Create a Profitable Online Store Review: Is Steve Chou Legit?

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be running a six-figure online business from my laptop, I probably would’ve laughed it off as a pipe dream. Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, I started out hustling on the side—dabbling in everything from affiliate marketing to dropshipping, and even a few oddball gigs that never quite panned out. It took years of trial, error, and late nights before I finally cracked the code and went full-time online.

That’s why I’m always on the lookout for resources that can genuinely help others shortcut the struggle and build something real. When I first heard about Steve Chou’s “Create a Profitable Online Store” course, I was curious but skeptical—there’s no shortage of flashy promises in the ecommerce world. But after going through the program myself, I realized this wasn’t just another cookie-cutter course.

In this review, I’ll share my honest experience with Steve’s course, what sets it apart, and whether it’s worth your time if you’re serious about building a profitable online store from scratch.

What is Create a Profitable Online Store?

When I first came across Create a Profitable Online Store, I was looking for a no-nonsense, step-by-step system that would actually help me build a real business—not just another “get rich quick” scheme.

Steve Chou’s course stood out because it’s designed to teach you how to launch, grow, and scale your own ecommerce store from scratch. The curriculum covers everything from finding a profitable niche and sourcing products, to setting up your website, selling on Amazon, and mastering both free and paid marketing strategies.

What I appreciated most is that it’s not just theory—Steve walks you through the exact processes he used to build his own seven-figure store, focusing on practical steps that generate real income. The course even dives into advanced topics like sales funnels, pricing strategies, and customer retention, so you’re not just making sales—you’re building a sustainable, profitable business for the long haul.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Who Created Create a Profitable Online Store?

The mastermind behind this course is Steve Chou, and if you’ve spent any time in the ecommerce world, you’ve probably heard his name. Steve is a seasoned entrepreneur who launched Bumblebee Linens, a niche online store that quickly became a seven-figure success. But what really sets Steve apart is his reputation as an educator—he’s helped thousands of students start and grow their own online businesses through his blog (MyWifeQuitHerJob.com), his top-rated podcast, and the annual Sellers Summit conference. His work has been featured in major outlets like Forbes, Inc., and The New York Times, and he’s known for his transparent, practical teaching style.

As someone who’s built my own online business, I can say Steve’s authenticity and willingness to share both his wins and failures make him a standout in a space full of hype. He’s not just teaching theory—he’s in the trenches, running successful stores and helping others do the same.

Who is Create a Profitable Online Store For?

If you’re serious about building a real ecommerce business—whether you’re a total beginner or you’ve already dabbled in selling online—this course is for you. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a clear, actionable roadmap and is tired of piecing together random advice from YouTube and forums.

Steve’s training is especially valuable if you want to build your own brand and not just rely on Amazon FBA or dropshipping someone else’s products. The course is structured to help you avoid the common pitfalls that trip up new store owners, and it’s packed with support—live office hours, active forums, and direct access to Steve if you get stuck.

On the flip side, if you’re only interested in selling on Amazon and don’t care about building your own store or brand, you might find other courses more focused on that specific model. But for anyone who wants to create a long-term, profitable online store with multiple income streams, I can confidently say this course delivers.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How is Create a Profitable Online Store Structured?

One thing that immediately impressed me about Create a Profitable Online Store was how comprehensive and organized the course content is. As soon as I enrolled, I got access to a full library of video lessons, neatly divided into 15 core modules. Each module tackles a specific part of building and scaling an ecommerce business, so you’re never left wondering what to do next. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s inside:

• Module 1: Find a Profitable Niche Market
  Learn how to research, validate, and select a niche that has real profit potential.

• Module 2: Discover Where To Source Your Products
  Get practical advice on finding suppliers, negotiating deals, importing, and dropshipping.

• Module 3: Set Up Your Online Store
  Step-by-step guidance on choosing a shopping cart, building your site, and making it secure.

• Module 4: How To Sell On Amazon
  Strategies for leveraging Amazon as an additional sales channel.

• Module 5: How To Create Sales Funnels
  Build marketing funnels that convert visitors into customers.

• Module 6: Make Your Business Legal
  Everything you need to know about legal structures, licenses, and compliance.

• Module 7: Market Your Online Store For Free
  Free traffic strategies, including SEO and organic social media.

• Module 8: Email Marketing
  Grow your list and use email to drive repeat sales.

• Module 9: Google Adwords And Google Shopping
  Paid traffic strategies to accelerate your growth.

• Module 10: Facebook Advertising
  Master Facebook ads for targeted traffic.

• Module 11: Facebook Messenger Marketing
  Use Messenger for customer engagement and sales.

• Module 12: Optimize Your Store For The Search Engines
  Advanced SEO techniques for ecommerce.

• Module 13: Price Your Products For Maximum Profit
  Pricing strategies that boost your bottom line.

• Module 14: Advanced Website Optimization
  Conversion rate optimization and user experience improvements.

• Module 15: Customer Service And Managing Your Online Reputation
  Best practices for keeping customers happy and building a trustworthy brand.

Plus, you get access to bonus lessons, interviews with industry experts, and weekly updates to keep you ahead of the curve. The course also includes checklists, worksheets, and a supportive community forum, so you’re never left to figure things out alone.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Are Create a Profitable Online Store Students Getting Results?

As someone who’s taken more online courses than I can count, I always look for real-world results before recommending anything. Steve Chou’s course definitely delivers. According to surveys of his students, 56% of those who stick with the program for a year and launch a product are generating at least four figures per month, and 9% are making over $50,000 per month in revenue. That’s a strong track record in the world of online education.

The testimonials speak for themselves. One student shared,

“I just got done reviewing and reading his ‘Create a Profitable Online Store’ and I can say—with absolute certainty—I’ve never seen, nor heard of a product this thorough and this effective for starting your own online store. Steve walks the walk and teaches you how to do the same, step-by-step… It helped me avoid 90% of the mistakes that I would have made on my own. Now I KNOW that I will succeed with my own online store and let my wife quit her job too!”

Another student, a mother of two, described how the course gave her the confidence and tools to launch her business and become a proud new business owner. From my own experience and what I’ve seen in the community, the people who put in the work and follow the steps are getting real, tangible results.

How Much Does Create a Profitable Online Store Cost?

Now, let’s talk numbers. Create a Profitable Online Store is an investment—there’s no sugarcoating that. The course costs $1,999 if you pay in full, but there are installment options: three payments of $699 or a monthly payment plan at $299. While the price might seem steep, you’re getting lifetime access to all the training, updates, community support, and live office hours.

What gave me peace of mind was the 30-day money-back guarantee. If you dive in and realize it’s not the right fit, you can request a full refund within the first month—no awkward questions asked. For me, that made it a risk-free way to see if the course truly matched my goals and learning style.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Praises For Create a Profitable Online Store

Over the years, I’ve taken my fair share of online business courses, and I can confidently say that Create a Profitable Online Store stands out for several reasons:

• Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Training
  Steve Chou’s course covers everything you need to know to launch and scale an online store, from niche selection and product sourcing to advanced marketing strategies. The modules are logically structured, and nothing feels left out. Even as someone with experience, I found value in the depth and clarity of the training.

• Real, Actionable Advice
  Unlike many courses that skim the surface, this program gives you practical, actionable steps. Steve doesn’t just tell you what to do—he shows you how, with detailed walkthroughs and real-world examples from his own business. I especially appreciated the focus on creating a sustainable, long-term business rather than chasing quick wins.

• Supportive Community and Personal Feedback
  The private community forum and regular live office hours make a huge difference. I’ve been able to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, get feedback on my ideas, and even have Steve personally review my store and niche. That level of support is rare and incredibly valuable, especially when you’re starting out.

• Student Success Stories
  There are plenty of testimonials from students who have built six- and seven-figure businesses after taking the course. For example, Abby Walker started with no technical experience and now runs a seven-figure store selling high heel insoles. Carmen launched her store on a tight budget and hit four figures per week within months. These stories are not just hype—they’re backed by real results and detailed feedback from students.

• Lifetime Access and Updates
  Once you join, you get lifetime access to all course materials, updates, and new content. I love being able to revisit modules whenever I need a refresher or want to implement a new strategy.

• Transparent About Costs and Challenges
  Steve is upfront about the realities of starting an online store, including the need for some upfront investment and the challenges you’ll face. There’s no sugarcoating, and that honesty helps set realistic expectations.

Criticisms For Create a Profitable Online Store

No course is perfect, and Create a Profitable Online Store does have its drawbacks—some of which I’ve felt myself:

• High Upfront Cost
  At $1,999, this course is a significant investment, especially for beginners. While the value is there, it can be a barrier if you’re just starting out or on a tight budget. Plus, you’ll need additional funds to actually launch your store—website, inventory, ads, and so on.

• Overwhelming Amount of Content
  The course is extremely comprehensive, but that can also be overwhelming. If you’re brand new to ecommerce, the sheer volume of information might feel daunting, and it can take weeks or months to work through everything and implement it in your business.

• Some Content Can Be Found for Free
  A few of the topics—like basic store setup or choosing a niche—are covered in free resources online. While Steve’s approach is more organized and actionable, some students feel the course covers ground they could have pieced together elsewhere without the price tag.

• Pushy Upsells and Affiliate Recommendations
  I noticed that Steve occasionally recommends affiliate products and tools, some of which are expensive and not strictly necessary for beginners. This can feel a bit pushy, especially if you’re trying to keep costs down in the early stages.

• Fast-Paced for True Beginners
  While Steve is responsive to questions, some modules move quickly and assume a certain level of technical comfort. If you’re not tech-savvy, you might find yourself pausing and rewinding often, or needing extra time to catch up.

• Highly Competitive Market
  The ecommerce space is more crowded than ever. Even with the best training, you’re still up against stiff competition, slim margins, and rising ad costs. The course gives you the tools, but it doesn’t change the realities of the market—you’ll need persistence and creativity to break through.

Despite these criticisms, I still believe Create a Profitable Online Store is one of the most thorough and practical ecommerce courses available. It’s not a magic bullet, but if you’re committed to building a real business, it gives you the roadmap and support you need to get there.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Should You Join Create a Profitable Online Store?

After going through Create a Profitable Online Store myself, I can honestly say it’s one of the most comprehensive and actionable ecommerce courses I’ve taken. If you’re serious about building a real, long-term online store—and you’re willing to put in the work—this course can absolutely set you up for success. Steve Chou’s step-by-step system, the supportive community, and the wealth of real-world strategies make it a powerful investment for both beginners and experienced sellers looking to level up.

The student results speak for themselves: people from all walks of life have launched profitable stores, some hitting four figures a week within months and others scaling to seven-figure businesses. The course is ideal if you want a clear roadmap, ongoing support, and lifetime access to updates and resources. However, it’s not for everyone. You’ll need to be ready to invest not just in the course, but in inventory, tools, and marketing. And if you’re not committed to following through, or if the upfront cost is a stretch, you might want to hold off or consider a different path.

But if you’re determined to make ecommerce work for you, I genuinely believe Create a Profitable Online Store can be a game-changer. It’s helped me avoid costly mistakes, speed up my learning curve, and connect with a network of motivated entrepreneurs. For those ready to go all-in, I absolutely recommend it.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Create a Profitable Online Store Alternative

If you’re not quite ready to dive into ecommerce or you’re looking for a more affordable way to learn how to make money online, Wealthy Affiliate is hands-down the best alternative I’ve come across. Unlike Steve Chou’s course, which is laser-focused on building your own online store, Wealthy Affiliate teaches you how to build profitable affiliate marketing websites from scratch.

Here’s why I recommend Wealthy Affiliate as an alternative:

• Comprehensive Training for All Levels: Wealthy Affiliate walks you through everything from choosing a niche and building your first website to mastering SEO, content marketing, and affiliate strategies. You don’t need any prior experience to get started.
• Supportive Community: The platform offers 24/7 live chat, active forums, and direct access to experts—including the founders themselves. I’ve found the community to be incredibly helpful, especially when I hit roadblocks or needed feedback.
• All-in-One Platform: You get hosting, website builders, keyword tools, and training all under one roof. This saves a ton of time and hassle compared to piecing together different services.
• Flexible and Affordable Pricing: You can start for free, and the premium membership is much more budget-friendly than most ecommerce courses. This makes it accessible if you’re just testing the waters or want to learn online business skills without a big upfront investment.
• Focus on Sustainable, Long-Term Income: Wealthy Affiliate doesn’t promise overnight riches. Instead, it’s all about building real, sustainable websites that generate passive income over time.

If you want to learn how to make money online but aren’t sure if ecommerce is right for you—or you just want to start with a lower-risk, lower-cost option—Wealthy Affiliate is a fantastic place to begin. I’ve personally used their training to build and scale several affiliate sites, and the skills I learned there have paid off in every area of my online business.

In short, if you’re ready to build a profitable online store and have the resources to invest, Steve Chou’s course is top-notch. But if you’re looking for a more affordable, flexible introduction to making money online, Wealthy Affiliate is the best alternative I can recommend.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative