# Build your first site or store > From a blank template or straight from your Instagram — get your first project built. Guide: https://sitesplaced.com/help/getting-started/build-your-first-store · Section: Getting Started · Last reviewed: 2026-08-23 There are two ways to start: pick a template and build it yourself from your [Dashboard](https://sitesplaced.com/dashboard), or let the **Importer** build it for you from something you already have — your Instagram, an existing website, or a PDF. Both are free. A template build takes 10–20 minutes with your own text and photos; an import takes about a minute. ## Start from a template 1. On your [Dashboard](https://sitesplaced.com/dashboard), click **New Site**. 2. Choose what you're building — **Personal Website** for a website, or **Ecommerce Store** for ecommerce. 3. Pick a template you like (you can recolour and restyle it later). 4. Give it a name and start editing — change the text, swap images, set your colours. _Screenshot: A freshly created SitesPlaced site open in the editor — Your new site opens in the editor, ready to make yours._ ### Building a website After **Personal Website** (or **Student Portfolio**) you land on **Choose a template**. Filter by **All Templates**, **Business**, **Creator**, **Student** or **Celebrations**, and click a design. Below the templates, **How do you want to start?** gives two options: - **Start from Scratch** — the template opens in the editor with its default text. Click **Create & Customise**. This is the right choice on the Free plan. - **AI-Powered** — click **Continue with AI**, then either **Upload Document** (a résumé or brochure), **Paste Text**, or fill the **Quick Form** (**Your Full Name**, **Role / Job Title**, **Key Highlights**). Click **Build My Website**. AI writes the whole site in about 15 seconds, then you choose **Customize in Editor** or **Publish Now**. > **AI generation needs a plan:** AI-written websites are part of the Starter and Growth plans (for a student portfolio, the one-time ₹99 Student unlock). On the Free plan the **Build My Website** step returns **AI generation is a paid feature** — pick **Start from Scratch** instead; you get the same template and edit the text yourself. The editor is desktop only. Sections are listed in the left panel; click one to edit its text and images, use the up and down arrows to reorder, and use **Design System** for fonts and colours. Click **Save** as you go and **Publish** when you are happy. ### Building a store After **Ecommerce Store** you see the **Create Your Store** window with three steps — **Name**, **Template**, **Describe**: 1. Enter a **Store Name** and a **Slug**. The slug becomes your link, `yourslug.sitesplaced.site`. Use lowercase letters, numbers and hyphens; it must be 2–63 characters and start and end with a letter or number. Click **Next**. 2. **Choose a Template** — pick the storefront design closest to what you sell; the **General Store** suits anything. Every template is free, and [Choose a store template](https://sitesplaced.com/help/md/online-stores/choose-a-store-template.md) says which fits what. The template is fixed once the store exists, so pick with care. Click **Next**. 3. **Describe Your Business** — answer **What do you sell?** to have AI write your headlines and about text (Starter plan or higher), or leave it empty and click **Create Store** to use the template's default copy. 4. When you see **Store Created!**, click **Open Store**. Go to **Products** and add your first product, then **Publish**. > **Building a store?:** The store flow is covered step-by-step in [open your free online store](https://sitesplaced.com/help/md/online-stores/open-a-store.md), and then [add your products](https://sitesplaced.com/help/md/online-stores/add-products.md). ## Or let the Importer do it for you Short on time? The [Importer](https://sitesplaced.com/import) builds a ready-made site or store from what you already have — template, colours, copy and products filled in automatically. You can edit everything afterwards. - **Instagram profile** — pulls your bio, photos and products from your IG page. - **A website** — recreates the look and content of an existing site or hosted store, including products and prices where it can read them. - **A PDF** — turns a catalogue or menu into a store, or a résumé into a portfolio. - Also: a **Facebook** page, **TikTok** profile, **Google Business** listing, **GitHub** profile or **Linktree** page. 1. Open [sitesplaced.com/import](https://sitesplaced.com/import). You do not need an account yet. 2. Pick the source and enter your handle, URL, or upload the file. 3. Choose what to build — **Online store**, **Portfolio website** or **Business website** — and either pick a template or use **Let AI pick**. 4. Wait 10–30 seconds for the preview. Check the products, text and photos. 5. Click **Sign up & publish** (or **Publish my store** if you are already signed in). The store is created under your account and goes live. > **Tip:** The Importer is the fastest way to go from "I sell on Instagram" to a real storefront. Open it at [sitesplaced.com/import](https://sitesplaced.com/import). ## Good to know - **Slug already taken or rejected?** Slugs are unique across SitesPlaced and some words are reserved. Try adding your city or category, like `naari-jewels-pune`. - **Instagram import missed products.** Private profiles can't be read fully, and posts without a visible price come in as ₹0 — fix prices under **Products** before publishing. See [import your existing store](https://sitesplaced.com/help/md/how-to-guides/import-your-existing-store.md). - **Preview expired.** Import previews are temporary. If you see **Preview Expired**, run the import again — it only takes a few seconds. - **Wrong template?** A store keeps the template it was created with, because switching would wipe its page sections. Create a new store on the right one and delete the first — before you add your products, as products do not move between stores. Colours, fonts, text and sections stay editable on any template. See [Choose a store template](https://sitesplaced.com/help/md/online-stores/choose-a-store-template.md). - **Image won't upload?** Website editor images must be under **2MB**; store product photos under **5MB** each. Free accounts have 500 MB of total image storage. - **Want a different type?** Go back to the Dashboard and click **New Site** again — one account can hold up to 5 sites. **Q: Do I have to pick the perfect template first?** For a store, pick with some care: the template is fixed once the store is created, though colours, fonts, text and sections all stay editable. Pick the one closest to what you sell, or the General Store if nothing fits. For a website, pick something close and adjust — every section, colour and font is editable. **Q: Can I build a store without any products yet?** Yes. The store is created empty and stays a Draft. Add at least one product under Products so customers have something to buy, then Publish. **Q: Is the Importer free?** Yes. Importing, previewing and publishing are free. AI rewrites of the imported copy are included in the Growth plan, but the import itself brings in your bio, photos, products and prices at no cost. **Q: Can I import from a catalogue PDF?** Yes. Choose PDF / Doc on the Importer and upload your catalogue. Each product line with a name and price becomes a product. Check the result, fix any price that came through wrong, and publish. **Q: Can ChatGPT or Claude build it for me?** Yes. Connect the SitesPlaced MCP to your assistant and ask it to create a store, add products or edit sections. See connect ChatGPT and Claude. When it looks good, you're ready to [publish and share](https://sitesplaced.com/help/md/getting-started/publish-and-share.md).