Introduction
Hi, I’m Binh Nguyen. I’ve been a professional freelance web designer and developer for five years (starting around 2021 to 2022). E-commerce was actually one of my very first projects when I launched my career
That technical background means I don’t just make things look good. I also make sure the checkout actually works, test to see if payments land in the right account, and ensure the whole system scales as your business grows.
If you already have a website (whether it’s on WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or even Shopify) and you’re ready to start selling without rebuilding everything from scratch, this guide is for you. I’ll walk you through how you should approach adding e-commerce functionality to your existing business website.
My Previous Projects
Case Study 1: Independent Bookstore (Migrated from Squarespace)
The client’s original site was on Squarespace. They had to manually build every single page and list books one by one. It was a total nightmare that took a lot of time and resources from management. I migrated their store to WordPress + WooCommerce. I added easy product editing, discount codes, a functional cart, and a checkout system that accepts bank transfers and local Vietnamese mobile wallets.
Result? They made 200 orders in their first year after launch. The owner went from frustrated to thrilled because they spend less time on technical management and endless page edits.
Case Study 2: Tươi Cây Shop (Boutique Plant Store in Ho Chi Minh City)
This beautiful little shop sells decorative plants and terrariums. They needed a direct online sales channel. I designed and built them a clean, custom WordPress site with full e-commerce so customers could browse, add to cart, and buy instantly. No more relying only on Instagram DMs.
The E-commerce Challenges
The most sensitive part of an e-commerce project for me is the payment gateways. One wrong setting and funds can go to the wrong account or the money stays floating in transition. I’ve seen it happen. it is a major headache and a scary thing for any business owner. I now suggest that shop owners do multiple rounds of real-money testing before launch to make sure everything is in order.
Other common issues when it comes to setting up your e-commerce store either by yourself or with other professionals include:
- Checkout page design and discount code placement in WordPress/WooCommerce often need custom CSS or JS tweaks.
- Platform lock-in (Wix or Squarespace) makes future upgrades difficult.
- Generic templates that make your store look like a million other shops.
My Step-by-Step Process
I follow a structured path so nothing gets missed:
Business goal alignment: We discuss your specific needs (highlighted products, custom categories, special discount logic) to best serve your customers.
Low-fi wireframes: Map out the user flow first.
Hi-fi design: Select fonts, colors, and premium aesthetics.
Development and Testing: We build out the website based on the approved designs and test thoroughly before launch to make sure you and your customers receive the best possible products and experience.
Aspects That Sometimes Get Ignored
Most people overlook certain e-commerce aspects since they do their shopping online daily and take the small functionalities for granted. However, everything needs to be considered, designed, and developed. Some of these include:
- User account management (login, password reset, order tracking, address book).
- Search and navigation with filtering by category, price, or brand.
- Micro-interactions: wish lists, “quick add to cart” buttons, and social-proof indicators (such as “12 people bought this in the last hour”).
My 2026 Tool Recommendations
For a custom-designed site with full control:
WordPress + WooCommerce, SureCart, or FluentCart. These give way more flexibility than templates you might find on services like Squarespace, Wix, or Shopify.
For digital products:
Lemon Squeezy, Gumroad, or Etsy.
For fast peace of mind (no custom design needed):
Shopify.
If your existing site is informational or content-heavy, my favorite hack is the “Link, Don’t Redesign” approach. Keep your current site exactly as it is and simply link to a clean Shopify store or other platform for products. You can start selling in days instead of months. Your existing website will have little downtime compared to a full redesign. Framer and Webflow can also gives you flexible design capabilities and link to your Shopify store.
The One Thing I Want You to Remember
You don’t always have to rip everything apart to start something new.
Tell your designer or developer early, even if you’re not ready to sell today. If you plan to sell in the future, they can build the foundation and leave room for updates. When you’re ready, adding e-commerce will be easier and cheaper.
And if you’re stuck on Wix or Squarespace right now? Start planning the migration before your business outgrows the platform.
Ready to Add E-commerce?
When you want a fast and beautifully designed e-commerce store for your business, you make it easier for your customers to buy your products or services. You can start making more revenue and spend less time worrying about technical issues.
Please feel free to fill out the contact form or send me an email at hello@binhnguyen.me with your website link. I’ll happily give you a quick, free assessment of the easiest path forward.
You already have the audience. Let’s give them a way to buy.
