How to set up Shopify for your e-commerce business

If you want to get your new venture up and running quickly there are many different e-commerce platforms you can use. Shopify is a well-known and well-loved option for those who do not wish to sell exclusively through a third-party marketplace. Here is our guide on how to set up Shopify for your e-commerce business.

Shopify can seem like a more complex way to start your e-commerce business, but it needn’t be a burden. In fact, you will be surprised and delighted by how quickly you can launch your e-commerce business through Shopify. Just follow our simple steps and you will be up and running in no time.

1. Create your Shopify account

Create your account by entering a unique store name and giving some basic details through Shopify’s free trial. Once your trial expires, you can subscribe from just $29 a month. You will also be asked if you have some products to sell or if you are just getting used to the system.

2. Set up your store

Create your basic store through Shopify for your e-commerce business through a comprehensive admin dashboard. Here you can add your products (if you are using print-on-demand you will need to link your POD account to your Shopify account so it can auto-populate), add existing customers, and add a shipping policy.

3. Make it your own

Once you have entered all your store products and policies it’s time to make it look and feel like a part of your brand. The best place to begin this process is by choosing a theme. Whichever theme you choose you will find an impressive list of modifications is possible, even if you don’t have a clue how to code. Of course, if you do have coding experience or want to outsource your shop design you can use a premium theme to allow full customisation. Shopify themes are easy to change, so while you will want to avoid changing drastically too often (this can put customers off) you can always change your mind down the road.

How to apply your theme:

• Browse the Shopify Theme Store and choose a theme that fits your brand. Themes are also available through third-party marketplaces if you are looking for something that isn’t catered to.
• Once you’ve chosen, read the detail of your chosen theme, paying particular attention to the reviews. Is it mobile-friendly? Easy to adapt?
• Click “View demo” to see the theme in action. This is an important step as you may find this the clearest way to confirm the theme is the right one for you.
• When you know you have the right theme for your e-commerce store, click to apply and then again to confirm you wish to install it on your storefront.
• Shopify will now give you the option to go to your Theme Manager. Say yes, and you will arrive at the back end of your chosen theme.

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4. Customise your theme

The Theme Manager is your new best friend. Through this dashboard, you can easily amend the look and functionality of your theme. The customisation options are so vast that your store will still be individual, even if you chose a top theme.

Through this portal, you can change your Shopify for your e-commerce store to something that stands out from the crowd and is attractive to your customers. Play with options such as fonts, colour schemes, logos, carousel slides, page items, related items, and social sharing.

5. Add your inventory

Now it’s time to upload your products through the dashboard. Shopify makes this process very simple but make sure you have spent time on your products SEO, product description, and your photography to make sure they are as attractive to customers as they can be.

6. Payment portal

On your dashboard go to Settings>Payments to set up your payment portals. You can use PayPal or accept credit cards through Shopify Payments, Stripe, Amazon and many more. If you are using Xero (our recommendation for e-commerce entrepreneurs) you will be able to automate your accounting through the Xero marketplace app for Shopify.

7. Connect your domain

Once your Shopify store is looking the part, it’s time to connect it to your domain name. Return to your store’s dashboard and click on the option to “Add a Domain”. If you have an existing domain, you will be able to transfer it here, but if you need to purchase one, Shopify will walk you through this too.

8. Good to go

Now it is simply a matter of pressing publish and you are done with Shopify for your e-commerce setup. All the options you have set are easily amendable at any time.

Next Steps

If you would like further assistance to automate your accounting process, advice on how to scale your e-commerce business, or advice on the best Shopify apps to optimize your store, our team would love to hear from you.

The best time to act is now.

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