Launching a Shopify store is exciting, but it’s crucial to start on the right foot. With so many moving parts—product sourcing, pricing, design, and marketing—success hinges on being well-prepared. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential considerations to ensure your store runs smoothly and avoids common mistakes. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, these tips will help you maximize Shopify’s potential and set you up for long-term growth.
Starting with Shopify means more than just signing up for a plan. Yes, you’ll choose between Basic, Shopify, or Advanced plans depending on your business size and needs, but many store owners overlook the additional costs that come with running a Shopify store. Beyond the plan’s monthly subscription, there are transaction fees, payment gateways, app subscriptions, and marketing tools to consider.
Transaction fees can vary, especially if you’re not using Shopify Payments as your default processor. International shipping fees and taxes may also be higher than you think, especially if you’re selling globally. Before you open your virtual doors, create a detailed financial plan that includes these extras. It’s all too easy to underprice your products without factoring in every expense, which can cut into your margins. Apps like “ProfitCalc” or “SimplyCost” can be helpful tools for estimating your profits and managing finances efficiently.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of Shopify’s free trial period, and use this time to experiment with different apps and features. Many apps offer free trials as well, which gives you a chance to explore without committing financially upfront.
Shopify’s app store is both a blessing and a curse. With thousands of apps designed to enhance your store’s functionality, it’s easy to get carried away. However, installing too many apps can slow down your site’s performance, which negatively impacts user experience and SEO.
Instead of downloading every enticing app, prioritize ones that fill specific gaps in your business. For instance, do you need a loyalty program? A social proof app? Focus on tools that directly support your business goals. Essential apps for most Shopify stores include tools for SEO (like “Plug in SEO”), email marketing (such as “Klaviyo”), and reviews (like “Judge.me”). But don’t overdo it—excessive apps can bloat your site and hinder performance.
Pro Tip: Before committing to any app, thoroughly read user reviews and make sure the developers provide timely support and regular updates.
SEO is not something you can afford to put off. Many new Shopify store owners overlook SEO in favor of paid ads or social media marketing, but organic search traffic can provide long-term, sustainable growth. Focus on optimizing your product pages, categories, and blogs from day one.
Each product page should have unique, keyword-rich descriptions, and avoid using the manufacturer’s copy verbatim—Google can penalize duplicate content. Use tools like “Ubersuggest” or “Ahrefs” to find keywords that are relevant to your niche. Additionally, optimize images with descriptive file names and alt texts to improve visibility.
Don’t forget your meta tags. These are the titles and descriptions that show up in search results, and they need to be persuasive to encourage clicks. Shopify makes it easy to edit meta tags on each product and blog page, so be sure to take full advantage of this feature.
Pro Tip: Consider creating a blog on your Shopify store that covers topics your target customers are searching for. This is a great way to drive organic traffic and position yourself as an authority in your niche.
Your store’s design directly impacts conversion rates, so choosing the right theme is critical. Shopify offers free themes, but these can be limiting in terms of customization. Paid themes often offer more design flexibility, better features, and optimized performance.
When selecting a theme, focus on user experience. Is it easy to navigate? Does it load quickly? A slow or confusing site will drive potential customers away. Most Shopify themes are responsive, meaning they adapt to mobile devices. Given that a majority of eCommerce traffic comes from mobile users, your store should be mobile-friendly from the start.
Test different themes during Shopify’s free trial. This allows you to experience various layouts and see which designs align best with your branding and goals. If you have coding experience or hire a developer, a custom-built theme may also be a smart long-term investment.
Pro Tip: Use Shopify’s built-in “Theme Speed” tool to monitor your site’s load time and optimize where needed. A fast-loading site keeps customers engaged and positively impacts your SEO rankings.
A successful Shopify store isn’t just about selling products—it’s about delivering them quickly and efficiently. Whether you decide to handle fulfillment in-house, use third-party logistics (3PL), or dropship, you need a solid plan in place before launching.
Shopify integrates with several popular fulfillment and shipping solutions, from ShipStation to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Dropshipping is another popular option, especially for beginners, but it’s not without its challenges. Be sure to vet suppliers carefully, and test product samples for quality and shipping speed.
Shipping costs can be a major deterrent for potential customers, so offer clear options, including free shipping where feasible. Tools like “Shopify Shipping” can help calculate real-time shipping rates and print labels directly from your Shopify dashboard.
Pro Tip: Consider offering local pickup or local delivery as an option, especially if you’re targeting customers in your area. This can build loyalty and reduce shipping expenses.
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to retain customers and drive repeat sales. Building an email list from the moment you launch your Shopify store is crucial. Use email opt-ins and lead magnets, like discounts for first-time buyers, to grow your list quickly.
Tools like “Klaviyo” or “Omnisend” allow you to automate email campaigns and segment your audience based on behavior. For instance, you can create campaigns for abandoned carts, product recommendations, or post-purchase follow-ups. A well-crafted email sequence can turn one-time buyers into loyal, returning customers.
Pro Tip: Use Shopify’s integration with “Shopify Email” or other third-party apps to manage campaigns efficiently. Always track email performance metrics, like open rates and click-through rates, to fine-tune your strategy.
Shopify is designed to be user-friendly, but as your business grows, you may need more advanced customization. If you’re comfortable handling everything from product uploads to SEO and design tweaks, you may choose to manage your store yourself. However, as your store grows, outsourcing tasks to professionals—whether it’s a developer, SEO expert, or designer—can free up time and ensure your site is optimized for performance and conversions.
If you decide to hire help, platforms like “Shopify Experts” connect you with vetted professionals who specialize in everything from theme design to marketing strategy.
Pro Tip: Even if you’re handling most tasks in-house, don’t be afraid to consult experts for a second opinion or technical advice, especially during growth phases.
Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Let High Tide Strategy help you optimize your store, streamline your operations, and drive growth. Contact us today to discover how we can create a customized Shopify strategy that works for you!