How to Set up a Shopify Store to Maximize Your Profits

Shopify is a popular platform for creating e-commerce stores, and by following the right steps and utilizing the right tools, you can set up a Shopify store that not only showcases your products to the right customers, but also helps you to maximize profits.

Firstly, why Shopify? Of the many e-commerce platforms available, Shopify offers some of the best features for businesses both big and small.

This includes a user-friendly dashboard, detailed analytics to track your store’s performance, and easy payment processing integration. With its wide range of customizable themes and templates, you can also easily create an attractive website that perfectly reflects your brand image.

It’s also used by some of the biggest brands in the biz: Allbirds, Gymshark and Glossier are a couple of examples that immediately spring to mind. So, if Shopify is good enough for these huge companies, odds on they will be a good fit for your business to. Let’s take a deeper dive into the specifics of getting your Shopify store up and running to find out.

What other options are there other than Shopify?

While Shopify offers the most comprehensive features for businesses, there are other platforms that you can use to build your store. WooCommerce is a popular alternative, and it provides similar features such as customization and analytics.

However, WooCommerce requires more technical knowledge to set up, so if you’re new to e-commerce it may not be the best option for you. Wix and BigCommerce are also viable options, as they offer a wide range of tools for businesses to use.

How much does it cost to set up a Shopify store in 2024?

The cost of setting up a Shopify store in 2024 largely depends on the features you want to use and the type of subscription plan you choose.

After your free 14 day trial, you can subscribe to one of the three plans that Shopify offers:

• Basic Shopify
• Shopify
• Advanced Shopify

For more advanced features such as shipping discounts and extra staff accounts, you’ll need to upgrade to Shopify’s higher-tier plans which range from $79 to $299 a month. Full pricing is available here

What do you need to create a Shopify store?

Before getting started on creating your store, there are some essentials that you’ll need to have in place first.

You’ll need an email address for customer support and marketing purposes, a business license (if you’re selling products or services), and an SSL certificate to ensure the security of customer data. Additionally, make sure you have a clear plan for setting up your storefront, including what products you’ll be selling, how you’ll fulfill orders, and how you’ll market your store.

When setting up a Shopify store, the first step is to decide on your shop’s name. Keep it simple and memorable – you want customers to easily recall it when shopping online. After this, you’ll also need to create a domain name for your store. This will be the address that customers type into their browsers when they want to shop at your store. You can purchase one through Shopify, or if you already have one registered with another provider you can use that too. After setting up your domain, the next step is to choose a theme for your store. Shopify offers numerous customizable themes, so you can create an attractive website without any coding knowledge.

Once your store’s appearance is finalized, you’ll be ready to add products and services. You’ll need to provide detailed product information such as images, descriptions, pricing, and shipping costs. It’s important at this stage to start thinking about your inventory management strategy: how are you going to maintain your product listings and track orders. We cover this topic in more detail here: How to manage your inventory on Shopify

Your store’s checkout process should also be set up so customers can easily pay for their purchases. Shopify offers payment processing integrations with major platforms like PayPal and Stripe, so you won’t need to worry about setting up your own system.

Tip: It’s a good idea to run a test order through on Shopify just to make sure everything is working as expected and you are getting alerted to new sales: check that your product prices are correct, images are displaying correctly and any tax configured is being applied correctly.

Promoting your Shopify store

Finally, the last step is to promote your Shopify store - as Shopify is not in itself a marketplace like Etsy or eBay, you’ll need to do the legwork to reach the customers you want.

You’ll want to create a well-crafted website and attract visitors with SEO optimization, blog posts, social media campaigns, email marketing strategies, and more.

Additionally, consider running promotions or offering discounts to get customers interested in your products. With the right combination of online tools and strategies, you can ensure that your Shopify store is successful.

Tips for maximizing your chance of Shopify Success

Choose the Right Theme

First impressions matter, and your store’s theme can affect customers’ perception of your products and brand. Shopify has various themes to choose from, and it’s essential to select one that aligns with your business. Whether you’re selling handmade goods, clothing, beauty, or home goods, make sure your theme is visually appealing and easy to navigate. A theme that’s sleek and clean is usually the best choice.

Optimize Your Store for Mobile

Now more than ever, customers are using their mobile devices to shop online. According to Shopify, in 2020, mobile accounted for 78% of all e-commerce traffic. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that your Shopify store is optimized for mobile. Consider a responsive design, optimize images, and keep text concise and clear.

Utilize the Right Apps

Shopify offers various apps that can help you automate and streamline your business, improve the customer experience, and increase profitability. One of the best Shopify apps for small manufacturers is Craftybase: an all in one manufacturing and inventory system designed specifically for in-house DTC makers.

Create High-Quality Product Pages

When it comes to selling online, customers rely on images and descriptions to make a purchasing decision. Therefore, it’s essential to have high-quality product pages. Include multiple images of your products from various angles, include an easy-to-read product description, and highlight key features and benefits.

Also, consider including customer reviews, as they are powerful social proof that can help customers trust your brand and products.

Use Social Media to Drive Traffic

One of the most powerful tools for driving traffic to your Shopify store is social media. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are excellent for showcasing your products, sharing customer reviews, and reaching a wider audience. It’s essential to create a social media strategy that integrates with your Shopify store’s branding and marketing efforts.

Setting up a Shopify store is an excellent way for small manufacturers to sell their products online and reach a broader audience. By following these tips, you can create a visually appealing and easy-to-use store that maximizes profits.

Remember to choose the right theme, optimize for mobile, utilize the right apps, create high-quality product pages, and use social media to drive traffic. With the right strategy and execution, your Shopify store can become a powerful sales channel to grow your business.

Using Craftybase with Shopify

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep track of your Shopify store’s products, orders, revenue, expenses and more, Craftybase is the perfect solution. This powerful Shopify powered inventory and manufacturing software can sync with any number of your Shopify stores to automatically capture orders, calculate COGS (costs of goods sold), and generate financial reports.

Craftybase also allows you to track inventory levels across multiple channels, including Shopify. You can view an overview of your shop’s current inventory status and drill down into individual product SKUs to see more detailed information. With Craftybase, you’ll have total visibility into your store’s performance metrics.

By utilizing the power of Craftybase and Shopify, you can improve your store’s profitability and maximize growth potential. You’ll be able to focus on the bigger picture of running a successful business with ease, thanks to these two amazing systems working together in harmony.

Start harnessing the power of Craftybase and Shopify today, and take your business to the next level: try our free 14 day trial today!