How to Set Up a Shopify Store: Complete Beginner Guide with Zero Technical Skills

You’ve decided to choose Shopify as your go-to eCommerce platform, and that’s a smart move. As of 2025, Shopify holds over 10% of the global eCommerce platform market and powers nearly 29% of online stores in the U.S. It’s a favorite for both beginners and established brands.

The next big question is how to set up a Shopify store if you’ve never built a website before? This guide walks you through every step, from signing up to launching your first product, all in plain, beginner-friendly language. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, digital downloads, or branded merchandise, you’ll have your Shopify store up and running in no time.

What You Need Before Setting Up a Shopify Store

Before digging into how to set up a Shopify store, the first thing you should do is set clear goals. You need to clearly define what you want to achieve in the next few months. You can follow the SMART framework, for example, “Reach $10,000 in monthly sales within three months by launching 20 products and driving traffic through paid ads and SEO.”

Next, think carefully about what you’re going to sell. This is often the trickiest part for beginners. If you already have a product in mind, take time to research whether people are actually searching for it. Products with proven demand can give your store a stronger start as no one wants to invest in something that sits on virtual shelves. If you’re still unsure, check out our guide on Best Products to Sell on Shopify for some inspiration.

You should also spend some time researching your competitors. Look at similar stores, analyze their pricing and product presentation to identify gaps in the market and find your own angle.

Beyond choosing products and researching target markets, another important early step in launching a Shopify store is building your brand. You’ll need a business name for your Shopify store. Many sellers base it on their products, a personal story, or something that reflects their mission. You also need a unique logo. You can hire a freelancer or use free tools like Canva or Hatchful to create a professional-looking design.

Learn more: 150+ Cool Store Names for Your Shopify Business

Selling on Shopify for only $1

Start with 3-day free trial and next 3 months for just $1/month.

Start free trial

How to Set Up a Shopify Store in 10 Steps

Now that you know what to prepare before setting up your Shopify store, let’s get down to making sure your business truly stands out online.

Step 1: Create a Shopify account

To get started, head over to Shopify.com and click “Start for Free.” Shopify offers a 3-day free trial so you can explore the platform before committing to a plan.kmm

Shopify offers 3-day free trial, then next 3 months at $1

You can sign up by entering your email address and creating a password, or you can use your Google, Apple, or Facebook account for faster setup. 

To sign up, you need to enter your email, or connect to Google, Apple, Facebook account

Next, Shopify will ask a few quick questions about your business to tailor your setup experience. But if you’re not sure yet, you can simply skip them.

Answer some questions about your business to get started

After completing this step, Shopify will automatically create your trial store and take you to your main dashboard.

Step 2: Choose a theme and customize your store

Choosing the right Shopify theme is one of the most exciting parts of exploring how to set up a Shopify store. Your theme defines the overall look and sets the mood for your brand.

Shopify now offers over 1000 professionally designed themes, many of which are free, modern, and fully responsive. A clean, mobile-friendly design can make a huge difference in how long visitors stay and how likely they are to make a purchase.

You don’t need to spend money right away. You can start with a free theme that fits your style and upgrade later as your business grows. 

Here’s how to pick and apply a theme:

1. Go to the Shopify Theme Store

2. Sort by Price, Industry, Features, etc.

3. Browse and preview themes that match your brand vibe.

4. When you find one you like, click Try Theme to preview it on your store.

Shopify Themes store offer 1000+ themes, including both free and paid options

Learn more: Top 20+ High-Converting Shopify Themes for Your Store

Then, from your Shopify dashboard, go to Online Store → Themes, then click Customize on your active theme. 

 Click on “Customize” to start editing your theme

Here, you can:

• Add your logo, brand colors, and fonts.

• Rearrange homepage sections like banners, product grids, and testimonials.

• Adjust button styles, images, and navigation menus.

The editor might take a little time to get familiar with, so be patient as you learn your way around it.

If your budget is flexible and you want a Shopify store that truly feels like your own with advanced customization, starting with a landing page builder like GemPages is a great option. With GemPages, you get access to 200+ conversion-focused landing page templates designed to boost CRO.

You can even create stunning landing pages using AI from a single image, making design faster and easier than ever. Rated 4.9/5.0 on the Shopify App Store, GemPages is trusted by thousands of Shopify sellers to build beautiful, high-converting stores that stand out and drive results, and of course, no coding required. 

GemPages is a Shopify landing page builder app that helps merchants design and customize store pages without coding.

Step 3: Add products & collection pages 

Now that your storefront is taking shape, the next step in exploring how to set up a Shopify store is to add your products. 

From your Shopify dashboard, click Products in the left-hand menu, and hit Add Product in the top right corner. 

Click on Add product to start adding your first product to Shopify

Then, you’ll need upload everything related to each item: 

• Add product title, description, and images

• Write a clear title that includes descriptive keywords 

• Create a detailed, benefit-focused description that tells customers what makes your product special like materials, dimensions, and care instructions.

• Upload high-quality photos that show your product from multiple angles and in good lighting. For apparel, consider adding lifestyle shots or model photos to make your listings more engaging.

• Assign a category to your product: this can be easily supported by Shopify’s AI-powered auto-generation feature.

Add an SEO-optimized title, description, and media to your product listing.

• Enter product details and logistics

• Pricing: Set your retail price, compare-at price, and cost per item.

• Inventory: Add SKU numbers and track stock levels to avoid overselling.

• Shipping: Enter product weight and select whether this item requires shipping.

• Variants: Add options like size, color, or material if needed.

• Metafields: Assign product type, vendor, tags, collections, etc.

• SEO: Edit your search engine listing preview to optimize for Google.

Without setting up all the essential details, you won’t be able to sell effectively, as they’re crucial for organizing products, tracking inventory, calculating shipping costs, and more.

Once everything looks right, click Save and your first product page is live. Repeat these steps for all the items you want to sell.

Read more: Product Page Optimization for Shopify: The Ultimate Guide

Next, organize your products into collections. Collections make shopping easier for customers and help you feature related items together, for example, “New Arrivals,” “Best Sellers,” or “Under $50 Gifts.”

To create one:

1. Go to Products → Collections → Create Collection.

Creating collections makes product management more efficient and helps customers find what they’re looking for more easily.

2. Add a title, description, and optional image for the collection.

3. Choose whether the collection will be manual (you pick products yourself) or automated (Shopify adds products that meet your set conditions, like tags or price range).

Collection pages on Shopify show off a particular product collection.

4. Add your products and click Save.

Your collection pages act like category pages since they group products by theme, so shoppers can easily find what they’re looking for without browsing through everything.

Learn more: Shopify Collections: An Easy Guide for Beginners

Step 4: Add a custom domain

Your domain name is your store’s online address, the link customers type into their browser to find you. When you first create a Shopify account, you automatically get a free default domain that looks like this https://yourstorename.myshopify.com

The default link is fine for testing and initial setup, but it’s not suitable for long-term use. To appear more professional and build trust, you’ll want a custom domain that aligns with your brand, helps customers recognize your business, and gives your store a polished, credible presence.

You have two options for adding your custom domain:

1. Buy a domain through Shopify

The easiest way is to buy directly through Shopify. Domains typically start at around $15 per year, and Shopify automatically sets everything up. Once it’s purchased, your domain is linked to your store instantly. Even if you close your Shopify store later, you still own your domain and can transfer it elsewhere.

To do this:

• Go to your Shopify dashboard → Settings → Domains → Buy new domain.

If the domain is available, you can add it to your cart and proceed to checkout.

• Search for available names and choose the one that fits your brand.

• Complete the purchase, and Shopify will connect it automatically.

Keep in mind that Shopify domains don’t include custom email hosting (e.g., info@yourstore.com). You can use third-party services like Google Workspace or Zoho Mail to set up a professional email address.

2. Connect an existing Domain

If you’ve already purchased a domain from another provider like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains, you can easily connect it to Shopify.

Here’s how:

• Go to Settings → Domains → Connect existing domain.

To transfer your domain to Shopify, you’ll need to update your DNS settings to point to Shopify’s servers.

• Enter your existing domain and follow the prompts.

Shopify will then guide you through updating your DNS settings to point your domain to your Shopify store.

Step 5: Set up payments

When learning how to set up a Shopify store, you’ll find that Shopify offers multiple payment options, including Shopify Payments, third-party payment providers, and even manual methods like cash on delivery.

The easiest and most efficient option is Shopify Payments, Shopify’s built-in payment processor. It allows customers to pay directly with credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay without going through a third-party provider. And there are no extra transaction fees when you use it, unlike with external payment gateways.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. From your Shopify Dashboard, go to Settings → Payments.

 Shopify Payments appears at the top of the payment options on the Payments page.

2. Click Complete account setup 

3. Fill in your business and banking details, including tax information if required.

You need to finish set up to start using Shopify Payments

4. Upload verification documents (Shopify may ask for ID or proof of address).

5. Once approved, your store can start accepting payments right away.

Besides, if Shopify Payments isn’t available in your country or you prefer other options, you can choose from third-party providers like PayPal, Skrill, Amazon Pay, and Authorize.net. Each provider has its own setup process and fees, so check availability and transaction costs before activating one.

You can also offer manual payment methods such as bank transfers or cash on delivery, especially if you run both an online and physical store. These orders will appear as “unpaid” until you manually mark them as completed after receiving the funds.

For added flexibility, Shopify supports alternative payments like digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), local options (iDEAL, Sofort), and even cryptocurrency payments via integrated apps. Offering multiple payment options can help reduce cart abandonment and appeal to a wider audience.

Read more: 10 Best Shopify Payment Options for Your Business in 2026

Step 6: Configure shipping and delivery

The next step is to set up how your customers will receive their orders.

From your Shopify dashboard, go to Settings → Shipping and Delivery. 

Getting this part right helps you avoid confusion, manage costs, and create a smooth post-purchase experience.

Here you can define everything related to order fulfillment, including shipping zones, rates, local delivery, and pickup options.

Start by choosing your shipping methods:

• Standard shipping for cost-effective deliveries.

• Express shipping for customers who want faster service.

• or Free shipping as a marketing incentive to boost conversions and customer satisfaction.

Next, set your shipping rates. You can base them on:

• Destination: Domestic, international, or regional rates.

• Order value: Offer free shipping above a certain amount.

• Weight: Charge based on total product weight.

• Carrier rates: Use real-time rates from shipping providers like UPS, USPS, or DHL.

If you sell to U.S. customers, you’ll need to create a shipping zone for the United States. From the same settings page, click Manage Rates, select your region, and add your preferred shipping options.

Shopify also lets you enable local delivery or in-store pickup if you serve nearby customers. You can customize delivery areas, fees, and minimum order values directly from this menu.

Step 7: Set up checkout

After setting up shipping and delivery, you need to fine-tune your checkout process where customers complete their purchase. 

On the Settings page, go to Checkout. 

A smooth, simple checkout experience can make a huge difference in reducing cart abandonment and boosting sales.

• Customer contact method: Let customers choose whether they want to receive order confirmations or delivery updates via email or SMS.

• Customer information: Choose what details you’ll collect, such as first and last name, phone number, or email address.

• Marketing options: Add an optional checkbox for customers to subscribe to your email or SMS marketing

• Tipping: You can enable tipping at checkout or allow customers to leave notes for special instructions.

Remember to keep your checkout page clean. The easier it is for customers to complete their purchase, the higher your conversion rate will be.

Read more: Shopify One Page Checkout - Things You Need To Know

Step 8: Add essential pages

As part of learning how to set up a Shopify store, to create a complete and trustworthy shopping experience, your Shopify store needs more than just product listings. Adding essential pages helps customers navigate easily, learn about your brand, and find the information they need before making a purchase.

Here are the key pages every Shopify store should include:

• Homepage: This is your store’s main hub. Use it to showcase featured products, highlight offers, and guide visitors to different parts of your site. A clean layout, strong visuals, and clear navigation can make all the difference.

• About Us page: Use this page to tell your brand’s story. Share what inspired your business, your mission, or what makes your products special. People love connecting with brands that feel authentic and human.

• Contact page: Make it easy for customers to reach you if they have issues or questions. Include a contact form, email address, or even links to your social media. Responsive customer service can turn a hesitant visitor into a loyal buyer.

• Policy page: Be transparent about your store’s refunds, returns, exchanges, and shipping policies. These are often required by Shopify and protect both you and your customers.

• FAQ page: Anticipate common questions about shipping, returns, or product use. A well-written FAQ not only builds trust but also saves you time by reducing repetitive customer inquiries.

• Landing page: These are focused pages built for specific marketing campaigns such as seasonal sales, paid ads, or email promotions. They’re designed to convert visitors into buyers with targeted messaging and clear calls to action.

To add a new page, go to Online Store → Pages → Add Page.

Your store needs informational content to build trust

You’ll be directed to the page editor, where you can add a title and content such as text, images, or embedded videos. You can also customize the search engine listing preview by updating the page title, meta description, and URL to improve SEO, as well as select a page template if you want a specific layout.

Take the time to customize your pages to create a unique shopping experience for your customers.

Step 9: Install Shopify apps

One of Shopify’s biggest strengths is its App Store, which offers over 8,000 apps to help you extend your store’s functionality. These apps cover everything from building high-converting pages like GemPages, to capturing and nurturing leads through email or SMS marketing, as well as optimizing your store for SEO and search visibility.

GemPages is a popular Shopify app that lets you create high-converting pages like homepages, product pages, landing pages, and collection pages

Many Shopify apps provide free trials or basic plans, allowing you to test their core features before committing. Be sure to check what each free tier includes, some are generous, while others limit key functions and encourage upgrades after onboarding.

Before installing any app, pay close attention to star ratings and reviews, as they offer quick insights into app quality. Shopify also highlights review summaries powered by Shopify Magic on select apps, making it easier to scan key feedback at a glance.

Start by installing only the essential apps, then gradually expand your toolkit as your store grows. This approach helps keep your store fast, organized, and focused on scaling your business effectively.

Step 10: Test & optimize your store

Testing is essential to uncover and fix issues that could otherwise put your business at risk, and ensure your store looks and works perfectly across all devices. Each optimization contributes to a smoother user experience that keeps visitors engaged longer.

Go through your store as if you were a customer. Add products to your cart, check your shipping rates, apply discount codes, and complete a test checkout. Make sure all links, buttons, and forms work correctly. 

Then, review your site speed. You can use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement. Analyze your store analytics regularly to track performance, bounce rates, and sales patterns.

To make this process easier, we recommend using GemX for smarter A/B testing and funnel analytics. GemX helps Shopify sellers improve conversions by analyzing real customer behavior. You can run A/B tests across layouts, content, offers, and entire funnels, track how shoppers move between pages, identify drop-off points, and see which changes actually drive revenue, all without writing a single line of code.

Read more: Optimize Your Shopify Store Speed for Peak Performance

Step 11: Launch your Shopify store

To officially launch your Shopify store, you’ll need to choose and commit to a Shopify plan. If you’re still testing your idea, validating your market, or working with a limited budget, we strongly recommend starting with the Starter plan. It costs just $1 for the first three months, then around $5/month.

Shopify’s most popular entry-level other option is the Basic plan, starting at $29/month, which is well-suited for startups and small businesses. For high-volume or enterprise-level brands, Shopify Plus offers advanced features and dedicated support, with pricing starting at $2,300/month.

While your subscription covers Shopify’s core features, additional costs may include payment processing fees, custom domain names, premium themes, and apps. For example, on the Basic plan, payment processing fees are typically 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction unless you use Shopify Payments, which helps avoid extra transaction fees.

Learn more about Shopify plan to choose a best suite for your business: Shopify Plan Review: Full Pricing Breakdown & Real Costs Explained

Proven Tips from Successful Sellers for Setting Up a Shopify Store

To help improve your chances of success when learning how to set up a Shopify store, here are 5 tips from successful Shopify sellers:

1. Invest in great Shopify store design

Your store’s design is the first impression customers get of your brand, so make it count. Choose a clean, mobile-responsive theme that looks just as good on phones as it does on desktops, since most online shoppers now buy through mobile. 

Work with a Shopify landing page builder tool (GemPages, for example)if possible to maximize design flexibility, speed up page creation, and optimize layouts for conversions.

2. Take amazing product photos

High-quality photos help shoppers visualize what they’re buying and associate your brand with quality. Always use high-resolution images taken in bright, natural light with a neutral background. Capture products from multiple angles and zoom in on key features. 

If possible, including lifestyle photos to show your product in real-life settings can instantly make it more relatable and appealing.

3. Showcase authentic customer stories

Social proof is one of the most powerful sales tools. Add testimonials, product reviews, and user-generated content to your website. When potential customers see real people enjoying your products, it helps them trust your brand and imagine themselves doing the same. 

4. Invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO takes time but pays off in the long run with steady, organic traffic. Start by researching keywords your ideal customers use to find products like yours. Add these naturally into product titles, descriptions, and meta tags. 

Make sure your site loads quickly, uses clear URLs, and has a logical structure as this helps Google understand and rank your pages.

5. Offer free shipping

Shoppers love free shipping. In fact, it’s one of the top factors that influence online purchases. Offering free shipping (even if you adjust your product prices slightly to cover costs) can boost conversion rates and reduce cart abandonment. 

You can also set a minimum order value to qualify for free shipping to increase your average order size while keeping customers happy.

Customize your Shopify store pages your way

The powerful page builder lets you craft unique, high-converting store pages. No coding required.

Start for free

Shopify Setup Final Checklist to Maximize ROI

Here’s a quick final checklist to double-check that your Shopify setup is complete and on track.

Store basics

• Your store logo, colors, and fonts match your brand identity.

• Navigation menus are clear and easy to use.

• All essential pages (Home, About, Contact, FAQ, Policies) are published.

Product setup

• Every product has clear titles, detailed descriptions, and high-quality images.

• Product categories and collections are organized logically.

• Pricing, stock levels, and shipping weights are accurate.

• Variants are properly set up and displayed.

• SEO fields are filled for all products.

Payments and checkout

• Your preferred payment provider is activated.

• Test transactions have been completed successfully.

• Taxes are configured according to your region.

• Checkout settings are simple and user-friendly.

• Abandoned cart recovery emails are enabled.

Shipping and delivery

• Shipping zones, rates, and delivery methods are set.

• Local pickup or delivery options (if applicable) are enabled.

• Order notifications and tracking options are working correctly.

• Packaging materials are ready for fulfillment.

Store optimization

• Google Analytics is connected to track performance.

• SEO basics are optimized.

• You’ve tested all links, buttons, and forms.

• Shipping promotions, discounts are active if applicable.

Post-launch plan

• Customer support channels are ready.

• Backup and recovery settings are in place.

• You have a plan to review analytics weekly to track what’s working.

Recap

Now that you’ve worked through all 11 steps on how to set up a Shopify store, you can see how Shopify has made eCommerce accessible to almost anyone. With just a few clicks, you can open your own online store and sell to customers all over the world. 

And you now have a clear roadmap and a strong foundation for success. Apply the proven tips shared above, listen closely to your customers, and focus on building a brand experience that people truly enjoy and trust.

FAQs about Setting Up a Shopify Store

How much does it cost to set up a Shopify store?

Shopify offers several pricing plans starting from $5/month (Starter) and $29/month (Basic). You can also take advantage of Shopify’s $1/month trial offer to explore the platform before committing. Keep in mind that extra costs may come from your custom domain (about $10-$15 per year), paid themes, or apps you choose to install.

Can I sell any kind of product on Shopify?

Yes. Shopify supports both physical and digital products, as well as services and subscriptions. However, certain restricted items, like alcohol, weapons, or regulated products, may not be allowed. Check Shopify Acceptable Use Policy before listing your products to ensure compliance.

How long does it take to set up a Shopify store?

You can technically create a basic Shopify store in just one day, especially if your product photos and descriptions are ready. However, fine-tuning your design, writing great copy, setting up payments, and adding policies might take a few extra days. The key is to focus on quality since a well-organized store will always perform better than one rushed to launch.

Topics: 

Shopify Guide