How to Create a New Store in Shopify

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Shopify powers over two million stores, and you can start yours in under an hour. This guide covers creating a new store in Shopify as of February 21, 2025, with current steps and tools. You’ll sign up, pick a plan, name your store, and set basics like domains and payments—everything to launch fast.

Go to Shopify.com. Find the “Start free trial” button on the homepage. Click it. A form appears. Type your email, a password, and a store name. Choose something unique—Shopify makes it a temporary URL (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com). Submit it. You hit a welcome screen fast. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, extendable to 14 days if you add billing early. No payment starts until the trial ends.

Step 2: Answer Setup Questions

Shopify asks questions next. It lists options: selling products, services, or both. Pick one. Then it asks about revenue. Choose “I’m just starting” if new. Hit “Next” each time. These adjust your dashboard. Skip them if you prefer—click “Skip” below—but answering sharpens suggestions. Finish, and the dashboard opens.

Step 3: Pick a Plan

Plans unlock tools. From the dashboard, click “Settings” in the bottom left. Choose “Plan.” Shopify shows Basic ($39/month), Shopify ($105/month), and Advanced ($399/month) as of now. Basic gives two staff accounts, 24/7 support, and essentials. Shopify adds five accounts and solid reports. Advanced includes 15 accounts and custom analytics. Click “Start trial” on your pick. Billing waits post-trial. Prices can shift—see Shopify’s pricing page.

Step 4: Name Your Store

Your name brands you. Go to “Settings,” then “General.” Spot “Store details.” Edit “Store name.” Type “GearHaven” or your idea. Shopify checks if it’s taken. If not, save it. If busy, tweak it—like “GearHavenShop.” This name hits your site and emails. Unique beats bland for recall.

Step 5: Set Up a Domain

Drop the myshopify.com default. Click “Settings,” then “Domains.” Select “Buy new domain.” Enter gearhaven.com (assuming “GearHaven” from Step 4). Shopify prices it—$14/year for .com in 2025. Buy it. Or connect one you have: pick “Connect existing domain,” follow DNS steps, and wait hours to link. This is your store’s address—e.g., gearhaven.com, not a random site.

Step 6: Install a Theme

Style your store. Click “Online Store” in the sidebar. Choose “Themes.” Shopify has free ones like Dawn—quick and clean—or paid ones from $180. Find Dawn. Click “Install.” It sets up fast. Hit “Customize” to adjust later. Themes frame your brand—pick one that fits.

Step 7: Add a Product

Test with a product. Go to “Products,” then “Add product.” Add a title—like “Black Cap.” Write a description: “Cotton, adjustable.” Set a price: $12. Drag in a photo. Set inventory—say, 30 units. Save it. Shopify posts it live. This proves sales work.

Step 8: Configure Shipping

Shipping sorts orders. Click “Settings,” then “Shipping and delivery.” Hit “Manage rates.” Add a zone—select “United States.” Set a $5 flat rate for orders under 5 lbs. Save it. Add more zones later. Shopify applies this at checkout. Clear rates keep buyers.

Step 9: Activate Payments

Payments cash you out. Go to “Settings,” then “Payments.” Choose “Shopify Payments.” Click “Activate Shopify Payments.” Enter your details—business name, address, tax ID. Submit it. Add PayPal too—pick it under “Third-party providers” and log in. Test with a $1 buy later. Funds land in 2-5 days.

Step 10: Go Live

Launch your store. Click “Online Store,” then “Themes.” Find your theme. Pick “Actions,” then “Publish.” Drop the password: go to “Online Store” > “Preferences,” uncheck “Enable password,” and save. Visit your domain—say, gearhaven.com if you chose “GearHaven” earlier. Your store’s live. Share it.

Extra Setup Notes

Add contact info. Go to “Settings” > “General.” Fill email and phone fields. Set a timezone—choose your spot, like “Pacific Time (US & Canada).” Save it. This syncs orders and emails. Test checkout—buy your $12 cap. Fix snags with Shopify’s live chat.

Why This Works

Each step builds your store. Signup takes minutes. Plans match needs—Basic fits most starters. Naming and domains mark you. Themes and products enable sales. Shipping and payments finish it. Launching connects it all. Shopify skips coding—sell fast instead.

Pitfalls to Dodge

Domains trip newbies. Skip DNS setup, and your site fails. Track trial time—3 days pass quick. Test payments early—unlinked accounts stall cash. Pick a fast theme—slow ones lose sales. Shopify flags these in docs.

Growth Tips

List five products soon—variety grabs eyes. Check sales in “Analytics” daily. Use Shopify’s 24/7 chat for fixes. Adjust shipping as orders rise—zones scale cheap. Post your URL on X—traffic spikes.

Sources

Shopify Help Center: “Getting started with Shopify” (help.shopify.com/en/manual/intro-to-shopify)

Shopify Pricing: Current plans (shopify.com/pricing, accessed February 21, 2025)

Shopify Domains: “Buy a domain” (help.shopify.com/en/manual/domains)