The perfect guide to getting started on Shopify
If you are looking to start up an online store, Shopify is one of the best platforms to do so and grow your business from the ground up. It is beginner friendly, powerful and trusted by millions of businesses around the world. But getting started in the right way can make all the difference in laying the key foundation for your success. It is easy to make a store that gets you no sales, it is quite tricky when it becomes a 24/7 sales machine!
At Proteus Digital, we are a Shopify Partner Agency, helping businesses around South Wales launch and develop sexy, but high converting websites. This guide will detail everything you need to know to set up and scale your Shopify store!
Why choose Shopify for your business?
- The easiest platform to use: where you don't have to be good at coding.
- Easily scalable: Works for small start ups like the clothing brands you see on TikTok and the large brands like Gymshark and Rhode.
- Integrations: Thousands of apps are easily integrated helping you with marketing, shipping, SEO and thousands more.
- Top level security: Shopify has built in SSL certificates and PCI compliances ensuring your website is the safest on the internet.
What a Shopify website may look like in the set up process
Setting up your Shopify store: Step by Step
Step 1: Sign up and pick a plan
Start off with the free trial for 3 days, then choose the plan that fits you the best. You even get the first 2 months for £1.
Step 2: Choose your theme
Pick a theme that reflects your brand, trying to pick a fast and mobile friendly theme. there are countless free themes available as well before you start seeing all the expensive ones!
Step 3: Add in your products
Include titles that look clean and modern, descriptions that catch the eye of the consumer and sell the product for you, pricing that is aligned with consumer interest, and high quality images of your products (aim for at least 3).
Step 4: Set up payments and shipping
Enable Shopify payments or log in to your PayPal to ensure smooth transactions at the checkout.
Step 5: Optimize your website for SEO
Make sure you include relevant meta descriptions and titles, all the ALT image text and keyword rich information on your website. Pro tip also, don't use Ai. Google doesn't like it!
There are many articles that go into detail about how to set up your Shopify store correctly. You could also book in a call with us to get full set up help, just a thought!
Regarding the step by step process needed to set up your shop
Create a store that converts
Your Shopify store isn't just about looking pretty with cool animations and buttons that look nice - it is about turning your website visitors into actual consumers.
Some tips for better conversion rates:
- Keep your store navigation simple (guide people in the right direction)
- Add clear Call-To-Actions around your website (put ideas into peoples head)
- Use real photos, not any generic stock image bullsh*t.
- Include trust signals that get the viewers on your side, include testimonials and trust badges to add authenticity to what you are offering.
Replicates the conversion that people are trying to get with their store
Essential apps to integrate to your website
Shopify's app store has thousands of really useful apps that you can integrate to make the running and developing of your store so much easier. Some of the best ones we use for a clients include:
- Klaviyo or Omnisend - For efficient E-mail marketing
- Judge.me - Plug in your product reviews
- Plug in SEO - Full SEO checks to see if your website is up to speed
- Shopify Inbox - Installable Chatbot's at the bottom of your website that goes straight to your inbox.
Indicates the apps section of Shopify with the apps on a phone
Marketing your Shopify store once it is all built
The problem is, a store without any traffic won't sell. That's where marketing comes in! there are thousands of ways to market your business from Organic social media content to paid LinkedIn posts. All showcasing your online presence which is backed up by your website. There are some ways that we feel are slightly more relevant however:
- Social media marketing: Using Reels, TikToks and carousel posts to drive traffic to your website (Did we mention we do content plans?)
- Paid advertising: Implementing meta ads or Google Ads once your Organic content is starting to catch serious numbers.
- Email marketing: make sure you are collecting E-mail addresses from day one!
One of the apps that can be used to market your Shopify store
Tracking and scaling your website
Shopify's built in analytics insights gives your a perfect idea of how your website is actually performing. Giving you key insights into your:
- Sales trend per time period
- Conversion rates
- Abandoned carts (Which you can then chase up!)
- Customer lifetime value
Using these metrics allows you to double down on what's working and what you need to improve on your website.
Emphasis on the analytics that can be used on Shopify
Final thoughts then?
Starting your Shopify journey doesn't have to be an overwhelming stretch at the start of your business journey. Getting started correctly with a store that is designed for conversions, as well as investing time into SEO from the get go! You will put your business on the right path to long term success.
And if you are struggling, this is where we come in! We help businesses just like yours launch Shopify websites that don't just look decent, we built and develop websites that sell.
If you want us to build you a Shopify store from scratch,
Book a free call today and find out what's possible!
