How to Start an E-Commerce Site in 2025? Step-by-Step Guide
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dk okuma
How to Start an E-Commerce Site in 2025? Step-by-Step Guide
The e-commerce sector in Turkey is growing 40% annually and is expected to reach 1 trillion TL in 2025. Now is the perfect time to start online sales! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn all the details of building a successful e-commerce site.
Advantages of Starting an E-Commerce Site
Why Should You Sell Online?
- 24/7 Sales: Your store never closes
- Wide Customer Base: Reach all of Turkey
- Low Operating Cost: No physical store expenses
- Measurable Data: Analyze everything
- Fast Growth: Unlimited scalability
Statistics
- 60+ million internet users in Turkey
- Number of e-commerce users exceeded 45 million
- Average basket size ₺350-400
- Mobile shopping rate 65%
E-Commerce Platform Selection
1. WooCommerce (WordPress)
Advantages:
- Completely free and open source
- Unlimited customization
- 50,000+ plugin support
- SEO friendly structure
- Compatible with all payment systems
Disadvantages:
- Requires technical knowledge
- Security responsibility is yours
- Hosting cost
Ideal for:
- Those wanting customized design
- Large product catalogs
- Blog and content-focused brands
2. Shopify
Advantages:
- Very easy setup
- Security and hosting included
- Professional themes
- 24/7 support
- Quick setup (active in 1 day)
Disadvantages:
- Monthly cost ($29-299)
- Limited customization
- Transaction commission
- Lack of Turkish support
Ideal for:
- Those wanting to start quickly
- No technical knowledge
- Small-medium businesses
3. Ticimax / Ideasoft
Advantages:
- Turkish companies, Turkish support
- All Turkish payment systems integrated
- Ready integrations with shipping companies
- Legal process assistance
Disadvantages:
- High monthly cost (₺500+)
- Low design flexibility
- Platform dependency
Ideal for:
- Turkey-focused sales
- Easy management seekers
- Support-priority brands
4. Custom (Custom Software)
Advantages:
- Completely customized for you
- Unlimited customization
- Unique user experience
- All integrations custom
Disadvantages:
- High initial cost (₺100K+)
- Long development time (3-6 months)
- Requires continuous maintenance
Ideal for:
- Corporate companies
- Special business models
- High revenue targets
E-Commerce Site Setup Stages
Stage 1: Preparation (1-2 Weeks)
Legal Procedures
- E-commerce registry certificate (2-3 days)
- KEP address (1 day)
- SSL certificate (instant)
- Distance sales contract preparation
- Privacy and KVKK texts
Business Plan
- Target audience analysis
- Competitor analysis
- Pricing strategy
- Marketing budget
- Supply chain planning
Stage 2: Design and Development (3-6 Weeks)
Essential Pages
- Homepage: Slider, featured products, categories
- Product Pages: Detailed descriptions, variants, reviews
- Category Pages: Filtering, sorting
- Cart: Clear pricing, shipping calculation
- Checkout: Secure, fast, mobile compatible
- My Account: Order tracking, address management
- About Us, Contact, FAQ
Mandatory Features
- Mobile responsive design
- Fast loading (under 2 seconds)
- Product search and filtering
- Add to cart animations
- Favorite products
- Product comparison
- Live support chat
- WhatsApp order line
Stage 3: Payment Systems (1 Week)
Popular Payment Methods in Turkey
Credit Card (70%)
- iyzico (recommended)
- PayTR
- Param
- Sipay
Cash on Delivery (20%)
- Cash
- Credit card with POS
Bank Transfer/EFT (5%)
- Bank account information
- Automatic approval system
Digital Wallets (5%)
- Papara
- PayPal (international)
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
Commission Rates
- iyzico: 2.45% + ₺0.25
- PayTR: 2.99% + ₺0.25
- Param: 3.50%
Stage 4: Shipping Integrations (1 Week)
Recommended Shipping Companies
MNG Cargo
- Fast delivery
- Affordable pricing
- Wide branch network
Yurtici Cargo
- Reliable
- Corporate solutions
- Expensive
Aras Cargo
- Cheap options
- Campaigns
Surat Cargo
- Fast
- Good customer service
Shipping Costs
- 0-1 kg: ₺30-40
- 1-3 kg: ₺40-55
- 3-5 kg: ₺55-75
- Free shipping strategy: For ₺300+ carts
Stage 5: Product Upload (2-4 Weeks)
Professional Product Page
Mandatory Information:
- High-quality photos (min 5-8)
- 360-degree view (recommended)
- Detailed description (min 300 words)
- Technical specifications
- Variants (size, color, model)
- Stock information
- Shipping time
- Return conditions
For SEO:
- Keyword research
- Title optimization
- Meta description
- Alt texts
- Product videos
Product Photo Tips
- White background
- High resolution (min 1200x1200)
- Different angle shots
- Usage visuals
- Size reference
Stage 6: Testing and Optimization (1 Week)
Things to Test
- All payment methods
- Mobile compatibility
- Page speeds
- Cart processes
- Email notifications
- SMS notifications
- Stock management
- Return processes
- Invoice issuance
E-Commerce Marketing Strategies
1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Technical SEO:
- Fast loading
- Mobile-first indexing
- Structured data markup
- XML sitemap
- Canonical URLs
Content SEO:
- Product descriptions
- Blog posts
- Category pages
- FAQ page
- Guides
Target Keywords:
- “product name + buy”
- “product name + price”
- “best product name”
- “product name + discount”
2. Google Ads (PPC)
Campaign Types:
- Search ads
- Shopping ads
- Display ads
- Remarketing
Budget Recommendation:
- Starting: ₺3,000-5,000/month
- Mid-level: ₺10,000-20,000/month
- Aggressive growth: ₺50,000+/month
3. Social Media Marketing
Instagram:
- Organic content (1-2 posts/day)
- Stories (daily)
- Reels (3-5 per week)
- Instagram Shopping
- Influencer collaborations
Facebook:
- Facebook Ads
- Marketplace
- Group marketing
- Retargeting
TikTok:
- Viral content
- Young target audience
- TikTok Shop
4. Email Marketing
Automated Emails:
- Welcome series
- Abandoned cart (conversion +25%)
- Product recommendations
- Birthday discounts
- Reactivation
Campaigns:
- Weekly newsletter
- Flash sales
- New product announcements
- VIP customer offers
Success Strategies
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
Cart-Boosting Tactics:
- Free shipping threshold
- Urgency messages (“Last 3 items!”)
- Social proof (review count)
- Trust badges
- Easy return policy
A/B Test Elements:
- CTA button colors
- Product photos
- Price displays
- Description lengths
Customer Experience
Live Chat:
- Instant response
- Pre-sales consulting
- Technical support
Easy Return Process:
- 14-day return right
- Free return shipping
- Fast refund
Loyalty Program:
- Points system
- VIP membership
- Special discounts
- Early access
Cost Analysis
Initial Investment Cost
Ready Platform (WooCommerce):
- Hosting: ₺1,500-3,000/year
- Theme: ₺2,000-5,000
- Plugins: ₺3,000-8,000
- Setup: ₺10,000-25,000
- Total: ₺16,500-41,000
Custom Design:
- Design: ₺25,000-50,000
- Development: ₺40,000-80,000
- Integrations: ₺15,000-30,000
- Total: ₺80,000-160,000
Monthly Operating Cost
- Hosting: ₺500-2,000
- Payment system commission: 2-3% of turnover
- Marketing: ₺5,000-20,000
- Customer service: ₺8,000-15,000
- Total: ₺13,500-37,000+
Legal Obligations
Mandatory Texts
- Distance sales contract
- Privacy policy
- KVKK disclosure text
- Return and exchange conditions
- Cookie policy
E-Commerce Registry Certificate
- Obtained from Ministry of Trade
- Online application (www.eticaret.gov.tr)
- 2-3 business days
- Free
Success Metrics
KPIs to Track
- Conversion Rate: 2-5% target
- Average Order Value (AOV): ₺300-500
- Cart Abandonment: Under 70%
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): ₺50-150
- Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): ₺800-2,000
- Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): 3:1 minimum
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to open an e-commerce site? 2-4 weeks with ready platforms, 2-3 months with custom design.
What is the cost of an e-commerce site? Between ₺15,000 and ₺150,000, varies by needs.
Which payment system is best? iyzico is recommended for comprehensive features and reasonable commissions.
How long does SEO take to show results? First results 3-6 months, serious traffic within 6-12 months.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Starting an e-commerce site is a profitable investment with the right strategy and professional support. For success:
- Make the right platform choice
- Prioritize user experience
- Invest in SEO from the start
- Don’t neglect mobile optimization
- Manage customer service professionally
- Continuously test and optimize
- Analyze data and take action
Professional E-Commerce Solutions
Working with an experienced team is critical for a successful e-commerce site. A professional digital agency:
- Guides on platform selection
- Creates conversion-focused design
- Sets up all integrations flawlessly
- Develops SEO strategy
- Prepares marketing plan
- Provides continuous support and optimization
Ready to build your e-commerce site? Contact us for free consultation!
#e-commerce
#online sales
#woocommerce
#shopify
#digital commerce
