Sell custom products with Printify
Thinking about launching an online store? Shopify makes it easy. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced seller, this guide will show you how to start a Shopify store.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to set up and grow your online store successfully, from choosing a niche to marketing your products.
Why choose Shopify for your online store?
Shopify holds a 10.32% share of the global eCommerce market, and its user-friendly tools help any online business create, customize, and scale their stores.
Why choose the Shopify platform:
- User-friendly interface. Shopify’s intuitive dashboard makes store management simple.
- Diverse sales channel options. Seamless integration with various sales channels expands your reach to a broad audience.
- Customization options. Choose from premium and free themes, apps, and customizable templates to tailor your store’s look and functionality.
- 24/7 customer support. Get assistance whenever you need.
- Shopify apps. Access thousands of popular apps in the Shopify App Store to automate marketing, customer service, inventory tracking, and more.
- Built-in security. Shopify protects your customers with advanced fraud prevention, SSL encryption, and secure checkout systems.
- Shopify Payments. Accept payments instantly with Shopify’s built-in gateway, avoiding third-party processing fees.
How to start a Shopify store in 9 steps
Let’s explore the stages of starting a small business or enterprise.
1. Pick a niche
A well-defined niche market helps attract your ideal customer while setting your brand apart from competitors.
Instead of targeting broad, oversaturated categories like women’s fashion or home decor, focus on a specific niche with a passionate audience – like eco-friendly pet accessories, wine-themed gifts, or gear for moms who love fishing.
A niche with strong demand ensures long-term store growth and higher conversion rates.
Conduct market research using search trends, competitor analysis, and customer engagement metrics to validate your business idea. A data-driven approach will help you find potential customers and position your store for success.
2. Consider your domain name and brand elements
Your store name and domain create the first impression of your eCommerce business. Choose a name that’s memorable, clearly reflects your business idea, and allows for future growth.
For example, if your Shopify store sells cheese-themed t-shirts, a name like “CheesyTees” is playful and clear, but “The Dairy Wear Co.” offers flexibility for future product expansion.
Additionally, consider your brand’s identity – from store design and colors to messaging and customer experience.
Your eCommerce website should tell a cohesive story, transforming your store from just a place to shop into a brand that customers remember and return to.
3. Sign up to Shopify and pick a plan
Launching your Shopify store starts with a straightforward sign-up process and selecting a plan that best suits your business needs. Shopify offers a variety, each tailored to different stages and scales of business.
Overview of Shopify’s payment plans:
| Plan | Monthly | Annually | Discount on annual payment | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 | 25% | For small enterprises or as an online extension for existing businesses. |
| Standard | $105 | $79 | 25% | Best for larger businesses, offering advanced tools like gift cards and abandoned cart recovery. |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | 25% | Designed for larger companies seeking lower transaction fees and enhanced shipping options. |
| Plus | From $2,000 | N/A | N/A | Tailored for enterprise-level selling, used by major corporations. |
All plans offer a three-day free trial and a special introductory rate of $1/month for the first three months. This lets you explore and decide which plan best aligns with your business goals.
Until you pick a plan, your online store will be password-protected and invisible to others.
4. Set up your store and get to know the admin panel
Once you’ve clicked the Start free trial button and created your Shopify account, it’s time to bring your brand to life. Setting up your Shopify store involves customizing its design, adding essential information, and structuring your product catalog to create a seamless shopping experience.
Customize your Shopify theme
Browse the Shopify Theme Store for free themes or invest in a paid theme for advanced customization.
A well-designed store improves brand identity, builds trust, and increases sales channel performance.
- Modify your theme – Adjust layout, colors, and fonts to match your brand’s aesthetics.
- Optimize for mobile – Ensure smooth navigation on all devices to increase engagement and conversions.
- Add navigation – Go to Online Store > Navigation in your Shopify admin panel to create intuitive menus.
- Customize your footer – Click Footer menu > Add menu items, then name and link them to relevant store sections.
Set up your store’s core features
The Shopify admin panel is your control center. From here, you can manage:
- Orders – Track and fulfill orders in real-time.
- Products – Add, edit, and organize your product catalog efficiently.
- Customers – View and manage customer data, order history, and support interactions.
- Content – Update store pages, blog posts, and branding elements.
- Finances – Monitor transactions, payouts, and payment options.
- Analytics – Gain insights into store performance, visitor behavior, and conversion rates.
- Marketing – Run marketing campaigns, create discount codes, and launch automated email flows.
- Discounts – Set up promotions and special offers to increase customer engagement.
- Apps – Enhance your store with apps for SEO, automation, and sales growth.
Add essential store information
Transparency fosters trust. Ensure your eCommerce website includes:
- An About Us page – Share your brand story to connect with your target audience.
- Contact details – Provide multiple ways for customers to reach out.
- Legal policies – Include refund policies, shipping rates, and terms of service to set clear expectations.
Properly structuring your Shopify store and leveraging the Shopify platform’s built-in tools will create a unique store optimized for growth, efficiency, and good customer service.
Explore our list of the best Shopify stores in various categories, like apparel, pet products, and fitness.
5. Pick products to sell
A winning product selection is about what customers are actually buying. Focus on high-demand items, strong profit margins, and identity.
How to find the right products that speak to shoppers
- Research bestsellers – Use our Bestsellers page and competitor analysis to spot trending items.
- Consider market demand – Dive into market research, check search volume on search engines, and analyze consumer behavior. Our blog article on what to sell on Shopify offers ideas and guidance for selecting products with high market potential.
- Solve a problem – Products that fix an issue or make life easier often sell better.
- Test before scaling – Add a few products first, measure interest, then expand your product catalog.
- Check profit margins – Make enough room for a profitable markup after fees and shipping.
How to add products to your online store
- Go to your Shopify admin panel – Click Products > Add product.
- Upload high-quality product photos – Multiple photos help attract customers and improve conversions.
- Write product descriptions – Use relevant keywords and highlight key benefits.
- Set pricing and profit margins – Consider transaction fees, shipping rates, and competitor pricing.
- Organize your inventory – Use collections, tags, and categories to make navigation easier.
- Optimize for SEO – Add alt text to images, use keyword-rich product descriptions, and optimize metadata.
If you’re using Print on Demand, Printify makes it easy – select a product, upload your design, and publish directly to your Shopify online store.
A well-curated product catalog attracts the right target audience and builds a distinctive brand. Keep your selection focused, and always test, tweak, and optimize as you grow.
6. Don’t forget optimization
Your Shopify store is your brand’s digital storefront. If it’s slow, clunky, or invisible on search engines, you’re leaving money on the table. Proper optimization ensures a seamless user experience, improves store visibility, and helps attract customers while growing sales.
Make your Shopify store mobile-first
- Smartphones account for nearly 80% of global eCommerce sales. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing potential buyers.
- Choose a Shopify theme that’s mobile-optimized for smooth navigation.
- Compress images and reduce pop-ups to improve loading speed.
Master SEO
- Use relevant keywords in product descriptions, pages, and metadata to increase store visibility.
- Optimize URLs, headings, and alt text to make your store search-engine-friendly.
- Leverage content marketing to drive organic traffic through blogs and guides.
- Check out our Shopify SEO guide for detailed marketing strategies.
Perfect your product listings
- Use high-quality product photos or mockups – items with multiple photos convert better.
- Write compelling product descriptions that highlight features, benefits, and your brand.
- Optimize product details with relevant search terms to make your listings stand out.
Localize for a global audience
- Shopify allows you to translate your online store into multiple languages, helping you reach more customers.
- Offer region-specific pricing and custom domain settings for international expansion.
A well-optimized store doesn’t just look good – it ranks higher, loads faster, and drives more sales. Start optimizing today to get ahead of the competition.
7. Set up payment and shipping options
Your payment and shipping setup can make or break your eCommerce business. Get it wrong, and you’ll frustrate customers before they even receive their order. Get it right, and you’ll boost conversions, build trust, and increase customer satisfaction. Here’s how to optimize both for your Shopify store.
Step 1: Review your eligibility
Before activating Shopify Payments, check if your store is eligible based on location. Shopify supports multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Apple Pay, Stripe, and third-party options, but Shopify Payments is the easiest, offering lower transaction fees and seamless integration.
Step 2: Enable two-step authentication
To protect your financial data, activate two-step authentication (2FA) in your Shopify account settings. This security layer prevents unauthorized access.
Step 3: Activate Shopify Payments
- Go to Settings > Payments in your Shopify admin panel.
- Click Activate Shopify Payments to remove any third-party credit card processor from your account.
- Follow the prompts to confirm your choice.
Step 4: Enter business and banking details
Ensure your business details, bank account information, and tax identification (if required) are correct.
Step 5: Select your store currency
Choose a primary currency before making your first sale. This affects your pricing strategy, customer transactions, and financial reporting.
Step 6: Submit verification documents
Upload identity verification documents to complete the Shopify Payments activation process. For European stores, you may need to provide a VAT number. Shopify will verify the documents before enabling payouts.
Step 7: Test and configure payment settings
Run a test transaction to make sure everything is working. You can also customize payment settings, like accelerated checkouts, to create a faster buying experience.
Define your shipping zones
Shopify allows you to set up shipping zones by country or region – ensuring accurate shipping rates for your customers. To configure:
- Go to Settings > Shipping & Delivery in your Shopify dashboard.
- Create domestic and international zones with appropriate shipping rates.
Offer free shipping or flat rates
Studies show that free shipping increases conversions. For simplicity, consider incorporating shipping costs into your product prices or offering flat-rate shipping.
Add shipping to your product pages
Customers abandon carts when shipping costs surprise them. Make sure your product pages and checkout process display shipping options and estimated delivery times.
Packaging and branding costs
Custom packaging can enhance your small business’s identity and improve customer satisfaction. Factor in these costs when pricing products.
Automate sales tax and duties
- Shopify can calculate and collect sales tax automatically based on your store location.
- If you operate in Europe, submit your VAT number for compliance.
- Consult a tax professional to ensure you’re following international sales tax regulations.
Transparent shipping policies build trust
Clear communication prevents refunds and chargebacks.
- Include estimated shipping times on product pages.
- Add a detailed shipping policy to your footer.
- Send automated tracking updates so customers always know where their package is.
Shopify’s order fulfillment automation makes tracking shipments, updating customers, and managing returns easy – all from your admin panel.
A smooth checkout process + reliable shipping strategy = repeat customers. Optimize both, and your Shopify store will thrive in any niche.
8. Connect your domain
If you’re serious about building a trustworthy business, your next step in how to open a Shopify store is a unique domain. A branded URL strengthens your brand identity, boosts SEO, and makes your store look more professional.
When you first open a Shopify store, your default URL will look something like yourstorename.myshopify.com. While functional, this doesn’t exactly scream credibility.
Upgrading to a custom domain (e.g., yourstorename.com) helps attract more visitors and builds customer trust.
How to connect your domain in Shopify
- Buy a domain through Shopify – The easiest way is to purchase a domain directly from Shopify’s domain registrar. This ensures seamless integration with your store.
- Use an existing domain – If you already own a domain from a third-party provider (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy), connect it manually in Settings > Domains by updating your DNS settings.
- Set up domain forwarding – If you own multiple domains, redirect them to your primary Shopify domain to capture more traffic and protect your brand name.
Once your domain is connected, Shopify automatically generates an SSL certificate, ensuring secure transactions and improved search engine rankings.
9. Launch, manage, and market your store
Your online store on Shopify is live – now what? This is where the real game begins. Running an eCommerce business isn’t about sitting back and waiting for sales to roll in. You need to attract customers, optimize your store, and stay on top of every detail. Let’s break it down.
Test your store before launch
Before you open the digital doors, run test transactions to ensure everything runs smoothly. Shopify lets you simulate a full purchase to spot any hiccups before real customers start buying. To do this, go to Settings > Payments and turn on Shopify’s test mode.
Run through a transaction as if you were a customer. Double-check:
- Are product listings and pricing correct?
- Is the checkout process seamless?
- Are shipping rates and taxes set up properly?
- Do order confirmations and email notifications fire off correctly?
Launch with confidence
Once your store passes the test, it’s go time. Remove password protection in Settings > Preferences, and boom – you’re officially open for business. But a great launch isn’t just about flipping the switch. It’s about making a splash.
Send an email to your list, announce it on social media, maybe even run a limited-time launch discount to get the momentum going.
Automate fulfillment with Printify
If you want to skip the hassle of inventory, packaging, and shipping, Printify’s print-on-demand model is the ultimate cheat code.
- Upload your designs to over 1,300 customizable products.
- Sync your Shopify store and start selling immediately.
- Printify’s partners print, pack, and ship orders – you just collect the profits.
It’s the easiest way to start an eCommerce business without overhead, wasted stock, or logistical nightmares.
Get eyes on your store with smart marketing
When you create a Shopify store, the platform doesn’t just hand you traffic on a silver platter; you have to bring customers in.
Here’s how:
- Social media marketing – Post engaging content, run paid ads, and use TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to drive traffic.
- Content and SEO – Rank higher on search engines by optimizing product descriptions, writing blog content, and using relevant keywords.
- Email marketing – Build a mailing list and send promotions, exclusive offers, and abandoned cart reminders.
- Influencer partnerships – Get social media creators to promote your products and build credibility.
Sell beyond Shopify with multiple sales channels
Why limit yourself? Expand your reach by connecting your store to:
- Etsy, eBay, and Amazon – Millions of shoppers browse these platforms daily.
- TikTok and Instagram shops – Let customers buy straight from social media.
- Google Shopping – Get your products seen by high-intent buyers.
The more channels you tap into, the more customers you can attract.
Keep customers happy and coming back
Loyal customers = higher profits. Build lasting relationships by:
- Offering customer accounts for easier repeat purchases.
- Providing top-tier customer support with fast responses and hassle-free returns.
- Encouraging feedback and reviews to improve your store and build trust.
A little effort goes a long way in turning one-time buyers into lifelong customers.
Track, tweak, and grow
Shopify’s analytics provide real-time data – use it. Inside your Shopify dashboard, you can track:
- Sales performance – What’s selling, what’s not?
- Customer behavior – Where are they dropping off? What are they clicking on?
- Marketing campaign results – Are your ads making money or burning cash?
Adjust, experiment, and refine your strategy to stay ahead of the game.
Stay in the game with ongoing management
A Shopify store isn’t a one-time project; it’s an evolving business. Keep it fresh by:
- Updating product listings with better photos, descriptions, and pricing.
- Testing new marketing strategies to increase conversion rates.
- Watching for Shopify updates – new features, trends, and integrations can be game-changers.
If you want to grow your business and build something truly profitable, you have to stay active, sharp, and keep adapting.
How much does Shopify charge per sold item?
Shopify’s fees depend on your pricing plan and payment method. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Transaction fees – If you’re not using Shopify Payments, Shopify charges a fee per sale. Fees range from 0.5% to 2%, depending on your plan.
- Shopify Payments – No transaction fees if you use Shopify’s built-in payment system.
- Credit card fees – Shopify Payments charges 2.4% to 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (varies by plan and location).
- Subscription fees – Shopify plans start at $5/month (Starter) up to $399/month (Advanced).
- Additional app costs – Some apps for SEO, marketing, or fulfillment may have monthly fees.
To minimize fees, use Shopify Payments and choose the right plan for your sales volume.
Why choose Printify for your Shopify store?
Wide product selection
Access our Catalog of over 1,300 products to diversify your offerings and cater to various customer preferences.
Easy integration
Printify seamlessly integrates with Shopify, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free experience managing your product catalog and orders.
On-demand printing
With no need for inventory, Printify’s print-on-demand model reduces overhead costs and eliminates the risk of unsold stock.
Customization opportunities
Create custom designs in minutes with our easy-to-use Product Creator and start offering unique products that stand out in the market and appeal to niche audiences.
Global fulfillment network
Printify’s extensive network of fulfillment partners worldwide ensures efficient and timely product delivery, enhancing customer satisfaction.
FAQ
Costs for your online store vary based on the plan you select. The Starter Shopify plan begins at $5 per month and is suitable for basic social media selling. The Basic Shopify plan is $39 per month, ideal for small businesses.
Remember, this excludes other expenses like domain registration, premium themes, apps, and transaction fees. Shopify also offers a free three-day trial to explore its features.
While Shopify doesn’t require a business license to create a store, your local laws may. Regulations vary by country, state, and city, so it’s a good idea to consult with a legal advisor or local government.
Here’s how to set up a Shopify store:
- Go to Shopify and click Start free trial. Answer the on-screen prompts and create a Shopify account.
- Follow the setup guide, choose a theme, and customize your online store.
- Add products and upload high-quality photos.
- Choose a unique domain name.
- Create a store name.
- Set up shipping and tax settings.
- Connect your chosen payment gateway.
- Optimize your product listings with SEO-friendly descriptions and keywords.
- Develop a marketing plan to drive traffic and boost sales.
- Go live with your brand-new Shopify store.
Conclusion
Creating a Shopify store requires careful planning, creativity, and strategic marketing.
With Printify, offer a wide range of high-quality products without any graphic design background and leave the logistics to us.
Dive into the data, target your ideal customer, adapt, start selling, and watch your dropshipping business flourish!
