SETUP WALKTHROUGH
Set up a storefront in an afternoon.A step-by-step walkthrough for selling what you know, with no website needed
By tonight you could have your first product for sale. Here’s every step, with time estimates, checklists and ready-made AI prompts.
THE SHORT ANSWER
To set up a simple storefront, choose one small product, make the file (a PDF guide, say), sign up for a storefront tool like Podia or Stan Store, add the product with a clear description and price, connect Stripe or PayPal, set up your page, make a test purchase, and share the link with people who’ve asked about your topic.
Choose your first product
Pick one small thing that solves one problem for one kind of person. Good first products are a short PDF guide, a checklist or template, a recorded lesson, a single coaching session or a seat in a live workshop.
Write it down in a sentence: “A ___ that helps ___ do ___.” If you’ve been through From Know to Tell, this is your step 5 “first small thing.”
Checklist
- Choose one product, not three
- Write your one-sentence description
- Pick a starting price
Ask Claude
I know a lot about [your topic] and want to sell a small first product to [who]. Suggest five simple product ideas I could make in an afternoon, with a one-sentence description and a suggested starting price for each.
Paste the prompt into Claude and fill in the [brackets] with your own details.Step 1 of 8. Choose your first product
Next: Make the product file →Make the product file
For a guide or checklist, write it in Google Docs or Word, or design it in Canva, then save it as a PDF. Keep it short and useful: a clear title page, the steps, and one page about you and how to reach you.
For a coaching session or workshop there’s no file to make; instead, decide the length, what’s included and how you’ll meet, such as on Zoom.
Checklist
- Draft it with an AI assistant, then edit it in your own voice
- Save it as a PDF
- Make a simple cover image in Canva
Step 2 of 8. Make the product file
Next: Create your account →Create your account
Sign up for Podia (30-day free trial, no credit card) or Stan Store (14-day free trial). Not sure which? Our comparison helps you decide.
Use the business name or your own name, whichever you’ll use everywhere. You can change most settings later.
Checklist
- Start a free trial
- Choose your store name and address
- Add a profile photo
Step 3 of 8. Create your account
Next: Add your product →Add your product
Create a new product and choose its type, such as a digital download, coaching or a webinar. Add a clear title that says what it does, a short description, the price, your cover image and the file.
The description matters most. Say who it’s for, the problem it solves, what’s inside, and what they’ll be able to do afterward.
Checklist
- Title that names the outcome
- Description: who, problem, what’s inside, result
- Upload the file and cover image
Ask Claude
Write a short sales description for my product: [product name], a [format] that helps [who] [outcome]. Include a one-line headline, two short paragraphs, a bulleted list of what’s inside, and a simple call to action. Keep it warm and plain-spoken, with no hype.
Paste the prompt into Claude and fill in the [brackets] with your own details.Step 4 of 8. Add your product
Next: Connect payments →Connect payments
Connect a payment account so you can get paid. Most storefront tools use Stripe, and some also support PayPal. You’ll enter your bank details and some basic business information.
Check the payout schedule and fees so there are no surprises. Payment processing typically costs about 2.9% plus 30 cents per sale, on top of any platform fee.
Checklist
- Connect Stripe or PayPal
- Add your bank account
- Note the payout schedule
Step 5 of 8. Connect payments
Next: Set up your storefront page →Set up your storefront page
Add a headline about who you help, a short bio with your years of experience, a friendly photo and your product. Keep it simple: one clear product beats a page of options.
If you have a free newsletter, add a sign-up so visitors who aren’t ready to buy can still stay in touch.
Checklist
- Headline: who you help and how
- Short bio with your experience
- Add your newsletter sign-up
Step 6 of 8. Set up your storefront page
Next: Make a test purchase →Make a test purchase
Buy your own product to see exactly what customers will see: the checkout, the confirmation email and the download. Use a 100%-off coupon if your plan supports one, or buy it and refund yourself.
Fix anything confusing now. This step catches most problems before a real customer does.
Checklist
- Complete a test purchase
- Check the email and download
- Fix anything confusing
Step 7 of 8. Make a test purchase
Next: Share it →You’re open for business.
That’s it: one product, one page, one link. Most people’s first sales come from people who already know them, so keep sharing, keep listening, and let your first buyers tell you what to make next.
Want to compare tools first? Read Podia vs Stan Store vs Skool. Know + Tell is free. Some tool links pay us a commission; here’s how we choose.
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Questions people ask.
How long does it take to set up an online storefront?
For a single digital product or session, about three to four hours, including making the product file. The account setup itself usually takes well under an hour.
Do I need a website to sell what I know?
No. Storefront tools like Podia and Stan Store give you a shareable page with checkout built in.
How do I get paid?
You connect a payment account, usually Stripe or PayPal, and sales are paid out to your bank account on their schedule, minus processing and any platform fees.
What should my first product be?
Something small and specific that solves one problem: a guide, a checklist, a recorded lesson, a template or a coaching session.
How should I price my first product?
Look at what similar products cost, start modestly, and raise the price as you get sales and feedback. Many first guides sell well between $9 and $29.
KEEP GOING