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Building an e-commerce store from scratch can be a difficult task, but with the right tools and resources, it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that provides everything you need to launch an online store, from customizable themes to a secure payment gateway. Let’s learn How To Build Shopify Store From Scratch.
Table of Contents
1. Create a Shopify Account
To begin your journey of setting up an online store with Shopify, the first step is to create a Shopify account. The process is simple and straightforward and can be done in a matter of minutes.
Start by visiting the Shopify website and clicking on the “Start Free Trial” button. You will then be prompted to enter your email address and create a password, which you will use to log in to your Shopify account later.
Next, you’ll need to choose a name for your store. This name can be changed later, but it’s a good idea to choose a name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember. After you’ve entered your store name, choose the Shopify plan that best fits your business needs. You can start with the free trial and upgrade later if needed.
Shopify will then ask you to provide your personal information, such as your name, address, and phone number. This information is used for billing purposes and for contact information for your store. Once you have entered your information, Shopify will send you a verification email to confirm your account. Follow the instructions in the email to verify your account and log in to your Shopify account.
So creating a Shopify account is a crucial step in setting up your online store. With a few simple steps, you’ll have your Shopify account set up and ready to go, and you can start building your online store right away.
2. Choose Your Shopify Plan
We are learning how to set up Shopify store for dropshipping so before this Choosing the right Shopify plan is important in building your online store. Shopify offers several different pricing plans, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here are some things to consider when choosing your Shopify plan:
Your budget: Shopify offers several pricing plans, ranging from the Basic Shopify plan, which starts at $29 per month, to the Advanced Shopify plan, which costs $299 per month. Choose a plan that fits within your budget and provides the features you need to run your online store.
Your business size: If you’re just starting out with a small online store, the Basic Shopify plan may be all you need. As your business grows, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher-tier plan that offers more features and resources.
Your sales volume: If you expect to generate a high volume of sales, you may need a plan that includes more advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, professional reports, and shipping rate calculations.
Your store’s needs: Consider the features that are important to your store, such as custom checkout, multi-language support, and third-party app integrations. Make sure the plan you choose includes these features or offers the ability to add them through apps or add-ons.
Your store’s growth potential: As your store grows, you may need more resources to keep up with demand. Consider a plan that offers scalability so that you can easily upgrade as your business expands.
By considering these factors, you can choose the Shopify plan that is right for your business. Remember, you can always upgrade or downgrade your plan later as your business needs change.
3. Choose a Domain Name
Choosing the right domain name is important in building your Shopify store. A domain name is an address that customers will use to access your store, so it’s important to choose one that is both memorable and easy to type. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect domain name for your Shopify store:
Keep it short and simple: A short, simple domain name is easier to remember and less likely to be misspelled. Aim for a domain name that is no more than two words long.
Use keywords: If possible, try to include keywords related to your business or products in your domain name. This will help customers find your store more easily when searching online.
Avoid using numbers or hyphens: Numbers and hyphens can make a domain name harder to remember and can be easily confused with other words.
Choose a .com extension: The .com extension is the most recognizable and widely used domain extension. It is also the easiest for customers to remember and type.
Make sure it’s available: Before you choose a domain name, check to see if it’s already taken. You can do this by searching for it on a domain registrar’s website.
Consider brand-ability: Your domain name should reflect your brand and be easily recognizable. Avoid using generic terms or common phrases that could be associated with many different businesses.
By following these tips, you can choose a domain name that will help you build a successful Shopify store. Remember, your domain name is an important part of your brand, so choose wisely.
Choosing the right domain name for your Shopify store is important in building your online presence. Keep your domain name short, simple, and memorable, and include keywords related to your business or products if possible.
4. Choose the Right Theme
Choosing the right theme is an important step in customizing the appearance of your Shopify store. The theme you choose will set the overall tone and look of your store, and it’s important to choose one that fits your brand and style.
Shopify offers a large selection of free and paid themes to choose from, making it easy to find one that meets your needs. Some popular themes include the free theme Debut, which is a great starting point for new businesses, and the paid theme Wokiee, which is a stylish and modern theme. Here is the complete list of the best Shopify themes to choose from.
When choosing a theme, consider the following factors:
Responsiveness: A responsive design ensures that your store will look great on all devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Layout: The layout of the theme you choose should be easy to navigate and allow customers to easily find the products they’re looking for.
Color Scheme: The color scheme should complement your brand and be eye-catching and attractive.
Design Elements: The design elements of the theme, such as fonts and images, should also complement your brand and create a professional look.
Customization Options: Consider the customization options available with the theme. Some themes offer a variety of customization options, while others are more limited.
It’s important to take the time to choose the right theme for your store as it will set the foundation for the overall look and feel of your site. Make sure to preview different themes before making a final decision to ensure that you find one that meets your needs and fits your brand.
5. Customize Your Site’s Appearance
Once you’ve chosen the right theme for your Shopify store, it’s time to customize it to suit your needs and brand. Customizing your store’s appearance will help make it stand out and attract customers. Here are some important areas to consider when customizing your site’s appearance:
Logo: Upload a logo that represents your brand and will appear at the top of your store’s pages.
Colors: Choose colors that complement your brand and make your store look visually appealing. You can adjust the colors of your theme in the theme editor.
Typography: Choose font styles and sizes that are easy to read and fit your brand. You can change the font styles in the theme editor.
Images: Add high-quality images to your store, such as product images and background images, to make it look visually appealing.
Navigation: Customize the navigation of your store to make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for. You can add new navigation items, rearrange existing ones, and create dropdown menus.
Homepage: Customize the homepage of your store to highlight your products and promotions. You can add sections, such as featured products, slideshows, and customer reviews, to the homepage.
Footer: Customize the footer of your store to include important information, such as your store’s policy and contact information.
By taking the time to customize your site’s appearance, you can create a store that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and represents your brand. To get started, access the theme editor in your Shopify dashboard and start making changes to your theme.
6. Add Products to Your Store
One of the most important aspects of building a Shopify store is adding products. This is where you’ll showcase what you’re selling and what your customers will be able to purchase. Here are the steps to adding products to your Shopify store:
Go to the Products section in your Shopify dashboard and click “Add product.”
Enter the product title, description, and price. Make sure to include all the important details, such as product specifications and benefits, to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
Add images of the product. High-quality images can help customers get a better understanding of the product and increase the likelihood of a sale.
Select the product type and vendor. You can also add tags to help customers find your products more easily.
Set up the product’s variants, such as size and color, if applicable.
Choose the product’s visibility. You can choose to publish the product immediately or save it as a draft and publish it later.
Set up product collections, which are groups of products that are related to each other. You can use collections to organize your products and make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
Configure the product’s shipping options, such as weight and dimensions.
Repeat these steps for each product you want to add to your store.
By adding products to your store, you’ll be able to start selling and making money. Make sure to keep your products updated and add new products regularly to keep your store fresh and interesting to your customers.
7. Set Up Payment Method
Once you have added products to your store, the next step is to set up payment methods so customers can purchase from you. Shopify supports several payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay, among others. Here’s how to set up payment methods in Shopify:
Go to the Payments section in your Shopify dashboard and click on “Manage payments.”
Choose the payment gateways you want to use. You can use multiple payment gateways, or just one.
Follow the instructions to set up each payment gateway. This may include entering information about your bank account, connecting to an existing PayPal or Stripe account, or obtaining an API key.
Test the payment gateway to make sure it’s working properly.
Set up fraud prevention tools, such as AVS and CVV verification, if desired.
Decide if you want to capture payment immediately, or if you want to capture payment only when the order is fulfilled.
Configure your checkout processes, such as the order of payment methods, checkout fields, and the terms and conditions that customers must accept.
By setting up payment methods, you’ll be able to accept payments from customers and start making sales. Make sure to keep your payment methods up to date and adjust your checkout process as needed to ensure a smooth and efficient purchasing experience for your customers.
8. Configure Taxes on Your Store
Setting up taxes for your Shopify store is an important step in ensuring that you’re in compliance with local and national tax laws. Shopify makes it easy to configure taxes for your store, so here’s how:
go to the taxes section in your Shopify dashboard and click on “manage taxes. “
choose the country where your business is based and the countries you ship to.
Configure your tax settings, such as specifying tax rates for each country, choosing whether taxes are included in the product price or added during checkout, and selecting which shipping destinations are taxed.
Specify the tax codes for each product in your store. This helps Shopify determine the correct tax rate to apply to each order.
Test your tax settings to make sure they’re working as expected.
Make any necessary adjustments to your tax settings, such as changing tax rates, modifying tax codes, or adjusting your tax settings for different shipping destinations.
It’s important to configure taxes correctly in your Shopify store, as incorrect tax settings can result in legal and financial consequences. Make sure to keep your tax settings up to date and adjust them as needed to ensure compliance with tax laws.
9. Setup Shipping Options
Shipping options are a crucial part of any e-commerce store, as customers expect to see shipping costs and estimated delivery times before they make a purchase. Shopify makes it easy to set up shipping options for your store. Here’s how:
Go to the Shipping section in your Shopify dashboard and click on “Manage shipping.”
Choose the shipping methods you want to offer customers. This can include free shipping, flat-rate shipping, weight-based shipping, and real-time shipping rates from carriers like FedEx and UPS.
Configure each shipping method, such as setting the minimum order amount for free shipping, specifying the weight of each product, and setting up carrier-calculated shipping rates.
Set up shipping zones, which are geographical areas that you ship to. This allows you to set different shipping rates for different regions.
Set up shipping rates for each shipping zone, such as flat rate shipping, weight-based shipping, or real-time carrier-calculated shipping rates.
Test your shipping methods and rates to ensure they are working as expected.
Make any necessary adjustments to your shipping options, such as changing shipping rates, adding or removing shipping methods, or modifying shipping zones.
By setting up shipping options, you’ll be able to give customers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Make sure to keep your shipping options up to date and adjust them as needed to ensure a smooth and efficient shipping experience for your customers.
10. Add Important Pages to Your Shopify Store
When building your Shopify store, it’s important to add pages that will provide important information to your customers and help them navigate your website easily. Some important pages that every Shopify store should have include:
home page – this is the first page that your customers will see when they visit your website, and it’s essential that it makes a great first impression. Your home page should showcase your products, brand, and what makes your store unique.
About us – the about us page provides information about your business and gives customers a chance to get to know you better. It should include information about the history of your company, its mission, values, and the people behind it.
Contact us – the contact us page is an important aspect of your store as it provides a way for customers to get in touch with you. You should include your email address, phone number, and other contact information on this page.
Products – the products page is where you will showcase all of your products and allow customers to easily browse and purchase your products.
Blog – a blog is a great way to connect with your customers and share relevant information about your business. You can use it to share news, promotions, and insights about your products and industry.
FAQ – the faq page is a great resource for your customers to find answers to common questions about your products, shipping, returns, and more.
Policy pages – policy pages include your terms of service, privacy policy, and return policy. These pages provide important information about how you operate your business and help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
Having these pages in your Shopify store will ensure that your customers have all the information they need to feel confident in making a purchase from your store.
11. Install Apps to Extend the Functionality of Your Website
One of the advantages of using Shopify as your e-commerce platform is the wide range of apps available to enhance and extend the functionality of your website. Whether you need to add new features, improve your store’s user experience, or streamline your operations, there’s an app for that. Here’s how to install and use apps on your Shopify store:
Go to the Shopify App Store and browse the categories to find the app that meets your needs.
Read reviews and compare different apps to find the best one for your store.
Click on the app you want to install and click “Get”.
Enter your billing information and agree to the terms of service.
Configure the app settings to meet your needs, such as connecting to third-party platforms, setting up integrations, or adjusting user permissions.
Test the app to make sure it’s working as expected.
Integrate the app into your store’s workflow, such as adding new features to your website or automating tasks.
Shopify’s app store has a wide variety of apps to help you enhance and extend the functionality of your store. From marketing tools to order management systems, there’s an app for almost every aspect of running an e-commerce business. When choosing an app, it’s important to consider factors such as ease of use, cost, and compatibility with your store. With the right app, you can take your store to the next level and improve your overall business performance.
12. Finish setting up your Shopify store
Once you have completed all the steps of setting up your Shopify store, it is time to give it the final touch. Before you go live with your store, there are a few important things that you need to do to ensure that everything is in order.
Check your store’s configuration: Take a look at all the settings and configurations of your store and make sure that everything is correct and in place. From your payment settings to your shipping options and your tax configurations, everything needs to be in order.
Test your checkout process: Make sure that your checkout process is working correctly by placing a test order. This will help you identify any issues that may arise during the checkout process.
Set up customer service: Provide customers with a way to contact you if they have any questions or issues. You can set up an email address, phone number, or live chat to make it easy for customers to reach you.
Review and optimize your store’s speed: The speed of your website can have a significant impact on customer experience and conversion rates. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test your website’s speed and identify areas for improvement.
Marketing and promotion: Once your store is live, it is important to promote it to your target audience. Utilize social media, email marketing, and other channels to drive traffic to your store and generate sales.
By following these final steps, you can finish setting up your Shopify store and get it ready for launch. Keep in mind that building a successful online store takes time and effort, but by following these steps and continually optimizing your store, you can achieve your desired success.
