Starting an online store has never been easier, thanks to Shopify—one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, digital products, or the next big streetwear brand, Shopify makes it simple to launch and grow your business online.
If you’re new to e-commerce or switching from another platform, this step-by-step guide will show you how to build your Shopify store from scratch in 2025.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Shopify Account
Head over to and click “Start Free Trial.” Shopify offers a 3-day free trial (with a $1/month promo for the first 3 months, depending on your region).
You’ll need to:
- Enter your email address
- Create a password
- Name your store (don’t worry—you can change it later)
Step 2: Choose a Shopify Plan
After exploring the dashboard, choose a plan that fits your needs:
- Basic – Perfect for small startups
- Shopify – For growing businesses
- Advanced – For scaling brands with more features
If you’re just starting out, the Basic plan is more than enough.
Step 3: Pick a Shopify Theme
Go to Online Store > Themes and explore both free and paid themes.
When choosing a theme, look for:
- Mobile responsiveness
- Clean layout and customization options
- Reviews and speed performance
You can customize everything from your homepage layout to fonts and colors using the Shopify Theme Editor.
Step 4: Add Your Products
Go to Products > Add product to start uploading what you’re selling.
Each product should have:
- A clear product name (with keywords)
- High-quality photos (multiple angles)
- A detailed description
- Pricing and inventory info
- Shipping options
You can also add variants (like size, color, or material) and set different prices or stock levels for each.
Step 5: Set Up Payments
Navigate to Settings > Payments to enable payment options.
Shopify supports:
- Shopify Payments (no third-party fees)
- PayPal
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Manual payments (like cash on delivery)
Choose methods that suit your audience and location.
Step 6: Configure Shipping Settings
Go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery to set:
- Shipping zones and rates
- Free shipping thresholds
- Local pickup or delivery (optional)
Tip: Keep shipping rates simple and transparent to avoid cart abandonment.
Step 7: Customize Your Domain Name
Shopify gives you a default domain like yourstorename.myshopify.com, but you should use a custom domain (e.g., yourbrand.com) for credibility.
You can:
- Buy a domain directly through Shopify
- Connect a domain from providers like GoDaddy or Namecheap
Step 8: Set Up Legal Pages
Don’t skip these! Add essential pages like:
- Privacy Policy
- Refund Policy
- Terms of Service
- Shipping Policy
Go to Settings > Legal to generate and customize these templates.
Step 9: Launch Your Store
Before going live:
- Preview your store on desktop and mobile
- Check all product links and cart functionality
- Test a sample checkout (with a discount code if needed)
When ready, remove password protection under Online Store > Preferences and hit “Launch”.
Step 10: Start Marketing Your Store
Now the fun begins—getting traffic!
Effective tactics include:
- Running Facebook and Instagram Ads
- Posting TikTok videos using product demos
- Starting an email list with welcome offers
- Partnering with micro-influencers
- Blogging to boost SEO
Use Shopify’s built-in analytics to monitor sales, traffic sources, and customer behavior.
Final Thoughts
With Shopify, launching an online store in 2025 is faster and more flexible than ever. Whether you’re a beginner or building your second brand, the platform empowers you to start selling quickly and grow at your own pace.
Stay consistent, focus on your customers, and keep learning—your dream e-commerce business is just a few clicks away.