How To Get Started Using Shopify
Get started with Shopify by setting up your account, customizing your store, and preparing it to start selling.
Below is an overview of the essential steps you need to follow to create a successful Shopify store. Below we only provide a brief overview, we provide more in depth and detailed processes for each section on other pages of the site.
Below is a quick table of steps of the process:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Set Up Your Shopify Account | Sign up for Shopify, choose a pricing plan, and configure your basic settings, such as store currency and tax settings. |
| 2. Choose a Domain Name | Purchase a new domain through Shopify or connect an existing domain. Set up a custom domain to enhance your brand and improve search engine optimization. |
| 3. Select and Customize a Shopify Theme | Choose from free or paid Shopify themes and customize it to match your brand identity using the theme settings. |
| 4. Add Products and Manage Inventory | Add products to your store, set prices, and manage inventory using Shopify’s inventory management tools. Organize products into categories for better customer experience. |
| 5. Set Up Payment and Shipping Options | Configure Shopify Payments, integrate additional payment gateways, and set up shipping options, including shipping rates and delivery methods. |
| 6. Prepare Your Store for Launch | Test the checkout process, set up password protection, configure customer accounts, and optimize your store for search engines. |
| 7. Launch and Promote Your Shopify Store | Make your store live, promote it using sales channels and marketing tools, and monitor its performance with Shopify analytics. |
Setting Up Your Shopify Account
The first step to get started with Shopify is to set up your Shopify account. This step involves signing up for the platform, choosing a pricing plan, and configuring basic settings.
Sign Up for Shopify
To get started with Shopify, visit the Shopify website and click on the “Start Free Trial” button. You’ll be prompted to enter your email address, create a password, and choose a store name. After entering your details, click on “Create Your Store,” and Shopify will guide you through the initial setup process.
Choosing a Pricing Plan
Get started with Shopify by choosing from several pricing plans tailored to different business needs. As a new user, you can start with the basic plan, which provides the essential features needed to get your store up and running. High volume businesses might consider advanced plans, which offer additional tools and reduced transaction fees.
Configuring Basic Settings
Once your account is created, you’ll be directed to the Shopify admin dashboard. If for some reason you are not logged in, complete the login process. Here, you can get started with Shopify by configuring important settings, such as store currency, time zone, and tax settings. It’s advisable to consult a tax professional to ensure your tax settings are correct, especially if you’re planning to sell internationally.
Shopify also provides a default theme automatically on the Themes page, which can be customized or replaced with another theme from the store.
Choosing a Domain Name
Get started with Shopify by choosing a domain name, which is your store’s address on the internet and an important part of your brand identity. Shopify offers two main options: you can either purchase a new domain through Shopify or connect an existing domain. You might also like to use a free Shopify name generator to get initial ideas.
Buying a New Domain
If you don’t have a domain yet, get started with Shopify by purchasing one directly from your Shopify admin. The advantage of buying a new domain through Shopify is that it’s automatically configured for your store, saving you time and technical hassle.
Connecting an Existing Domain
If you already have a domain, you can get started with Shopify by connecting it to your new store. This involves updating the DNS settings of your existing domain to point to Shopify’s servers. This process can usually be completed within a few hours.
Setting Up a Custom Domain
Get started with Shopify by setting up a custom domain, rather than using the default Shopify subdomain (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com). This step is important for branding and search engine optimization. Search engines tend to favor custom domains, which can improve your store’s search engine results. To set up a custom domain, go to the “Domains” section in your Shopify admin and follow the instructions for either purchasing a new domain or connecting an existing one.
Selecting and Customizing a Shopify Theme
Your Shopify theme determines the look and feel of your store, and customizing it is a important step to get started with Shopify and create a unique and user-friendly experience for your customers.
When you first set up your store, Shopify provides a default theme on the themes page, which you can customize or choose a different one to create a unique online presence.
Exploring Shopify Themes
Get started with Shopify by exploring the variety of free themes and paid themes that the platform provides. Free themes are a great starting point, but paid themes often offer more customization options and features, which can be beneficial as your store grows.
Customizing Your Shopify Theme
After selecting a theme to get started with Shopify, it’s time to customize it to align with your brand. You can do this through the theme settings in your Shopify admin.
Here, you can change colors, fonts, and layouts, and add your logo and images to match your brand identity. If you’ve opted for a paid theme, you might have additional customization options, such as advanced layout features and more design flexibility.
Previewing Your Store Design
As you get started with Shopify, use the search engine listing preview feature to see how your store will appear in search results. This can help ensure that your store’s design is not only visually appealing but also optimized for search engines.
Adding Products and Managing Inventory
With your Shopify theme selected and customized, the next step to get started with Shopify is to add products to your store and manage your inventory.
Adding Products to Your Store
To get started with Shopify, navigate to the “Products” section in your Shopify admin.
Here, you can enter product titles, descriptions, and prices, and upload product images. You can also set up product variants, such as different sizes or colors.
Managing Inventory
Get started with Shopify by utilizing its built-in inventory management system. This tool allows you to track stock levels, set up inventory alerts, and manage product availability across multiple sales channels. Managing your inventory efficiently is crucial for ensuring that your ecommerce store runs smoothly and meets customer demand.
Organizing Products
Get started with Shopify by organizing your products into categories or collections, making it easier for customers to navigate your store.
This can improve the shopping experience and increase sales. Additionally, well-organized product categories can help search engines better index your store, improving your search engine results.
Setting Up Payment and Shipping Options
To get started with Shopify, you need to configure payment and shipping options. This step ensures that your customers can complete purchases and receive their orders.
Configuring Shopify Payments
Get started with Shopify by configuring Shopify Payments, the default payment gateway on the Shopify platform. It allows you to accept credit card payments directly on your store without needing a third-party payment provider.
Setting up Shopify Payments is straightforward and involves entering your business details and connecting your bank account. Shopify Payments supports a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Integrating Additional Payment Gateways
In addition to Shopify Payments, when you get started with Shopify, you can integrate other payment gateways, such as PayPal or Stripe, to provide your customers with more payment options. Each gateway has its own set of transaction fees, so be sure to review these before integrating them into your store.
Setting Up Shipping Options
Get started with Shopify by configuring your shipping settings in the “Shipping and Delivery” section of your Shopify admin. Here, you can set up shipping zones, define shipping rates, and select delivery methods. It’s important to set shipping rates that reflect your actual shipping costs to avoid cutting into your profits.
Additionally, you can print shipping labels directly from Shopify, streamlining the order fulfillment process.
Preparing Your Store for Launch
Before launching your store, there are a few final steps to get started with Shopify and ensure everything is set up correctly and ready for customers.
Testing Your Checkout Process
Before making your store live, get started with Shopify by testing the checkout process to ensure that payments are processed correctly and that the customer experience is smooth. Shopify allows you to create test orders to go through the entire purchase process without actually charging your credit card.
Setting Up Password Protection
Get started with Shopify by enabling password protection while you’re still working on your store to prevent the public from accessing it before you’re ready. This is especially useful if you’re making significant changes or want to generate buzz before your official launch.
Configuring Customer Accounts
Get started with Shopify by deciding whether to allow customers to create accounts on your store. Customer accounts can be beneficial for repeat business, as they make the checkout process faster and allow customers to track their orders.
However, they are optional and can be turned off if you prefer a simpler checkout process.
Optimizing for Search Engines
Get started with Shopify by ensuring your store is optimized for search engines. This includes filling out the search engine listing preview for each product and page, which helps your store rank higher in search engine results.
Additionally, ensure that your store’s meta tags, alt text, and keywords are properly configured.
Launching and Promoting Your Shopify Store
Once everything is set up and tested, it’s time to get started with Shopify by launching your store and promoting it to your target audience.
Making Your Store Live
To get started with Shopify and make your store live, disable password protection and ensure that all your products are visible to the public. Your store is now ready for customers to visit and make purchases.
Promoting Your Store
Get started with Shopify by understanding that promotion is key to driving traffic and sales to your new store. Start by integrating your store with various sales channels, such as social media platforms, to reach a wider audience.
You can also use Shopify’s built-in marketing tools to create discount codes and run email campaigns. Additionally, consider using paid advertising to reach your target audience quickly.
Monitoring Your Store’s Performance
After you get started with Shopify, use Shopify’s analytics tools to monitor your store’s performance. These tools provide insights into traffic, sales, and customer behavior, helping you make data-driven decisions to improve your store.
Final Points
Get started with Shopify by following a multi-step process that involves setting up your account, choosing a domain, customizing your store, adding products, configuring payment and shipping options, and finally launching your store.
Each of these steps is significant in creating a successful ecommerce store that not only attracts customers but also drives sales. By following this step-by-step guide, you can build a strong foundation for your Shopify store and start selling online with confidence.
