If you are interested in creating an e-commerce platform for your company but are unsure of your web design abilities, Shopify is a fantastic alternative.
It is a feature-rich, user-friendly, and highly adjustable piece of web design software that can quickly get you up and running with your own online store and requires no technical expertise.
The ecommerce website builder (opens in new tab) takes pride in being reasonably priced and ideal for both independent contractors and companies wishing to expand their customer base while taking care to grow to their requirements.
In just a few easy steps, we’ll demonstrate how to use Shopify to establish a website in this blog post(opens in new tab).
How to build a website with Shopify
If Shopify is something you’re thinking about, you might want to check at the various pricing plans to see which one will best suit your ecommerce needs. To be set up right away, you can also choose the option to “Start free trial.” You won’t be forced to choose a plan by Shopify until the two-week trial time has ended.
You will be questioned about your prior experience selling online as well as your specific selling goals in the beginning. This is useful if you already sell things online and want to switch ecommerce platforms or just want to consider expanding your reach as widely as you can.
If you have never sold anything online, don’t panic; Shopify’s initial quiz will help. If you only want a designated internet location to sell your goods, choose “An online store” under the “I’m just starting” option.
Next, decide on the name you want for your store. There’s no need to rush; you can type a placeholder or postpone giving it a name for the time being.
You must first register a Shopify account before deciding where your store will be located.
You can sign in using your email or Single Sign On (SSO) logins from Apple, Facebook, and Google if you’d prefer.
The dashboard page for your store will show up next, where you may modify every aspect of it as well as see your inventory, transfers, collections, and discounts. Your customer, marketing, and sales statistics are all contained in this single, centralised management panel.
The initial step is to add one or more products to your store, which is really exciting.
To achieve this, go to “Products” in the sidebar, select “Add product,” and then add text, photographs, and other content to explain your product.
Thank goodness, using it couldn’t be much easier. Once finished, select “Save” from the menu in the top right corner of the page.
If you want to alter the default appearance of your Shopify store, click the search bar, type “themes,” and then select your favourite theme from the list of possibilities. Be aware that while some solutions are free, others can cost money.
You are welcome to add your company logo to your theme to further personalise it. For a special look, you may even add a backdrop image or video to your business.
Customizing Shipping and Payment – To do this, click Settings on your account dashboard. Any purchase you make on Shopify, such as upgrading your account, uses the billing option.
You must include payment providers that you are prepared to accept in order to be able to accept payments through your online store. Go to your dashboard to complete this. Following “Payments,” click “Manage.” Customize your checkout preferences after that.
You might wish to take a look at a custom domain depending on the requirements of your company. Your online store will have a sub-domain like “myshop.myshopify.com” when you create a Shopify account, which may not be professional.
Customers may find it simpler, more memorable, and shorter to type in a bespoke domain name like “myshop.com.” You can purchase a domain through Shopify directly, but if you already have one, just select the “Connect Existing Domain” option.
Features of e-commerce to watch out for
Make sure the ecommerce platform you choose includes a built-in shopping cart before choosing it. A built-in shopping cart should be available on your e-commerce platform so that customers may add goods to their purchases.
Your e-commerce platform needs to be able to accept payments in order to really sell things online. Seek out platforms that permit integrations with well-known payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe.
You’ll need a system for managing your inventory if you intend to sell more than a few items. Ensure that the platform you select has an inventory management system.
Additionally, you should search for shipping integrations. You must ship tangible goods to your customers unless you just sell digital goods. Search for online storefronts that permit integrations with well-known shipping services like UPS or FedEx.
Benefits and drawbacks of utilising Shopify to create a website
When considering whether or not to utilise Shopify as your website builder, there are a number of factors to take into account (opens in new tab).
Pros:
- Shopify offers a 14-day free trial to users so they can experience the service before they buy.
- Shopify is simple to use, even if you lack technical knowledge.
- It takes less time to construct a website with Shopify than it does from scratch.
- As soon as your Shopify website is live, you can start making sales.
- Shopify offers support seven days a week in case you experience any issues with their software.
Cons:
- Because Shopify is a monthly subscription service, maintaining your website will require paying a charge each month.
- Your website will be taken down and all of your data will be lost if you cancel your Shopify subscription.
When compared to other website builders, Shopify offers significantly less design possibilities, which can cut into your revenues if you’re not careful.
Shopify is an excellent e-commerce platform for companies of all sizes overall. It is simple to use, scalable, trustworthy, and backed by a team of professionals. It’s crucial to remember that Shopify does have some disadvantages, such as monthly fees (however reasonable they may be) and transaction costs. However, Shopify is generally a good choice for anyone trying to launch an online business.
