Set up your store

  • Updated on 20 November 2023
  • 3 min read

New to Big Cartel and ready to get started? Awesome! We're glad to have you with us. Once you've created your account, here's how to get ready to sell your work.

🎉 Shop essentials

Add your first product. Name it, upload images, give it a price, set shipping costs, and add variants like size or color. It's easy, we promise.

Pick a theme and customize it. Change up the color scheme, set fonts, and upload a header image or logo to give your store the vibe of your brand.

Set up your checkout. For real, don't skip this! It's how you get paid for what you sell in your shop. Use PayPal, Stripe, or both for online payments.

🏆 Premium features

If you're using a paid plan, make sure to take full advantage of all the upgraded features Big Cartel has to offer. Remember, you can upgrade anytime.

Enable inventory tracking to keep track of what you have in stock and have products sell out automatically once the quantity hits zero.

Use a custom domain to give your shop its own home on the internet. Use a URL you've already registered, or create one through your Big Cartel admin.

Create a variety of promotional discount codes to entice new buyers and reward loyal ones.

Automatically email your customers when you mark orders as shipped in the admin. You can even split an order into multiple shipments, and include tracking information so everyone stays in the loop.

✨ Finishing touches

Use a custom page to add a returns or store policy page to your shop. Giving your customers a heads up that you only accept returns within 60 days of the purchase date, for example, will help keep your customers aware of your policies. And since you write your own policies you get to choose the terms of your exchanges, returns, and even whether or not you want to accept returns.

Add a profile image (like your logo) to the Account page of your admin to easily identify your shop. It's also the image your customers will see when you share your shop on social media.

Enter a shop description for search engines to track and rank your shop - no SEO wizardry required. Keep it simple and unique, and you're golden.

Create discount codes to give your shop visitors incentive to place orders, and to reward existing customers.

Browse apps and integrations to take managing your shop to the next level. From printing and fulfillment integrations to shipping and promotion apps, we've got you covered.

Have questions?

Our support team is available Monday - Friday from 8am-6pm EST.

Contact Support