Oline Shop

An online store is a website that allows you to showcase, sell, and receive payments for products or services over the internet.

Customers can browse, add items to a cart, and pay securely without visiting a physical location.

An eCommerce builder is a platform that allows you to create an online store using pre-designed templates and tools — without needing to code.

With Truehost’s builder, you can:

• Add unlimited products
• Configure payments and shipping
• Customize your storefront
• Launch your shop in minutes

You can sell:

• Physical products (shipped)
• Digital files (downloads, courses, licenses)
• Subscriptions (recurring)
• Services and bookings

All product types are supported and configurable from your dashboard.

You can accept payments through:

• SnapScan
• Ozow (Instant EFT)
• Visa & MasterCard
• Standard EFT and manual payments

No third-party plugins needed — connect and start accepting payments fast.

Yes. The system:

• Can apply South Africa’s 15% VAT automatically
• Lets you configure product taxes
• Generates VAT-compliant invoices for your customers

Perfect for both VAT-registered and exempt sellers.

Yes. It’s designed for non-developers.

You can:

• Use drag-and-drop tools to build pages
• Add and manage products through simple forms
• Set shipping, VAT, and payment methods without coding

Yes. Truehost’s shop builder supports both:

• Physical products: With inventory, weight, and shipping
• Digital products: With file upload, delivery via email or download links
  You can mix both in one store.

Yes. You can:

• Link your shop to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
• Add share buttons to product pages
• Track traffic from social media using analytics
• Run ads or connect Meta Pixel

With Truehost’s shop builder:

• You can build and launch your store in under 1 hour
• Choose a template, add products, set up payments, and click Publish

Most users go live in a day or less.

Look for a builder that offers:

Local billing and payment methods
Reliable hosting and SSL
Features: The best online shop builder will have all of the features you need to start selling online.
Easy product and order management
Built-in SEO and mobile-friendly templates
Real customer support (preferably 24/7)

Truehost checks all these boxes for most South African merchants.

Here’s a reworded and improved version of the section titled “What are the Benefits of a Website Builder?”—now streamlined for South Africa, written in crisp, clear copy with a balance of table and paragraph formatting:

What Are the Benefits of a Website Builder?

A website builder allows you to create a professional website without hiring a developer or writing a single line of code. Whether you’re starting a blog, an online store, or a service-based business, the right builder can help you get online fast—with everything in one place.

Below are some key benefits to look for when choosing a website builder:

In addition to those core advantages, here are five more reasons why using a website builder makes sense:

Ease of use: Most website builders are designed for beginners. You get a visual editor and pre-built templates so you can launch quickly—no experience necessary.
Affordability: Builders like Truehost offer fixed monthly plans with no surprise costs. You can start from as little as R99/month.
Scalability: Whether you’re running a blog or adding an online store later, website builders can grow with your business.
Support: Truehost’s website builder comes with dedicated 24/7 customer support to guide you through setup, customization, or troubleshooting.

💡 Tip: Start with a free trial or the lowest plan. This allows you to test features and build confidence before upgrading — no long-term commitment required.

Olitt is a beginner-friendly website builder that lets you design and publish your site in minutes — no coding or plugins required.

To get started:

1. Create your account
   Get your plan from this page and create an acount.
   
2. Choose a template
   Pick from 200+ professionally designed templates across different industries—blogs, portfolios, landing pages, business sites, and more.
   
3. Customise your site
   Use Olitt’s visual editor to make the template your own. You can easily update:
   • Images and backgrounds
   • Text content and buttons
   • Page layout and sections
   • Colours, fonts, and spacing
     
4. Preview and publish
   Once you’re happy with the design, click Publish. Your website goes live instantly, hosted on fast, secure infrastructure.

Olitt makes it easy for anyone in South Africa to build a clean, mobile-friendly website—even if it’s your first time.

If you have an online store, you know how important it is to get the word out and promote your business.

To successfully promote your online store in South Africa, you’ll need to combine local strategies, digital tools, and community engagement.

Here’s what works best:

Offer deals South Africans love: Free delivery to major cities (like Cape Town or Johannesburg), weekend sales, and first-time buyer discounts perform well.

Use coupon codes and bundle offers to encourage more purchases.
Use social media smartly: Showcase products on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

Post regularly, jump on local trends, and consider running targeted Facebook or Instagram ads focused on your province or niche.
Create engaging content: Write blog posts, how-to guides, or short videos that demonstrate your products in action.

Use relatable language and local slang when appropriate to build trust with your audience.
Get listed locally: Add your store to Google Business Profile and directories like Brabys or Snupit to increase visibility.

This helps shoppers find you when searching for products near them.
Join local communities: Be active in South African Facebook Groups, WhatsApp broadcast lists, or niche forums.

Provide value, engage in discussions, and share your store naturally without spamming.
Optimise your site for search (SEO): Use local keywords like “buy [product] online in SA” or “affordable [product] South Africa.”

Improve mobile speed, write compelling product descriptions, and build backlinks from local blogs or reviews

These strategies not only boost visibility but also help build trust with your South African audience — turning browsers into loyal buyers.