What Shopify does and what you'll need to start

Shopify is a hosted platform that lets you build an online store without owning or managing the server yourself. You pay Shopify a monthly fee, and they handle the hosting, security updates, and the infrastructure that keeps your store running. This is different from building a website on your own server — Shopify handles the technical backbone so you focus on your products and customers.

To start, you need a Shopify account (which you create at shopify.com), a product or service to sell, and a way to accept payment. You'll also need to decide on a store name, which becomes part of your Shopify URL unless you connect your own domain later. Most people also need a way to take photos of products and write descriptions, though Shopify's built-in tools can help with both.

Key Takeaways

  • Shopify charges a monthly subscription starting at around $29 per month for the basic plan, plus payment processing fees when customers buy from you.
  • You can have a working store live within a few hours by choosing a template, adding products, and setting up payment methods.
  • Shopify handles security, SSL certificates, and server maintenance automatically, so you don't manage those yourself.
  • Your store URL starts as yourname.myshopify.com, but you can connect your own domain name (like yourname.com) for an additional cost.
  • You control what you sell, your prices, and your store design, but Shopify owns the platform and can change terms or policies.

The step-by-step process from signup to your first product

Start at shopify.com and click "Start free trial." You'll enter your email, create a password, and give your store a name. Shopify will suggest a URL based on that name — you can change it now or later. The free trial lasts 14 days and doesn't require a credit card upfront.

Once you're logged in, you'll land on the Shopify admin dashboard. From here, you add your first product by going to Products > Add Product. Fill in the product name, description, price, and upload at least one photo. You can add multiple photos, variants (like size or color), and inventory counts. Save the product when you're done.

Next, choose a store design by going to Online Store > Themes. Shopify offers free themes and paid ones. Free themes like Dawn, Prestige, or Impulse work well for most stores. Click "Customize" on any theme to change colors, fonts, and layout without coding. You can preview how it looks on mobile and desktop as you work.

Then set up payment by going to Settings > Payment Methods. Shopify Payments is the easiest option if you're in a supported country — it connects directly to your bank account and handles credit card processing. If Shopify Payments isn't available where you are, you can use third-party processors like PayPal or Stripe. Each has different fees and setup steps.

Monthly costs and payment processing fees

Shopify's basic plan costs around $29 per month in most countries, though prices vary by location. The next tier up (Shopify plan) is around $79 per month, and the advanced plan is around $299 per month. Each tier includes more staff accounts, more storage, and higher API call limits — most new sellers start with the basic plan.

On top of the monthly fee, you pay a percentage of each sale when a customer buys from you. With Shopify Payments, this is typically 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for online credit card sales. If you use a third-party processor like PayPal, the rate might be different — PayPal charges around 2.2% plus 30 cents, for example. These fees come out of the money customers pay you.

You also pay for a custom domain name if you want one instead of the free myshopify.com address. A custom domain costs around $11 to $14 per year through Shopify, or you can buy one elsewhere and connect it for free. Some apps and add-ons cost extra, but you can run a basic store with just the monthly subscription and payment processing fees.

How Shopify handles security and backups

Shopify manages SSL certificates (the "https" that encrypts data between your customer's browser and Shopify's servers) automatically. You don't buy, install, or renew them yourself — it's included with every plan. This means customer payment information and personal data are encrypted in transit.

Shopify also handles server security, software updates, and infrastructure maintenance. You don't have to patch your own server or worry about outdated software leaving you vulnerable. Shopify's team does this across their entire platform. However, you're still responsible for keeping your admin password strong, enabling two-factor authentication on your account, and not sharing your login details.

Shopify automatically backs up your store data, but these backups are for disaster recovery on Shopify's end, not for you to read and restore yourself. If you want a copy of your data, you can export your products, customers, and orders as CSV files from the admin, but you have to do this manually. Some apps offer automated backup and export features if you need regular copies.

Connecting your own domain name instead of using myshopify.com

When you first create a store, your URL is something like "mystore.myshopify.com." This works fine, but many sellers want a custom domain like "mystore.com" to look more professional. You have two options: buy the domain through Shopify, or buy it elsewhere and point it to Shopify.

To buy through Shopify, go to Settings > Domains and click "Connect existing domain" or "Buy a new domain." Shopify will search for available names and show you the price. Once you buy, Shopify automatically sets up the DNS records so your domain points to your store. This takes a few minutes to an hour to fully set up.

If you already own a domain or want to buy from a cheaper registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy, you can connect it to Shopify instead. Go to Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain, enter your domain name, and Shopify will give you DNS records to add at your registrar. This process is free but requires you to log into your registrar's account and update the records yourself. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for the change to fully propagate.

What you can and cannot customize without coding

Shopify's theme customizer lets you change colors, fonts, layout, and which sections appear on each page — all without writing code. You can add a logo, change the header and footer, rearrange product images, and customize the checkout page colors. Most sellers can build a professional-looking store using only these tools.

If you want to change how something works — like adding a custom calculation to shipping, building a unique product filter, or integrating with a tool Shopify doesn't natively support — you'll need to either use an app from the Shopify App Store or hire a developer to write custom code. Many common needs (email marketing, inventory tracking, abandoned cart recovery) have apps that cost $5 to $50 per month.

You cannot change the core checkout process without using Shopify's built-in settings or hiring a developer. You also cannot remove Shopify's branding from the checkout page on the basic plan — that feature is only available on higher tiers. These limits exist because Shopify manages the payment processing and security, so they control how checkout works.

Moving your store later if you want to leave Shopify

If you later decide to move your store to a different platform (like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or your own server), you can export your data. Shopify lets you read your products, customers, orders, and other information as CSV files from the admin. However, the export doesn't include your design, apps, or custom code — you'd have to rebuild those on the new platform.

Your custom domain can move with you. Since you own the domain separately from Shopify, you can point it to a new platform whenever you want. Your myshopify.com URL stays with Shopify and cannot be transferred. If customers have bookmarked your myshopify.com address, they'll lose access once you leave, so moving to a custom domain early protects you if you ever switch platforms.

Shopify doesn't charge a penalty for leaving, but you'll lose access to Shopify-specific features and apps. The data export process is straightforward, but the actual migration to a new platform takes time and often requires technical help if you have a large store with many products or complex workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell on Shopify without a business license?

Yes, you can start a Shopify store without a business license. However, you'll eventually need one depending on where you live and what you sell. Check your local tax authority's rules — many places require a license once you reach a certain income threshold or sell certain products. Shopify doesn't check for a license, but you're responsible for following your local laws.

What happens to my store if I stop paying the monthly fee?

Your store goes offline and becomes inaccessible to customers. You can still log in and read your data for about 90 days, but your store won't be visible online. If you restart your subscription later, your store comes back online with all your products and settings intact. Shopify doesn't delete your data when ready when you cancel.

Do I need to pay taxes on sales through Shopify?

Yes, you're responsible for collecting and paying sales tax where required. Shopify has a built-in tax calculator that can automatically add tax at checkout based on your location and your customer's location. However, Shopify doesn't file taxes for you — you handle that with your accountant or tax software. The rules vary by country and region, so check your local requirements.

Can I use Shopify to sell digital products like ebooks or software?

Yes. When you create a product, you can mark it as digital and upload a file. Customers receive a read link after they pay. Shopify handles the delivery automatically. Digital products don't require shipping, so you can skip those settings. Note that some digital products (like software or ebooks) may have different tax rules depending on where you and your customer are located.

What if I want to sell on multiple platforms at once?

Shopify integrates with Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and other sales channels through the Sales Channels section in your admin. You can sync your products and inventory across platforms so you don't have to manage them separately. However, each platform has its own fees and rules, and syncing doesn't work perfectly for all product types — you may need to adjust prices or descriptions per platform.