How CartWhizz works: from signup to your first order

Short answer: you create a CartWhizz store in three short signup steps, then set it up from your admin panel in this order: theme and branding, products, payments, shipping, taxes, policies and your domain. Place a test order, and you are ready to share your store. Most sellers spend more time on product photos and descriptions than on the platform itself.

Step 1: Create your store

Go to cartwhizz.com/start. Signup has three steps on one screen:

1. Your email. Enter your email address (and a phone number if you like; it is optional).
2. Verify it. Type the 6-digit code we email you. Every store owner's email is verified before a store is created.
3. Your store. Choose a store name and a strong password, and check the store address. The default theme is shown and you can change it.

You can also tick Add demo data to start with sample products, categories and content from the theme's demo store. It is a quick way to see how a finished store looks; you can delete the samples later. Your store is then built while you wait, usually in a minute or two, and you can open your admin straight away. No card is needed for the 7-day free trial.

Step 2: Choose your look

CartWhizz themes are made for specific kinds of shops: electronics, fashion, grocery, organic products, furniture, wellness and automotive. Pick the closest one, then make it yours:

• Upload your logo and set your brand colours and fonts.
• Use the layout editor to add, remove and reorder blocks such as banners, product rows, category grids and videos.
• Edit the menu, footer and the pages every store needs: About, Contact, Shipping, Returns, Privacy and Terms.

Check every change on your phone as well as your computer. Most Indian shoppers will see your store on a phone first.

Step 3: Add your products

Add products one at a time from Products, or in bulk with a CSV file from Product Import/Export. For each product, fill in:

• Name, price and an optional list price (shown as the "was" price).
• Photos, and short videos if you have them.
• SKU, stock quantity and HSN code.
• Categories and brand.
• Variations, such as size and colour, if the product comes in options.
• A page title and meta description for search engines. The Generate button fills these in for you to edit.

Write with CartWhizz AI on the product page drafts a description from the product name and details. Always read and edit what it writes; you know your product best.

Step 4: Set up payments

Under Payments, connect the gateway you have an account with. CartWhizz works with Razorpay, PayU, PhonePe, Paytm and CCAvenue for UPI, cards and net banking, and with Stripe and PayPal for international cards. You will need your gateway's API keys, which you get after completing the gateway's own KYC.

You can also offer cash on delivery, with a minimum and maximum order value, and bank transfer. Gateway charges are paid to your gateway, not to CartWhizz.

Step 5: Set up shipping

Create your shipping methods and the areas they cover, with rates by weight or order value, and free shipping above an amount you choose. If you use a courier aggregator such as Shiprocket, connect it under the shipping carriers settings. Stores with a physical location can also offer pickup.

Step 6: Taxes and invoices

Add your business address in your store settings and your GSTIN in the GST settings. Give each product its HSN code and the right tax rate. CartWhizz charges CGST and SGST for buyers in your state and IGST for buyers in other states, and prints each tax on the invoice. If you need an extra store tax, the Taxes page lets you apply it to all products, chosen categories, chosen brands or only products you pick. Your CA should still check your setup once.

Step 7: Connect your domain

Your store works straight away on its free cartwhizz.com address. To use your own domain, open Domains, enter it, and add the DNS records we show you at your domain provider. CartWhizz checks the records automatically. Once they are right and your request is approved, it issues a free SSL certificate and switches your domain on, usually within minutes. The certificate renews by itself.

Step 8: Test, then launch

1. Place a test order with each payment method, then cancel or refund it.
2. Check the order email, the invoice and the order in your admin.
3. Open your store on a phone and check the menu, search, product pages and checkout.
4. Add staff accounts if someone helps you, so each person has their own login.
5. Share your store link with your first customers.

Our 25-point launch checklist covers the details.

Step 9: Your first order

When an order comes in, you see it in Orders and receive an email. From the order you can print the invoice, update the status, ship it and add the tracking number so the customer stays informed. The dashboard shows your sales, and the CartWhizz AI assistant in your admin can answer questions about your store as you go.

What happens when the trial ends

We email you 7, 3 and 1 days before your trial ends. On the last day you add your billing details and your first invoice is issued for your plan's first month. Read CartWhizz pricing explained for exactly what you pay.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to set up a CartWhizz store?

Creating the store takes a few minutes. With products, photos and policies ready, many sellers can finish setup the same day.

Can I change my theme later?

Yes. You can switch themes and keep editing your layout at any time from your admin.

Do I need a payment gateway before I start?

No. You can build your store first and connect a gateway when your gateway account is approved. Cash on delivery works without a gateway.

Can I import my products from a spreadsheet?

Yes. Product Import/Export accepts CSV and XML files, lets you match your columns to CartWhizz fields, and has a test-import preview. See moving your store to CartWhizz.

Ready to build yours? Start your free trial.