How to Start a Shopify Store for Beginners

Taking your business online opens up a world of opportunities. Today, having an online presence is not just a competitive advantage; it is a necessity. Here’s why it’s worth the leap:

Borderless Business

Imagine reaching customers from all over the globe! An online store breaks down geographical barriers, allowing you to attract international customers and significantly expand your market reach.

Cost Savings

Save on overhead costs like rent and utilities, and reinvest those savings into growing your business. Plus, with options like dropshipping, you can reduce the need for a large physical inventory.

Anytime Shopping

Your store is open 24/7, so customers can shop whenever they want. This means more sales for you, even while you sleep!

Marketing Versatility

Digital marketing tools and strategies let you reach a targeted audience effectively. From social media to email marketing, the options are endless.

Data Insights

Gather valuable data on customer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns. This helps you make informed decisions and tailor your marketing efforts for better results.

1. Get Local Advice

Understand the taxes and legal requirements related to your business. It's always a good idea to consult with a local accountant or legal expert to ensure compliance.

2. Choose a Shopify Plan

• Basic: $29 per month – Ideal for new eCommerce businesses with occasional in-person sales.
• Shopify: $79 per month – Perfect for growing businesses that need more advanced reporting.
• Advanced: $299 per month – Best for scaling businesses that require more detailed reporting and lower transaction fees.
• Plus: $2,300 per month – Designed for high-volume businesses and large enterprises.

3. Decide Where You Want to Sell Your Products

With Shopify, you have the flexibility to sell your products across various sales channels. Here are some options you can explore:

• Online Store: Create a complete online store with a customizable checkout experience.
• Shop App: Sell directly through Shopify's mobile app, allowing users to browse and buy from their favorite stores and track their orders in real-time.
• Buy Button: Add Shopify’s Buy Button to your existing non-Shopify website or blog, allowing customers to purchase products without leaving your site.
• Shopify POS: Use Shopify's Point of Sale system to sell products in person, seamlessly integrating with your online store.
• Facebook Shop and Instagram Shopping: Integrate your store with social media platforms to sell directly through your social media profiles.

4. Migrate Your Existing Website

If you already have an eCommerce website, consider migrating it to Shopify. This can help streamline your operations and take advantage of Shopify's robust features and support.

2. Add Your Store Name and Settings

Enter the essential details for your store. This information helps set up your store's identity and operational preferences.

• Store name and contact info
• Legal business name and address 
• Store time zone 
• Default store currency 
• Default weight unit for your listings 
• Billing information 
• Shipping settings 
• Tax information 
• Payment gateways
• Staff accounts
• Store domain

3. Get to Know the Admin Panel

Your Shopify admin panel is your command center, where you'll manage all aspects of your store.

• Home: This is your dashboard where you can see an overview of your store’s performance, recent activity, and important updates.
  
• Orders: Here, you can manage and view all your orders, handle fulfillments, cancellations, and even check out customer reviews.
• Products: This is where you add, edit, and manage your product inventory. Upload images, write captivating descriptions, and set your prices.
• Customers: Access a list of your registered customers and their contact information. You can also export customer lists for your records.
• Content: Publish and manage all the content on your store to boost visibility and engage with your audience.
• Finances: Keep an eye on your store’s finances, including revenue, expenses, and profits. This helps you monitor the financial health of your business.
• Analytics: Check out sales numbers, revenue, and product performance over different periods to see how your store is doing.
• Marketing: Set up multichannel promotions through Shopify Email Marketing, Facebook ads, social posts, and SMS marketing. You can also automate tasks like sending abandoned cart emails.
• Discounts: Create and manage discount codes with various rules, like free shipping for orders over a certain amount or discounts on specific products.
• Online Store: Customize your store's appearance, manage your themes, and publish blog posts to enhance your store's look and content.
• Apps: Browse and install apps to expand your store’s features. Find apps for store design, conversion, fulfillment, customer service, and more.

1. Select a Theme

Make your website visually appealing by choosing a professional theme from the Shopify Theme Store. Look for a theme that matches your brand's aesthetic and provides a good user experience.

Before you launch, it's important to make sure everything is working perfectly. Placing a test order is a great way to do this. You can check that your checkout process, order processing, inventory, shipping, and taxes are all set up correctly. Charges don't apply to test orders, so go ahead and place at least one test order during your setup or whenever you tweak your payment settings.

1. Test Transactions

Simulate successful and failed transactions to ensure your payment gateways are working correctly.

2. Test Order Management

Practice fulfilling, refunding, and canceling orders to familiarize yourself with these processes.

3. Test Order Archiving

Ensure successful orders are correctly archived for future reference and reporting.

4. Double-Check Everything
Double-check all your store settings, product listings, and content to make sure everything is polished and ready for customers.

Once you've thoroughly tested your store and you're confident everything is set, it's time to launch! Remove your online store password to give customers access to your store.

Now it's time to get the word out and attract customers. Promoting your store effectively is key to driving traffic and increasing sales. Here are some strategies to help you boost your store's visibility:

• Content Marketing: Create blog posts, guides, and videos to provide value and attract visitors. Content marketing helps build trust with your audience and improves your search engine rankings.
• SEO Optimization: Optimize your site for search engines to increase organic traffic. Use relevant keywords in your product descriptions, blog posts, and meta tags.
• Social Media Presence: Engage with your audience on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Social media helps you connect with customers, build your brand, and drive traffic to your store.
• Paid Advertising: Invest in Google Ads or social media ads to broaden your reach. Paid advertising can help you attract targeted traffic quickly and increase sales.
• Shopify’s Built-in Marketing Tools: Utilize Shopify's suite of marketing tools to enhance visibility and drive sales. These tools include email marketing, lead capture, and automated campaigns.

Here's a quick rundown of the basic steps to start your Shopify store: