50+ Shopify Store Setup Tips – Answering Your Questions!

Running a Shopify store takes a lot of learning and growing. As the most popular e-commerce platform in the world for eCommerce, it’s one of the best places to start your eCommerce business. However, Shopify is a little different from Wix and Squarespace. Shopify takes time to learn. So in today’s article, I will be going over 50+ Shopify Store Setup Tips and answering the most popular questions about Shopify Setup.

What You Need to Know About Shopify

1- What is Shopify?

Shopify is an eCommerce platform built to help regular individuals compete against amazon with their own fully-featured website. Shopify offers a quick and speedy process for developing an eCommerce website that can be as simple as 1 page, or support hundreds of pages with thousands of products.

2- Who Owns Shopify?

Tobias Lütke & Scott Lake established Shopify in 2006 and it is currently owned by a number of shareholders who have contributed finances to the business venture.

3- Why Shopify is so Popular

Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform for its ease of use & flexibility. Anyone from an entrepreneur or local business to a global fashion brand can set up a store on Shopify and take orders from anywhere in the world.

Shopify is also one of the most popular Dropshipping platforms because of its easy integration with partners like Printful to start their own merch store without complicated product development or manufacturing.

Shopify is considered the biggest competitor to Amazon with their Shopify Plus Program offering quick 2-day or next-day shipping to businesses that want to get away from Amazon’s cut of their sales.

4- Setup Tips to get started on Shopify

Getting started on Shopify is very simple with Shopify offering a 2-week free trial period where you can customize, set up, and develop your store for free. At the time of writing,

Is Creating a Shopify Website Profitable? 

Absolutely it’s possible to create a profitable Shopify store as a first-timer. There are dozens of online guides that will teach you how to build a dropshipping store or teach you how to optimize your shipping profiles for the highest degree of profit. However, Shopify stores require an investment of both time and money, so you should expect to make an initial investment before beginning to see any returns.

How Does Shopify Work? A Reference Guide for Setting Up Your Shopify Store

Shopify is organized with a hierarchical structure that is focused on delivering the best e-commerce website according to modern web development standards. This can be confusing for first-time Shopify website developers when a page they created or a product they just edited is applying those edits to every page, product, or collection. So it’s important to understand how Shopify organizes each of these pages so you can design an eCommerce Website quickly and efficiently.

5- Understand the Shopify Page Hierarchy System

Shopify structures its websites with a Home page & Contact Page, Product & Collection pages, and Checkout & Cart pages by default. These pages fit into an informational hierarchy format for eCommerce websites that are designed to be easy to navigate.

Shopify by default prioritizes the home page, then the collection, then the product pages. This structure helps keep your URL’s on your Shopify store optimized for organic search results and simplifies their structure for popular ad networks like Facebook Ads, Twitter, Ads, and Google Ads,

 

6- Shopify Collections, Products, and Pages – Explained in Detail

How do Shopify Products Work?

Shopify Product pages are designed to display one product at a time. But each Shopify product may have variations like Size, Color, Flavor, Customizable, etc. A Shopify Product may have multiple SKUs but you are still only representing one product. On a Shopify product page, you should include an image of the product, the price of the product, & a short description of the product.

Recently Shopify announced an AI integration in collaboration with ChatGPT that will help you write great product descriptions easily and effectively. For first-time Shopify store owners, this is a great way to learn how to write short and succinct product descriptions that convert quickly.

Shopify also allows products to be “Tagged” to automatically show products in collections you create on your store.

Each Product is based on what Shopify calls “templates.”  By default, every product in your store will use a template called “Default product”. That means that unless create a new template for each new product you add to the store, every product on your website will look the same except for the product image, Product Title, and Product description.

The Most Common Shopify Product Mistakes

The most common mistake most first-time Shopify store builders make is assuming that every product page will look different if you customize it differently. Unless you create a new template for every product, every product in Shopify is designed to follow the same look and feel.

This may seem broken for people familiar with website builders like WordPress, Wix, or Typedream. But for eCommerce, it’s much better to have a consistent look on each product page than it is to have extremely different product pages everywhere on your website.

How do Shopify Collections Work?

Shopify Collection Pages are pages to show product categories, not products. If you are building your first Shopify store, it’s encouraged to add your products first, then create collections to organize your products.

For example, a fashion store would first add its products. These products could include 5 shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of shoes, and 2 hats. The fashion store could create collections for the most popular, Fall Outfits, or Shop By Outfit. 

Shopify collections can be created manually by selecting which products go in the collection, or automatically with Product Tags.

 

7- How Shopify Themes Work

Shopify Themes are the central design and function piece of your eCommerce store. Free Shopify themes like Dawn offer a good basic structure to learn and design your first Shopify store but are often missing frequently requested features like mobile image optimization and custom page templates. However, you can find almost any function you need on your store with Apps from the Shopify App Store.

8- What Are Shopify Meta Objects?

Shopify Meta Objects are text, image, or video data pieces you can use to expand the customizability of your Shopify Product, Collection, or Home page. Oftentimes, new Shopify store owners make the mistake of trying to customize their Default Product Template. Instead, using Shopify Meta Objects, you can add additional details to your Shopify products without needing to change your product template.

For most Shopify store owners, Shopify Meta Objects are a good nice to have, but not necessary to run a successful eCommerce store.

9- What is Shopify Meta Fields?

Shopify Metafields are high-level containers that can hold multiple types of Meta Objects. Meta Objects and Meta Fields have been historically available in Liquid Web code, but they were made available in Shopify without code in early 2023.

Shopify’s meta field interface is pretty new and stores have not yet taken full advantage of them yet. Much like Metaobjects, Metafields may not be necessary to build out for your Shopify store.

10 – How Shopify Templates Work

Shopify Templates are the most fundamental structure of building a Shopify store. Instead of building and designing pages, Shopify encourages you to create templates and apply those templates to the products, collections, or pages that should follow that template style.

Frequently Asked How-To Questions for Shopify

11- How to Edit Shopify Pages

12- How to Pick a Shopify Theme

 

 

13- How to Create Your Own Shopify Templates

You can create Shopify Templates by going to your online store, and clicking “customize.” Once you open your theme customizer, navigate to the type of page you want to create a template for (for example: to create a new product template, navigate to an existing product in your store).

At the top of your theme customizer, you will see a drop-down menu that highlights the template in use. On your home page, it should say “Home”. By clicking on this drop-down menu, you will have the option to “create a new template” based on an existing template. Chose which template you are using on your site and Shopify will create a new product template you can customize using the theme customizer.

Once you are done creating your Shopify template, make sure to navigate to the product, page, or collection settings to apply the template.

 

14- How to Edit Shopify Templates

Editing Shopify templates is very simple.

1. Navigate to your Online Store Customization tool
2. In the theme customizer, use the drop-down menu to find the collection you want to customize.
3. Use Shopify Sections to Create New sections or Edit existing sections on the page, template, Product, or Collection.

In Shopify, you can edit templates for Product Pages, Collection pages, Traditional pages, Contact pages, and more.

 

15- When to Edit Shopify In Code

Some edits may not be available directly in your Shopify sections. For example, video backgrounds are not supported by default on any free Shopify themes. To add additional functionality, you can either:

1. Write your own Shopify Liquid Web code
2. Use an App to expand the functionality of your theme
3. Purchase a new theme with that function built in.
4. Buy a dedicated section for your Shopify store from a trusted developer.

Most edits should be doable in the theme customizer, but some edits will require code to complete. For example, hiding the “Powered By Shopify” section on your website is not possible without removing the reference code in your theme section.

Shopify Tips for App Use and Optimization

 

16- What are Shopify Apps?

Shopify Apps are similar to WordPress Plugins but can be a bit more secure since they are not open source. Some apps are developed directly by Shopify while others are made by third-party developers.

17- What do Shopify Apps do?

Adding Shopify App to your store can add extra features to your Shopify store that are not built into your theme or supported natively by Shopify.  Shopify apps can embed directly into your site on a page-by-page basis and can help you use other integrations or features.

18- Should you use Apps on your Shopify Store?

Before you install a bunch of apps on your store, it’s important to know that having too many apps can slow down your website and hurt your SEO. The best practice for adding an app to your store is don’t add it unless you absolutely need it.

19- Best Free Shopify Apps

The best Shopify apps are lightweight, have a single purpose, and are cost-effective. Some of our favorites include:

1. Google Custom Font Picker (for using fonts not supported by your theme).
2. One Upsell (for easy marketing and Upselling)
3. Klaviyo for Email Marketing.
4. Printful for Dropshipping.

Each of these will help you grow your store and customize it to your heart’s desire.

Shopify Setup Tips Regarding Themes

 

20- Best Shopify Responsive Themes

Responsive design is very important for conversion and can be what makes or breaks your website’s profitability. Using a good responsive theme helps capture traffic and convert the sale. Some of the best Shopify Responsive themes include:

• Emigo: This theme is perfect for fashion stores, with a clean and modern design that looks great on both desktop and mobile devices.
• Lezada: This theme is a versatile option that can be used for a variety of stores, with a wide range of features and customization options.
• Express: This theme is a simple and easy-to-use option that is perfect for stores with a small number of products.
• Galleria: This theme is a great option for stores with a large number of products, as it features a vertical slideshow that can be used to showcase your products.

Shopify Themes can be a bit expensive with most themes running $180+ in 2023 so it may make sense to start off with a Free Shopify theme first.

 

21- Best Free Shopify Themes

Premium or Paid themes can be pretty expensive so it can be really helpful to use one of the free Shopify themes available on your store. The best Shopify Themes you can install for free are:

1. Dawn: The default Shopify OS 2 theme you can install for free on your website is great for most first-timers to learn and grow their business.
2. Publisher: This recently released shopify theme is perfect for big product inventories with support for a mega menu and stock counter.
3. Sense: One of my personal favorites, Sense is a free theme with built in rounded corners and a sense of depth that will make any health or beauty brand blush.
4. Studio: A simple and minimalistic theme that if used correctly, can shout premium from all angles.

You can explore more free themes on the Shopify Store at https://themes.shopify.com/collections/free-themes

22- Best Paid Themed for Shopify

The Best Paid themes to explore in 2023 for Shopify are:

1. Creator: This new theme is created with Content Creators in mind. It includes a community hub, great support for content sections and brings a familiar yet friendly social media aesthetic with it.
2. Impact: One of my favorite themes for its truly unique design, Impact is optimized for long form text content to satisfy even the most wordy of eCommerce businesses.
3. North: With a very clean and simple design, North offers a design that is less expensive than similar competitors on the Shopify store with the functionality to back it up.

23- Things to Consider Before Purchase a Theme on Shopify.

When choosing a responsive theme for Shopify, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The type of store you are running: Some themes are better suited for specific types of stores, such as fashion stores or electronics stores.
• The features you need: Some themes come with a wider range of features than others, so it is important to choose a theme that has the features you need.
• The design you want: Some themes have a more modern or traditional design, so it is important to choose a theme that has the design you want.
• The price: Some themes are more expensive than others, so it is important to choose a theme that fits your budget.

For most first-time Shopify stores, it makes the most sense to start learning about Shopify using a free theme. Once you have the hang of the Shopify store setup, you can purchase a theme from either the Shopify Theme Store or a third-party theme store like Envato Marketplace.

24- Best-Paid Theme for Shopify Under $100

Ella: This theme is a great option for stores that want to create a powerful and efficient online store. It features a wide range of features and customization options that allow you to create a store that meets your specific needs.

Shopify Technical Setup Tips

 

25- Can You Add Custom Code to Shopify?

Yes. If you are not a custom developer, there are many developers who sell custom Shopify sections, and you can find them by searching online or by asking other Shopify merchants for recommendations. When purchasing custom Shopify sections, it is important to make sure that the developer is reputable and that they have a good track record of creating high-quality sections. You should also make sure that the section you purchase meets your specific needs and that it is compatible with your Shopify theme.

 

26- Where is Shopify hosted?

Shopify runs and owns its own custom hosting solution and unfortunately, running a Shopify store with a different hosting solution is not an option. Shopify takes care of all the backend hosting items on their stores so you never need to worry about data management.

 

27- How much does Shopify hosting cost?

Shopify hosting prices start out at $35 per month and can rise to about 150 per month on traditional pricing. Shopify Plus, their Enterprise solution for eCommerce starts at $2000 per month.

 

28- how to get developer access to Shopify hosting

Unfortunately, Shopify locks down its hosting solutions and does not allow developers to access hosting panels on their sites. This is because Shopify hosts most of your data off your website to keep your website running fast. Liquid Web code splits your traditional HTML markup into sectioned-off data strings in your JSON files. This does help keep your website running fast for mobile but has the disadvantage of being difficult to manage for users familiar with traditional HTML markup.

You can access your Shopify theme code (usually written in an HTML, CSS, and JS Hybrid language called Liquid Web) by clicking on “edit Code” in the theme settings on your Shopify store.

 

29- Free Shopify developer store Access

If you are looking to start your own Shopify project, just to play around, you can register to become a Shopify partner ar partners.shopify.com. Once approved, your partner dashboard includes the ability to create and manage development stores with all the features of Shopify except payment processing. To accept payments, you need to create a managed store first.

Shopify Payment Processor Setup Tips

 

30- What payment processor does Shopify use?

Shopify Payments – the default payment processor for all Shopify stores, is built using the Stripe Payment Processor. Though Shopify does not refer to it as Stripe, users who have had issues with stripe will have the same issues with Shopify Payments.

31- Can you use your own payment process around Shopify?

Yes, you can use your own payment process on Shopify. Shopify supports a variety of payment processors, including PayPal, Affirm, and Shopify Payments. For a full list of Shopify’s supported payment processors, check out https://www.shopify.com/payment-gateways

For developers, if you want to use your own payment processor, you will need to integrate it with Shopify. This can be done by using a Shopify API or by using a third-party integration service.

32- best alternatives to the Shopify payment processor

The best alternative most businesses use for Shopify outside of the default payment method is Paypal. Paypal is not a perfect competitor for Shopify payments as returns and return approval processes are up to Paypal to approve. But if you are looking for a good alternative, PayPal will do the trick!

Shopify Store Setup Tips for Blockchain and Crypto

33- Can you accept Bitcoin or Ethereum payments on a Shopify store?

Yes, you can accept Bitcoin or Ethereum payments on a Shopify store. Shopify allows you to accept cryptocurrency payments through a number of third-party payment processors, such as BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, and CoinPayments.

To accept cryptocurrency payments on your Shopify store, you will need to create a cryptocurrency wallet and then integrate your payment processor with your Shopify store. Once you have integrated your payment processor, you will be able to accept cryptocurrency payments on your website.

 

34- Best cryptocurrency payment processors for Shopify

As your Shopify store grows, you may want to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. There are 3 big crypto integrations that will be really helpful for growing your crypto payments on Shopify.

1. BitPay: BitPay is one of the most popular cryptocurrency payment processors. It supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. BitPay is also easy to integrate with Shopify.
2. Coinbase Commerce: Coinbase Commerce is another popular cryptocurrency payment processor. It supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. Coinbase Commerce is also easy to integrate with Shopify.
3. CoinPayments: CoinPayments is a cryptocurrency payment processor that supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. CoinPayments is also easy to integrate with Shopify.

Cryptocurrency payment processors can be difficult to manage and come with their own drawbacks so we encourage you to vet each one independently and verify which ones work best for your needs.

 

35- Is Shopify the Best eCommerce Platform for NFTs?

Shopify is one of the best eCommerce platforms for NFTs. It offers a wide range of features and customization options that make it easy to create an NFT store, and it integrates with a number of popular payment processors and blockchains.

Here are some of the benefits of using Shopify for NFTs:

• Ease of use: Shopify is a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to create an NFT store. You can use the built-in templates and tools to create a beautiful and functional store, or you can customize it to match your brand.
• Features: Shopify offers a wide range of features that make it easy to manage your NFT store. You can add products, track sales, and manage your inventory. You can also use the built-in marketing tools to promote your store.
• Integrations: Shopify integrates with a number of popular payment processors and blockchains, making it easy to accept payments for your NFTs. You can also use the built-in analytics tools to track your sales and performance.

If you are looking for a platform to create an NFT store, Shopify is a great option. It offers a wide range of features and customization options, and it integrates with a number of popular payment processors and blockchains.

36- How to Sell NFTs on Shopify

Shopify encourages you to use its website platform as the primary method for selling and distributing NFTs with native support for digital products to be sold on your website. Just toggle the “Digital Product” section on your Shopify product page and configure it with the details of how to deliver the NFT. For more information on selling digital goods, check out our guide on the 2 methods for selling virtual goods on Shopify. 

37 Best NFT and Digital Products Apps for Shopify

Selling and distributing on Shopify is not as easy as traditional product sales and most NFT sellers opt to use a third-party app. There are a number of apps that can help you sell NFTs on Shopify. Some of the most popular apps include:

• Verisart: Verisart is an app that allows you to mint, sell, and manage your NFTs. It also offers a certificate of authenticity for each NFT, which can help to increase the value of your NFTs.
• ReserveX: ReserveX is an app that allows you to create and sell NFTs that are gated behind the ownership of physical products. This can help to increase demand for your NFTs and generate more sales.
• Zoho Commerce: Zoho Commerce is an app that allows you to create an NFT store directly on your Shopify website. It offers a wide range of features and customization options, and it integrates with a number of popular payment processors and blockchains.
• Shopify Tokengating: Shopify Tokengating is an app that allows you to create and sell NFTs that are gated behind the ownership of a Shopify token. This can help to increase demand for your NFTs and generate more sales.
• NFTify: NFTify is an app that allows you to create an NFT marketplace on your Shopify website. It offers a wide range of features and customization options, and it integrates with a number of popular payment processors and blockchains.

38- Best NFT Integrations for Shopify Stores

Selling NFTs and marketing them effectively can be a daunting task. Selling and distributing is only half the battle, with the other half of the battle being marketing NFTs. For more information, check out our full guide to marketing NFTs in Web3. 

But other than apps and the store, we also encourage you to use community-building tools on social media like Twitter and Discord to discover and locate your target demographic.

Shopify Setup Tips for Product Pages

 

39- Shopify Product Variations

Shopify Product Variations are sub-products inside your product page that allow your customers to choose different sizes, colors, flavors, etc. To set up Shopify product variations, go to the product section of your Shopify dashboard and click on the product you want to add variations to. Then click “Add Variant” to set up your first Shopify product variation with custom pricing, custom images, and inventory.

 

40- How to Set up Shopify Product Sizes

You can set up product sizes as variations on your product page with the values reflecting the different SKUs on your page. Then you can follow the normal process for adding and setting up product variations on your website.

41 – How to Make Digital Products on Shopify

Digital Products may include items like NFT’s, Online Courses, eBooks, and more. Depending on which kind of digital product you sell will change how you sell it. There are dozens of great apps on the Shopify App market Place that can help with digital product selling but we recommend finding one uniquely suited to your purpose.

Shopify Setup Tips Regarding Page Builders

42- What is a Shopify page Builder?

A Shopify page builder is a tool that allows you to create and edit pages on your Shopify store without any coding or design experience. Shopify page builders are drag-and-drop, meaning you can simply drag elements into place to create the look and feel of your pages.

43- How to Create a New Shopify Page Using a Page Builder

Each page builder is slightly different but usually, you can just create a new page and it will quickly be available as a new page on your Shopify Website. If you need to have it show in your menu, make sure to go to the navigation section of your Online Store to connect it to your header or footer.

44- Best Page Builder Apps for Shopify Stores

The best Page Builder Apps for Shopify Stores are:

• Shogun Page Builder: Shogun Page Builder is a popular third-party page builder for Shopify. It offers a wider range of features than the Shopify Theme Editor, and it’s a good choice if you want to create more complex pages.
• PageFly: PageFly is another popular third-party page builder for Shopify. It offers a wide range of features, and it’s a good choice if you want to create highly customized pages.

These pages can offer a ton of extra functionality to your store and offer deeper levels of customization at a lower cost.

45- How to get the Most Out of a Shopify Page Builder

Page builders offer a lot of extra customization on your store but can come with the disadvantage of slowing down your website. To get the most out of a Shopify page builder:

1. Consider building dedicated sections and connecting them to your theme instead of entire pages
2. Use images between 720p and 1080p. Any higher could slow down your website.
3. Use the Shopify Page Builder whenever possible.

Many businesses get frustrated by the Shopify theme limitations and look to page builders to solve this problem. While you do get enhanced customizations, you are usually paying for it by slowing down your website with unnecessary code. Before using a page builder, try building using your theme customizer or paying for a premium theme that has the features you need.

Taxes and Business Management – Shopify Store Setup Tips

46- Does Shopify Automatically Calculate Your Taxes?

Sort of. By default, Shopify knows what taxes to charge in every state and offers you the ability to set tax-exempt status on specific products or customers.

You will then be able to view your sales tax reports in your Shopify dashboard. If you need to adjust your sales tax rates, you can do so in your Shopify account. You can also add new sales tax rates or delete existing rates.

It is important to note that Shopify does not file your sales taxes for you. You will still need to file your sales taxes with your state or province. However, Shopify can help you to calculate your sales taxes and to collect sales tax from your customers. to make sure you don’t get hurt by an audit, it’s always best to use a tax representative who can help meet your needs.

47- Do you need a Business to Start a Shopify Store

If you are in the United States, you may not need a business to start a Shopify store but using a business ID may make sense for ou depending on your unique situation. Again, it’s always best to consult a tax specialist about your Shopify store. However, Avalara is a great integration if you are looking to supplement your tax specialist with dedicated information from your store.

48- How much does a Shopify Store Cost?

Shopify stores are charged about $29 per month or half that if you pay annually. Prices outside the US or for additional features may differ.

49- Is Shopify Good for Medium or Enterprise Businesses?

Where Shopify really shines is its ability to scale for medium or enterprise businesses. Though it can be hard for first-time store owners to build, Shopify is an awesome platform for medium and enterprise businesses to offer a truly global eCommerce experience.

As you grow, Shopify offers a dedicated Enterprise solution called Shopify Plus that helps prevent your store from crashing when there’s excess traffic and unifies all your potential stores under one banner.

Shopify Setup Tips for Pricing

50- How to Pause Your Shopify Store

If you need to take a break or pause your Shopify store, you can do so by going into your Settings and managing your payments. Paused Shopify stores will still charge about $9 per month to keep your store active and host on the internet but are unable to receive orders.

51- What are the Benefits of Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is an enterprise solution for companies that value a solid B2B and B2C eCommerce experience. Shopify Plus allows you to:

1. Create dedicated stores for both B2B and B2C stores
2. better integration and dedicated apps for better customer experiences.
3. Get more out of your existing apps.

Shopify Plus offers a number of features and benefits that make it a better choice for businesses that need a more powerful and scalable ecommerce platform. Some of the key benefits of Shopify Plus include:

• Unlimited products and storage: Shopify Plus allows you to sell an unlimited number of products and store an unlimited amount of data. This is a significant advantage for businesses that have a large number of products or that need to store a lot of data.
• Advanced customization: Shopify Plus offers a number of advanced customization options, including the ability to create custom themes and templates, add custom features, and integrate with third-party applications. This gives you the flexibility to create a custom e-commerce platform that meets your specific needs.
• Enterprise-level support: Shopify Plus offers enterprise-level support, including 24/7 support from a team of Shopify experts. This can be a valuable resource for businesses that need help with their e-commerce platform.
• High-level security: Shopify Plus is a highly secure platform that offers a number of security features, including fraud protection, PCI compliance, and data encryption. This can be a valuable asset for businesses that need to protect their online store and their customers’ data.
• Advanced analytics: Shopify Plus offers advanced analytics that allow you to track your sales, traffic, and customer behavior. This information can be used to make informed decisions about your e-commerce business.

Overall, Shopify Plus is a powerful and scalable e-commerce platform that offers a number of features and benefits that make it a good choice for businesses that need a more advanced solution.

Thanks for Reading! Hopefully these 50+ Tips Shopify Store Setup Tips, Guides, and Tutorials helped you better understand the Shopify Platform and if it is a good fit for you or your business. This article will be frequently updated with information as Shopify grows and develops its CMS. If you are looking for alternatives to Shopify, consider subscribing for future articles like this, or check out our favorite alternative for small websites, Typedream.