Shopify Ecom

Shopify Store Launch Checklist

Everything it takes to open a Shopify store — the required steps first, the rest whenever you are ready.

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The required steps, stage by stage, then the optional ones · shopify.ecom-store.pro/tools/shopify-store-readiness/

Required to open your store · 35 steps

Everything else is optional

Open a step to see how to do it. Tick it when it's done. Times are hands-on work — our estimate.

Some steps depend on what you sell — skip the ones marked “Only if…” that aren't for you.

Stage 1: Decide what you sell

Required · a few days, depending on you · 1 wait

0 of 6 required steps done

  • Pick how you will get the product to the customer

    About 1–2 h
    How to do it
    1. List the fulfillment models that fit what you sell: hold and ship your own stock, use a dropship supplier, use a print-on-demand partner, or deliver a service or digital file.
    2. For each one you could realistically use, write down who touches the product between order and delivery.
    3. Pick one model to launch with. You can add a second model later once the first one works.
    4. Write down the one thing that would make you switch models.

    You're done when: You have picked one fulfillment model to launch with and can say why in one sentence.

    Why it matters: This one choice decides most of what comes later: who holds stock, who ships, and how fast you can react to a problem order. Own products, a dropship supplier, print on demand, and a service or digital delivery all carry different work and different risk.

    If a supplier ships for you: You are choosing a supplier relationship here, not just a shipping method; the vetting itself happens later in the supplier phase.

    If you sell services or digital products: "Fulfillment" means how a booking or a digital file reaches the customer, not a physical shipment.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: free.

  • Check that what you sell is allowed on Shopify and by payment providers

    About 1–2 h
    How to do it
    1. Read Shopify's Acceptable Use Policy for products and content the platform does not allow at all.
    2. Read the Shopify Payments eligibility page for products that are prohibited or restricted specifically for payment processing.
    3. If your product sits in a restricted category, note what extra review or documentation the payment provider asks for before you build the rest of the store around it.
    4. If you plan to sell in more than one country, check whether the restriction changes by region.

    You're done when: You can state clearly that your product is not prohibited on Shopify or by your intended payment provider, or you know exactly what extra approval you need.

    Why it matters: Shopify's platform rules and its payment providers' rules are not the same list, and a product can be fine for one and blocked by the other. Finding out after you have built the store and taken an order is far more disruptive than checking now.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: free.

  • Price one product against its real costs

    About 1–2 h
    How to do it
    1. List every cost that goes into that one product: the item or materials, packaging, and what a supplier or platform charges you, but leave out anything you cannot verify yet.
    2. Add up those costs to get your true cost per item.
    3. In the product's Price section in the Shopify admin, enter the Cost per item field so Shopify can calculate margin for you.
    4. Set a selling price and check the margin Shopify shows before you commit to it.

    You're done when: You have one product priced with a cost per item entered and a margin you understand.

    Why it matters: A price picked by guessing or copying a competitor can quietly lose money on every order. Cost per item is the base Shopify uses to show your margin, so entering it lets you see, in real numbers, whether a price actually works before you launch.

    If a supplier ships for you: Use the price your supplier actually charges you per unit, not a list price, since that is what determines your real margin.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: free.

  • Choose the supplier, manufacturer or print partner

    About 4–8 h, spread over a few daysSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. List three to five candidate suppliers, manufacturers or print partners and compare their minimum order quantities, production capability and communication speed.
    2. Ask each one for business registration details, any certifications relevant to your product category, and references from other sellers they work with.
    3. Confirm they can actually produce or source the specific product you priced earlier, not a similar one.
    4. Put the agreed price, minimum quantities and communication channel in writing before you commit any money.

    You're done when: You have a named supplier, manufacturer or print partner you have vetted and are ready to order a sample from.

    Why it matters: This is whoever turns your idea into a product a customer can buy: a factory that manufactures it, a supplier who holds and ships stock, or a print shop that produces each item on demand. The store cannot sell anything until this relationship exists.

    If a supplier ships for you: A dropshipping supplier also ships directly to your customer, so ask specifically about their packaging branding options and their shipping time to your market.

    If you use print on demand: A print-on-demand partner produces each order after it is placed, so check which products and print methods they actually offer before you design around them.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 4–8 h, spread over a few days · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Order samples and inspect them yourself

    Waits on others. About 1–2 h, then a wait — start earlySkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Order a sample the way a customer would, through the supplier's standard ordering process, and pay for it yourself.
    2. Check the product against the exact specifications you agreed: material, size, color, print quality and any required labeling.
    3. Open the package as a customer would and note any shipping damage or missing parts.
    4. Photograph the sample and keep it on file so you can compare it against later production batches.

    You're done when: You are holding a physical sample that matches what you plan to sell, or you have rejected this supplier and moved to another.

    Why it matters: A sample is a real unit made by this specific supplier, not a stock photo or a spec sheet. Ordering one lets you check quality, packaging and fit before you commit money to inventory or list the product for sale.

    If you use print on demand: Order the sample through the print-on-demand app's own ordering flow, so you see the exact print quality a customer would receive rather than a showcase piece.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: varies — sample cost depends on your supplier, product and shipping method.Then a wait: Depends on the supplier's production and shipping.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Define what one unit of your service or digital product includes

    About 1–2 hSkippedOnly for services and digital products
    How to do it
    1. Write down every deliverable included in one unit: files, formats, session length, revisions or support.
    2. Write down what is explicitly not included, so a buyer cannot assume it is.
    3. Decide how the buyer receives it: a download link, a booking confirmation, or delivered files once the work is done.
    4. Set a turnaround time you can reliably hit even during a busy week.

    You're done when: You can describe one unit of what you sell in a single paragraph a stranger would understand.

    Why it matters: A buyer needs to know exactly what they get for their money: how many revisions, how long a session runs, which file formats, or what is excluded. Defining this now stops scope creep on your very first order.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

Stage 2: Register the business

Required · depends on your country · 3 waits

0 of 4 required steps done

  • Choose and register a business structure

    Waits on others. About 1–2 h, then a wait — start early
    How to do it
    1. Read what the common structures actually mean: selling as yourself, a limited-liability company, and a corporation.
    2. Pick the structure that matches your risk level and how the business is owned, and register it with the relevant authority in your country if it requires registration.
    3. In the Shopify admin, go to Settings > General, open Business details, and add your business entity with the country and registration type you chose.
    4. Keep the registration documents somewhere you can find them, since your bank and payment provider will likely ask for them.

    You're done when: Your business structure is chosen, registered where required, and entered in Shopify's Business details.

    Why it matters: A business structure decides who is personally liable if the business owes money or gets sued, and how the business is taxed. Selling as an unregistered individual is also a valid structure in many places, but it is a choice you should make on purpose, not by default.

    Where to do it

    Rules differ by country — start with yours

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: varies — business structure registration and filing fees vary by country and legal form.Then a wait: Registration time varies by country and legal form.

  • Get the tax registration number your country requires

    Waits on others. About 30–60 min, then a wait — start early
    How to do it
    1. Find out which tax registration number your country requires for the business structure you chose, such as a federal tax ID, a VAT number, or a GST number.
    2. Apply for it through your country's tax authority; in the United States this is an Employer Identification Number from the IRS.
    3. Record the number somewhere secure, since you will need it again for your bank account and for Shopify's business details.
    4. If your country requires a different number for different activities, such as import or payroll, note which ones apply to you now versus later.

    You're done when: You have received the tax registration number your country requires and recorded it securely.

    Why it matters: Most countries require a business or tax registration number before you can legally invoice, open a business bank account, or set up certain payment providers. Which number and which authority issues it depends entirely on your country.

    Where to do it

    Rules differ by country — start with yours

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: varies — whether a tax registration number costs anything, and how much, depends on your country's tax authority.Then a wait: In the US an EIN is issued online immediately; elsewhere it varies by country.

  • Open a business bank account in the store's legal name

    Waits on others. About 1–2 h, then a wait — start early
    How to do it
    1. Open a business bank account using your registered business name and tax registration number.
    2. Confirm with your bank that the account can accept the transfer type your country needs for payouts, for example ACH in the United States; some account types are not supported.
    3. Do not use a personal account, a savings account, or a money-transfer service that mimics a bank account.
    4. Keep the account details ready for when you set up Shopify Payments.

    You're done when: You have an open business bank account in the store's legal name that meets your payment provider's account type.

    Why it matters: Mixing business and personal money makes bookkeeping harder and can undermine the liability protection a registered structure gives you. Shopify Payments also has specific requirements for the account it pays out to, so the account needs to be right before you connect it.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: varies — business bank account fees depend on your bank and country.Then a wait: Depends on your bank's own checks.

  • Find out when you must start collecting sales tax, VAT or GST

    About 1–3 h
    How to do it
    1. Find out from your own country's tax authority whether and when your business must register to collect tax on sales.
    2. If you expect to sell into other countries or states, check whether selling there on its own can create an obligation to collect tax there too.
    3. Once you know your obligations, note which ones apply from your first sale versus which depend on your sales volume.
    4. Keep this separate from setting up tax rates in the Shopify admin, which comes later once your catalogue exists.

    You're done when: You can state which tax registrations you already need and which ones you are watching for.

    Why it matters: Whether you must collect sales tax, VAT, or GST, and from when, depends on where your business is based and where your customers are, not on how big your store looks. This obligation exists independently of anything you configure in Shopify.

    Where to do it

    Rules differ by country — start with yours

    Hands-on time: about 1–3 h · Cost: free.

Stage 3: Build the store

Required · about 3–7 h

0 of 8 required steps done

  • Create the store and set its name, address and currency

    About 10–20 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to shopify.com and start a free trial with your email, or a Google, Apple or Facebook account.
    2. Enter your store name when prompted; it sets your default myshopify.com address, though it can be changed in Settings > General later.
    3. In Settings > General, set your store's country and default currency to match where your business is legally based.
    4. Enter a real store address in the Business details section of Settings > General, since customers may see it on emails and packing slips.

    You're done when: Your Shopify admin exists, and its country, address and default currency are all set correctly.

    Why it matters: This is the step where Shopify actually creates your admin and your default store address. The name, address and currency you set now become your legal and financial defaults, so get them right rather than fixing them later across every page.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–20 min · Cost: free.

  • Turn on two-step authentication and set up staff access

    About 5–15 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Users and permissions, turn on two-step authentication for your own account using an authenticator app.
    2. Require two-step authentication for every staff account you create, not only your own.
    3. Invite each staff member by email and assign them only the permissions their role actually needs.
    4. Review the permission list for each staff account and remove access to areas they do not use.

    You're done when: Two-step authentication is active on your account, and every staff account has permissions matching their actual role.

    Why it matters: Two-step authentication asks for a second proof, such as a code from your phone, when someone logs in, so a stolen password alone cannot get into your admin. Staff access controls who inside your business can see or change what.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 5–15 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide how products, variants and SKUs are structured

    About 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. In Shopify admin, go to Products > Add product and note the Variants section before entering anything.
    2. List every option a buyer chooses (size, color, material) and confirm Shopify allows that many option combinations for one product.
    3. Write a short, consistent SKU pattern you will reuse for every product, such as a product code plus a variant code.
    4. Decide whether products that are really the same item in different colors should be one product with variants or separate products.

    You're done when: You can describe your variant structure and SKU pattern in one sentence before creating the first product.

    Why it matters: A product is one listing; a variant is one buyable version of it, like a size or color. A SKU is the code you use to tell variants apart in your own records. Getting this structure right before you add stock saves a rebuild later.

    If you sell services or digital products: Use variants for service tiers or add-ons instead of physical attributes like size or color.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Add one product with every field a buyer and your team need

    About 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Products > Add product and fill in title, description, media, pricing and inventory in one pass.
    2. Set the product category and product type so the item can be filtered and taxed correctly later.
    3. Enter weight and, if you offer variants, add each variant with its own price, SKU and quantity.
    4. Save as Active only once every field is filled; leave it as Draft while you are still working on it.

    You're done when: One product in your catalogue has a complete title, description, image, price, weight, category and inventory quantity.

    Why it matters: The first product you add becomes the template your whole catalogue copies. A field you skip now, like weight or a category, is a field you will retro-fit across every later product.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Set up inventory tracking and your locations

    About 15–30 minSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Go to Settings > Locations and add every place that holds or ships stock, including your own address if you fulfil from home.
    2. On each product, turn on Track quantity and enter the quantity available at each location.
    3. Decide, per product, whether Shopify should continue selling once a variant reaches zero stock.
    4. If a supplier or print partner holds the stock instead of you, mark that location as fulfilled elsewhere rather than tracked by you.

    You're done when: Every product that you physically stock shows a correct quantity at a named location in Shopify admin.

    Why it matters: A location in Shopify is a place stock is held, such as your home, a warehouse or a supplier. Tracking inventory against the right location stops you from selling something you do not actually have.

    If a supplier ships for you: You may not track exact quantities yourself; instead confirm how your supplier reports stock levels to Shopify.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Choose a theme and know what you are committing to

    About 30–90 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Online Store > Themes and open the Theme Store, using the free and paid filters to see what each price band gives you.
    2. Read the theme listing for the layouts you actually need, such as a large image grid, a one-product page, or a booking-style page.
    3. Add one theme to your admin and preview it against your own products before publishing anything.
    4. Check who supports the theme and where its documentation lives, because you will need both the first time a section does not behave.

    You're done when: One theme is installed in Online Store > Themes, previewed with your own products, and you can say why you picked it over the alternatives.

    Why it matters: A theme is the design template your whole storefront runs on, and moving to another one later means rebuilding your sections and content by hand. Horizon is the theme Shopify ships as its flagship, and every Theme Store theme is free or paid up front.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–90 min · Cost: $0–420 one-time — shopify Theme Store price (free themes available; paid themes are a one-time purchase).

  • Build a home page that says what you sell in the first screen

    About 1–2 h
    How to do it
    1. Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize and open the home page template.
    2. Add or edit the top section so its heading and image state what you sell, not just a brand slogan.
    3. Add a section that links directly to your main collection or best-selling product, so a visitor can act without hunting for a menu.
    4. Remove any placeholder section the theme installed with, such as sample images or lorem ipsum text.

    You're done when: A first-time visitor can tell what you sell within the first screen of your home page, with no placeholder content left.

    Why it matters: A visitor decides whether to keep scrolling within seconds of landing. If the first screen does not make clear what you sell and who it is for, most visitors leave before reaching a product.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: free.

  • Check the store on a phone and fix what breaks

    About 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize and switch the preview to mobile width.
    2. Walk the home page, a product page, a collection page and the cart on that mobile preview.
    3. Open the storefront on an actual phone as well, since a simulated preview does not always match a real device.
    4. Fix or shorten any section that overlaps, gets cut off, or requires horizontal scrolling on mobile.

    You're done when: The home page, a product page, a collection page and the cart all display correctly on both the mobile preview and a real phone.

    Why it matters: Most Shopify storefront visits happen on a phone, not a desktop browser. A layout that looks right at desktop width can hide a button, overlap text, or force a visitor to zoom on a phone.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

Stage 4: Payments, shipping and tax

Required · about 2–4 h · 2 waits

0 of 8 required steps done

  • Activate a payment provider and pass its verification

    Waits on others. About 15–30 min, then a wait — start early
    How to do it
    1. In Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments and click Activate on Shopify Payments, or choose and connect a supported third-party provider instead.
    2. Enter the personal, business, and identification details the form asks for exactly as they appear on your official documents.
    3. Submit the application for verification and watch for an email or admin notice asking for extra documents.
    4. Check the Payments settings page for a status message rather than assuming activation finished silently.

    You're done when: The Payments page in Shopify admin shows an active provider with no pending verification warning.

    Why it matters: Until a payment provider is active, your store cannot take a real payment from a real customer. Activation asks who you are and where the money should go, and Shopify verifies those details before it will move funds to you.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: free.Then a wait: Shopify reviews uploaded documents in up to 24 hours; longer if it asks for more.

  • Set the payout bank account and know the payout schedule

    Waits on others. About 10–15 min, then a wait — start early
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Payments, open the Shopify Payments section and add your business bank account under Payouts.
    2. Choose a payout schedule such as daily, weekly, or monthly, based on how tightly you need to track cash flow.
    3. Understand that changing your bank account later pauses payouts for a short security check before they resume.
    4. Open the Payouts page under Finance to see your next scheduled payout once your first sale comes in.

    You're done when: A bank account is listed as your payout destination and a payout schedule is selected in Shopify admin.

    Why it matters: A completed sale does not put money in your bank the same day. Shopify collects payments and transfers them to your bank account in batches on a schedule you choose, so you need to know when to expect cash, not just when you make a sale.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–15 min · Cost: free.Then a wait: Depends on your bank's processing.

  • Configure the checkout: accounts, consent, order handling

    About 10–20 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Checkout, decide whether customer accounts are optional, required, or turned off for this store.
    2. Set how you collect marketing consent at checkout so it matches the email and SMS rules for where you sell.
    3. In Settings > Checkout, find the order processing section and choose automatic or manual order fulfillment.
    4. Decide whether customers see a review step before they commit to payment, and test it yourself once.

    You're done when: You have chosen and saved a setting for customer accounts, marketing consent, and order processing, not left the defaults unreviewed.

    Why it matters: The checkout is where a browser becomes a paying customer, and its settings decide how much friction they face. Getting customer accounts, marketing consent, and order handling right before launch avoids confusing buyers or breaking a compliance rule on day one.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–20 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide who pays for delivery and how it is priced

    About 20–40 minSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Choose a strategy: free shipping, a flat rate you set, or a rate calculated by the carrier at checkout. You set it up in Settings > Shipping and delivery, or in Markets if your store already uses shipping options by market.
    2. If you offer free shipping, build its real cost into your product prices rather than absorbing it as a surprise expense.
    3. If you use a flat rate, base the number on your own average shipping cost, not a round figure you picked without checking.
    4. Decide whether the strategy should differ by product type, order size, or destination before you build out rates.

    You're done when: You can state which shipping strategy the store uses and why, for every product type you sell.

    Why it matters: Shipping always costs money, but you decide who sees that cost and when. Free, flat-rate, and calculated-at-checkout are the three basic strategies, and picking one deliberately affects both your margin and whether a shopper finishes their order.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Set the shipping destinations and rates you can actually honor

    About 30–60 minSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Open Settings > Shipping and delivery to see which system your store uses: shipping profiles with zones and rates, or shipping organized by market in a Shipping options section. Shopify is moving stores to the second one gradually and carries existing rates over.
    2. With shipping profiles, open your profile and add the zones you are willing to ship to. With shipping options by market, go to Markets and add shipping options to each market you sell to.
    3. Add a rate to each zone or shipping option and give it a clear name, since customers see that name at checkout.
    4. List only the countries and regions you can genuinely fulfill with your chosen carrier or supplier.
    5. Place a test order from an address in each destination to confirm the checkout shows the rate you expect.

    You're done when: Every zone or market you ship to has a working rate, and you have test-checked at least one order per destination.

    Why it matters: Shopify groups the places you ship to so they share the same rates: as shipping zones inside a shipping profile, or as markets once your store has moved to shipping options by market. If you list a destination or a rate you cannot actually deliver on, the customer pays for a promise your business can't keep, so every destination you publish needs a rate you can genuinely fulfill.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Set how a digital product or booking reaches the customer

    About 30–60 minSkippedOnly for services and digital products
    How to do it
    1. When creating the product, mark it as one that doesn't require shipping.
    2. Install an app from the Shopify App Store that delivers digital files or manages bookings, since Shopify itself does not include one.
    3. Set the delivery or confirmation to happen automatically right after payment, or choose to send it yourself manually.
    4. Buy the product yourself once, end to end, so you know exactly what the customer sees and receives.

    You're done when: You have placed a real test purchase and received the digital file or booking confirmation the way a customer would.

    Why it matters: A digital file or a booked service doesn't need a box or a carrier, but it still needs a way to reach the customer the moment they pay. Shopify has no built-in download or booking tool, so this step is choosing and setting up the app that does the job.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: varies — app pricing depends on which app you install from the Shopify App Store.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Set the tax settings for every place you sell into

    About 15–30 min
    How to do it
    1. In the Shopify admin, go to Settings > Taxes and duties.
    2. Add a tax region for every country, state, or province where you are registered to collect tax.
    3. In the United States, turn on Shopify Tax (or enter rates manually) for each state you added.
    4. For the EU, UK, or Canada, follow the region-specific setup steps in the same section before you turn on collection.
    5. Leave a region off this list until you have actually registered there — adding tax regions does not register you, and this step is about the store settings, not the registration itself.

    You're done when: Every place you are currently registered to collect tax appears as an active tax region in Settings > Taxes and duties.

    Why it matters: Shopify does not automatically know where you owe sales tax or VAT. Each country, state, or province where you are registered to collect tax has to be added as a tax region yourself, or the checkout will simply charge nothing there.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide whether your prices include tax

    About 5–10 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Taxes and duties, find the option that controls whether prices include tax for a given market.
    2. Check what buyers in your main market expect to see — many countries display consumer prices with tax already included, others add it at checkout.
    3. Set the option per market rather than assuming one setting fits every country you sell into.
    4. Open your storefront in each market and confirm the displayed price matches what you intended.

    You're done when: You have set, and checked on the live storefront, whether prices show tax-included or tax-excluded in each market you sell into.

    Why it matters: A price can be shown to shoppers as already including tax, or with tax added at checkout. Which one customers expect depends on where they shop, and getting it backwards makes your prices look wrong or your margin shrink without warning.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 5–10 min · Cost: free.

Stage 5: Policies and domain

Required · about 1–2 h · 1 wait

0 of 4 required steps done

  • Publish a refund policy that matches what you will really do

    About 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. In the Shopify admin, go to Settings > Policies.
    2. Use "Create from template" for the refund policy, then edit the return window, condition requirements, and process to match what you will actually do.
    3. If you plan to accept returns, cancellations, or exchanges differently by product type, say so explicitly in the text.
    4. Publish the policy so it is linked from checkout and your storefront footer, not just saved as a draft.

    You're done when: A refund policy describing your real process is published and visible from checkout.

    Why it matters: A refund policy sets the customer's expectations and is what you are held to if a dispute or chargeback happens. It has to describe your actual process — copying a generic template and never following it causes more disputes than having no policy at all.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Publish the privacy policy and set up cookie consent

    About 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Policies, generate the privacy policy template and edit it to match the data you actually collect (orders, marketing sign-ups, analytics).
    2. Go to Settings > Customer privacy and turn on the cookie banner for the regions where consent is required.
    3. Set the banner to block non-essential cookies until a visitor consents, if your region requires opt-in rather than opt-out.
    4. Confirm the privacy policy link appears in your storefront footer and in the cookie banner itself.

    You're done when: A privacy policy is published and the cookie banner is turned on and configured for the regions that require it.

    Why it matters: A privacy policy tells customers what data you collect and why, and in many places you are legally required to ask for consent before certain cookies load. Both live in the same settings area and both need to be live before you open the store to real visitors.

    Where to do it

    Rules differ by country — start with yours

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Open one support channel you will actually monitor

    About 15–30 min
    How to do it
    1. Decide on one primary channel you can realistically check daily: a support email, live chat, or phone.
    2. If you choose chat, add Shopify Inbox from Settings > Apps and sales channels, then set your business hours and a canned first-reply message.
    3. Publish the channel on a Contact page and reference it in your policies, so customers do not have to hunt for it.
    4. Test the channel yourself by sending a message as a customer would, before you open the store.

    You're done when: One support channel is live, published on the storefront, and you have tested it works.

    Why it matters: Customers need one clear way to reach you when something goes wrong with an order. A channel nobody checks is worse than none, because it tells the customer help exists and then never answers.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: free.

  • Buy or connect the domain and make it the primary one

    Waits on others. About 15–30 min, then a wait — start early
    How to do it
    1. In the Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains and click Buy new domain, or click Connect existing domain if you already own one elsewhere.
    2. If the domain was bought elsewhere, follow the DNS instructions Shopify shows on the Domains page to point it at your store.
    3. Once the domain's status shows Connected on Settings > Domains, click it and choose Change primary domain.

    You're done when: Your own domain, not a myshopify.com address, opens the storefront in a browser.

    Why it matters: A domain is the web address customers type instead of your default myshopify.com address. Buying or connecting one through Shopify keeps its DNS settings in one place, and setting it as primary makes it the address shown to every visitor.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: varies — domain price depends on the exact name and extension you choose; Shopify shows the price before purchase.Then a wait: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to spread.

Stage 6: Test, then open

Required · about 1–3 h

0 of 5 required steps done

  • Place a real order yourself, end to end

    About 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Payments, turn on test mode for Shopify Payments, or use your payment provider's own test mode if you use a different one.
    2. Go to the storefront and buy a product exactly as a customer would, entering a real-looking name and address.
    3. Check the order in Orders: confirm inventory dropped and the confirmation email arrived.
    4. Turn test mode back off in Settings > Payments once you're done.

    You're done when: An order you placed yourself appears correctly in Orders and its confirmation email arrived.

    Why it matters: Checkout, taxes, shipping and confirmation emails only prove they work together once someone actually buys something. Placing the order yourself, in test mode or as a real transaction you refund, catches a broken setting before a stranger's money is on the line.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Refund that order and watch the money go back

    About 5–10 min
    How to do it
    1. Open the test order you just placed from Orders in the Shopify admin.
    2. Click Refund, choose a full refund, and confirm it.
    3. Check the order's timeline for the refund entry, and check your payment provider's dashboard if you used a real transaction.

    You're done when: The test order's timeline shows a completed refund.

    Why it matters: Refunding will be a routine task later, so it is worth seeing it work under conditions you control first. Confirm you know where the refund button is and that the reversal actually completes, rather than finding out during a real customer dispute.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 5–10 min · Cost: free.

  • Walk every page looking for placeholder text and dead links

    About 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Click through every link in the main menu and the footer menu, including legal pages.
    2. Open every collection and at least one product from each, checking that images and descriptions loaded correctly.
    3. Click every link on the home page, including banners and social icons, to confirm each one goes somewhere real.

    You're done when: You have clicked every menu link and every page loads real content with no placeholder text.

    Why it matters: Sample text, placeholder collections and links that go nowhere are the fastest way for a store to look unfinished. A careful pass through every page and menu link before opening catches what day-to-day work tends to miss.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Choose the plan you will open on

    About 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Compare what each plan includes on Shopify's own pricing page rather than a third-party summary.
    2. Match the plan to what you actually need now: staff accounts, reporting depth and the sales channels you plan to use.
    3. In Settings > Plan, select the plan, enter the payment method that pays your Shopify bill or pick one already on file, and click Subscribe, knowing you can change plans again as you grow.

    You're done when: You have selected and confirmed a specific Shopify plan in Settings > Plan.

    Why it matters: Shopify offers several plans with different feature sets, and you do not need the most expensive one to launch. Picking a plan that matches what you need now is safer than guessing at your final scale on day one.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: your Shopify plan (from $39/mo).

  • Remove the password page and open the store

    About 5–10 min
    How to do it
    1. From the Shopify admin, go to Online Store, click the Private label next to the access setting, and select Public.
    2. Click Update to confirm the change; the first time you turn private mode off, the menu shows Launch store instead of Update.
    3. Open the storefront in a new private or incognito browser window to confirm it loads without asking for a password.

    You're done when: The storefront loads for a visitor with no Shopify login and no password prompt.

    Why it matters: Until this step, the store stays hidden behind a password page from visitors and search engines. Removing it is the action that actually makes the store public and buyable by real customers.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 5–10 min · Cost: free.

Optional — not needed to open · 41 steps

Many are worth doing before launch (photos, descriptions, logo); none of them blocks opening.

Show 41 optional stepsHide optional steps

Optional · Decide what you sell

8 steps

  • Work out how many orders a month cover your fixed costs

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. List your fixed monthly costs: the ones you pay whether or not you make a sale.
    2. Take the profit per order from the pricing step and divide your total fixed costs by it.
    3. That result is the number of orders a month you need just to break even, before any profit.
    4. Write down whether that order count looks realistic for the audience you named earlier.

    You're done when: You have a specific number of monthly orders that covers your fixed costs, written down.

    Why it matters: Knowing your margin on one sale does not tell you whether the business survives. Fixed costs, the ones you pay regardless of sales volume, only get covered once you cross a specific order count each month. That number is your real target, not a guess.

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Write a three-month cash plan, including a bad month

    OptionalAbout 2–3 h
    How to do it
    1. For each of the next three months, write expected money in and money out.
    2. Include one-off launch costs separately from costs that repeat every month.
    3. Add one deliberately bad month: sales at half your realistic estimate.
    4. Decide, in advance, what you would cut or delay if that bad month actually happens.

    You're done when: You have a written three-month cash plan that includes one bad-month scenario.

    Why it matters: Most new stores do not fail from a bad idea, they fail from running out of cash while waiting for sales to catch up. A short cash plan forces you to see, on paper, whether you can survive a slow month before it happens for real.

    Hands-on time: about 2–3 h · Cost: free.

  • Name one buyer and the problem you solve for them

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Write one sentence: "[Buyer] struggles with [problem], and my product helps by [solution]."
    2. Name their age range, situation, and where they currently look for a fix.
    3. Write down what they would type into a search engine or ask a friend.
    4. Keep this sentence somewhere you will see it again when you write product pages and ads.

    You're done when: You have one written sentence naming a specific buyer and the problem you solve for them.

    Why it matters: A store built for "everyone" has no message anyone remembers. Pick one specific person, name the problem they have, and describe how your product solves it. Every later decision, from photos to ad copy, gets easier once this sentence exists.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Look at three competitors and write down what you do differently

    OptionalAbout 2–3 h
    How to do it
    1. Find three stores selling to the same buyer you named, at a similar price point.
    2. For each one, note their price, what they promise, and one thing their store does well.
    3. Write one sentence for each: what you will do differently or better.
    4. If you cannot write a real difference for any of them, treat that as a signal to revisit your product or price, not your marketing.

    You're done when: You have three competitors listed with one written difference for each.

    Why it matters: If you cannot say what makes your store different from three stores already selling something similar, a buyer comparing prices in another tab will not find a reason to choose you either. This is a check, not a redesign.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 2–3 h · Cost: free.

  • Write down lead times and the point at which you reorder

    OptionalWaits on others. About 30–60 min, then a waitSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Ask your supplier or manufacturer for their typical production and shipping time in writing, not a verbal estimate.
    2. Add your own buffer on top of that number for customs, holidays or their busy season.
    3. Set a reorder point: the stock level at which you place the next order so new stock arrives before you run out.
    4. Write both numbers somewhere you will actually check, such as your inventory spreadsheet.

    You're done when: You have a written lead time and a specific stock quantity that triggers your next order.

    Why it matters: Lead time is how long it takes from placing an order with your supplier to having stock in hand. If you do not know this number and you reorder late, you sell out while new stock is still in transit.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.Then a wait: Depends on the supplier.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Agree in writing what happens when an item is faulty or late

    OptionalAbout 30–60 minSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Ask what the supplier does when a unit arrives faulty: replacement, refund or credit, and how fast.
    2. Ask what happens when an order is late: does a delay trigger a partial refund, expedited shipping or another remedy.
    3. Get the agreed terms in an email, purchase order or contract, not only a verbal answer.
    4. Save the agreement somewhere you can find it again the first time you actually need it.

    You're done when: You have a written record of what the supplier owes you when goods are faulty or late.

    Why it matters: Without a written agreement, a damaged shipment or a missed deadline becomes a dispute instead of a known process. Agreeing on terms before you need them protects your cash and your working relationship with the supplier.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Decide the opening stock quantity

    OptionalAbout 1–2 hSkippedOnly if you make or stock products, or use print on demand
    How to do it
    1. Check whether your supplier or manufacturer has a minimum order quantity, and confirm it fits your budget.
    2. Start with a quantity you could realistically sell through in a few months, even without a big marketing push.
    3. Weight the quantity toward the sizes, colors or variants you expect to sell fastest, not an even split.
    4. Record the quantity and order date so you can compare it against your reorder point later.

    You're done when: You have ordered or firmly committed to a specific opening stock quantity for each product.

    Why it matters: The opening stock quantity is how many units of each product you buy or produce before you open the store. Order too few and you sell out during launch; order too many and cash sits unsold in a warehouse.

    If you use print on demand: Print on demand has no meaningful minimum: most partners produce one unit at a time, so opening stock can be zero physical inventory.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–2 h · Cost: varies — inventory cost depends on your supplier's price and the quantity you order.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Decide how much work you can take in a week

    OptionalAbout 30–60 minSkippedOnly for services and digital products
    How to do it
    1. Count the hours you can realistically dedicate to paid work each week, not your total available hours.
    2. Divide that by the time one unit of your service or digital product takes, including revisions.
    3. Set that number as your weekly booking or order cap in your booking app or store settings.
    4. Build in a buffer for a slow-to-arrive client file or an unexpected delay before you commit to a strict deadline.

    You're done when: You have a specific weekly cap on new bookings or orders and know exactly where it is enforced.

    Why it matters: Services and digital products are limited by your own time, not warehouse space. Selling more bookings or projects than you can actually deliver in a week leads to late delivery and refunds, not more revenue.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

Optional · Register the business

2 steps

  • Check the rules that apply to your specific product category

    OptionalAbout 1–3 hSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Identify the regulatory category your product falls into, such as cosmetics, food, electronics, or children's products.
    2. Check what your country's regulator requires for that category before you can legally sell it.
    3. If you plan to ship internationally, check whether the destination country adds requirements your home country does not.
    4. Note anything that affects packaging, labeling, or documentation before you order inventory or samples.

    You're done when: You know the category-specific rules that apply to your product and what they require of you.

    Why it matters: Some product categories carry rules beyond general platform eligibility: safety standards, labeling, age restrictions, or extra paperwork at the border. These rules come from regulators, not from Shopify, and they differ by product and by country.

    Where to do it

    Rules differ by country — start with yours

    Hands-on time: about 1–3 h · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Decide whether you need business insurance

    OptionalAbout 2–4 h, spread over a few days
    How to do it
    1. Read what general liability and product-related business insurance typically cover.
    2. Check whether your country or state legally requires specific coverage for your situation, such as insurance for employees.
    3. Get quotes from at least two providers if you decide coverage makes sense for your risk level.
    4. Revisit this decision if your product category, order volume, or hiring plans change.

    You're done when: You have made and recorded a deliberate decision about business insurance, not skipped it by default.

    Why it matters: Business insurance covers costs a lawsuit, an accident, or a damaged shipment could otherwise put entirely on you. Whether you need it, and which type, depends on your product, your country, and whether you have employees; it is not automatic and Shopify does not provide it.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 2–4 h, spread over a few days · Cost: varies — business insurance premiums vary by coverage, industry and country.

Optional · Build the store

11 steps · about 11–25 h

  • Add the payment method that pays your Shopify bill

    OptionalAbout 5–10 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Settings > Billing and open your billing profile.
    2. Add a payment method accepted in your region, such as a credit card or another method Shopify lists there.
    3. Check whether a backup payment method is worth adding in case the primary one fails or expires.

    You're done when: Settings > Billing shows an active payment method on file for your Shopify account.

    Why it matters: This is separate from the payment methods your customers use at checkout; it is how Shopify itself charges you for your plan and any extra fees. Without one on file, your store can be suspended over an unpaid bill.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 5–10 min · Cost: free.

  • Fill in store details: legal name, contact address, timezone, units

    OptionalAbout 10–20 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > General, open Business details and enter your legal business name and entity type exactly as registered.
    2. In the same section, set your store's timezone so order timestamps and reports match your actual business hours.
    3. Set your unit system and default weight unit in Store defaults so product weights and shipping stay consistent.
    4. Review Store contact details and correct anything still showing placeholder or trial information.

    You're done when: Settings > General shows your real legal name, address, timezone and unit system with nothing left as a placeholder.

    Why it matters: Shopify uses these details on invoices, tax documents, shipping labels and your policy pages. Leaving them blank or wrong causes mismatched paperwork later, at a point when it is harder to trace the error back to this step.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–20 min · Cost: free.

  • Prepare product photos and video to Shopify specifications

    OptionalAbout 4–8 h, spread over a few daysSkippedNot needed if a supplier ships for you
    How to do it
    1. Read Shopify's file upload requirements before you shoot or export any product media.
    2. Shoot or source at least one clean image per product on a plain background, plus lifestyle or angle shots if you can.
    3. Export files in a format and size Shopify accepts, and name files so you can match them to the right product on upload.
    4. Upload media through Products > select a product > Media, and check that the image displays correctly on the product page, not stretched or cropped wrong.

    You're done when: Every product you plan to launch with has at least one uploaded image that displays correctly on its product page.

    Why it matters: Product media is the closest a buyer gets to holding the item before they pay. Shopify has specific file types and size limits for images and video, and a photo that fails those limits will not upload or will display badly.

    If you sell services or digital products: Use a representative image of the outcome or deliverable, since there is no physical product to photograph.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 4–8 h, spread over a few days · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Write descriptions that answer the questions a buyer actually asks

    OptionalAbout 2–5 h, spread over a few days
    How to do it
    1. List the three questions you would ask before buying this product yourself, and answer each one in the description.
    2. State materials, dimensions, care instructions or what is included, in plain sentences rather than a marketing tagline.
    3. Read the description out loud; if a sentence tells the buyer nothing they did not already know from the title, cut it.
    4. Check the description on a phone screen, since most buyers will read it there first.

    You're done when: Every product description answers what it is, what it is made of or includes, and who it is for.

    Why it matters: A buyer who cannot picture using the product, or cannot find the size or material, leaves without buying and without telling you why. A good description answers that silent question before checkout.

    Hands-on time: about 2–5 h, spread over a few days · Cost: free.

  • Import the rest of the catalogue and check the import

    OptionalWaits on others. About 1–3 h, then a waitSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Go to Products, click Import, and download Shopify's sample CSV to match its column headings exactly.
    2. Fill the CSV from your own product list, keeping the SKU and variant structure you decided earlier.
    3. Upload the file and wait for Shopify's confirmation email before assuming the import finished.
    4. Open five imported products at random and check price, image, inventory and variant options against your source list.

    You're done when: The full catalogue is in Shopify and a random sample of imported products matches your source list exactly.

    Why it matters: Once one product is right, a CSV import can add the rest in bulk instead of one at a time. An import that goes wrong silently, like a missing price column, can publish broken products across your whole store.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–3 h · Cost: free.Then a wait: Until Shopify's confirmation email arrives.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Group products into collections and build the menu from them

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Products > Collections and create a collection for each real category a buyer would search for.
    2. Choose manual selection for a small, curated collection, or automated conditions (by tag, type or vendor) for a collection that should update itself as you add products.
    3. Add a clear title and a short description to each collection, since both can also help it get found in search.
    4. Go to Online Store > Navigation and add your key collections to the main menu in the order a new visitor should see them.

    You're done when: Every product belongs to at least one collection, and the main menu links to your collections, not to an empty page.

    Why it matters: A collection is a group of products shown together, like "New arrivals" or "Candles". Collections are what let a visitor browse by category instead of scrolling your whole catalogue, and they feed the navigation menu.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Fill in the search-engine fields for products and collections

    OptionalAbout 1–3 h
    How to do it
    1. Open a product or collection, scroll to Search engine listing, and click Edit website SEO.
    2. Write a page title that names the product and, where relevant, who it is for.
    3. Write a one- or two-sentence meta description that gives a real reason to click, not a repeat of the title.
    4. Repeat for every collection page, since collections are often what ranks first for a category search.

    You're done when: Every published product and collection has a custom page title and meta description, not the default.

    Why it matters: Shopify lets you set the title and description that show up in a Google search result separately from your on-page title. Left blank, Google guesses, and the guess is rarely the sentence that gets a click.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–3 h · Cost: free.

  • Build the menu, footer and search a visitor needs

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Online Store > Navigation and build the main menu from your key collections and pages.
    2. Add a footer menu with links to your About, Contact, and policy pages once they exist.
    3. Turn on and test the built-in search so a visitor can find a product by typing its name.
    4. Click every menu and footer link yourself to confirm none point to a blank or missing page.

    You're done when: Every link in your main menu and footer opens a real, finished page, and search returns a result for a real product.

    Why it matters: The menu and footer are how a visitor finds anything that is not on the page in front of them, including the policies you are legally expected to publish. A missing link here is a page that effectively does not exist.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Write the About and Contact pages

    OptionalAbout 30–90 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Online Store > Pages > Add page and create an About page that explains who runs the store and why it exists.
    2. Create a Contact page and add a way to actually reach you, such as an email address or a contact form.
    3. Avoid promises you cannot keep, such as response times you have not tested yet.
    4. Add both pages to your footer menu once they are published.

    You're done when: The About and Contact pages are published, linked in the footer, and give a real way to reach you.

    Why it matters: A new store has no track record, so these two pages are what a cautious buyer checks before trusting you with a payment. A blank or generic About page reads as a sign the store is not real.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–90 min · Cost: free.

  • Keep the store fast: images, fonts and apps

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Check your store's web performance report under Online Store > Themes > current theme actions.
    2. Compress and resize product images before upload rather than relying on Shopify to shrink an oversized file.
    3. Limit the number of custom fonts the theme loads, since each extra font is a separate file the browser waits for.
    4. Review installed apps and remove any that are not actually in use; each one can add its own scripts to every page.

    You're done when: You have checked the store's web performance report and removed at least one unused app or oversized image.

    Why it matters: A slow page loses buyers before they see anything, and images, extra fonts and installed apps are the most common causes of a slow Shopify store. Speed is something you protect continuously, not a box you tick once.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Set the logo, colors, fonts and favicon

    OptionalAbout 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize, then open Theme settings.
    2. Upload your logo in the Logo section and check how it looks in the header on both desktop and phone width.
    3. Set your brand colours and fonts in the Colors and Typography sections.
    4. Upload a small square image as the favicon, the icon shown in the browser tab.

    You're done when: Your logo, brand colours, fonts and favicon all appear correctly when you preview the storefront.

    Why it matters: These four settings apply across every page at once, so setting them before you build individual pages means you build on the final look, not a placeholder you have to redo.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

Optional · Payments, shipping and tax

8 steps · about 3–7 h

  • Turn on abandoned-checkout recovery

    OptionalAbout 10–20 min
    How to do it
    1. In Shopify admin, open Apps > Messaging and find the abandoned checkout automation; if your store is still on the older experience, the same emails are managed from Orders > Abandoned checkouts, and the help page below covers both.
    2. Turn on automatic emails to customers who leave without completing payment.
    3. Choose which visitors qualify, such as only those who left an email address, and how long to wait before the email sends.
    4. Edit the message so it sounds like your store rather than shipping the generic default text.

    You're done when: Abandoned checkout emails are switched on and the message has been read and edited by you at least once.

    Why it matters: Most visitors who start checkout leave without paying. Abandoned-checkout recovery sends them an automatic reminder with a link back to their cart, and it costs nothing extra to turn on, so leaving it off means losing sales you already almost had.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–20 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide how you will handle fraud and chargebacks

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Open each new order in Shopify admin and read its fraud analysis before you fulfill anything unfamiliar.
    2. Set yourself a rule for what risk level gets a manual look versus automatic fulfillment.
    3. Learn where a chargeback or payment dispute shows up in your admin so you recognize it immediately.
    4. Keep basic proof for every order, such as tracking numbers and delivery confirmation, in case you need to contest a dispute later.

    You're done when: You can describe your own rule for reviewing risky orders and you know where a chargeback appears in Shopify admin.

    Why it matters: Some orders are fraudulent, and some paying customers later dispute a charge with their bank, which is called a chargeback. Deciding your own review habit now, before an order arrives, means you catch a bad order instead of shipping it for free.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide which extra payment methods to add, and which to skip

    OptionalAbout 10–20 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Payments, open Additional payment methods and see what is available for your country.
    2. Turn on express wallets like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay if a meaningful share of your visitors shop on mobile.
    3. Review a buy-now-pay-later option only if you sell higher-priced items, and read its own signup terms before turning it on.
    4. Leave off any method that doesn't match your buyers instead of activating every option by default.

    You're done when: You can name which additional payment methods are on and which you deliberately left off, and why.

    Why it matters: Beyond your main provider, Shopify lets you turn on express wallets and buy-now-pay-later options. Each one adds a familiar button at checkout for some buyers, but each is also a separate service with its own terms, so add only what fits how your customers actually pay.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–20 min · Cost: free.

  • Enter weights and package sizes so calculated rates are right

    OptionalAbout 30–60 minSkippedOnly if you make or stock products, or use print on demand
    How to do it
    1. Open each product, go to its Shipping section, and enter an accurate weight for the item as it will actually ship.
    2. In Settings > Shipping and delivery, set up one or more default packages with real dimensions, not placeholder numbers.
    3. Create separate packages for items that differ a lot in size instead of forcing everything into one generic box.
    4. Recheck the shipped weight for anything that leaves your supplier's own packaging, since that adds weight the product page alone won't show.

    You're done when: Every product has a real weight entered and at least one package with real dimensions exists in your shipping settings.

    Why it matters: A calculated shipping rate is only as accurate as the numbers behind it. If a product's weight or your package dimensions are wrong, the carrier's real cost and the price your customer sees at checkout will not match, and you absorb the difference.

    If you use print on demand: Your print-on-demand supplier ships the package, so confirm their actual shipped weight and box size with them instead of guessing.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Decide packaging and how labels get printed

    OptionalAbout 1–3 hSkippedOnly if you make or stock products
    How to do it
    1. Decide whether you will pack orders yourself or a fulfillment partner or supplier ships on your behalf.
    2. If you pack yourself, source boxes or mailers and choose a label printer that matches Shopify's supported list.
    3. Save your common package types under Settings > Shipping and delivery so they're ready to pick when you buy a label.
    4. Decide who actually buys and prints the label for each order: you inside Shopify, or your fulfillment partner.

    You're done when: You know exactly who packs and who prints the label for the next order that comes in.

    Why it matters: Someone has to box the order and put a shipping label on it. Deciding now whether that is you, a fulfillment partner, or your supplier avoids a scramble on your first real order, and saved package sizes make every later label faster to buy.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 1–3 h · Cost: varies — packaging materials and a label printer cost depend on your supplies and hardware choices.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Set up local pickup or local delivery if you offer them

    OptionalAbout 10–20 minSkippedOnly if you make or stock products
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Shipping and delivery, turn on Pickup in store for the specific location customers can collect from.
    2. Add pickup instructions and an expected pickup time so buyers know what happens after they order.
    3. If you offer local delivery, set a delivery area by distance or postal code for that location.
    4. Leave both off if every order will ship by carrier, rather than enabling an option nobody will fulfill.

    You're done when: Pickup or local delivery is switched on for a specific location with working instructions, or you've decided neither applies to you.

    Why it matters: If you have a physical location, local pickup and local delivery let nearby customers get their order without a carrier, often faster and without a shipping charge. Neither is required, so only turn one on if you can actually staff it.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 10–20 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Assign tax categories and overrides where they apply

    OptionalAbout 15–30 minSkippedOnly if you sell physical products
    How to do it
    1. Open a product, go to the Pricing section, and set its Tax category to the option that matches what you actually sell.
    2. For a confirmed exemption or a special local rule, add a tax override under Settings > Taxes and duties instead of leaving the product on the default rate.
    3. When you are not sure a category applies to your product, leave it unset rather than guessing — the wrong category is worse than none.
    4. Repeat for every product type in your catalogue that is not covered by your store's general tax rate.

    You're done when: Every product that needs a non-default tax treatment has a tax category or override set, and none are guessed.

    Why it matters: Some products are taxed differently from your general rate — clothing, food, digital goods, and other categories vary by jurisdiction. A tax category tells Shopify's calculation which rule applies to that specific product.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: free.

    Skipped — this step doesn't apply to your store.

  • Know where the tax report comes from and who files it

    OptionalAbout 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Check Settings > Taxes and duties for whether Shopify Tax offers automated filing in your region, and whether you are enrolled.
    2. If filing is not automated for you, find your sales tax data under Analytics > Reports, in the tax report broken down by jurisdiction.
    3. Confirm with your accountant, or your local tax authority, who is actually responsible for submitting the filing — Shopify collecting tax does not mean Shopify remits it for you by default.
    4. Save or bookmark the report location so you are not searching for it again when a filing deadline is close.

    You're done when: You can state, without checking again, where your tax report lives and who is responsible for filing it.

    Why it matters: Shopify can calculate and collect tax at checkout, but collecting is not the same as filing it with the tax authority. Someone — you or an accountant — still has to file, and you need to know where the numbers for that filing live before they are due.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

Optional · Policies and domain

4 steps · about 2–3 h

  • Publish terms of service and a shipping policy

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Policies, generate the terms of service template and edit it for how your store actually operates.
    2. Generate the shipping policy template and describe your real carriers, methods, and any regions you do not ship to.
    3. Keep both in plain language a first-time buyer can actually read, not just legal boilerplate.
    4. Confirm both policies are linked from your storefront footer alongside the refund and privacy policies.

    You're done when: Terms of service and a shipping policy are both published and linked from your storefront.

    Why it matters: Terms of service set the rules for using your store and buying from you; a shipping policy tells customers how and when orders move once they are placed. Neither is optional groundwork — both are what you point to when a customer disputes what they were told.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Check the emails Shopify sends to customers on your behalf

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Go to Settings > Notifications and open the list of automatic customer emails.
    2. Read through the ones relevant to your store type (order confirmation, shipping update, refund) as if you were the customer receiving them.
    3. Add your logo and brand colors to the notification template so the emails look like they came from your store.
    4. Place a real test order, if you can, to see at least one notification arrive as a customer would see it.

    You're done when: You have read the customer notification emails your store sends and added your branding to them.

    Why it matters: Shopify automatically emails customers at points like order confirmation, shipping, and refunds, using your name. If you never look at those emails, you will not notice a wrong tone, a missing logo, or confusing wording until a customer complains about it.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Authenticate the domain that sends your store email

    OptionalWaits on others. About 20–40 min, then a wait
    How to do it
    1. In Settings > Notifications, check what address your store's customer emails are currently sending from.
    2. If it shows a rewritten shopifyemail.com address, add the DKIM and SPF records Shopify provides to your domain's DNS settings.
    3. Add a single DMARC record to the same DNS settings, and remove any conflicting DMARC record you already had.

    You're done when: Order confirmation emails send from your own domain address instead of a rewritten one.

    Why it matters: DKIM, SPF and DMARC are DNS records that prove your order confirmations and other store emails really come from your domain. Without them, major inboxes such as Gmail and Yahoo may send your emails to spam, or rewrite the sender address so it no longer shows your domain.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.Then a wait: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to spread.

  • Set up an email address on your own domain

    OptionalAbout 15–30 min
    How to do it
    1. Decide whether you only need mail forwarded to an inbox you already use, or need to send and receive from the address directly.
    2. For forwarding on a Shopify-managed domain, add a forwarding address on the Settings > Domains page.
    3. For full sending and receiving, sign up with a third-party email host such as Google Workspace and follow its setup for your domain.

    You're done when: You can send and receive mail from an address on your own domain.

    Why it matters: An address like you@yourstore.com looks more credible to customers and suppliers than a personal inbox. Shopify does not host email itself, so you either forward mail from your domain to an inbox you already have, or connect a separate mail service for full sending and receiving.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 15–30 min · Cost: varies — free if you only forward mail; a paid mailbox service such as Google Workspace costs extra depending on the provider.

Optional · Measure how the store does

4 steps · about 2–3 h

  • Connect Google Analytics and set up consent

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Create a Google Analytics 4 property if you do not already have one.
    2. In the Shopify admin, add your Google Analytics 4 details from Settings > Customer privacy or the Google Analytics section of your store's preferences.
    3. Turn on Shopify's customer privacy banner from Settings > Customer privacy so visitors are asked for consent.
    4. Browse the storefront yourself and confirm the visit appears in your Google Analytics 4 property.

    You're done when: Google Analytics 4 shows a visit after you browse the store yourself.

    Why it matters: Analytics shows where visitors come from and what they do before buying, which you cannot see from order data alone. Many regions require you to ask visitor consent before tracking is fully active, so the consent banner has to go in alongside the tracking itself.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Verify the store in Google Search Console

    OptionalAbout 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Turn off the store's password page temporarily, since private mode can block Google from confirming ownership.
    2. Create a property for your domain in Google Search Console and choose the HTML tag or DNS verification method.
    3. In Shopify, add the verification tag or DNS record Google gave you, then click Verify in Search Console.
    4. Once verified, submit your store's sitemap.xml file from the Sitemaps section of Search Console.

    You're done when: Google Search Console shows your domain as a verified property with a submitted sitemap.

    Why it matters: Search Console shows how Google actually sees your store and lets you submit your sitemap, which helps new pages get found faster. Verifying ownership first is how Google confirms the account belongs to you before it will show you that data.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide which sales channels you will connect, and when

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Review the channels available from Settings > Apps and sales channels in the Shopify admin.
    2. Match channels to the buyer you named in the first phase, rather than adding every option shown.
    3. Connect the highest-priority channel first and confirm your catalogue displays correctly there before adding another.

    You're done when: You have a written order of which channels you will connect, with the first one already connected.

    Why it matters: A sales channel puts your products in front of shoppers somewhere other than your own storefront, such as a marketplace or social platform. Connecting every channel at once before launch spreads your attention thin, so pick the ones your buyer actually uses and add them in order.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Pick the five numbers you will look at every week

    OptionalAbout 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Open Analytics in the Shopify admin and review the report cards available.
    2. Pick five that match what you're testing right now, not every metric on offer.
    3. Add those five cards to your Analytics overview dashboard from Analytics > Customize.
    4. Set a fixed day and time each week to review them, starting before you have meaningful traffic.

    You're done when: You can name your five numbers without looking them up, and you have reviewed them at least once.

    Why it matters: A store produces far more numbers than anyone can act on regularly. Choosing five in advance, such as total sales, sessions, conversion rate and two others that match what you're testing, means you check the same things every week instead of whatever catches your eye that day.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

Optional · Test, then open

4 steps · about 2–3 h

  • Check the store on a second browser and a second device

    OptionalAbout 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Open the storefront in a browser you don't normally use, and on a phone or tablet.
    2. Browse, add a product to the cart, and start checkout on each.
    3. Note anything that loads slowly, overlaps, or is hard to tap, and fix it in the theme editor before launch.

    You're done when: You have completed a browse-to-checkout pass on a phone and on a non-default browser.

    Why it matters: A theme editor preview mostly reflects one setup. Something that looks fine on your desktop and default browser can break on a phone, a different browser, or a slower connection, and a visitor who hits that will simply leave rather than tell you.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Have someone who is not you try to buy something

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Share the store's password with someone who has not seen the store before, from Online Store > Preferences.
    2. Ask them to find a product they'd want and go through checkout on their own device, without your help.
    3. Ask afterward where they hesitated, got confused, or almost gave up, and note it for a fix.

    You're done when: Someone outside your household or team has reached the final checkout step, or completed a purchase, on their own.

    Why it matters: You already know how your own store works, which makes it hard to notice what confuses a first-time visitor. Someone unfamiliar with the store will hesitate, misclick, or ask a question at exactly the point a real customer would.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

  • Decide what would make you stop, and who watches on day one

    OptionalAbout 20–40 min
    How to do it
    1. Write down two or three concrete situations that would make you pause the store, such as a checkout error or a wrong price.
    2. Decide who checks orders, the storefront and any error notifications on launch day, even if it is only you.
    3. Confirm you know exactly how to make the store private again if needed, from Online Store > Preferences.

    You're done when: You have a written list of stop conditions and a named person watching on launch day.

    Why it matters: A broken checkout or a wrong price on launch day has to be judged under pressure unless you set the threshold beforehand. Decide now what would make you pause sales, and name who is watching for it.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 20–40 min · Cost: free.

  • Run the day-one checks after the first orders arrive

    OptionalAbout 30–60 min
    How to do it
    1. Open each new order in Orders and confirm the items, address, tax charged and shipping cost look right.
    2. Check that inventory counts dropped correctly for what sold, from Products > Inventory.
    3. Confirm payments show as pending or paid correctly from Settings > Payments.
    4. Reply to any customer question the same day, using the support channel you set up earlier.

    You're done when: You have reviewed every day-one order against inventory, tax and payout, and found nothing unexplained.

    Why it matters: The first real orders test everything the earlier steps only simulated. Checking that inventory, tax charged, shipping and payouts behaved correctly on real orders catches a misconfiguration while it is still one order, not fifty.

    Where to do it

    Hands-on time: about 30–60 min · Cost: free.

Where to go next

Sources, method and privacyReviewed September 10, 2026

Your ticks are saved only in this browser. There is no account, no email, no copy on our server, and nothing records which steps you tick.

“Required” means what to finish before you open: Shopify itself won't let you launch until you pick a plan, add a store address in Business details and set up a payment method with test mode off, and the other required steps are what a first store needs so its first order goes right. Times are our own estimates of your hands-on work for a small first store, in whole minutes or hours. Each stage's figure is its steps' minutes rounded to the nearest hour, and the headline adds those stage figures up for the steps you haven't skipped. Deciding what to sell and registering the business depend on you and your country, so they are not added up. Waits on banks, tax offices, suppliers and DNS are marked, never guessed.

Shopify facts come from official Shopify sources. Steps that touch registration, tax or product rules point to an official starting point for your country instead of quoting a rate or threshold.

This checklist is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. What the law requires of you differs by country, state or province, and product category, and it changes. Verify anything carrying a legal or tax obligation with the relevant authority and a qualified professional where you operate.

Who the steps link to

  • Shopify Help Center 73 links
  • Shopify Ecom (our guides) 42 links
  • U.S. Small Business Administration 2 links
  • Internal Revenue Service 1 link
  • Shopify 1 link

Country starting points come from 17 official bodies, including U.S. Small Business Administration, GOV.UK, Canada Revenue Agency, Your Europe (European Commission) and others.