Building Your First Online Store with Shopify

1. Signing Up for Shopify

• Use the special sign-up link in the video description for an extended trial (additional 3 months).
• Follow the prompts to reach the Shopify dashboard.

2. Choosing a Theme

• Navigate to Online Store > Themes.
• Default Theme: Dawn theme is pre-installed.
• To choose a different theme, scroll down and click on Visit Theme Store.

3. Customizing Your Store

Adding Banner Image and Tagline

• Click on Customize in the store editor.
• Click Image Banner and upload your image.
• Change tagline by clicking on the text and editing it.

Adding a Custom Logo

• Go to Theme Settings > Logo and upload your logo.
• Adjust colors and typography under Theme Settings.

4. Adding Products

Dropshipping

• If dropshipping from AliExpress or Printful, import directly. Tutorial link available in the description.

Selling Own Products

• Go to Products > Add Your Products.
• Enter product details (name, description, high-quality images).
• AI Writing Assistant can help generate descriptions.
• Set price and inventory quantities.
• For variants (colors, sizes), set them under Variants.
• Save the product. Repeat for additional products.

5. Creating Collections

• Go to Collections > Create Collection.
• Example: Create a collection for hoodies with collection type set to manual.
• Add a collection image and Save.
• Add products to the collection under Products.

6. Customizing Store Pages

• Go to Online Store > Customize.
• Delete pre-set sections like Featured Collection if not needed.
• Add new sections using Add Section (e.g., Collection List).
• Customize other store pages similarly.

7. Customizing Navigation Menu

• Go to Dashboard > Online Store > Navigation.
• Edit Main Menu to add new items or sub-menus.
• Example: Men’s and Women’s collections with sub-menus.

Checking Menu Changes

• Go back to the editor to view changes.

8. Adding Store Policies

Setting Up Policies

• Go to Settings > Policies.
• Use Shopify templates to create policies (Refund, Shipping, Terms of Service).
• Customize templates to fit your store.

Adding Policies to Footer Menu

• Go to Online Store > Navigation > Footer Menu and add policies.
• Back in the store editor, add a Menu Block to the footer.

9. Setting Up Payment Processors

• Go to Settings > Payments.
• Click on Activate Shopify Payments and fill out details for multiple payment methods.
• PayPal checkout is enabled by default; can be deactivated but may decrease conversions.

10. Setting Up Shipping Rates

• Go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery.
• Set up different shipping rates based on regions or create dynamic rates based on weight/price.

11. Reviewing Store Details

• Go to Settings > Store Details.
• Ensure details like store name, email, billing information, and store currency are filled out.
• Set up taxes under Settings > Taxes and Duties if required.

Branding

• Upload logo and brand colors under Settings > Brand.

12. Setting Up a Custom Domain

• Go to Online Store > Domains.
• Connect an existing domain or buy a new one through Shopify.

13. Picking a Shopify Plan

• Go to Online Store > Pick a Plan.
• Choose the basic plan, set billing cycle, fill in details, and confirm.

14. Launching Your Store

• Under Online Store, remove the password to make the store live and open to customers.