Guide
How to open a free online store — a step-by-step guide
Eight steps from idea to first order: name, products, photos, payment, shipping, and launch.
Read the guideThe Zum Blog
Practical guides for building and running an online store — no filler, and numbers you can verify.
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Cost and platform choice
Cost
How much does an online store cost in 2026?
A breakdown of the eight lines you actually pay, which are fixed and which change with every order.
Read the articleComparison
Best free online store platform in 2027
Four platforms compared on clear criteria: free plan, commission, limits, and what the word \u201cfree\u201d hides.
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An online store without monthly fees: how to start in 2026?
Who imposes a subscription and who does not, and the fees that remain even when the store is free.
Read the articleComparison
The difference between Salla, Zid, and The Zum: which platform fits you?
An honest three-way comparison of plans, commission, and tools, with a clear note on who each one suits.
Read the articleOperations and growth
Operations
Connecting payments and shipping in your store: a practical guide
Payment gateway, shipping cost, a checkout without surprises, and a pre-launch test checklist.
Read the articleMarketing
How to market your store and get your first order in 2026?
A readiness list before marketing, free priorities, and a four-week plan for the first ten orders.
Read the articleA note on dates
Some guides are written for next year because that is when they are used for planning, while the \u201clast checked\u201d line carries the actual measurement date. Both are intentional and do not conflict.
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