Thinking about setting up a store in Shopify but not sure where to begin? In this three part series by AdNabu, a PPC software which helps eCommerce businesses optimize conversion rates and generate more sales through Google ads, we have something for everyone!
Whether you are a potential seller thinking of taking that first step into the world of online selling, a newcomer looking for ways to grow your customer base, or already an established e-merchant looking for apps to enhance your Shopify store, read on to gain some tips on how to grow your e-business!
Compared to the brick and mortar stores, setting up an eCommerce store is much easier with Shopify. Most people will agree that selling on Shopify is easy but it is not exactly a cakewalk either. There are things that need to be thoroughly understood before jumping on the bandwagon. If you ask any experienced Shopify store owners, they will be quick to give you a list of what to do and what not to do while selling on Shopify. The purpose of this article is to discuss them in detail.
In this article, we are going to discuss the top 4 things you should know before selling on Shopify.
1. The cost of a setting up a Shopify store
It is super easy to set up a Shopify store and you can do that without paying a penny. There is a 14-day trial period which is a great way to explore and experience the service first hand. The plans are packaged keeping in mind the gradual growth of a business.
It starts with the Basic Shopify plan that is meant for beginners. Costing only $29/month, the plan allows creating a website with 2 staff accounts and unlimited product cataloging. Other services include tools to incorporate various sales channels, manual order creation, discount codes, abandoned cart recovery system, and free SSL certification.
In the next level, there is the Shopify plan at $79/month, along with additional tools to manage gift cards and professional reports, the plan allows access to 5 staff accounts to accommodate the need of a growing business.
On top, there is the Advanced Shopify plan that costs $299/month. It allows access to 15 staff accounts in addition to an advanced report builder to complement the requirement for upscaling the business.
2. The process of setting up a Shopify store
The process of setting up a store starts with creating a store after you click on the start free trial icon. It is necessary for your store name to be unique. After signing up, you will be directed to the store admin screen. This is where all the nitty-gritty of setting up your store lies. Here, the system will allow you to customize the store.
For instance, selecting a theme, adding a product and organizing it as per the categories, update contact details, setting up payment and many more. As mentioned earlier, the system allows for unlimited product cataloging. Adding and organizing the product is probably the most time-consuming part of the process. It is highly recommended to continue updating the website information whenever necessary.
Apart from updating the products, it is necessary to update other content such as home page, blogs, and review. Keep it dynamic to avoid redundancy. One of the most important aspects of setting up a store is to have a domain name that resonates with the kind of product that you are selling. You can either buy the domain name from a third party and update DNS records yourself or buy a domain from Shopify which will be added to your store automatically.
3. Products to sell on Shopify
You can sell any product on Shopify unless it is illegal. However, just because you can sell anything does not mean you start doing it. You are trying to run a business; that essentially means generating profit. For that, you need to find a product that will sell and generate profit for you.
Let’s say you want to sell general electronic goods, but you find out that the same product is also available with another of the eCommerce giants. In instances like these, it is recommended not to venture into that direction. There is no way you can compete with them. However, if you have a niche product you would like to sell; Shopify is a great platform to do that. The majority of sellers on Shopify cater to their own niche audience. This way you are not competing with major eCommerce giants.
4. Themes for your Shopify store
The purpose of a theme on a website is to not only beautify the site but to make the visitor feel confident about the brand. Choosing the right theme is very crucial for an eCommerce website. It should resonate with the brand. The purpose of a theme is not only to add aesthetics but practicality also.
At the Shopify dashboard, you can find an array of themes from which you can choose the one most suitable for your store. While browsing the theme make sure to check the functionality and reviews. You can also preview the particular theme to check if it resonates with your brand. Never think of theme as a one size fit all entity, just because it looks great with the XYZ store, does not mean it will work for you too. After deciding on the theme, it is suggested you personalize it to make it unique.
Conclusion
Before starting any business, it is paramount to perform the necessary due diligence or to have a proper business plan. There is a reason for such an excessive emphasis on the term Business Plan among the industry experts. A business plan is a blueprint of how you intend to run your business and eCommerce is no exception. It is very fortunate that Shopify has provided such a massive platform to easily set up an online store with just a few clicks on the computer. Shopify as a platform has enabled numerous entrepreneurs to realize their dream of starting an online business. It is an ecosystem where small and medium businesses can thrive. The things that are discussed above are just a few that are on top of the list. There are small nuances that you need to learn along the process.
To be a successful entrepreneur, the most important thing is to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate things before it happens. And to do that, it is necessary to track, analyze and understand the event. It could be anything, good or bad. If it is a problem, find its solution and solve it. If it is a good thing, nurture it. There are tools provided in the Shopify dashboard to generate a business report through which you can analyze the status of your business and carefully implement measures to improve it. Adaptability is the key to a successful business. Always keep reinventing.
Additional resources on Shopify Success
- Ultimate Guide to Selling on Shopify
- How to create your first Shopify Store?
- How to get more traffic to your Shopify store?
- How to get more loyal customers to your Shopify store?
- How to do Conversion Rate Optimization to your shopify store?
Guest Post by AdNabu
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About Ship&co
Ship&co is a global shipping platform designed by and for e-commerce sellers. Created by the team behind Bento&co, who have been selling on Shopify since 2008, Ship&co provides a simple and easy-to-use web dashboard and shipping API. Ship&co helps online sellers ship packages faster by automatically syncing orders and creating shipping labels and invoices in minutes. With Ship&co, you can create shipping labels for FedEx, UPS, DHL, NinjaVan, Yamato, Sagawa, and more, with just two clicks to complete the process and mark your orders as shipped. For more information on Ship&co, visit shipandco.com or reach out to us via hello@shipandco.com !