Guide

How to Add an Online Store to Your Existing Website

Already have a website you are happy with? You do not need to rebuild it to start selling. Here are three ways to add a store, from a simple buy button to a full shop on a subdomain.

Part of our guide: How to start an online store

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Option 1: Shopify Buy Button

Embed product cards and a cart on any website (WordPress, Squarespace, custom HTML) with a snippet of code. Checkout runs securely through Shopify.

Best for: a handful of products on a content or service site.

  1. Create a Shopify account

    Start with Shopify (opens in a new tab). A low-cost plan works if you don't need a full storefront.

  2. Add products

    Add your products in the Shopify admin.

  3. Add the Buy Button channel

    Generate embed code for a product or collection and customize its look.

  4. Paste the code into your site

    Use an HTML or embed block.

Option 2: A full shop on a subdomain

Build a full Shopify store at shop.yoursite.com and link to it from your main menu. Match the branding so it feels seamless.

Best for: larger catalogs or when you want all of Shopify's store features. See our Shopify setup guide.

Option 3: A plugin for your current platform

WordPress sites can add WooCommerce; Wix and Squarespace have built-in commerce upgrades. These keep everything in one place but tie you to that platform's commerce features. Compare in Shopify vs WooCommerce.

Which option should you choose?

Buy ButtonSubdomain storePlugin/upgrade
Setup effortLowMediumLow–medium
Product count1–20UnlimitedVaries
CheckoutShopifyShopifyPlatform's own
Growth potentialMediumHighMedium

Our verdict

Start with the Shopify Buy Button if you have a few products. Move to a full Shopify store on a subdomain when selling becomes a bigger part of your business.

Try Shopify free (opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Can I add Shopify to WordPress?

Yes. Use the Shopify Buy Button to embed products and a cart on any WordPress page, or run your shop on a subdomain like shop.yoursite.com.

Is a subdomain bad for SEO?

Not inherently. It works well when the shop has its own content and is clearly linked from your main site.

Keep reading

About the author: The BOSP Editorial Team

We build and run test stores on each platform we cover, track pricing changes, and write up what we find in plain English. No platform pays for placement in our rankings.

Read our review methodology and affiliate disclosure.