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Do you deliver <strong>custom-made products <\/strong>or food? Then you can choose to work without return rights. Include these agreements in your return policy and general terms and conditions to avoid discussions afterwards.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make your own webshop safe<\/h2>\n<p>If you have a physical shop, invest in the latest alarm system, if you start your own webshop, make sure you have the best cybersecurity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You don't understand much about cybersecurity and how to set up a protected IT environment? If Combell is the hoster of your online shop, you do not have to do any of this. We take away all your worries about cybersecurity. Whether you have a standard hosting package with Combell or a higher hosting level with us, <strong>many services that provide cyber protection are included by default.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/webshop-combell-shield-protection-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"You can see a webshop protected by Colbell Shield against all kinds of attacks and malware.\" class=\"wp-image-10551\" title=\"Starting a web store? Combell protects your shop with Combell Shield\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/webshop-combell-shield-protection-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/webshop-combell-shield-protection-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/webshop-combell-shield-protection-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/webshop-combell-shield-protection.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>What will you notice about this standard security? Hopefully, nothing. Because we do everything to protect websites and web shops from attacks.<\/p>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/how-combell-shield-protects-webhosting-customers\/\">Combell Shield<\/a> <strong>protects everyone who has a web hosting package with Combel<\/strong>l. We are incredibly proud of this - which is also shown by the interview that one of our chief technology officers, Wesley Hof, gave to ITDaily. Wesley is very clear about it: \"Combell Shield includes a multitude of security solutions with which we block attacks and malware, before they hit our customer.\"<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-9e1ded5c uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Tip<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/combell-shield-upgrade\/\">Combell Shield 2.0. makes your web hosting even more secure<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protection against DDoS attacks<\/h3>\n<p>With our external scrubbing services, we reroute malicious traffic and the 'clean' traffic of real visitors continues to flow. This is quite <strong>unique<\/strong>. Because many of our competitors take your shop offline at that point to protect it, while our strategy is to keep your internet shop online at all times.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, we make sure that we always have enough capacity to limit the risks of DDOS attacks.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Firewalls at Combell<\/h3>\n<p>Of course, Combell also offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/technology\/firewall\">the best firewalls<\/a>, including the <strong>'next generation firewall'<\/strong>. This allows us to analyse data traffic even more precisely and to detect and block suspicious requests to your web store.<\/p>\n<p>We also supply 'web application firewalls'. These ensure that the usual web attacks are detected and then proactively blocked.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Back-ups in case of hacking<\/h3>\n<p>If your web shop were to be hacked anyway, it is very important that you have hosting with a consistent backup. Combell always places the backup in another physical location in another data centre.<\/p>\n<p>This way, we make sure that there is no physical connection between what is live on your shop and the backup site.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continuous security updates from Combell<\/h3>\n<p>Furthermore, in the world of security, you need to perform updates as soon as possible. At Combell, we are very strict about this. We constantly perform security updates, monitor them and make sure that your servers are always at the latest patch level. In fact, we have our own <strong>'patch first strategy'.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This patch first strategy means: patch first - read: protect your webshop - and only then start communication and explain what we have done. That way, we don't lose valuable time.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Encrypted encryption via SSL is a must!<\/h3>\n<p>You need to secure the data of your online shoppers. And not a little bit! You can protect financial transactions with a secure and encrypted payment gateway.<\/p>\n<p>The connection between your webshop and your customer is secured with an <strong>SSL certificate<\/strong>. This <strong>secure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-https\/\">HTTPS connection<\/a> <\/strong>keeps data out of the hands of internet fraudsters. Isn't that what you want for your shop?<\/p>\n<p>If you do not use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/ssl-certificates\">SSL<\/a>, then your webshop does not have an encrypted connection. This way, you make it much easier - too easy even - for criminals or hackers to find out certain personal or payment details and thus steal them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/ssl-connection-https.jpg\" alt=\"An address bar with an https url and a lock icon. This ensures a secure connection (SSL).\" class=\"wp-image-10554\" title=\"Secure your website with an SSL certificate\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/ssl-connection-https.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/ssl-connection-https-300x107.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/ssl-connection-https-1024x366.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/ssl-connection-https-768x274.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A professional webshop has a secure SSL connection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Installing an SSL connection<\/h3>\n<p>To install a certificate, you first have to request an SSL certificate via our website. If Combell already takes care of the hosting of your web shop, Combell will install the SSL certificate for you. This way, your shop switches from HTTP to secure HTTPS.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it is perfectly possible to install your<strong> externally purchased SSL certificate<\/strong> on our Combell hosting. You can<a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/help\/kb\/install-an-ssl-certificate\/\"> install an external SSL certificate on our control panel.<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-56a8024b uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Also read:<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-ssl\/\">What is SSL and why is such a secure connection important?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comply with privacy legislation with your web store<\/h2>\n<p>Time for the <strong>paperwork<\/strong>. Because that is also part of starting your own shop, whether offline or online. Privacy policy is part of it. You are obliged to inform your customers about what data is collected, how you use it, who has access to it and how it is secured.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mandatory! Yes, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) makes sure of that<\/h3>\n<p>Those who fail to comply with GDPR legislation risk fines that in exceptional cases can reach - brace yourself - more than 1 billion euros!<\/p>\n<p>So for hosting your website, you better choose <strong>a company that follows all the strict rules<\/strong>. With a Belgian hosting company with data centres in your own country, you can relax. You are fully compliant with GDPR legislation because your data is placed on a physical server in Belgium. Check! You should also draft (or have drafted) watertight <strong>general terms and conditions<\/strong> of your webshop.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-41bd18dc uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Also read:<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/hosting-of-your-website-at-a-local-provider\/\">Hosting your website with local provider? Don't underestimate the importance!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cookies: not the ones to eat<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Want to start your own webshop selling tasty biscuits? Delicious! But in the meantime, don't forget to sink your teeth into those other cookies too. \ud83d\ude09 <strong>Guaranteeing your customers safety and trust<\/strong> is (also) done by putting a cookie policy on your online shop.<\/p>\n<p>Cookies are small files that a website places on your computer or mobile phone during a visit to your online shop. Letting customers create an account with their own password is an extra way of protecting data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/cookie-banner-consent-iubenda-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"Anyone starting a webshop also needs a cookie banner. With this, you ask your visitors which data you are allowed to store and which you are not.\" class=\"wp-image-10555\" title=\"Make sure your webshop is GDPR-proof\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/cookie-banner-consent-iubenda-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/cookie-banner-consent-iubenda-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/cookie-banner-consent-iubenda-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/cookie-banner-consent-iubenda.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Anyone launching an online shop needs to work out a cookie policy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"133\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Iubenda-logo.png\" alt=\"The iubenda logo. White 'i' with green border and 'ubenda' in black letters. The software compliance manager that helps you avoid GDPR fines.\" class=\"wp-image-10520\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-inline-notice uagb-inline_notice__align-left uagb-block-0046d29d uagb-inline_notice__outer-wrap\">\n<p class=\"uagb-notice-title\">Tip<\/p>\n<div class=\"uagb-notice-text\">\n<p>Did you know that if your shop is hacked or you are the victim of a data leak, you have to report the problem to recognised authorities within a time frame of 72 hours? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iubenda.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Therefore, for the legal obligations of your web shop, get help from compliance provider iubenda.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting a webshop, that's promotion!<\/h2>\n<p>Once your website is up and running, you need to start promoting it. There are several ways to do this.<\/p>\n<p>Sending newsletters and promotions with e-mail marketing is a good example of a marketing strategy. Good news: choose Combell's hosting and get a free Flexmail account. With it, you can design and send professional e-mails all by yourself. By the way, Flexmail is a thoroughly Belgian product!<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Flexmail.png\" alt=\"The Flexmail logo in blue letters. The tool for all email marketing activities.\" class=\"wp-image-10356\" style=\"width:350px\" width=\"350\" title=\"The Flexmail logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Flexmail.png 499w, https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Flexmail-300x89.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-iconic-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/free-flexmail\">Find out more about free email marketing with Flexmail<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>Go for <strong>social media.<\/strong> Facebook, Instagram, TikTok\u2026 Use these social media channels to draw attention to your own webshop. On your own page, you can launch a fun hashtag or put interesting promos online. On the same social media, you can experiment with paid advertisements. This is how you create online visibility.<\/p>\n<p>Starting an online shop also requires investments in <strong>search engine optimisation (SEO)<\/strong>. In other words: scoring in search engines such as Google!<\/p>\n<p>For example, do you sell home-brewed beer? Then you want googling online shoppers searching for a tasty, local beer to see your webshop at the top of the search results. So equip your online shop with <strong>effective keywords<\/strong>, valuable content and efficient meta-descriptions.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, with a few smart choices, you will score better in search engines in one fell swoop. To achieve that, Combell guarantees you<strong> the fastest hosting on the marke<\/strong>t. Because fast sites are an important Google Ranking Factor. By building your web store via SiteBuilder, you improve your shop's SEO.<\/p>\n<p>Although using <strong>Google Adwords<\/strong> is the ideal way to advertise in return for payment, advertising the <strong>'old-fashioned' way<\/strong> is certainly not a bad idea. Make flyers, put a logo sticker on your car, go networking \u2026<\/p>\n<p>This combination of different marketing strategies will ensure that you reach the widest possible audience.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep an eye on your webshop's figures<\/h2>\n<p>By monitoring and <strong>optimising <\/strong>the performance of your web shop, you can ensure that it continues to perform better and generate <strong>more turnover<\/strong>. So keep measuring and testing regularly, so you stay informed of your webshop's highs and lows.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Five ways to improve your webshop:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Use <strong>Google Analytics<\/strong>. With this free tool, you can track the traffic on your online shop. By analysing the results, you will know exactly how many visitors you have, where they come from and which pages they surf to. Analyse the results and make adjustments where necessary. Matter of getting the most success.<\/li>\n<li>Set your <strong>goals and KPIs<\/strong>. If you are going to start e-commerce, determine in advance what you want to achieve with your webshop. By setting concrete goals, you measure the performance of your webshop. You use a KPI (critical performance indicator) to check whether that same performance is in line with your (operational) objective(s).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test <\/strong>and test again. Test various elements on your webshop, such as the layout, product photos, the texts and descriptions on the product pages. Use Google Analytics to measure the effect, including on search engine optimisation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A\/B testing <\/strong>is another way of testing, but one level higher. \ud83d\ude00 For example, test two different photos of your products and measure which one performs best.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dare to ask.<\/strong> Have your customers bought something on your webshop? Mail them a feedback form afterwards or integrate it into your shop. This way, you collect feedback from those who use your shop. Close to the source.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-4 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-yellow-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/build-your-webshop\">Start your own webshop with Combell<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about starting your own webshop<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-183e96ee uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-false uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height uagb-faq-expand-first-true\" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-start-your-own-webshop\/\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you just start a webshop?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Actually, you can! You do not need any special training or qualifications to start your own webshop. Of course, you do need to comply with specific legislation. By the way, starting a webshop without a good and elaborate (financial) plan is not a good idea.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I start a webshop without a VAT number?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Anyone can start their own webshop. You do not need a VAT number to do so. When you start using your webshop professionally, you do need a VAT number, just like your real shop.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What do you need to do to start a webshop?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"What you definitely need to do: determine your product and target group, claim &lt;a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/domain-names\\\">a domain name&lt;\/a>, choose webshop software (CMS) and go through all the legal steps to become an entrepreneur. Think about your registration with The Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce. In the Netherlands, this is called the Chamber of Commerce for short, which is where you get a KVK number.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you make a living from a webshop?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Making a lot of money quickly with a webshop is not easy. But isn't that the case with any business? The turnover of a webshop can be compared to that of a physical shop. But a webshop involves fewer fixed costs.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is creating a webshop difficult?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Not really. Thanks to several user-friendly &lt;a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/sitebuilder\\\">website builders&lt;\/a>, you can easily create a new web shop in Belgium. Of course, take into account the time and money you invest in it. With Combell, you can also use the handy SiteBuilder to build your own website easily and budget-friendly.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where is the best place to start a web store?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"With Combell, of course! \ud83d\ude09 With us, you can create your own website in just a few minutes. 40 million satisfied users have already done so.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-7c01d446\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\"><span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Can you just start a webshop?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"uagb-faq-content\">Actually, you can! You do not need any special training or qualifications to start your own webshop. Of course, you do need to comply with specific legislation. By the way, starting a webshop without a good and elaborate (financial) plan is not a good idea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-4edfd4fb\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\"><span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Can I start a webshop without a VAT number?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"uagb-faq-content\">Anyone can start their own webshop. You do not need a VAT number to do so. When you start using your webshop professionally, you do need a VAT number, just like your real shop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-d9bea0e2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\"><span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">What do you need to do to start a webshop?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"uagb-faq-content\">What you definitely need to do: determine your product and target group, claim <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/domain-names\">a domain name<\/a>, choose webshop software (CMS) and go through all the legal steps to become an entrepreneur. Think about your registration with The Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce. In the Netherlands, this is called the Chamber of Commerce for short, which is where you get a KVK number.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-ceb2694e\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\"><span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Can you make a living from a webshop?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"uagb-faq-content\">Making a lot of money quickly with a webshop is not easy. But isn't that the case with any business? The turnover of a webshop can be compared to that of a physical shop. But a webshop involves fewer fixed costs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-6056f247\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\"><span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Is creating a webshop difficult?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"uagb-faq-content\">Not really. Thanks to several user-friendly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/sitebuilder\">website builders<\/a>, you can easily create a new web shop in Belgium. Of course, take into account the time and money you invest in it. With Combell, you can also use the handy SiteBuilder to build your own website easily and budget-friendly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-332d89a4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\"><span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"uagb-question\">Where is the best place to start a web store?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"uagb-faq-content\">With Combell, of course! \ud83d\ude09 With us, you can create your own website in just a few minutes. 40 million satisfied users have already done so.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having a physical shop is logical and smart, but starting your own webshop is actually even more sensible. E-commerce is here to stay. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[331],"tags":[],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop.jpg",1200,420,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-50x50.jpg",50,50,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-300x105.jpg",300,105,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-768x269.jpg",768,269,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-1024x358.jpg",1024,358,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop.jpg",1200,420,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop.jpg",1200,420,false],"post-featured":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-850x290.jpg",850,290,true],"post-featured-opt":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-750x256.jpg",750,256,true],"post-featured-opt-md":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-850x290.jpg",850,290,true],"post-featured-opt-sm":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-485x165.jpg",485,165,true],"post-featured-opt-xs":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-375x128.jpg",375,128,true],"post-most-popular":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-50x50.jpg",50,50,true],"post-author":["https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/files\/Start-your-own-webshop-60x60.jpg",60,60,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Combell","author_link":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/author\/blogadmin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Having a physical shop is logical and smart, but starting your own webshop is actually even more sensible. E-commerce is here to stay.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10534"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11968,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10534\/revisions\/11968"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}