Shopify is the world’s most widely used ecommerce platform, powering over 4 million active stores across 175 countries. If you are new to selling online, this guide explains what Shopify actually is, what it costs to run a store, and the exact steps to start selling.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a hosted ecommerce platform. “Hosted” means Shopify provides the servers, software, security updates, and payment infrastructure — you pay a monthly subscription and focus on your products and marketing. You do not need to manage web hosting, databases, or SSL certificates.
Shopify includes everything you need to sell online: a storefront, a shopping cart, checkout, payment processing, order management, inventory tracking, and basic marketing tools. Additional functionality comes from Shopify’s app ecosystem, which has over 8,000 apps.
What Can You Sell on Shopify?
Shopify supports physical products, digital downloads, services, subscriptions, event tickets, and gift cards. Common categories include fashion, beauty, homeware, food and drink, electronics accessories, handmade crafts, and B2B wholesale.
There are some restrictions: certain categories require Shopify’s approval (firearms, pharmaceuticals, adult content) and some are outright prohibited (counterfeit goods, certain financial products). Check Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy before launching in a regulated category.
How Much Does Shopify Cost?
| Cost Item | Typical Monthly Spend |
|---|---|
| Shopify plan (Basic) | £29/month |
| Domain name | £1/month (£12/year) |
| Theme (if paid) | £0–£30/month (one-time amortised) |
| Essential apps (email, reviews) | £20–£80/month |
| Payment processing fee | 1.5–2.9% of revenue |
| Transaction fee (if no Shopify Payments) | 0.5–2% of revenue |
A lean but functional starter store costs £50–£120/month including a basic app stack. Revenue-dependent fees (payment processing) scale with your sales.
The Shopify Learning Curve
Shopify is genuinely beginner-friendly. Most first-time store owners are comfortable with the admin within one to two days of use. Here is an honest breakdown of what takes time:
| Task | Time for a Beginner |
|---|---|
| Setting up Shopify admin basics | 2–4 hours |
| Adding 20 products with SEO | 4–8 hours |
| Choosing and customising a theme | 4–12 hours |
| Configuring payments + shipping | 2–4 hours |
| Installing and configuring apps | 2–6 hours |
| Going live and testing | 2–3 hours |
Your First 10 Steps
- Start the free trial at shopify.com (no credit card required)
- Add 5–10 products to test the product editor
- Install a theme and customise your homepage
- Configure your shipping zones and rates
- Set up your payment gateway
- Connect your domain or buy one through Shopify
- Write your legal pages (privacy, terms, returns)
- Set up your email notifications
- Place a test order and complete the checkout
- Remove the storefront password and announce your launch
If you need help building your first store professionally or want a team to handle the technical setup, our Shopify development services are designed for exactly that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need coding skills to use Shopify?
No. Shopify’s visual editor handles product management, theme customisation, and store settings without any code. Coding (Liquid, CSS, JavaScript) is only needed for custom theme modifications or complex app integrations beyond what the app configuration screens allow.
Is Shopify better than WooCommerce for beginners?
For most beginners, yes. Shopify is fully hosted so you do not manage WordPress, PHP updates, security plugins, or hosting renewals. WooCommerce has more flexibility but requires substantially more technical management. Shopify’s lower operational overhead makes it the better starting point for non-technical founders.
Can I start a Shopify store with no money for inventory?
Yes — through dropshipping or print-on-demand. Apps like DSers (AliExpress dropshipping) and Printful (custom printed products) let you sell without holding stock. You pay suppliers only after a customer pays you. Plan costs remain: Shopify subscription plus app fees.
Ready to Grow Your Shopify Store?
Our Shopify experts at OneOnic have helped hundreds of brands launch, optimise, and scale. Let’s talk about your project.
