How to Start a Shopify Store (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

Ever thought about starting your own online store but didn’t know where to begin? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to start your very own Shopify store, even if you have zero tech experience.

And hey—before we dive in, I’ve put together a Free Shopify Starter Kit just for you. It includes a checklist, product research tips, and a quick launch plan to help you hit the ground running.  Join my email list below and I will send it to you right away!

    Built with Kit

    Let’s build your store step-by-step. Ready? Let’s go.

    Step 1: Sign Up for Shopify

    First things first—you’ll need a Shopify account. They offer a free trial, so you can test things out without committing any money upfront. 

    Once you’re in, Shopify will ask you a few quick questions about your store (like what you’re selling, if you’re already selling, etc.). Just answer honestly—it helps them tailor your dashboard a bit better.

    Step 2: Pick a Name for Your Store

    This part can be fun—or kinda stressful. But don’t overthink it.

    Here are a few quick tips:

    - Keep it short and easy to remember

    - Try to get a matching domain name

    - Make sure it’s not already taken on social media

    You can use Shopify’s built-in business name generator if you're stuck.

    Step 3: Choose a Theme

    Shopify has a ton of free and paid themes that make your store look amazing without needing a designer.

    - Go to Online Store > Themes

    - Click Explore free themes or browse the paid ones

    - Pick one you like and click Publish

    Don't worry—you can customize it later, so just choose one that fits your vibe.

    Step 4: Add Your Products

    Time to stock your digital shelves.

    Here’s how:

    - Go to Products > Add product

    - Add a title, description, price, and photos

    - You can also set up inventory and shipping options here

    📸 Tip: Good product photos make a huge difference. Try to use high-quality, clean images with good lighting.

    Step 5: Set Up Payments

    You want to get paid, right? Shopify makes it simple.

    - Go to Settings > Payments

    - Enable Shopify Payments (so you can accept credit cards)

    - You can also connect PayPal, Apple Pay, and more

    Make sure your banking info is correct so the money actually lands in your account.

    Step 6: Customize Your Pages

    Your store needs a few key pages:

    - About – Share your story!

    - Contact – So people can reach you

    - FAQ – To answer common questions

    - Policies – Shopify can auto-generate return, shipping, and privacy policies

    Go to Online Store > Pages to create them, and link them in your navigation menu.

    Step 7: Set Up Shipping

    Even if you're only selling digital products or dropshipping, you still need to set up shipping zones.

    - Go to Settings > Shipping and delivery

    - Add your shipping zones (e.g. US, Worldwide)

    - Choose your rates or connect to a fulfillment app if needed

    Step 8: Connect a Custom Domain

    Shopify gives you a free URL like yourstorename.myshopify.com, but it looks way more pro to have your own domain.

    - Go to Settings > Domains

    - You can buy a domain through Shopify or connect one you already own

    Step 9: Preview and Test Your Store

    Before you go live, make sure everything works:

    - Click through your store as a customer would

    - Test the checkout process

    - Make sure emails and confirmations are working

    You can also password-protect your store while you’re building it.

    Step 10: Launch!

    Once you’re happy with everything, it’s time to go live. Remove your password, share your link with friends, and start promoting on socials!

    🎉 Boom. You just launched your own Shopify store.

    Bonus: Grab Your Free Shopify Starter Kit

    Before you go, don’t forget to grab the free Shopify Starter To-Do List. It’ll help you stay organized, avoid rookie mistakes, and get your first sale faster.

    Click HERE to try Shopify FREE and to launch your online store!

     

    Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I believe in and think you’ll find valuable.

     


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