Learning how to use Shopify can feel overwhelming at first.
After all, Shopify is a comprehensive ecommerce platform that enables you to grow a business in countless ways, with tons of flexibility and control.
In other words, there's a lot to consider. For example, before you can start selling online, you need to:
- Set up a Shopify account
- Customize your website
- Add and configure products
- Set up a domain
- Configure your payment settings
- Get your site ready to go live
- The list goes on…
Thankfully, Shopify is made for everyone.
It doesn't matter whether you have a degree in computer engineering or you struggled to set up an email account, you can learn how to use Shopify—today.
This article will show you how to use Shopify step-by-step. By the end of this Shopify guide, you'll have a working online store and will be able to start taking orders!
Shopify Basics: What Do You Need to Know?
Before we dive into the Shopify tutorial, let's set the scene: What is Shopify exactly, and what can you do with it?
In short, Shopify is a complete business solution. The platform started as an ecommerce website builder, but today it's much more than that. You can now use Shopify to do things like:
- Build an online store
- Choose a Shopify theme and customize the appearance of your store
- Customize the functionality of your store with thousands of Shopify apps
- Sell digital products, physical products, and services
- Sell in person, online, or via third-party sales channels like eBay and Facebook
- Manage inventory, orders, and shipping
- Market your business with integrated marketing tools
- Monitor analytics to extract insights to improve your business
How to Use Shopify: An 12-Step Shopify Tutorial for Beginners
In this Shopify tutorial for beginners, we're going to cover all the key steps needed to get your business rockin' and rollin'.
Step 1: Sign Up for Shopify's Free Trial
First things first: Before you can learn how to use Shopify, you need to set up an account.
Don't worry—you don't need to pay anything right now—Shopify offers a trial period that lets you explore the platform at no cost. After the initial trial ends, you can access special introductory pricing for your opening months.
Okay, head to shopify.com/signup and input your email address and a secure password. After you click 'Next,' Shopify will ask you to input your payment details so you can get paid.
Voilà, you now have a brand spanking new online store and mission control center for your business!
Don't forget to verify your email address before you start using Shopify to keep your account secure.
Step 2: Get Acquainted With the Dashboard
Before we move forward with this Shopify tutorial, it's worth taking some time to get acquainted with Shopify's dashboard.
When you first log in, you'll be greeted with a checklist designed to help you get started.
Check out the left sidebar, which has everything you need to manage your business. When you click on one of these options, Shopify will reveal a drop-down menu with more options.
You'll also see 'Settings' at the bottom of the left sidebar. Here you can update many of the core functions of your account, such as your store name, payment details, and notifications.
Step 3: Add Products
Now let's get some products into your store. Look for 'Products' on the left side of your screen and click it. Then select 'Add product' to reach the product management area.
Type in your item's name and write a description that tells customers what makes it special. Upload photos that show your product clearly. Include the price you want to charge.
You can also include details like product categories, different options (such as various colors or sizes), tracking codes, and inventory numbers. Choose which selling platforms will display this item, and adjust tax and stock tracking preferences. Edit how the product appears in search results too.
If you don't have any products to sell yet, you can find products to sell with a Shopify dropshipping integration. Just install an app like DSers and search for products. With this approach, you won't need to maintain stock yourself as your suppliers take care of warehousing and delivering items straight to buyers.
You can also select sales channels in the right sidebar, set the pricing, and configure the inventory and shipping settings.
If you're selling digital products, make sure to uncheck make sure that the Physical product setting is deactivated to disable the shipping options.
You can also set up collections to group products. For example, you could have different groups for men's clothing and women's clothing.
Once you're done, don't forget to click 'Save product.' Consider adding several items initially as this makes it easier to see how they'll look when you start working on your store's design.
Step 4: Customize Your Website's Theme
Alright, now let's get our hands dirty and run through how to use Shopify themes to customize your site's appearance.
To get started, click 'Online Store' in the sidebar and then click 'Themes.'
You can start customizing the pre-installed theme or scroll down the page to choose a new theme. There are options to explore:
- Explore free themes
- Browse the Shopify Theme Store which has over 900 designs available
- Upload themes purchased on a third-party marketplace like Theme Forest.
When browsing, you can filter by style, features, or cost. Pick one that matches your needs and try it outâyou can always switch later.
Remember, you can always change your theme later. Plus, if you want something particular, you can hire a Shopify Expert to help you customize your website.
Once you've installed your theme, click 'Customize,' and Shopify will take you to the page editor.
The menu on the left lets you alter the layout with drag-and-drop modules. And there's a drop-down menu at the top of the page. This allows you to customize different website pages.
You can also access the theme's settings at the bottom of the left sidebar to customize your store's colors, fonts, and more.
Plus, if you want to get support or make more advanced changes like editing your site's code or languages, click 'Theme actions' at the bottom of the sidebar.
Step 5: Add Sales Channels
Shopify enables you to sell via your website, social media platforms, ecommerce marketplaces, and in person. So, before you finalize your setup, it's a good idea to configure your preferred sales channels.
To do this, click the '+' icon next to 'Sales channels' in the sidebar and select the sales channel you want to add.
Each sales channel has a different setup process, but Shopify will lead you through the process of setting each one up.
Step 6: Add a Domain
Next, let's get you set up with a fancy domain!
Click 'Online Store' in the sidebar and then click 'Domains.' Here, you'll see options at the top of the page:
- Connect existing domain: If you already have a domain with a site like GoDaddy or NameCheap, use this option to connect it to your Shopify account.
- Transfer domain: If you'd rather have everything under one roof, you can use this option to transfer your existing domain to Shopify.
- Buy a new domain: If you don't already have one, use this option to get a domain.
Your web address is how customers will find your business online. By default, Shopify assigns you a myshopify.com URL that you can use without charge.
Simply search for domain names, choose one you like, and click 'Buy.'
Step 7: Set Up Payments
Now, let's configure your payment settings. To get started, click 'Settings' at the bottom of the left sidebar.
When it comes to taking payments, you have two main options:
- Shopify Payments
- A third-party payment gateway like Google Pay, PayPal, or Bitcoin.
If you use a third-party payment gateway, Shopify will charge you an additional 2% on the Basic Shopify plan and 1% extra on Shopify's main plan.
So, it's best to use Shopify payments—especially as it allows customers to checkout using virtually any credit or debit card as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay anyway.
Click 'Complete account setup' and follow Shopify's instructions to get set up.
Step 8: Configure Shipping Settings
Okay, time to figure out how you'll get orders to your customers. Go to the “Settings” page again and then find the shipping options.
The system sets up basic zones for delivery—think domestic and international. These zones help you decide what to charge for shipping and make sure tax calculations are correct.
Tweak these zones and rates to match your delivery plan. For example, if you want to offer free shipping, you can set domestic fees to zero and just bake those costs into your product prices.
You can also arrange for outside companies to handle the packing and sending (fulfillment), or use Shopify's shipping tools to calculate exact carrier costs, grab supplies, and get discounted labels from big shipping companies.
Step 9: Run a Test Order
Before you hit that launch button, let's do a quick but important check to make sure everything runs smoothly.
It’s always smart to test your checkout process. This ensures your payment setup is perfect, your inventory is tracking correctly, and your shipping rates are totally nailed down.
Think of it as placing a "fake" order to see exactly what your customers will experience.
- If you're using Shopify Payments, just flip it into test mode for this process.
- If you're using a different processor, you can use their special practice gateway or just place a real order and immediately cancel it afterward.
Make sure you try out different payment types, place a few orders from different phones or computers, and really push it: try using some promo codes and enter a few shipping addresses to be certain those tax calculations are accurate.
Step 10: Pick a Plan and Make Your Store Public
Once you're ready to go live, it's time to choose one of Shopify's pricing plans:
Basic
- Annual price: $29/month
- Best for: New businesses or first-time sellers.
- Key features: Essential tools for selling, shipping, and processing payments. Includes 2 staff accounts.
Grow
- Annual price: $79/month
- Best for: Growing businesses ready to scale.
- Key features: Lower transaction fees, and more staff accounts (5 total). Great for optimizing conversions.
Advanced
- Annual price: $229/month
- Best for: High-volume, fast-growing stores.
- Key features: Lowest transaction fees, advanced custom report builder, and 15 staff accounts for complex operations.
Plus
- Annual price: Starting at $2,300/month
- Best for: Enterprise-level and massive brands.
- Key features: This plan is for very high-volume businesses that need custom solutions and dedicated support.
All the plans come with the essential features, including:
- 24/7 support
- Unlimited products
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Access to Shopify apps
- A shipping label creator
- Multiple sales channels
- Free SSL certificate (for security)
- A checkout with 100 currencies
- Discount codes and gift cards
- Shopify POS Lite for selling in person
Once you've selected a plan, make sure to remove any storefront passwords to make your site public.
To do this, click 'Themes' under 'Online Store,' and then click 'Disable password.'
Step 11: Customize Your Site's Functionality with Shopify Apps
Now that your site's live, what's next? Well, you can extend your site's functionality with Shopify apps.
There are thousands of apps on the Shopify App Store to help you land more sales, retain customers, gather social proof, and much more.
Click on 'Apps' in the sidebar, and Shopify will recommend a few apps to use depending on your needs.
If you're feeling overwhelmed with the possibilities, start with apps made by Shopify. There are 39 in total (although a few are only available on Shopify Plus, Shopify's enterprise solution).
Browse by category or search for specific capabilities. You might add tools that improve your visibility in search results, or pick apps from the marketing section that help drive visitors and boost purchase rates.
Bonus: Check Out Shopify's Marketing Tools and Analytics
Shopify has many marketing tools ready to help you grow your business. Just click 'Marketing' in the sidebar to browse the available options.
You can also click 'Analytics' in the sidebar to see metrics and KPIs (key performance indicators). These analytics can help you understand how your business is performing and help you identify new opportunities for growth.
How to Use Shopify FAQ
How Do I Start a Shopify Store for Beginners?
Start by signing up for Shopify's free trial. Then, use the dashboard to add your products, customize your website's theme, configure shipping and payments, and select a pricing plan to go live.
How Much Is a Basic Shopify Plan?
The Basic Shopify plan costs $29 per month (when billed annually). All plans include a free SSL certificate, unlimited products, access to the app store, and 24/7 support.
What Can I Sell on Shopify?
Shopify enables you to sell a wide variety of inventory, including physical products, digital products, and services. You can sell online via your website, social channels, or in person using Shopify POS.