5 things to set up before opening a Shopify store
With the theme and products in place, the store looks ready. But payment, shipping, tax, policy and domain settings decide whether the first order goes smoothly.
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Once a theme is chosen and products are added, a store looks ready. In practice, a few background settings decide whether the first order goes through smoothly. These are the five areas we check before every Shopify launch.
1. Payment methods
Decide on your payment provider and fees early. Before launch, place a small test order with a real card and refund it. Nothing shows the checkout flow better.
2. Shipping zones and rates
Define shipping zones, a free-shipping threshold and delivery times. Heavy or bulky products may need their own rules. Customers seeing the shipping cost for the first time at checkout is one of the most common reasons for abandoned carts.
3. Taxes and billing details
Decide whether prices include tax, and fill in your company details in the store settings. Checking this with your accountant avoids questions later.
4. Policy pages
Returns and exchanges, privacy policy, terms of sale and contact details should be easy to find. These pages build trust and are also what payment providers ask for.
5. Domain and email
Connect your own domain and make sure order emails are sent from it. Edit the notification templates to match your brand's voice. For domain and email setup, see domain and hosting.
Launch day
Browse the whole store on a phone. Follow a test order all the way to shipping. Then open.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Shopify store setup take?
It depends on the catalog size and how much customization is needed. With a small catalog, two to four weeks is realistic.
Can I do these settings myself?
Yes, everything is in the Shopify admin. If you need a custom theme, apps or a product configurator, we set it up together as part of our Shopify service.