Getting Started Checklist

This checklist walks you through everything you need to do to get your first FreshStore up and running. Follow these steps in order and you will have a live, earning affiliate store.

Step 1: Log in to your account

Your FreshStore account is where you create and manage all your stores.

• Log in at my.freshstore.com
• Make sure you can access your account and see the dashboard

🔗 Your FreshStore account

Step 2: Choose your niche

Your niche is the topic or market your store focuses on. Pick something you are interested in and that has products people want to buy.

• Brainstorm niche ideas based on your hobbies, interests, and knowledge
• Research whether there are enough products and search demand
• Don't overthink it. You can always create another store in a different niche later

🔗 Introduction to niche research

Step 3: Choose a domain name

Every store needs a web address. You can start with a free vanity domain and switch to a custom domain later, or register your own domain straight away.

• Pick a name that relates to your niche
• Use a vanity domain to get started quickly, or register a custom domain in your account

🔗 Choosing a domain name

🔗 Vanity Domains feature guide

Step 4: Create your store

Use FreshStore's AI to create a fully populated store in minutes. Choose an Instant Store from the library or let AI build one from your niche description.

• Go to Create a Store in your account
• Enter your store name, domain, and niche
• Let AI generate your categories, products, articles, and pages

🔗 How to create a new store with AI

Step 5: Open your affiliate accounts

You need affiliate accounts to earn commissions. Start with Amazon and eBay, then add others later.

• Open an Amazon Associates account
• Open an eBay Partner Network account
• You can add Walmart, Etsy, and AliExpress accounts later

🔗 How to get paid with affiliate accounts

Step 6: Add your affiliate tracking IDs

This is one of the most important steps. Without your tracking IDs, you won't earn commissions on any sales.

• Log in to your store dashboard
• Go to Store > Settings > Affiliate Settings
• Add your tracking IDs for each merchant

🔗 How to add your affiliate tracking IDs

Step 7: Follow the Launch Plan

Every new store comes with a built-in Launch Plan in your store dashboard. It walks you through the final steps before going live, including customising your design, reviewing your content, and setting your store to "Live".

• Log in to your store dashboard
• Follow the Launch Plan checklist step by step

🔗 Launch Plan feature guide

Step 8: Add your store to Google

Submit your store to Google Search Console so Google knows your store exists and starts indexing your pages.

• Create a Google Search Console account
• Add and verify your store
• Submit your XML sitemap

🔗 How to add your store to Google

Step 9: Whitelist our emails

Make sure you receive our emails so you don't miss support replies, store updates, and training tips.

• Add team@freshstore.com to your contacts
• Move our emails out of your Promotions folder

🔗 How to whitelist emails from FreshStore

Step 10: Start creating content and driving traffic

Your store is live. Now focus on growing it by adding content and getting visitors.

• Write your first few articles on topics your audience cares about
• Share your store and articles on social media
• Follow the Profit Playbook for step-by-step traffic and growth strategies

🔗 Introduction to Creating Content

🔗 How do I get traffic to my stores?

🔗 The Profit Playbook

What's Next?

Once you have completed this checklist, you have a solid foundation. Keep building on it by:

• Adding more products and articles each week
• Growing your social media presence
• Following the Profit Playbook training guides
• Engaging with our support team if you need any help