Shopify has emerged as one of the most accessible and powerful platforms for launching an online business. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or an established business expanding into eCommerce, knowing how to sell on Shopify can give you a competitive edge. Shopify’s streamlined user experience, vast app ecosystem, and scalability make it a leading choice for online sellers of all types. In this article, we’ll walk through the process of selling on Shopify from the ground up, highlighting strategic steps, tools, and best practices that help sellers succeed.
Setting Up Your Shopify Account
The first step in selling on Shopify is setting up your account. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial to explore the platform and begin customizing your store. To get started, visit shopify.com, choose the “Start Free Trial” button, and follow the prompts to enter your email, create a password, and name your store.
Once your account is active, you’ll gain access to your Shopify admin dashboard. This is your command center, where you can manage products, view orders, install apps, and customize the look and feel of your website.
Choosing a Shopify Plan
After your trial period ends, you’ll need to choose a plan. Shopify offers three main plans:
- Basic Shopify: Ideal for new businesses.
- Shopify: Best for growing businesses.
- Advanced Shopify: Designed for scaling operations and advanced reporting.
Each plan includes essential features like unlimited products, online sales channels, and customer support. For businesses processing higher volumes of sales, upgrading to a higher-tier plan helps reduce transaction fees and access more robust reporting.
You can compare plans directly on Shopify’s pricing page or contact a Shopify expert if you’re unsure which tier fits your goals.
Designing Your Online Store
One of Shopify’s most powerful features is its store customization options. You can choose from free or premium themes, many of which are mobile-friendly and designed to optimize conversions.
Navigate to Online Store > Themes in your dashboard. You can browse Shopify’s Theme Store, preview themes, and install the one that fits your brand. Once installed, use Shopify’s theme editor to modify colors, typography, and homepage sections.
For businesses working with Best Website Builder Group, our designers help create branded Shopify storefronts that match your company’s tone, aesthetic, and industry expectations.
Adding Products and Collections
Go to Products > Add Product to start building your catalog. You’ll enter a title, description, product images, pricing, inventory data, and variant options (like size or color). High-quality product photography and compelling descriptions improve trust and conversions.
Group your products into collections (e.g., “Summer Collection,” “Best Sellers,” or “Under $50”) for improved browsing and organization. These collections can appear on your homepage or main navigation for easier access.
Setting Up Payments and Shipping
To accept payments, go to Settings > Payments and choose a provider. Shopify Payments is the easiest option, allowing you to accept credit cards without third-party accounts. You can also enable PayPal, Amazon Pay, and other gateways.
Shipping settings can be configured under Settings > Shipping and Delivery. Define zones, rates, and carrier integrations. Shopify also offers discounted shipping labels through its own shipping network.
Launching Your Store
Before going live, take time to review your store. Preview your website on desktop and mobile, ensure all product pages are accurate, and test your checkout process.
Don’t forget to connect a custom domain name, which can be purchased through Shopify or another registrar. This boosts credibility and branding.
Once everything is polished, remove the password page and officially launch your Shopify store to the public.
Marketing and SEO for Shopify Stores
After launch, it’s time to attract customers. Use Shopify’s built-in blog feature to create content around your products and industry. Blogging improves SEO and draws organic traffic over time.
Integrate your store with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Shopping to expand your reach. Shopify’s app store includes marketing tools for email, SMS, push notifications, and loyalty programs.
Ensure every page includes:
- Optimized title tags and meta descriptions
- Image alt text
- URL slugs using relevant keywords
- Structured headings (H1, H2, etc.)
For a deeper dive into SEO strategy, explore Best Website Builder Group’s insights on how to improve website SEO.
Installing Shopify Apps
Shopify’s App Store offers thousands of third-party integrations to expand your store’s functionality. These include tools for upselling, live chat, accounting, reviews, and inventory management.
Use apps strategically to improve customer experience and automate operations. Some essential apps include:
Always read reviews and test app performance before integrating into your workflow.
Managing Orders and Customer Service
As orders come in, you’ll manage fulfillment through the Orders tab. You can print packing slips, buy shipping labels, and mark orders as fulfilled. For dropshipping or print-on-demand, partner platforms like Oberlo or Printful automatically sync order data.
Customer service is critical. Use Shopify’s customer accounts, live chat integrations, and email notifications to provide a seamless experience. Tools like Gorgias can help consolidate support across multiple platforms.
Measuring Success with Analytics
Shopify includes built-in analytics tools for tracking sales, customer behavior, and traffic sources. The dashboard includes insights like:
- Total sales and orders
- Conversion rates
- Traffic by channel
- Top-performing products
Advanced reporting features (available on higher-tier plans) offer deeper analysis. For even more robust tracking, integrate Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.
Conclusion
Learning how to sell on Shopify gives you access to a flexible and scalable platform with all the tools necessary to grow an online business. From designing your storefront and adding products to configuring payments and analyzing results, Shopify simplifies the eCommerce journey. With strategic support and custom design from Best Website Builder Group, businesses can take their store to the next level and stand out in a competitive digital market.
To begin your Shopify journey or improve your current store, explore how our expert team can help you build a high-converting, beautifully branded online experience.
