How to Start an Online Shoe Store in Australia [2025]

The Australian E-commerce market was projected to reach AU$52.77 billion by the end of 2023. It’s certainly a lucrative business opportunity today and is expected to grow even bigger in the coming years. Among all the e-commerce markets thriving today, the shoe and sneaker business is a fine choice to start your entrepreneurial journey in Australia.

Whether you’re passionate about shoes or see a lucrative business opportunity, we're here to assist you in launching your online shoe store in Australia. Let us help you take confident strides toward turning your passion into a profitable business opportunity. But before we begin, let’s first look at what the current market trends are.

Shoe Store Market Trends

It’s 2025 and here’s what’s trending in the footwear market in Australia:

E-commerce

This is what’s most trending in the Footwear Market in 2025. More and more shoe stores are going online and seeing success getting their sales figures higher by selling their products online. This trend is driven by factors like convenience, variety, and price comparison.

Sustainability

Consumers are increasingly seeking sustainable footwear options, such as shoes made from recycled materials or produced ethically. This growing demand signifies a broader shift towards eco-conscious choices. Moreover, the trend is driving innovation in the footwear industry to meet rising expectations for sustainable practices and materials in shoe production.

Athleisure

Athleisure is a hybrid style of athletic clothing typically worn as everyday wear. The popularity of athletic and casual footwear continues to grow, driven by the athleisure trend.

Sneakers

Sneakers are a little different from shoes. They are only made of synthetic fabric with rubber soles and designed to be lightweight. Shoes, on the other hand, can be made of many different types of materials and are generally heavier. With the rising popularity of comfort over form, sneakers are also getting mainstream in the Australian market.

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Brands

DTC shoe brands are those that sell directly to consumers without relying on intermediaries like retailers or wholesalers. This gives them more control over their products, prices, and customer experience. Some examples of DTC shoe brands in Australia are:

• Vivaia: A sustainable footwear brand that uses recycled materials and 3D knitting technology to create comfortable and stylish shoes for women.
• Gaziano & Girling: A luxury footwear brand that offers bespoke and ready-to-wear shoes for men, handcrafted in England with the finest materials and craftsmanship.

Experiential Retail

New tech products, such as 3D foot scanners and AR headsets, are making it easier for customers to find the perfect fit for their feet. By incorporating these tools into a shoe store, business owners can obtain precise measurements of customers' feet. This enables the creation of custom-fit shoes that prioritise comfort and support.

Customers also get to try on shoes from their own homes before they add them to their cart on the e-commerce store. This can be a helpful way to see how a shoe looks and feels on your feet before purchasing online. A recent study found that 60% of consumers are more likely to buy shoes from a retailer that offers 3D foot scanning or AR try-on technology.

Bonus Content: Cloud Technologies in Retail Examples

Complete Checklist to Open an Online Retail Shoe Store in Australia

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start an online shoe store in Australia:

1. Research and Business Planning
2. Legal Considerations
3. Branding and Shoe Store Name
4. Create a Professional Website and Online Store
5. Sales and Marketing Strategy
6. Payment Processing & Shipping 
7. Customer Support

Research and Business Planning

The first step of any meaningful endeavour is definitely research and planning. When it comes to starting an online footwear store in Australia, research and business planning are as important as the sole of a shoe. 

Conduct thorough research on the shoe market and find out:

• what’s trending in your locale
• who are your competitors
• what do your competitor's business plans look like
• who are your target audience
• what are your audience's shoe or sneaker tastes

You could also check out your competitor’s physical store or visit their e-commerce shoe stores to better understand your competition. 

With this research data by your side, you can curate your product selection and fill the market gap in your chosen location. Use this data to build a detailed business plan that outlines your goals, target market, marketing strategies, and financial projections. A well-rounded business plan will serve as a roadmap for your future success.

Legal Considerations

Whether you have a physical shoe store or just an online one, you’ll still have to abide by the Australian government laws. While the exact licences you must obtain will vary case by case, here is where you should start.

1. ABN (Australian Business Number)

This is the most common licence that all businesses in Australia need to register for. An Australian Business Number (ABN) is what the Government uses to identify your business from everyone else’s. 

1. Other Licences

As mentioned before, there can be a number of licences that your business will need. Thankfully, there’s a handy tool on the government’s website that helps you find exactly what your business needs to apply for. You can use this Australian Business License tool to search for all the licences your business needs. You must have all the mentioned licences and permits to open an online shoe store business in Australia. 

Branding and Shoe Store Name

While it may seem trivial, your online shoe store’s brand name also plays a vital role in its success. Consistent branding across all channels can significantly increase your shoe store revenue.

So, craft a memorable and unique brand identity, including a compelling store name. Use this identity consistently across your website, social media, and marketing materials to build brand recognition.

Create a Professional Website and Online Store

Since this is a guide on starting an ‘online’ shoe store, the process of getting your footwear store online has to be the most crucial one, right? Whether you envision building an e-commerce store from scratch or want to integrate one into your present website, both of these options work. 

Here’s a 4 step process to get you started: 

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name

Just like finding the perfect pair of shoes, your domain name should be a snug fit. Brainstorm different options that reflect your vision of the shoe store. Avoid getting cold feet—pick a name that's memorable and easy to spell. Remember, you want customers to lace up and visit your site with a smile!

Step 2: Website Layout and Design

The modern user is savvy, and their visual preferences are shaped by contemporary design trends. A website that embraces modernity not only attracts attention but also instils confidence in the brand it represents. Understanding and adapting to these preferences can significantly impact user engagement.

Step 3: Set Up Your E-commerce Store

There are plenty of e-commerce platforms to choose from, but make sure the one you go for fulfils your requirements and doesn’t cost a lot. While it’s tempting to choose a platform with an abundance number of features, most e-commerce owners only use a fraction of available features. Prioritise functionality that suits your needs over unnecessary features that may not align with your business goals. 

You can set up an e-commerce for your shoe store using platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, etc. But if you’re looking for a quick setup for your online store, POSApt can be a great fit. With POS and e-commerce for shoe stores, you can seamlessly manage both online and in-store sales. Give it a try, we will set up everything for you. 

Sales and Marketing Strategy

As crucial as it is, marketing can take a huge bite out of your budget. If you're looking for a marketing strategy with long-term benefits, SEO is your go-to. Focus on keywords relevant to your local area and optimize your website and e-commerce store to appear at the top of Google searches.

Besides SEO, there are several marketing strategies that you can use to drive traffic to your online shoe store. Whether you prefer email marketing, social media marketing, or Google ads, all of them are effective in promoting your sales. If you are providing any discounts and offers, you can also include those to give your audience a strong incentive to purchase from you. Implementing effective marketing strategies is crucial for the successful start of your e-commerce shoe store. 

Payment Processing & Shipping 

Once your marketing tactics hit and you start receiving orders, it’s time to start processing the payment and shipping those shoes to your customers. Choose a secure payment gateway to instil and ensure your checkout process is easy to complete.

Offer multiple shipping options, including express delivery. Communicate shipping costs and delivery times to manage customer expectations.

Bonus Content: How Retailers Track Their Inventory?

Customer Support

There’s still a final step after you’ve made sales, and that is customer support. Your customers might sometimes have problems with their purchase or just questions they want to ask you about. Make sure you have a dedicated team to respond to these queries at all times. After all, positive customer experiences can lead to repeat business and positive reviews.

Conclusion

Starting your own online shoe store in Australia can be quite a daunting task. Whether it’s your first time getting into business or have experience with other industries, this guide will undoubtedly help you ease the process. Moreover, POSApt e-commerce can help you get started with your online store in no time. Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!

FAQs

How much does it cost to open an online footwear store?

It can cost anywhere above $50,000 to open an online footwear store in Australia. This cost includes the actual cost of designing and building an e-commerce store, marketing expenses, inventory with all your shoes, sneakers, etc, and legal fees. 

Is an online shoe store profitable?

Absolutely! Online shoe stores have shown significant profitability in Australia due to the growing popularity of e-commerce. The potential for success lies in providing quality products, exceptional customer service, and effective marketing strategies.

Can you start an online shoe store without inventory?

The short answer is Yes, and it’s called dropshipping where you work with suppliers and they handle all the orders and you get a cut for bringing in orders.