We've created the ultimate guide to make sure the launch of your store is smooth and simple.
Set Up Your Account
- Store Details Go to Settings > General and enter your business name, address, and phone number.
- Upload Your Theme Go to Online Store > Themes > Add Theme > Upload zip file. Select the zip file from your access PDF (do not unzip) and click Open. Once uploaded, click Customise Theme.
Add Your Products
- Product Details Go to Products > Add Product. Enter your title, description, price, and images. Add variations, SKU, inventory, weight, and shipping options.
- Set Up Collections Go to Products > Collections. Create collections grouped by product type, season, or theme.
Update Your Theme
- Configure Navigation Go to Online Store > Navigation. Add links to your collections, products, and key pages like Contact and About.
- Customise Your Theme Use the Theme Editor to add your logo, adjust colours, and tweak layouts. Upload all images, videos, and files optimised for fast loading.
- Install Essential Apps Visit the Shopify App Store to add features like email marketing, SEO, and reviews. Install Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel to track visitors and run targeted ads.
Set Up Your Store Settings
- Configure Shipping Go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery. Set up shipping zones and rates. Consider building shipping costs into your product prices if offering free shipping.
- Set Up Payments Go to Settings > Payments. Choose from Shopify Payments, PayPal, or third-party gateways. Note that Shopify Payments offers lower transaction fees.
- Set Up Taxes Go to Settings > Taxes and Duties. Enable automatic tax calculation based on your location, or manually set custom rates for different regions or products.
Launch Your Store
- Set Up a Custom Domain Go to Settings > Domains. Connect an existing domain or purchase a new one through Shopify. Custom domains are also available through providers like GoDaddy.
- Remove Password Protection Test your store on desktop and mobile before launching. When ready, go to Online Store > Preferences and remove the password to make your store public.
Market Your Store
- Email Marketing Use Shopify Email or Klaviyo to run campaigns. Segment your audience, automate welcome and abandoned cart emails, and include clear calls-to-action. Optimise all emails for mobile.
- Social Media Promote your store on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, X, and Facebook. Post consistently, engage with your audience, use high-quality visuals, and share customer reviews and user-generated content
- Use Shopify's built-in SEO tools. Research keywords, optimise product pages with unique titles and meta tags, improve site speed, publish regular blog content, and build quality backlinks.
