Are you a small business owner thinking of expanding your reach or breaking into the online retail space, but unsure of where to start because you lack technical know-how? We hear that - it’s actually more common than you may think.
To help out all you business owners who need a bit of guidance (and a gentle push), we’ve crafted up this easy-to-follow guide; we want to walk you through setting up your very own Shopify store (also known as the ultimate e-commerce platform that makes it simple for entrepreneurs like you to get started) even without prior technical experience.
Narrow Down Your Target Audience
As a small business owner, it's essential to know your target audience well. Who will your customers be? What are their needs and preferences? You’ll also want to consider your audience demographic, location, and interest, for best results. Taking the time to understand your future fanbase will help you focus your marketing efforts and ensure that the products you offer resonate with them.
Add Your Products
Once you know who you're selling to, it's time to create a catalog of the products you want to offer. Shopify makes it easy to add product images, descriptions, prices, and categories. Another useful step is to add tags, determine product types, and list vendors, to stay organized. Remember to use high-quality images, engaging descriptions, and competitive prices to make your products stand out.
Select a Theme
Visual appeal is crucial when it comes to online shopping. After all, we connect with our eyes, and customers will judge a website within seconds; this means that an attractive store can make a lasting impression. Shopify offers a wide variety of customizable themes that cater to different industries and styles. Spend some time browsing the theme store and select one that suits your brand and appeals to your target audience. Try to inject personality and charm wherever you can, for the ultimate customer connection.
Connect a Payment Gateway
Don’t worry - this step isn’t as technical as it sounds. And, since a seamless and secure checkout process is essential for any online store, it’s something you can’t avoid. Luckily Shopify provides numerous payment gateway options to accept credit card, PayPal, and other payment methods. Choose a payment gateway that best suits your business, keeping in mind transaction fees and supported currencies.
Create a Business Structure
Establishing a legal structure for your Shopify store is essential. Consult with a legal or tax professional to determine the appropriate business structure for your store. This could include registering as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC). Although incorporating your business isn’t as creativity-forward as some of the other steps, getting these legal elements out of the way will potentially secure business funding and possibly even lower your tax bill.
Familiarise Yourself with the Dashboard
Once you've set up the essential elements, dive into Shopify's intuitive dashboard. Here, you'll have access to a wealth of information about your store's performance, such as sales, inventory tracking, and customer analytics. The dashboard is your one-stop-shop for managing and analyzing your online store's progress, and will give you access to great resources, including a help center, and the ability to hire a Shopify expert for streamlined assistance.
Improve Functionality
Shopify's app store offers a wide variety of integrations and apps that help you enhance your store's functionality, including chatbots, product reviews, and social media integrations. We recommend taking some time to browse through these apps and select those that will help improve your store's user experience and your overall business operations.
Incorporate a Blog
A blog is a powerful tool for connecting with your customers and driving organic traffic to your store. It can establish you as an industry expert, provide value to your audience, and improve search engine optimization (SEO). Consider adding a blog to your Shopify store to share news, product updates, tips, and stories that resonate with your customers.
Get Started With Shopify Today!
See, we told you it wouldn’t be that bad! Setting up a Shopify store in 2023 is a straightforward process that can be mastered by small business owners without any technical experience. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to launching a successful online store and expanding your business' reach.
Still feeling overwhelmed at the thought of getting your own Shopify store started and underway? Don’t worry - we got you. Fill out the contact form below, and let’s chat!