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Shopify

Store Setup

Create your account, enter store details, choose a plan, and connect a domain.

General education, not an official Shopify course. Features, plan names, prices, and screens change; check the official links in each lesson. Businesses and numbers are fictional examples.

Creating your account

Sign up on Shopify's website with a business email you check often. Shopify asks a few questions about what you sell; your answers only shape suggestions, so do not worry about them. Use a strong password and turn on two-step verification, which asks for a code from your phone when you log in. This protects your store and money.

Store details and contact information

In Settings, enter your store name, the contact email customers will see, your business address, and the currency you sell in. Shopify uses your address for tax and shipping settings. If you work from home and do not want your address public, check what will show on invoices and policies, and consider a business mailing address. Make sure your contact email is one you answer.

Choosing a plan

When your trial ends, you choose a paid plan. Start with the plan that covers what you need now, not what you might need someday. You can usually change plans later. Read what each plan includes on the official pricing page, and note your billing date.

Your domain

A domain is your web address. Shopify gives every store a free address ending in myshopify.com. A custom domain, like dollsbydana.com (a fictional example), looks more professional. You can buy one through Shopify or connect one you bought from another company. Domains renew yearly, so keep the renewal date in your calendar. The Domain Names & Business Email lesson explains choosing a name.

A real-world example

Dana creates her store with her business email, turns on two-step verification, enters a mailing address instead of her home address, and connects the domain she already bought. She writes the plan billing date and domain renewal date on her calendar.

Steps to take

  1. Sign up with a business email.
  2. Turn on two-step verification.
  3. Fill in store name, contact email, address, and currency.
  4. Pick the plan that fits your current needs.
  5. Connect or buy a custom domain.
  6. Add billing and renewal dates to your calendar.

Setup check

This checklist is optional and not saved. Copy it to keep a personal note. Do not enter sensitive information.

Go deeper in related modules

Not sure what a word means? Check Business Words Made Simple.

Official guidance

Use these official sources for current rules and details. They do not replace advice for your particular business.

Practice: what will customers see?

List every piece of contact information a customer might see in your store: email, phone, address. For each, decide if you are comfortable with it being public.

Check your thinking

Many home-based sellers use a business email and a mailing address or PO box. Anything you are not comfortable sharing should be changed before launch.

Worksheet

My Store Details

Do not write passwords here.

Please don't enter Social Security numbers, passwords, bank details, or other sensitive records here.

To download a PDF, choose "Print / Save as PDF" and select "Save as PDF" as the printer.

Saved on this device only; may be lost sooner; not synced. Download a copy to keep your work.

Back to all Shopify lessons