How to build an online store with Shopify
Small businesses are popping up all over the Internet these days. Many are now using e-commerce platforms as an easy way to get their online stores started. Shopify is a really simple platform that guides you through the process of creating and managing a beautiful online store. I’ll show you how to get started so you can have your online store up and running in no time.
Step 1: Sign up and confirm your details
On the home page all you need to do is enter your email and password and come up with your store name. If your store name is already taken, Shopify will ask for another one. Try to make this similar to your domain name. After this you will be asked to provide your contact details and your expected revenue.
Step 2: Spice up your store with a theme
Now comes the fun part. There are over 100 themes to choose from, including a range of free ones. Browse through the Theme Store to find the perfect one for you. You can preview the theme before you publish it and customise it via the Theme Manager tool.
Step 3: Add products
Now that your store is looking sharp, it's time to add your products. Before you begin, it’s best to make sure you have all your product details. This includes:
- Product name
- Price
- Description
- Image
- Type of brand
- SKU (code to track your inventory)
Step 4: Add a payment gateway and other goodies
Now that you have your theme and products set up, you should get a payment gateway so you can take credit cards. Shopify integrates with 70 different gateways around the world. It also has an in-built secure shopping cart where you can track all your sales.
Shopify also has a whole range of other features to help with managing your store that you should be taking advantage of. You can set up blogs, email marketing, Google analytics and so much more. You can pick and choose to suit any of your business needs.
Step 5: Launch your store
Shopify makes it really easy to get your e-commerce store up and running. Now that you're all set to go you can start to promote your store and watch the customers come pouring in!