What Is Shopify?

Shopify is a complete commerce platform which can help businesses, of all sizes, start up and grow. It is simple to use, even for those who are not very tech-savvy. Unifying all of your commerce into one integrated platform with a variety of payment processors, shipping providers, and other third-party apps. Customising your store to meet your specific needs. Plus, the transaction fees are extremely cheap comparing Shopify to other eCommerce platforms, so it’s very affordable for small businesses.

How does Shopify work?

Shopify works by providing users with a simple platform to create an online shop. You can add products, set up payments, and customize your store to meet your specific needs. Plus, Shopify has had integration with a variety of third-party apps such as Kissmetrics, Walmart Integration, EzySlips and many, many more so you can add even more features and functionality to your store. On top of this you also have sites where you can hire Shopify experts to help build your website for you including custom code to satisfy your websites needs.

How to set up a Shopify store

Setting up a Shopify store is simple and easy. First, sign up for a free trial on the Shopify website and create an account. Follow the promps for all the required details including your unique store name. Next, customise your store by adding your products to your store and set up your payment processing.

Finally, customise your store to meet your specific needs from the dashboard. Select the ‘Customise the Look of your site’ button. You’ll be able to customise your logo and colours here. If you want to customise the look further, then visit the Theme store to browse hundreds of themes to help make your site look even better. Plus, you can add even more features and functionality to your store by integrating with a variety of third-party apps.

Now that you know more about Shopify, you can decide if it is the right platform for your online store. sign up for a free trial today and see for yourself how easy it is to use Shopify.

Tips for success

If you’re looking to start or grow your business with Shopify, here are a few tips for success:

1. Make sure your products are high quality and meet customer expectations.
2. Use high-quality images to showcase your products.
3. Offer great customer service and respond to customer inquiries quickly.
4. Use Shopify’s built-in marketing tools to promote your products and drive traffic to your store.
5. Keep your pricing competitive, but don’t sacrifice quality for the price.

By following these tips, you can set your business up for success with Shopify.

What are the disadvantages of Shopify?

Shopify is a great platform for businesses of all sizes to create an online shop, but there are a few disadvantages to consider before signing up.

First, Shopify is not free. There are a variety of pricing plans, depending on your specific needs, and all plans include a free 14-day trial so you can try out Shopify before you commit to a paid plan. However, once you sign up for a paid plan, you will be charged a monthly fee.

Second, Shopify is not the most flexible platform when it comes to design and functionality. If you want to customize your store beyond the basic options, you will need to use a third-party app or hire a developer.

Third, Shopify’s transaction fees can add up, especially for businesses that have a high volume of sales. For example, if you are selling products worth £10,000 and your transaction fee is 2%, you will be charged £200 in fees.

How much does Shopify cost?

Shopify has 3 main pricing plans. Basic which gives you the bare minimum at a cost of £19.00 per month. This option is very limited in terms of reporting, analysing data and providing options such as gift cards to customers as well.

The most popular Shopify plan that the majority of small businesses will tend to go for is Shopify at a cost of £79.00 a month. This plan provides the option to run reports and data analysis.

The final and most expensive plan is the Advanced plan which costs £259 per month and gives users access to all features that Shopify has to offer. On top of this the advanced plan has the lowest rates when it comes to Shopify payments.

For more details on what all of these plans offer, be sure to check them out on Shopify.

Conclusion

As mentioned before, Shopify is an eCommerce platform that is easy to understand and affordable enough to be accessible to a large percentage of businesses, including the majority of small businesses. Despite the disadvantages mentioned, Shopify is still a great platform for businesses of all sizes to create an online shop. Overall, it is a great platform for anyone looking to open an online shop as a start-up or businesses looking to diversify into the e-commerce arena.

If you enjoyed this article why not check out our post on Shopify hydrogen, or how to get started with Shopify.

If you need help in digital marketing, with your web design or marketing campaigns then get in touch with WTBI.

Picture credit: Ecommerce, internet shopping promotion campaign by vectorjuice www.freepik.com