With the rise of the digital market in today’s technologically booming age, e-commerce has become a thriving business form. E-commerce, short for “electronic commerce,” refers to the buying and selling goods and services over the Internet. It has become a fundamental aspect of the modern business landscape, reshaping how commerce is conducted and how people shop for products and services.
An example of an e-commerce store is Shopify. Shopify is a popular and versatile e-commerce platform that enables individuals and businesses to create and manage online stores. It provides a user-friendly and comprehensive solution for setting up an online retail presence, making it accessible for beginners and experienced entrepreneurs!
However, if you are a beginner, you might need a helping hand in figuring out how to use Shopify to your maximum advantage. Many businesses choose to use Shopify fulfillment services, which provide comprehensive coverage. Alternatively, you can learn the basics and navigate Shopify on your own.
If you wish to learn more about this platform, read on for our Shopiy guide for beginners.
Step 1: Signing up for Shopify
The first step to starting your Shopify journey would be creating your account. This will require you to provide your phone number and email address, select a password, and pick a name for your store.
Our tip to you during this stage would be to think of a unique name that will set you apart from your competition and make your store more memorable than the rest. You will then be asked to provide additional information about your business, which you can fill out at your leisure.
Step 2: Selecting your plan
Now that you have provided Shopify with the necessary information, you can select a plan. Currently, Shopify is providing their users a free 3-day trial, after which you can continue to pay $1 monthly for three months.
Once this deal expires and if you choose to continue with Shopify, you can choose one of the following plans. The basic plan allows you to create your store, ship your products, and process payments. Likewise, the Shopify plan allows you to gain professional reporting and more staff accounts. Also, the advanced plan enables you to gain custom reporting and the platform’s lowest transaction fees.
Within these plans, you can select a starter plan, which allows you to sell your products at events via social media and messaging apps. The retail plan lets you sell your products in-store with staff members, inventory, and loyalty features.
You will be able to see additional information provided about the plans once you reach this stage of the plan selection. Options of paying monthly as opposed to yearly are also present!
Step 3: Customising your store
Next up, it’s time to customize your very own store! One of the most exciting aspects of creating an online store on Shopify is the ability to give it a unique and attractive look that aligns perfectly with your brand’s identity.
The theme you choose for your store sets the stage for your products and services. Visit the Shopify Theme Store and browse through an extensive collection of themes! You should also take a moment to read user reviews and ratings. These can provide insights into the theme’s performance and customization options.
Once you’ve found a theme that aligns with your brand’s aesthetics and meets your requirements, click “Add Theme” to make it a part of your Shopify store! You can then customize your theme using the edit tool, allowing you to personalize the theme according to your preferences.
You can change the colours of various elements on your site, including backgrounds, buttons, and text. Furthermore, you can choose from various legible fonts that align with your brand’s tone!
Step 4: Adding your products
Now comes the time to add your products to the website! You can do this by clicking on the “Products” tab and then “Add product.” Fill in details like product name, description, price, and images.
Try to be as direct and accurate as possible so your customers can get a proper look at the products before purchasing them. Create collections to organize your products into categories. This helps customers navigate your store more easily.
Step 5: Setting up payment and shipping
Getting your products to your customers in a timely and secure fashion is incredibly crucial to your business.
Choose the payment methods you want to offer to customers. Common options include PayPal, credit cards, debit cards and more. Shopify Payments is also a great choice!
Continue to set up shipping options and their respective rates. Ensure that the rates you choose benefit your business and the customers.
Step 6: Setting up the taxes
Setting up taxes is also an important step in this process. Configure your tax settings based on your location and the locations where you’re selling.
Step 7: Launching your store
Once these steps have been taken to set up your store, consider your business ready to venture into the real world! Ensure you purchase a custom domain name, test out the website and orders so you are confident that everything is working as it should be, and be responsive to your customers.
Step 8: Marketing your store
Once you’ve set up your Shopify store, it’s crucial to craft a solid marketing plan to connect with potential customers. Social media is an excellent way to promote your products by creating and managing ad campaigns on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, which helps reach a broader audience.
Email marketing is another excellent method for engaging with your customers. Establishing and maintaining an email list of customers and possible leads enables you to send newsletters, promotional offers, and updates. Doing this ensures your audience stays informed and engaged.
Finally, developing engaging content is key to driving organic traffic to your site. By starting a blog or producing informative content about your products or industry, you present yourself as an authoritative figure in your niche.
