Can You Sell Medical Device & Equipment On Shopify?

Selling medical devices and equipment presents unique challenges and requirements. This specialized segment requires careful consideration, especially when selecting an online platform.

In this blog post, we'll explore if Shopify is a viable option for selling medical devices. We'll look into the legal and logistical considerations involved.

You'll also gain insights to help you navigate this complex yet rewarding industry. Let's uncover how you can leverage Shopify effectively in the medical market.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a fully hosted, cloud-based eCommerce platform that supports both online and offline sales for brands of all sizes. Launched in 2006, it quickly became a go-to solution for online selling. At the time of writing, over 2.4 million stores are running on Shopify. 

Shopify offers a complete solution package for eCommerce vendors.

The platform markets itself as a complete commerce solution, offering a wide array of features and tools to facilitate seamless trading. Start-ups benefit from its affordable plans, enabling quick online launches, while large enterprises enjoy advanced integrations and secure checkout capabilities. 

Shopify empowers merchants with control, allowing for quick store setups and product sales through easy integrations with major tech providers. Its Online Store 2.0 features a drag-and-drop content management system, giving brands control over their stores while offering developers flexibility to customize.

Can You Sell Medical Device & Equipment On Shopify?

Well, the answer is yes, and no. It’s complicated. While you can sell almost anything on Shopify, certain products must adhere to regulations and standards. Medical devices and equipment fall into this category, as these products often have specific legal requirements. 

Here’s what you need to know!

Which Medical Products Can You Sell on Shopify?

When selling medical products on Shopify, it's crucial to navigate the restrictions imposed by different countries and the platform itself. Each country has its own rules about what can be shipped, and shipping carriers and payment processors also enforce restrictions.

Shopify’s Managed Markets feature helps by hiding products that are prohibited in certain countries. However, understanding which medical products are generally permissible is essential.

• Permissible Items: Products that don’t fall under strict regulatory control are typically allowed. This can include non-regulated health-related items that don't make medicinal claims.
• Restricted Categories: Be aware that items like prescription-only medicines, ingestibles (vitamins, supplements), and certain medical devices regulated by the FDA are restricted. This includes devices like beauty tools using lasers or those needing specific permits.
• Unsupported Products: Selling items primarily classified under restricted categories might make you ineligible for Shopify’s Managed Markets.

Prescribed drugs are tightly regulated products on Shopify.

Ensure compliance by familiarizing yourself with country-specific regulations and reviewing the product categories allowed on Shopify. This diligence helps ensure your medical products reach the right markets legally and efficiently.

If you plan to sell a product in the following list, check the regulations in the destination country. 

• Apparel that references drugs
• Books on the cultivation or use of drugs
• Equipment for the cultivation or use of drugs
• Products containing regulated substances
• Prescription-only medicines
• Medicines that must be sold only by a licensed pharmacist
• Ingestible, including vitamins, supplements, and shakes
• Herbal or homeopathic products
• Unlicensed medicines and products that make medicinal or health claims
• Medical tests, such as HIV, drug, or pregnancy tests
• Hearing aids
• Medical alarms
• First aid kits
• Activity monitors
• Contraceptives

Threats of Illegally Selling Medical Devices & Equipment on Shopify

Selling medical devices and equipment on Shopify requires strict adherence to regulations. Attempting to sell such items illegally poses significant threats to your business. Shopify, along with payment services like Stripe and PayPal, maintains explicit restrictions on prohibited and restricted businesses.

These rules are driven by laws, Payment Network Rules, and processor requirements. Illegally listing medical devices or health-related products can trigger serious repercussions. This includes immediate account suspension or termination by Shopify's Risk Department.

Selling illegal items on Shopify may result in the termination of Shopify and its partners’ services..

Payment processors, in particular, enforce stringent policies. They prohibit selling prescription items, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and certain medical services without proper approval. Violating these can lead to severed partnerships and financial penalties.

Shopify’s Managed Markets tool helps avoid pitfalls by hiding prohibited products from users in countries where such sales are banned. Ignoring these tools and policies increases the risk of operational shutdown.

Businesses must remain vigilant. Regularly reviewing and adhering to Shopify’s guidelines and all relevant legal requirements is essential. Compliance protects your store, reputation, and customers, ensuring your business remains safe and lawful.

Top Shopify Themes for Medical Vendors

If you’ve checked all the regulatory boxes and secured your legal footing, you're ready to set up a compelling online store. A key part of this process is choosing the right theme to effectively showcase your products. Here are the best Shopify themes to consider for presenting your medical devices with professionalism and ease.

Free Themes

Refresh Theme

The Refresh theme on Shopify offers a clean and modern design perfect for making a bold brand statement. With its minimalist color palette and assertive headings, it ensures your products are the focal point. Beyond aesthetics, Refresh provides advanced customization options, allowing you to tailor the experience to your brand's vision effortlessly.

Ideal for brands rich in editorial content, the theme supports visual storytelling and longer-form text sections. Quick setup capabilities mean you can launch your store with minimal hassle. 

Here are some of its standout features:

• Emphasize Product Details: Share comprehensive product details such as certifications, ingredients, and quality information with adaptive section layouts.
• Merchandising: Utilize high-resolution images and image zoom to provide clear visuals of your medical devices. Display detailed usage information and specifications to aid informed purchasing decisions.
• Product Discovery: Enhanced search functionalities and product filtering ensure customers can easily find specific medical devices. A sticky header and mega menu improve navigation, helping users quickly access product categories.
• Visual Storytelling: Showcase product videos and lookbooks to demonstrate device usage and features effectively. 
• Marketing and Conversion Tools: Implement cross-selling and recommended products to suggest related medical devices. Use a customizable FAQ page to address common questions and build trust.

Sense Theme

The Sense theme on Shopify is designed to energize your brand with its bright and fresh design. Ideal for capturing attention and guiding customers smoothly, it combines a vibrant color palette with soft gradients and curved elements.

For stores specializing in medical devices, the Sense theme offers several standout features that enhance customer experience and trust.

• Enhanced Product Understanding: Establish trust through detailed product descriptions, testimonials, and instructional videos. These elements help demonstrate the benefits and proper usage of medical devices.
• Merchandising: Utilize high-resolution images, image galleries, and zoom features to give customers a clear view of your devices. Include comprehensive nutritional or ingredient information where applicable.
• Product Discovery: Enhanced search capabilities and product filtering options help customers find specific medical devices quickly. A mega menu and sticky header improve navigation across your product range.
• Visual Storytelling: Feature lookbooks and product videos to visually demonstrate device functionalities and build customer confidence.
• Marketing and Conversion Tools: Implement cross-selling and recommended products to suggest complementary medical devices. Use an FAQ page to address common inquiries and reinforce customer assurance.

Paid Themes

Here’s our curated list of paid themes for medical device & equipment stores, arranged from the least to the most expensive. 

Local theme

The Local theme on Shopify is versatile and powerful. It’s priced at USD 360 and offers an unlimited free trial. This theme is perfect for creating a seamless shopping experience both online and in person.

Local is ideal for medical device sellers who need specific functionalities. It includes over 20 customizable sections, enabling you to tailor your store to your brand. The theme supports high-volume transactions, making it suitable for busy shops.

Key features of the Local theme include:

• Enhanced Product Discovery: Mega Menu and Product Filtering for easy navigation. 
• Detailed Product Display: Image Zoom and High-Resolution Images provide clear and detailed visuals of medical devices, helping customers make informed decisions by examining the intricate details of products.
• Product Tabs and Usage Information: This allows you to include essential information, specifications, and instructions directly on the product page, ensuring customers have all the details they need.
• Sales and Marketing Tools: Cross-selling and Recommended Products, Promo Banners, and Product Badges.
• Cart and Checkout Features: In-Store Pickups, Quick Buy Options, Slide-Out Cart

Symmetry Theme

Coming in at USD 380, the Symmetry theme for Shopify is versatile and elegant, designed to enhance your online store's appeal. Known for its clean lines and balanced layouts, this theme provides a professional and polished shopping experience. With flexible customization options, you can tailor your store to fit your brand's unique identity.

Ideal for visually driven businesses, Symmetry allows you to showcase products beautifully. The theme supports high-resolution imagery and organized product grids, making it easy for customers to browse and discover.

Key features of the Symmetry theme include:

• Elegant Design: Clean lines and high-resolution imagery for a professional look.
• Product Discovery: Advanced filtering and a mega menu for easy navigation.
• User-Friendly Navigation: A sticky header keeps navigation accessible.
• Customizable: Flexible options to align with your brand's aesthetics.
• High-Volume Optimization: Quick setup for fast store launches.
• Enhanced Shopping Experience: Organized product grids for clear browsing.

Keystone Theme

At USD 420, the Keystone theme is the most expensive one on our list. It combines functionality with a streamlined design to enhance the shopping experience. Renowned for its simplicity and structured layouts, this theme offers an efficient and organized environment for both store owners and customers alike. With robust customization tools, Keystone allows you to mold your store's appearance to reflect your brand’s essence perfectly.

Keystone is ideal for businesses prioritizing a clear, user-friendly interface. It emphasizes product presentation with clean, straightforward design elements that facilitate effortless navigation and discovery.

Key features of the Keystone theme include:

• Streamlined Design: Simple yet effective layouts that enhance usability.
• Product Highlights: Focused presentation that ensures your products stand out.
• Efficient Navigation: Intuitive paths that guide users effortlessly through your store.
• Customizable Options: Adapt the look and feel to precisely match your brand.
• Quick Setup: Efficient installation for seamless store launches.
• User-Centric Experience: Designed to promote easy shopping and quick product finds.

Build a Thriving Medical Device & Equipment Store with GemPages

GemPages transform the way you build your Shopify store. We provide a powerful drag-and-drop page builder that requires no coding skills. Creating stunning, functional pages has never been easier.

Create a new page in minutes with GemPages’ template library.

The design flexibility GemPages offers is unmatched. You can customize every element of your site to align with your brand vision. This level of control allows your store to stand out.

GemPages also enhance your store’s performance. Our features create fast-loading pages without compromising on quality. Speedy pages improve customer satisfaction and boost conversions. GemPages also works seamlessly with popular Shopify apps. Mix and match different combos based on your needs to expand the functionality of your store!

Build & convert with GemPages.

Ready to elevate your Shopify store with stunning designs and improved performance? Discover the power of Gempages and transform your site today!

Conclusion

Selling medical devices on Shopify presents challenges and opportunities. Regulatory compliance is crucial. Logistics require careful attention too. But the right strategies lead to success. Themes like Refresh and Sense offer style and function. They fit the needs of medical device sellers perfectly.

GemPages adds more power. It enhances customization and boosts performance. This makes your store stand out. Thoughtful planning is key. With the right resources, build a seamless online presence. Create a professional and effective store. Use these insights to elevate your business in the competitive online market.