In 2021, there are currently 1.7 million merchants selling on Shopify and about 1.5 million websites using it. Developed in Canada in 2004, the platform is sophisticated enough to appeal to high-end and established businesses and still simple enough that just about anyone can use it to launch their business.

Now, if there’s anything you need to know about launching an online business is that it’s not as easy as a lot of people make it out to be. A lot of things can go wrong, and it could take a while before profits start trickling in. That said, you can build a successful Shopify store by taking the proper steps and having great determination.

In this post, we’re going to share with you a detailed guide on how to start a successful Shopify store. Setting up the store is relatively easy, and from there, you’ll need constant learning and adjusting.

Read on to learn how to build a successful Shopify store.

Start By Identifying Your Business Niche

Finding your business idea and identifying your niche is by far the most crucial part of starting a successful Shopify store.

Your business idea should be something you can approach systematically by learning what other entrepreneurs have done to succeed. Regardless of whether you’re starting a side hustle or going all-in with a major business idea, there are certain things to consider.

To begin with, your business idea should align with your personal interests. Find a way to capitalize on trends, then research existing businesses or products similar to yours to find the gap you can fill.

Think of a Great Business Name

Now that you have a business idea and know what niche you want to get into, think of a great and catchy business name. It should clearly state what you do and be short, unique, and memorable. Some of the characteristics your business name should have include originality because you want to avoid colliding with other businesses that may be your competitors.

Run a trademark and domain search before you register your name to avoid problems. To make it memorable, go with one or two words, though if you can create a memorable phrase, then you can go with three or four. Beyond that, your business name should be industry-relatable if possible.

Sign Up for Your Shopify Store

Armed with a great business name and a great business idea, it’s time for you to open your Shopify store. Head over to Shopify and create your new account by entering all the required information. Now, Shopify offers a free trial, so click on the “Start Free Trial” button to get started.

One of the best things about opening a store with Shopify is that once you sign up, the server setup and maintenance will be taken care of. Some of the additional information you’ll be required to fill out will include your country, address, and contact information.

You’ll also need to fill out questions about the products you intend to sell, and you have the option to select “I’m not sure” if you’re not.

Set Up Your Store

Now since you want to know how to start the best Shopify store, this is where the fun begins. Once you’re done signing up, head over to the store admin screen and customize your store to your liking. This is where you set up payments, shipping, and upload products.

Choose an appropriate theme and template and make sure your store looks amazing and aligns with your brand. One of the best things about Shopify is that they have responsive theme designs, so you can be sure your mobile customers are taken care of.

We can’t overstate how important mobile shoppers are as they constitute over 70% of Shopify traffic. The next best thing is that they have free and premium themes, so you can opt to use the free versions now and upgrade once your business picks up.

Edit the Shopify Settings to Meet Your Goals

If you’d like to tweak a few things to make your store smooth, head over to the settings section. The first thing you should look at is the payment options. PayPal may be the default method, but you can opt for Shopify payments with no transaction fees as an eligible merchant. How can you actively use other payment gateways like Stripe, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay.

The next thing you may want to modify is the checkout by using your business logo as well as your preferred colors and fonts. Give your customers an option to checkout as guests since you’re just starting. Avoid some common e-Commerce store mistakes and give your customers flexibility.

Additionally, modify the legal policies because you need to have return policies, clear terms and conditions, and privacy claims that will protect you and your customers. From there, customize your shipping rate and offer customers free delivery if possible or input minimum order price and specific shipping rates.

Add Your Products

Now, this is where you learn how to run a successful Shopify store. This is where you add your products to the store and customize their names, images, descriptions, tags, and collections. The goal here is to make your product look as good as possible and your content as attractive as possible.

The most important part is giving clear product descriptions, uploading high-quality images of your products, setting the correct pricing, and adding collections to categorize your products.

Additionally, you also have to create an “About Us Page” because it’ll have a direct impact on your product sales. Consumers like to feel connected to a brand before making purchases, and this page gives them an insight into who you are, your story, and your unique products.

Launch Your Shopify Store

At this point, you have what it takes to launch a successful Shopify store. All the preparation you have been doing will be the solid foundation that’ll ensure the launching process makes a huge impact.

To make your store stand out, some of the things you can adjust include the main menu, main banner, featured products, and the footer, after which you can launch your Shopify store.

Market Your Shopify Store

Now that you know how to build a successful Shopify store, you need to learn more about how to make your Shopify store successful.

Marketing will play a significant role in how successful you are, so look for the most effective online marketing methods to get the word out there. Consider other marketing strategies such as SEO to bring in organic traffic and PPC for paid advertisements.

How to Build a Successful Shopify Store

Building a successful Shopify store has never been easier, and following these steps will set you on the right path to a flourishing business.

It’s imperative for you to keep testing, analyzing, and adjusting your marketing strategies depending on what works. At this point, you can consider yourself an entrepreneur, and in time, you may be one of the most successful Shopify store owners.

Are you ready to start your successful Shopify store? If so, consider taking up our e-Commerce classes and sharpen your skills to eventually build your dream business.