---
title: "Create your Online Store"
description: "Set up an Interlinked Online Store from your product catalog, configure identity and WhatsApp, select products, preview the site, and publish it."
section: "Storefront"
url: https://interlinked-ai.com/en/resources/docs/create-your-online-store
lang: en
lastUpdated: 2026-08-13
reviewedAt: 2026-08-13
---

# Create your Online Store

## Before you start

Open **Online Store** from the Operations section. You need at least one
product to create a useful storefront. The catalog can already exist in
**Products**, or you can upload it during the first step. The panel may let a
Free workspace prepare the draft, while live publication requires an eligible
paid plan.

The storefront setup is a separate product flow. Importing a catalog prepares product data; it does not publish the storefront automatically.

<div class="docs-media-placeholder">
  <p class="mono-label">Screenshot: Online Store first-run setup showing the six-step progress rail</p>
</div>

## 1. Catalog

The first step is **Catalog**. Select an existing catalog or upload a CSV, XLS, or XLSX file. The storefront’s upload flow explains that the file is analyzed and structured for the site, then takes you through review before continuing.

If you already have a catalog, the panel shows its product count and explains that the storefront will display only the products you select later. Select **Continue to identity** when the source is ready.

## 2. Identity

In **Identity**, set the storefront-specific:

- **Business name**;
- **Site language** — English or Spanish;
- **Custom Storefront URL slug**;
- **Website description or slogan**; and
- **Logo**.

The storefront name and description belong to the site and do not change the global business profile. The logo accepts PNG, JPEG, or WebP files up to 5 MB. The panel checks whether the URL path is available before allowing you to continue.

## 3. WhatsApp

In **WhatsApp**, choose the connected account that should receive orders, or provide a commercial WhatsApp number when the panel allows it. Add the **Default initial WhatsApp message** that should open when a customer starts an order conversation.

If WhatsApp Business is not connected, the panel explains that you can launch with a direct number and connect the account later. This affects where conversations open; it does not turn the storefront into an on-site checkout.

## 4. Products

Select the products that should appear publicly. The count shown in the step is the draft selection. You can select all by default, search, or choose products individually. A product in your catalog is not automatically public in the storefront unless it is included in this selection.

Continue only after the selected count is correct. Read [Manage storefront products](/en/resources/docs/manage-storefront-products) for later changes.

## 5. Images

Use **Product images** to assign media in bulk or individually. You can skip this step and finish images later. Missing images use a neutral placeholder and do not block publication according to the current panel behavior.

For a better customer experience, complete the selected products’ images before publishing. See [Manage product images](/en/resources/docs/manage-product-images).

## 6. Preview

The **Interactive website preview** uses the same renderer that customers will see. Choose **Mobile**, **Tablet**, or **Desktop**, then select **Refresh** if the preview needs to be prepared again.

Review the business identity, product selection, images, public language, and WhatsApp action. Select **Publish website** when the preview is correct. If the workspace is not entitled to the feature, the panel opens its upgrade path instead of publishing.

After publication, use [Preview, publish, and pause your storefront](/en/resources/docs/preview-publish-and-pause-your-storefront) for updates and [Connect a custom storefront domain](/en/resources/docs/connect-a-custom-storefront-domain) for a branded URL.