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Define the job before choosing a product
Clarify whether the project is a publication, service site, membership, catalog, or store. The right stack follows the operating model.
Separate content from commerce
List pages, products, payments, taxes, shipping, email, analytics, and support. Do not call a visual prototype a ready-to-sell store.
Plan the maintenance budget
Include hosting, domains, paid extensions, backups, security, transaction fees, support time, and the cost of testing updates.
Prove the checkout path
Run a test order in the real environment, verify confirmation emails and fulfillment, and document what happens when payment fails or an order is refunded.
Keep ownership portable
Use an account and domain you control, export customer and content data where permitted, and document admin access before launch.