BEIT guides you on how to sell on Shopify in 7 simple steps.

Learning to sell on Shopify’s beginner-friendly platform is surprisingly easy. Whether you already sell products, services, or just have a great idea for a new business, Shopify is the ideal solution to sell anywhere. Here’s how to sell on Shopify in seven simple steps, along with tips to help you get started.

Before you begin

Define your big idea

Success on Shopify starts with an idea. Are you planning to sell products you manufacture or source yourself, or perhaps start with dropshipping? Are you thinking about selling online courses, services, or e-tickets for special events and attractions? Are you looking to launch a food truck rental business? You can do all of these—or any combination of them—with Shopify. Keep all these business options in mind when you’re brainstorming.

Creating a Store Name, Logo, and Domain Name

Your Shopify online store theme displays your store name or logo in the header, and you can also connect a custom domain name. The store name can be descriptive, such as “Lake Girl Gear,” or generic, such as “Bimini.” Before deciding, ensure the domain name is available. For this, .com is usually best, as in lakegirlgear.com or bimini.com, but you can choose .net, .store, or .us if your .com is already in use. Check out the best domain name registration companies.

Typeface logos work well with many large brands, and Shopify has a wide selection of fonts to choose from. However, if you want something unique, you can quickly create an attractive logo using Canva’s free design tool or hire freelancers on Fiverr for a cost-effective solution.

Gather Photos and Videos

You’ll need photos of the products you sell or services you offer to build your product pages on Shopify. If you have videos of your products or services, be prepared. Many Shopify themes support videos on product pages, and they’re also ideal for building your blog content.

General branding images and videos are also helpful for finalizing your homepage design and blog posts. You can find royalty-free photos and video clips on Pexels and in the Pro version of Canva.

Arrange the Essentials for Your Business

You can open an account and explore selling on Shopify before setting up your business or even knowing what you want to sell. However, if your big idea succeeds, Shopify will quickly ask you for legal details—and so will the tax authorities.

Business Structure: This section defines the type of legal business entity you operate as. In most states, private businesses are quick and inexpensive to establish and allow you to obtain a sales tax license and a business bank account. However, other types of business entities, such as limited liability companies (LLCs) and S or C-type corporations, help you manage taxes and limit liabilities. You may evolve into these over time, but it’s good to be aware of your options.

Sales Tax License: Most states require a state sales tax license to collect taxes from buyers, and virtually all manufacturers and distributors require this license to purchase goods at the wholesale level. Sales tax regulations are unique to each state, so check with your state’s tax authority to ensure you are handling sales taxes correctly.

Business Bank Account: Even small businesses and side sellers need to separate business and personal income for federal and state tax reporting. Once you have legal entity status, you can set up a bank account specifically for your business. Adding a business credit or debit card also helps you track business expenses.
Outline Your Operating Plan

How you handle day-to-day business operations depends on how you sell on Shopify. Most startups tend to learn as they go, but you should have a basic operating plan in mind. For example, if you plan to handle shipping yourself, you’ll need a place to receive and store products and shipping materials. If you plan to start a dropshipping business, you’ll need to share order processing and shipping time with customers to set expectations beforehand.

How to Sell on Shopify: Setting Up Your First Sale in 7 Steps
1. Sign Up for a Free Shopify Trial

You can learn how to sell on Shopify for free in three days (then a month for $1) and get access to all the exciting features Shopify offers. You can launch your online store, sell directly and on social media, and explore other sales channels during your free trial. If you decide Shopify is right for you…