How to create a Shopify store in 5 easy steps (tutorial)

How to create a Shopify store in 5 easy steps

When creating a store on the Shopify platform, you can use the services of a professional Shopify Agency or do it yourself.

To create a Shopify store:

• STEP 1: Go to www.shopify.com and click Start free trial.

• STEP 2: Create your Shopify account.

• STEP 3: Wait for the configurator to load.

• STEP 4: Start setting up your store.

• STEP 5: The last step is to go through all the stages of the configurator.

The Shopify configurator turns out to be intuitive and hassle-free. In this case, we distinguish the following stages:

• add your first product — write a description, add a photo and impose prices for the products that are sold (see this passage in the configurator for registration in your account);

• customizing the appearance of the online store — select and edit a theme, add a logo and other graphic elements that reflect the brand of your store (in the settings you will find tools for personalization);

• Add your domain — connect an existing domain or register a new one directly through Shopify (domains can be managed in the “Domains” section of the admin panel);

• store name — enter a unique name for your store that will be visible to customers (the store name is important in terms of brand building);

• setting shipping rates — Specify shipping prices for different regions and delivery methods that will be available to customers (you can configure shipping zones in the shipping settings);

• payment provider setup — set up Shopify Payments (or another payment provider) to handle transactions in your store (available solutions can be found in the payment settings);

• placing a test order — check the operation of the store and the purchase process by placing a test order (test orders allow detection and correction of possible errors).

Your store is set up. What comes next?

It can only get better — and easier. However, not everything is as obvious as it may seem. If you want to share a store on Shopify with your customers, you need to additionally take care of, among others:

• personalization of the shopping experience — adapt the interface and offer individual user preferences (this increases customer satisfaction and loyalty);
• automation of business processes — implement solutions that enable automation of orders, invoicing and warehouse management (in this case, you save time and reduce the risk of errors);
• implementation of dedicated plugins — add applications tailored to the specific needs of your store (this expands functionality and improves efficiency);
• Maximize service performance — optimize page load speed and system performance (improve user experience and achieve higher positions in organic search results);
• implementation of advanced integration with ERP systems — connect the store with enterprise resource management systems (this ensures data consistency and better control over business processes);
• development of an advanced loyalty program — develop a system of rewarding regular customers (this encourages return and increases the value of the shopping cart);
• store security — add solutions to protect customer data and transactions (to minimize the risk of fraud and cyberattacks)
• preparation of privacy policy and regulations — draw up documents relating to the applicable regulations (thus ensuring compliance with the law, while building customer trust);
• integration with analytical tools — implement systems to monitor traffic and user behavior on the site (this allows better understanding of buyers and optimization of marketing activities);
• set up automatic emails — set up transactional and marketing messages (this will allow you to maintain constant contact with customers, and further increase the effectiveness of the campaign);
• SEO Optimization — adjust the content and structure of the site for search engines (to improve the visibility of the store and attract more visitors);
• implementation of marketing strategy — develop a plan of actions to promote the store and increase sales (thanks to this, you will effectively reach the target group of customers).

We realize that the above steps may seem complicated without experience in web development. To make the whole process of implementing Shopify easier for our customers, we have created a service that includes creation of online stores on the mentioned platform.

Let's meet online - Let's talk about the details.

How much does Shopify cost?

Shopify prices depend on the plan and on how you pay. Yearly billing saves you about 25%. To test the platform, you can start with a 3-day free trial and then pay $1 a month for the first 3 months. Prices below are in US dollars as of September 2026, from Shopify's pricing page.

Basic plan ($32/mo)

The Basic plan costs $39 a month ($29 a month billed yearly) and is designed for solo entrepreneurs. It includes up to 10 inventory locations and 24/7 live chat support.

If you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify adds a 2% transaction fee on this plan.

Shopify plan ($92/mo)

The Grow plan (previously called “Shopify”) costs $105 a month ($79 a month billed yearly) and suits small teams. It adds up to 5 staff accounts, with the same 10 inventory locations and 24/7 live chat support.

With a third-party payment provider, Shopify's transaction fee drops to 1%.

Advanced plan ($399/mo)

The Advanced plan costs $399 a month ($299 a month billed yearly) and is designed for growing businesses. It adds advanced reports, up to 15 staff accounts and enhanced 24/7 live chat support.

With a third-party payment provider, Shopify's transaction fee is 0.6%.

Shopify Plus (from $2,300/mo)

Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 a month on a 1- or 3-year term and is built for large, fast-growing businesses. It offers unlimited staff accounts, up to 200 inventory locations, priority support and much more control over checkout. With a third-party payment provider, the transaction fee is 0.2%.

We break down every fee and cost in a separate article: Shopify pricing – how much does a Shopify store really cost?

How to set up Shopify Payments

To set up Shopify Payments, go to Settings → Payments in your Shopify admin. Before you activate it, check the eligibility requirements and the bank account requirements for your country.

Shopify has also created a dedicated YouTube-video to set up Shopify Payments step by step.

Why use Shopify?

Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world. Thanks to a wide range of functionalities and integrations, it allows comprehensive management of the online store.

Here's why it's worth considering:

• Intuitive user interface — Shopify offers an easy-to-use admin panel, allowing you to manage your store without the need for advanced technical knowledge (this speeds up the setup and daily management process);
• infrastructure scalability — the platform supports business growth, allowing you to seamlessly add new products, integrations, and features (what's more, the more expensive plan you choose, the less commissions you'll pay);
• high safety standards Shopify provides advanced data security, including SSL certificates, PCI DSS compliance, and regular security updates (comprehensively protecting customer data and transactions from threats)
• Extensive technical support system — purpose Shopify Help Center, a community forum and round-the-clock technical support allows you to quickly solve problems (ensuring the continuity of the store);
• payment and shipping integrations — Shopify works with Shopify Payments, PayPal and other payment providers, as well as carriers such as UPS, USPS, DHL and FedEx (which makes payments and logistics easier to manage).

Shopify disadvantages

Shopify has one major drawback: high transaction fees on the lowest plan if you use a third-party payment provider. On Basic it's 2% (for comparison, 0.6% on the much more expensive Advanced plan).

As for other limitations, we can mention, for example, the inability to fully customize the store without advanced knowledge of coding — this is a challenge for people without adequate technical experience. However, it is worth understanding this situation, as Shopify proves to be one of the most comprehensive subscription tools.

In that case, a Shopify agency can help you set up the store around your requirements.

Book an online consultation — find out how our specialists work!

Shopify FAQs

Here are the questions we hear most often about Shopify.

Is Shopify a good choice for a new store?
Shopify is a good choice for most people starting an online store. It offers an intuitive admin, a wide choice of themes and integrations with popular payment providers, which makes running a store much easier.

How do I start dropshipping with Shopify?
First, create an account and set up your store. Then install a dropshipping app from the Shopify App Store, such as DSers or Syncee, and connect it to your suppliers to import products into your store automatically.

What is Shopify?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage online stores. Users can take advantage of numerous features, including integrations with payment systems, marketing tools and logistics support, allowing them to conduct their business effectively online.

Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
Only if you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced and 0.2% on Plus. Card processing fees apply either way.

Do you have to have a business on Shopify?
You don't need to have a registered business to start selling on Shopify. You can start as an individual, however doing business will be required to comply with local tax and legal regulations.

What sells on Shopify?
You can sell a variety of products on Shopify, from clothing and accessories to electronics and handicrafts. It is important to find a niche that meets the demand of the market.