Bluehost AI Store: Onboarding Checklist Walkthrough

In the Bluehost AI Store Dashboard, the Set up your store section provides a guided checklist to help you prepare your store for launch. Using this checklist, you can configure essential store settings, add products, customize your storefront, and set up payments, taxes, and shipping so you can start accepting orders.

In this article, we'll show you where to find the Store Setup Checklist and explain how to complete each step.

Where to Find the Store Setup Checklist

1. Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
2. From the left-hand menu, click the Websites tab.

   
    

3. Locate your Sell Online plan. If you have multiple websites, you need to scroll down and click the Load More link.

   
    

4. Click the Manage Store button next to your site.

   
    

5. You will be redirected to your Bluehost AI Store Dashboard.

   
    

6. In the AI Store dashboard, you'll see your website right away.
7. Click the Manage Store button.

   

   If you do not see the Manage Store button:

   1. Click the Websites tab in the left-hand menu.
   2. Locate your website with the Sell Online plan. If you have multiple websites, scroll down and click the Load More to view additional sites.

      
       

8. Click the Set up your store card to expand and view the checklist.

   
    

9. Complete all seven steps to create a professional storefront, provide a smooth shopping experience, and prepare your store to start accepting orders.

   

Step 1: Customize Your Storefront

Your storefront is the first impression customers will have of your brand. Personalizing its appearance helps create a memorable shopping experience. A well-designed storefront strengthens brand recognition and encourages customers to explore your products.

Recommended actions:

• Upload your store logo
• Add a favicon
• Choose brand colors and fonts
• Customize homepage content
• Update navigation menus
• Add promotional banners or featured sections.

Keep your branding consistent across your website, social media channels, and marketing materials.

Step 2: Review Tax Settings

Tax settings ensure that applicable taxes are calculated correctly during checkout. Correct tax configuration helps maintain compliance and prevents unexpected charges for both your business and customers.

Recommended actions:

• Configure tax regions
• Set tax rates as required
• Review tax collection settings
• Verify tax calculations

Regularly review your tax requirements for the regions where you sell to ensure continued compliance.

Step 3: Add Your Store Details

Your store details are the foundation of your online business and are used across your store, customer communications, and order management activities.

Recommended actions:

• Enter your store name
• Add your business address
• Provide contact information (email and phone number)
• Set your preferred currency
• Configure your business information

Keeping your store details accurate helps with customer trust, order processing, taxes, and shipping.

Step 4: Add Your Products

Products are the heart of your store. Before you start selling, make sure your catalog is complete and up to date.

Recommended actions:

• Create product listings
• Add product titles and descriptions
• Upload high-quality product images
• Set prices
• Manage inventory levels
• Organize products into categories or collections

Detailed product information helps customers decide what to buy and makes your products easier to find online.

Step 5: Connect Your Payments

Connecting a payment provider enables your customers to complete purchases securely.

Recommended actions:

• Connect your payment gateway (such as Stripe)
• Verify your business information
• Configure accepted payment methods
• Test the checkout experience

A reliable payment setup helps customers pay easily and complete their purchases.

Step 6: Set Up the Shipping Options

Shipping settings determine how products reach your customers and what shipping charges apply. Clear shipping options reduce customer uncertainty and improve the overall purchasing experience.

Recommended actions:

• Create shipping zones
• Add shipping methods
• Set shipping rates
• Configure free shipping rules
• Define delivery expectations

Provide accurate delivery estimates and consider offering free shipping thresholds to encourage larger orders.

Step 7: Create Pages

Website pages provide important information that customers expect to find when shopping online.

Recommended actions:

Create key pages such as:

• About Us
• Contact Us
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Return and Refund Policy
• Shipping Information

Informative pages help build trust, answer customer questions, and meet legal requirements.

Summary

Learn how to use the Set up your store checklist in the Bluehost AI Store Dashboard to get your online store ready for launch. This guide covers seven key setup steps, including customizing your storefront, adding products, setting up payments, configuring taxes and shipping, and creating important website pages. Completing these steps helps ensure your store is fully configured and ready to accept orders.