How to sell on Shopify – A beginner’s guide to start selling on Shopify
You must have heard of Shopify? With 2.1 million users, this e-commerce platform has blown over in popularity.
In 2021 it generated approximately $1.3 billion in subscriptions and an estimated $3 billion in merchant solutions. This was all because sellers are opening shops on Shopify due to its growth potential and affordability.
But wait for a second…
Is it easy to start selling on Shopify? Yes, but only if you know how?
The best thing about Shopify is its ease of use for both customers and sellers. You can make money effortlessly through this platform by becoming a seller.
So if you want to become a part of Shopify but have no clue where to start, then this guide is for you.
In this article, we will cover the ins and out of Shopify so that you can start making money from it within no time.
From the benefits of selling on Shopify and the costs that go into it to the prerequisites to set up the store and 10 ultimately proven ways to earn money, we have listed it all here.
So are you ready to learn all this?
If yes, then let’s get started!
What is Shopify?
Even though most of you must already know what Shopify is, we will explain it briefly before diving into the details.
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform allowing merchants to start, manage, and expand their digital businesses.
Be it a small bootstrapped business or an entrepreneur starting a new venture, Shopify is a place that provides them the tools and resources to step up digitally.
As of April 2021, the USA alone had 197,494 merchants trusting Shopify, including big names like Kylie cosmetics and Jigsaw.
The Benefits of Being on Shopify
Who wouldn’t want to be on a platform with over 2 million users?
And this is not all.
Shopify is amongst the leading players in the eCommerce industry.
With the 6th largest market share of 7.63%, it Is growing even more popular. So the benefits of this platform are numerous.
We are mentioning a few major ones below, as listing all of them isn’t possible.
- No need for technical or coding knowledge.
- The business structure appeals to both small and medium-scale businesses as it is straightforward.
- It also features advanced tools which can cater to large corporations.
- The monthly subscription is affordable, and there are no hidden charges.
- Shopify’s toolset is comprehensive and provides all the resources to develop, run, and manage a digital store.
- Migration to and from other platforms is easy; for example, you can shift from OpenCart to Shopify or transfer from Wix to Shopify.
- The user base of Shopify is growing at a spurring rate providing more opportunities.
- The range of features on Shopify is extensive, including numerous design options and customization tools. 3rd party tools can also be integrated.
- Its mobile-friendly, and Shofiy allows the setting up of accelerated mobile pages.
- Cross-channelling can be implemented quickly. This means Shopify shops can be integrated with other social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram to drive traffic and increase conversion.
- The point-of-sale app and order fulfillment solution are robust and effective.
- There is a vast range of payment gateways. Including but not limited to Shopify Payments.
- The shipping services provided are also very efficient and cost little.
Slowly, many sellers are recognizing these benefits and opting for Shopify as their ecommerce platform.
This is why Shopify holds a 32% US market share of digital stores and continues to grow popular in other countries as well.
The Time Needed To Create a Shopify Store
Less than an hour! Yes, it’s that quick.
If you follow the steps below, you will run a top-notch store within 60 minutes.
In this guide, we have streamlined everything, and with Shopify’s straightforward interface, you should be able to set up a Shopify store without any hassle.
However, remember that the business planning and thinking process is not covered in this duration, and you must carry it out beforehand.
All the market research, drafting, readying legal framework, and approaching suppliers must be done before creating an account on Shopify.
If you factor in everything, the total time required to fine-tune your business can span from a few days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of your niche and your efficiency.
Also Read: How To Build An Online Store In Less Than 1 hour
Costs Required To Sell on Shopify
The total effect of a Shopify shop on your wallet will depend on your niche and needs. The more complex the niche and higher the requirements, the more costly it will be.
The total cost will also include a Shopify subscription which starts from $9-$299
Shopify offers different subscription plans so businesses can select the one that suits their budget.
We have broken down Shopify pricing plans below so that you can understand them better and pick the one optimal for you:
Shopify Lite:
This is the cheapest option and doesn’t include a store. Priced at $9 per month, it only offers a few features.
This is good for those who already have a website and need Shopify to complement it
Shopify Store Plans
There are 3 plans that Shopify offers, which include store:
Basic Plan
Priced at $29 per month, including a 9% charge and $0.30 transaction fee, it is the least expensive subscription.
In it, you get a standalone Shopify store with 2 staff accounts. It’s perfect for beginners who are just starting their businesses with Shopify.
From SSL certificate to basic reporting and marketing automation, this plan provides many features and value for money.
Shopify Plan
Priced at $79 per month, including a 2.6% charge and $0.30 transaction fee, this plan provides ecommerce automation that cheaper plans do not.
Other features are also more advanced, which is good for those merchants wishing to expand.
The number of marketing options, themes, staff accounts, and other tools is more comprehensive than previous plans.
Advanced Shopify Plan
Priced at $299 per month, including a 2.4% charge and a $0.30 transaction fee, it is a premium plan with many advanced features and the lowest transaction costs.
With advanced reporting and automations, this plan offers excessive discounts and is optimal for businesses with high-volume transactions.
Shopify Plus
Shopify plus is different from advanced Shopify as it is designed for large-scale corporations.
It’s not just a store but a comprehensive solution that meets all the needs of large enterprises.
It comes with a hefty cost which goes up depending on the level of customization. However, Shopify allows businesses to amend the features according to their needs.
The more features you add, the plan can exceed its basic cost of $2000 per month.
The price may sound a lot, but its package is worthwhile.
Going Up the Ladder
You can always start with a lower plan and go for a premium once your business grows.
If you are just beginning, go for the basic plan, and once your sales volume increases, shift to a Shopify plan or advance plan.
You should also consider a “.com” domain which comes at an additional cost of around $14 per year. Moreover, if you want a third-party integration, this will cost more as these services must be purchased separately.
So the overall cost of selling on Shopify can vary depending on your product, marketing cost, Shopify subscription, and other amenities.
10 Steps to Start Selling on Shopify
The biggest reason for Shopify being so popular is its ease of setting.
A decade ago, starting an online store was very difficult.
But with the advent of Shopify, it has become streamlined and doesn’t require much time or technical know-how.
You can set up your digital store in just 10 steps.
We have listed them below in a simplified form so that you can successfully apply them:
1. Preparations
Once you decide on Shopify as your e-commerce platform, decide on a name and logo for your shop.
You will have to implement these once you create an account on Shopify. So it’s better to get them ready.
Capture product images that will be uploaded to your shop.
Do research in your niche to find what other functions are needed. Prepare beforehand!
2. Creating Account
Once you have all the things rolling, just go to shopify website and create an account.
Just put your email address, store name, and password. No confirmation will be required at this stage.
Just ensure that you use a unique name for your store, or you won’t be able to purchase the domain as it will be already taken,
Next, you will be asked to add a few more details about your business, like whether you are a nubia and what you plan to sell.
3. Adding Products
It’s a no-brainer that you will have to add a product once the account is set up.
Just go to the Products tab on the left of your screen and click Add Products.
List your products there along with other information required such as image, title, price, and short description.
This will help your customers by giving them all the details they need about their purchase.
Shopify also allows you to organize your products by providing labels such as product availability, vendor, type, and tags.
These make shopping easy for customers as all similar products are grouped together.
4. Selecting Theme For Your Store
Once the products are listed, your store will have a basic form, so now it’s time to work on customizing your store’s outlook.
You can do this by selecting a theme to enhance its appearance.
The theme tab is under the Online Store option on the left-hand side. Click on it, and you will be given opportunities to select theme templates.
You can either use free themes or paid themes to design your store.
Shopify offers a variety of themes, and you can use the one that suits your niche the best.
After picking a theme, make adjustments to it as per your preference. Play around with colors, features, text, and elements.
Ensure that everything matches your specific goals. You also customize navigation menus and fonts.
5. Adding Pages
Once the theme is set, you can add other pages like About Us, Contact, FAQs, etc.
- The contact page will contain information that will help customers reach you with queries
- About us page will help you connect with viewers more personally.
- The FAQ page will have answers to common questions
6. Managing Checkout Page
Another page you need to finalize before you can proceed is the checkout page. You will find it under the Settings tab.
Tweak a few things, such as layout and background.
For other options, dont implement a complex script if you’re a beginner. Instead, just require users to checkout via email.
7. Shipping Setup
If you have a tangible product, you must also define shipping methods. 
You will find the Shipping and Delivery option under the setting tab just below Checkout.
You will be asked to specify weight, destinations, dimensions, costs, etc.
You can even integrate a 3rd-party delivery service if you intend to work with one.
8. Setting Up The Payment Gateways
One of the last things required to complete a Shopify store is a payment gateway.
This is crucial as it decides how you accept payments and finally make money.
Under the Settings, you will find the Payments option; click on it. Then, input the necessary info such as name, Social Security Number, address, bank details, etc.
It’s pretty easy to set up payment on Shopify as it accepts the majority of methods such as Paypal, Stripe, etc. you can even select Shopify’s Payments Gateway, which is available without charge.
9. Pre-launch
Even though you are officially ready for launch, doing these last few things increases the chances of finding more customers and selling smoothly.
- Get a custom domain. If you dont already have a name registered, buy it directly from Shopify. It usually costs around $14 annually.
- Set up Shopify analytics to track sales, profits, and taxes and profits.
- Use other Shopify apps such as social media integrations, email list building, accounting tools, etc., to enhance your store.
10. Launching
Now your Shopify store is fully functional, and all you need to do is make it public.
Under the Settings tab, find the Preferences option and click on it.
You will find a button at the bottom of the page to remove the password. Do this to make your shop go live.
Congratulations, now you know all the steps to create a store on Shopify.
Even though it doesn’t take much time to read this guide, it is indeed an achievement. Now you are officially ready to become a merchant on Shopify.
But we are not done yet. Before we provide you with proven ways to make money via Shopify, here are some prerequisites that you should follow:
Things to do Before Creating a Store on Shopify
- Draft a business plan.
- Validate your idea before investing.
- Select a niche
- Define the target audience.
- Decide on the set of channels for promoting your product.
- Plan SEO strategy.
- Think over shipping methods and payment gateways
Now you have all the knowledge to start a store on Shopify.
So let us tell you the ten most profitable ways to sell on Shopify to give you a push.
Top Ten Proven Ways to Sell on Shopify and Make Money
1. Ecommerce Store
This is obviously the most significant money source on Shopify, but it’s not the only one. An ecommerce store is sought by many entrepreneurs as an answer to making money online.
And Shopify platform is the easiest way to set one up, and that too without much cost or hassle.
In addition, Shopify provides numerous different options and niches. From apparel to handmade goods, you can sell almost anything.
So overall, Shopify is an ideal platform for e-commerce as it is simple to add, sell, and ship products via it.
Moreover, numerous Shopify tools and apps can help you increase your sales and drive more revenue within clicks.
2. Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping business model is becoming quite popular.
It is forecasted that from 2021 to 2026, the value of Dropshipping market will grow to $476.1 billion. And Shopify is amongst the reading players these days. 
Dropshipping allows Shopify businesses to outsource the production of goods they upload to their Shopify Store.
As a result, there is no pressure to keep inventory, and merchants can make much money via it with less effort.
All that needs to be done is to find suppliers who produce goods in your niche and upload a new SKU (Stock-Keeping Unit) on your website.
Once the customers buy that unit on your site, the supplier is informed, and they do the rest of the work.
To make it easier for you to understand the Dropshipping business, we have summed it up below:
- Set up a Shopify store and upload products from your selected supplier
- Wait for customers to place an order
- Shopify automatically sends the order to the supplier.
- The supplier handles everything from producing the order to packaging if necessary.
- The order is delivered to the customer directly.
Shopify has become a hub for dropshipping businesses, allowing merchants to integrate their suppliers seamlessly.
In addition, there are numerous apps and tools to help you with order production and shipping management.
So if you are looking for a source of income that requires less effort than an entire store, you should go for Dropshipping
3. Affiliate Marketer
To make money on Shopify doesn’t have to revolve around selling. Sometimes, you can generate income by just creating good content and influencing others to join Shopify.
This fantastic way to earn cash is known as the ‘Shopify Affiliate Program.’ By becoming an affiliate, all you have to do is inspire others to start their entrepreneurship by using Shopify.
You can do this via affiliate marketing, and every time someone from your audience registers for a paid plan on Shopify, you earn a commission.
So if you are a content creator, educationist, or any influencer with a good following, you can join this program. Moreover, you can use email marketing to strengthen affiliate campaigns and earn more income!
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4. Apparel and Accessory
Clothing shops hold the largest market share in Shopify. In 2021, more than 75,500 merchants were selling apparel on Shopify.
So if you are unsure what to sell, you can always play safe and start a clothing line.
You can transform your creative designing hobby into a full-fledged business by uploading your design to the Shopify shop.
You can either stock up inventory or create an on-demand clothing line.
Another popular shopping niche on Shopify is accessories. Again, you can craft your own products or even outsource them.
You can develop a strong accessory brand by choosing suitable themes, designs, marketing, and shipping methods. There is a massive market for it, and people keep wanting more!
5. Developing a Niche
Many people just follow the herd and think Shopify has limited niches. So they just set up a shop in a popular niche; thus, they cannot profit much because of tough competition.
Mind that Shopify shops can be built in any niche. If you have an idea that doesn’t fit the standard market go for it. Create a new product and sell it on Shopify. It doesn’t matter if someone has done it before or not.
If you trust your idea and think it has a market, develop it. Shopify is the platform where you can test it and see if it works.
Just try to narrow your target audience as it is easy to cater to specific people rather than a broad group.
So don’t hesitate to sell something unique on Shopify. Trust your niche and market it well; leave the rest on Shopify!
6. Grocery Store
Shopify allows you to sell locally as well. By designing your store to attract a local audience and marketing to only specific geographic locations, you can also sell perishable items on Shopify.
You can set up your own grocery store so that people near you can shop for basic necessities online from your Shopify shop. If you grow crops, you can upload them to your store.
Or, if you already own a brick-and-mortar shop, you can consider digitizing it to complement your income.
The best part is Search engines such as Google let local Shopify shops increase their visibility.
Your web store can be shown on Google maps with store hours and other info.
Moreover, you can increase your clientele by using targeted SEO keywords unique to that specific region.
7. Digital Products
Who says Shopify products have to be tangible.
You can even sell digital products and make a lot of money online. Selling these intangible items is similar to selling everyday products, but there will be no shipping required.
Most of the time, the items are downloadable once you get paid.
However, starting a digital products business requires more technical skills; you may need a software team and a considerable budget to create the product.
Once the product is ready, most of the work is done, and you automatically make money the more you sell.
There is no cost of production involved later on.
Some digital products you can sell on Shopify are:
- Apps
- Software
- E-books
- Games
- Courses
- Images
- Music
- Themes
- Podcasts
8. Monetizing Social Media
You can even earn with Shopify by integrating it with social media. It is similar to the affiliate program mentioned above, but here you use your social media following to generate a revenue stream.
If you already have a considerable following on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you can transform it into a full income stream by adding Shopify “buy now” links in your post.
This social selling allows both individuals and businesses to start making money without much effort.
You just need to run successful social media campaigns to gain extra income straight from your couch.
9. Freelance Service
Shopify may sound like it only sells products, but you can offer services on it as well. You can get paid for doing anything you are passionate about and are good at!
By developing a website through Shopify, you can professionally offer any freelance service. Be it writing, designing, illustrating, or consulting; you can sell it through your Shopify site.
Just disable shipping
10. Print-On-Demand
Print on demand never gets old. You can always sell as many as you want as there is no cost of inventories. This niche itself has a lot of subcategories:
- Mugs
- Art prints
- Shirts
- Gift cards
- Accessories
- Stickers
- Books
Print-on demand is one of the most popular selling items on Shopify. A big reason for this is that it’s very profitable.
Another reason is that setting up a print-on-demand service is straightforward as you don’t need to store excessive inventory.
Shopify Checklist
As you can see, selling with Shopify isn’t tricky at all. It’s indeed effortless.
However, no matter what method you choose and the niche you pick on Shopify, you must be prepared beforehand to prevent bottlenecks.
There are some things you need to consider before diving deep into Shopify.
We have listed these essentials below, which can help you resolve long-term problems.
Thired Party Apps
Always thoroughly check reviews of third-part applications before integrating them.
The Shopify store lets you install numerous apps to assist in e-commerce efforts. But sometimes, they can slow down your response time. So choose them optimally.
Theme Selection
As mentioned above, there are a plethora of themes to select from. However, your choice can affect your sales as it influences search engine results.
Moreover, themes also play a huge role in customer experience, and one wrong choice can lead to a poor UX.
Email Marketing
You cannot just rely on SEO to bring in all the traffic. Why not make use of email marketing to get back to abandoning viewers.
Don’t forget to use this tactic to inform potential clients about product launches, discounts, deals, etc.
Mobile Responsive
As most internet users have transited to smartphones, your Shopify store must be mobile responsive.
We can’t emphasize this point enough. You should ensure that users have a great experience while browsing on the small screen, or you will lose a lot of potential customers.
Competitor Analysis
Find other Shopify accounts serving your niche and learn from them.
Then, find ways to keep improving, or you will leave a lot of money potential untapped. Also, keep an eye on your metrics and compare them with industry benchmarks!
Frequently Asked Questions: How To Sell On Shopify
Why should you go for Shopify instead of hiring a developer?
Depending on your niche and site complexity, a developer will charge you $5,000 to $500,000 for a digital shop.
Not many sellers can invest such a huge amount. On the contrary, Shopify only charges $29- $299, which anyone can afford. As your business grows, you can jump to a premium plan.
Why should I choose Shopify instead of other platforms?
There are numerous other e-commerce platforms, but Shopify is the leading choice for many sellers due to its efficient, user-friendly, and economical solutions
Even though most platforms offer the same features as Shopify, they are less responsive and more expensive.
As of 2019, Shopify sellers enjoyed 50% growth in sales while other ecommerce users only saw a 21% growth.
Up Your Shopify Game Now
We have tried to amalgamate as much as we could about Shopify in this guide and hope it conveys everything to you.
Apply the above knowledge and start making money now!
Hopefully, you will be successful in your endeavors, and your shop will be a profitable venture in no time.
Just remember to be consistent, as every platform requires some time to pay off.
If you have read this far, you have all the knowledge required to start selling. Now all you need is to build a Shopify shop to get your business and bank account running.
If you know any other way to make money via Shopify, let us know by commenting below!
