Overview
Setting up a Shopify store takes 1–3 days if you follow a clear process. This guide covers every step in order, from creating your account to taking your first payment.
Step 1: Start Your Shopify Trial
Go to shopify.com and sign up for a free 3-day trial (extended to $1/month for 3 months with our affiliate link). Choose your store name carefully — it becomes your default myshopify.com URL and cannot be changed.
Step 2: Choose and Install Your Theme
Go to Online Store → Themes → Visit Theme Store. For new stores, Dawn (free) is excellent. Paid themes like Impulse or Prestige offer more features but Dawn covers 90% of use cases.
Step 3: Add Your Products
Products → Add Product. Write a compelling title and description, upload high-quality images (minimum 1000×1000px), set your price and compare-at price, add variants (size, colour), and set inventory tracking on.
Step 4: Configure Payments
Settings → Payments → Shopify Payments (lowest fees, recommended). Add PayPal as a secondary option. Enable Buy Now Pay Later (Klarna/Clearpay) if your product price is above £50 — it increases conversion by 8–12%.
Step 5: Set Up Shipping
Settings → Shipping and Delivery. Set up shipping zones (UK, Europe, International). Add flat-rate and/or free shipping thresholds. Free shipping above £50–£75 is the highest-converting threshold for most UK stores.
Step 6: Connect Your Domain and Launch
Settings → Domains → Buy a new domain or connect an existing one. Remove password protection (Online Store → Preferences → uncheck password). Send a test order. You are live!