When building your online store, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many small details that go into a great e-commerce site, and the process can be overwhelming.
However, with platforms like Shopify, you aren’t alone in the process of creating your store. You still have full control over your site, but Shopify helps you create and manage it.
We created this guide to help you get started on Shopify. With these seven quick steps, your e-commerce site will be ready to open up to customers, and you’ll be ready to start selling.
1. Create Your Store
Before you get started, you must have a business strategy. Know why you are opening your store, who your audience is, and your plans for your store.
Once you know what you’re doing, you can sign up for Shopify. While there is a $29 monthly fee, Shopify does offer a 14-day free trial. You can set up your site and see how you like it before committing to the platform.
When creating your store, you’ll need some basic personal and business information, including your store name, logo, and residential address.
2. Add Your Products
Now that your store is set up, you can start adding products. Remember that you should design your store and website around your products, not the other way around.
For each product listing, include a title and description. The title should be straightforward and short. In the description, add relevant or enticing information about the product. Be sure to include high-quality photos, GIFs, or videos.
Then, set your price. Ensure that you’ve calculated any production costs and business fees so that you can make a profit.
Finally, you can add information about shipping for the specific product. Select ‘This is a physical product,’ and enter the product’s weight and relevant customs information.
3. Create Important Information Pages
Once you have your product listings, you can move to other pages on your site. Your customers should be able to find the answers to common questions quickly and easily.
Create the following pages:
Contact Us
About the Company
FAQs
A policy page that details information on returns, exchanges, shipping, and any other important policies
For all of these pages, be sure to add in personal touches and stay consistent with your store’s brand. You want your customers to feel a connection with your business.
4.Customize Your Store
Now, you can customize your store and make it emblematic of your brand.
First, choose a theme. Shopify offers free and purchasable templates that you can use as a basis for your store’s setup.
Next, design your homepage. This page should be welcoming and easy to navigate. Focus on first-time visitors and convincing them to become customers.
Once you have your homepage, you can customize your navigation menus. Make sure these are easy to read and use so your visitors can find exactly what they’re looking for. You can also customize your site’s colors, typography, checkout, and shipping.
5. Set Up Your Tax Information
An essential part of creating your Shopify store is setting up your tax information. You want to ensure that you are compliant with all relevant tax laws in your area.
Shopify automatically calculates most taxes by using default tax rates. However, you can override the default tax rate if you have specific requirements or regional taxes.
6.Set Up Payments
The last step before you get ready to open your store is setting up payments. Shopify allows you to decide how you want to accept payments, though they also offer Shopify Payments. Shopify Payments accepts all major payment methods, and there are no extra transaction fees.
For payment information, you’ll need your business and banking information. Be sure to check that you have selected the correct currency for your area.
7.Prepare for Your Launch Your last step is to prepare for your store’s launch. Double-check that all of your site’s features are set up how you want them and that all information on your site is correct. If you would like, you can always have friends or family test the site before officially launching it.
To launch your site, head to the Online Store section in your Shopify account. Click ‘Preferences’ and disable password protection. Now, anyone can access your digital store. You are officially open to the public!
Final Thoughts
After following this guide, you should be ready to launch your e-commerce site. Opening a digital store is a great way to reach a wide audience and build your brand. If you’re looking to create an e-commerce store, head over to Shopify.com now and sign up for a free trial.
For additional info or to learn more about growing your small business go to www.theSBMag.com
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