If you’re a new Shopify user, welcome to one of the most powerful eCommerce platforms available today. Starting your first Shopify store is an exciting step, but it can also feel overwhelming. To help you stay focused and avoid common mistakes, we’ve created the ultimate Shopify launch checklist.

Whether you’re selling physical products, digital goods, or services, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to launch your Shopify store with confidence.

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Start by creating your Shopify account at shopify.com. You’ll get a free trial to explore the platform before choosing a plan.

Checklist:

- Create a Shopify account
- Choose your store name
- Add a custom domain (optional but recommended for branding)
- Choose a pricing plan when ready

Tip for new Shopify users: Don’t overthink your store name at this stage—you can always tweak your branding later.

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Your store’s look and feel matters. Shopify offers many free and premium themes tailored for different industries.

Checklist:

- Browse the Shopify Theme Store
- Choose a theme that matches your brand and product type
- Customize your logo, fonts, colors, and homepage layout
- Preview your theme on desktop and mobile

Pro tip: Start with a free theme like “Dawn” if you're unsure—many new Shopify users find it beginner-friendly.

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Your products are the heart of your Shopify store. Make sure each item is presented clearly with high-quality images and detailed descriptions.

Checklist:

- Add products with:

• Titles
• Descriptions
• High-res images
• Pricing
• SKU and inventory info

- Create product collections (e.g., New Arrivals, Best Sellers)
- Add product tags and categories to make navigation easier

Tip: Grouping products into collections helps customers browse more easily and improves your store’s user experience.

Bonus tip: Once your core products are added, think about potential upsell opportunities. For example, offer a bundle, a premium version, or accessories your customer might need next.

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New Shopify stores should include clear policies to build trust and handle issues professionally.

Checklist:

- Create and link pages for:

• Refund Policy
• Shipping Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Add these to your footer or main navigation

Shopify provides templates for these pages—you just need to customize them to fit your store.

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You can’t make sales without payment processing. Shopify makes this easy, even for new users.

Checklist:

- Choose your payment provider (Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
- Set up your payout method
- Define your shipping zones and rates
- Decide if you’ll offer free shipping or local pickup

Tip: Shopify Payments is the easiest setup for beginners and integrates seamlessly with your store.

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Apps can extend your Shopify store’s functionality. Start simple, and only add tools that improve your workflow or customer experience.

Checklist:

Install apps for:

- Marketing & email (like Klaviyo or Shopify Email)
- Analytics (Google Analytics, Lucky Orange)
- Cross-sells & upsells: Start increasing your average order value early on with upsell tools like Cross Sell & Upsell. These apps help recommend related or premium products to customers, boosting your revenue without extra traffic.
- Reviews (like Judge.me or Ryviu - Product Reviews)
- Remove unused apps to keep things clean

Pro tip: Many new Shopify users go overboard with apps. Stick to the essentials until your store grows.

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A good-looking Shopify store isn't enough—you need traffic too. That’s where SEO comes in.

Checklist:‍

- Add meta titles and descriptions for every page and product
- Optimize your homepage with keywords like “Shopify store” and your product niche
- Add ALT text to all images
- Test your store on mobile for speed and usability

Tip: Shopify themes are mobile-friendly by default, but test your entire buyer journey on mobile before launching.

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Tracking performance helps you make better decisions. Shopify includes built-in analytics, but connecting external tools can offer deeper insights.

Checklist:

- Enable Shopify Analytics
- Connect Google Analytics (GA4)
- Set up Facebook Pixel or TikTok Pixel if you’re running ads
- Track important events like “Add to Cart” and “Checkout Started”

Tip for new users: Don’t worry if this seems complex. Shopify's setup guides make it easier than it looks.

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Before you go live, test every step of your shopping experience to ensure a smooth customer journey.

Checklist:

- Place a test order using Shopify’s Bogus Gateway
- Test links, buttons, and navigation menus
- Check mobile responsiveness and load speed
- Ask friends or colleagues to review your store

Tip: Pretend you’re a real customer. Try to break your site—you’ll uncover issues before your shoppers do.

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Your Shopify store is ready to go—now let the world know.

Checklist:

- Remove password protection from your store
- Announce your launch via: Email, Social media, Friends & family, Communities or forums
- Offer a launch discount or free shipping to boost conversions
- Keep monitoring and improving your store post-launch

Tip: Celebrate small wins. First sale? Screenshot it. First review? Post it. These moments matter.

Final Thoughts

Launching your first Shopify store is a big achievement—especially if you’re a new Shopify user navigating the platform for the first time. With this checklist, you’ll cover all the essentials and set your store up for success from day one.

Bonus tip for new Shopify users: Once you start getting traffic, implement upsell and cross-sell strategies to increase revenue. It’s one of the most effective ways to grow your Shopify store without spending more on ads or marketing.

Want more tips for your new Shopify store?

We regularly share guides, tools, and strategies to help you grow. Bookmark our blog and follow us for weekly updates.

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