What is Shopify and Why Build a Store on It?
A Quick Look at Shopify
Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform that allows anyone to sell products online. Whether you're a startup, small business, or large retailer, [BKThemes](https://www.shopify.com/?ref= target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Shopify store helps you launch an online store quickly—without needing to know how to code.
It's used by over 4 million businesses worldwide, from solo entrepreneurs to major brands.
Benefits of Using Shopify for eCommerce
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Ease of Use: User-friendly dashboard with drag-and-drop tools.
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All-in-One Platform: Hosting, payments, inventory, and marketing tools in one place.
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Mobile Ready: Every Shopify store is optimized for smartphones and tablets.
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App Integration: Thousands of apps to extend your store’s functionality.
Types of Shopify Stores You Can Build
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Dropshipping Store****
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Digital Products Store****
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Print on Demand Store****
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Brick-and-Mortar + Online Hybrid****
Getting Started with Shopify
Choosing the Right Shopify Plan
Shopify offers various plans:
| **Plan** | **Best For** | **Monthly Cost** |
| Basic | New sellers | $39/month |
| Shopify | Growing businesses | $105/month |
| Advanced | High-volume stores | $399/month |
Start with a [BKThemes](https://www.shopify.com/?ref= target="_blank" rel="noopener">free trial and upgrade as your store grows.
What You Need Before You Start
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A product or product idea
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A business name
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A logo or brand visuals
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A payment method (PayPal, card, bank account)
Setting Up Your Shopify Account
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Visit Shopify.com
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Click “Start Free Trial”
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Enter your email and store name
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Follow setup prompts
Now you're inside your dashboard, ready to build!
DIY vs. Professional Help
Should You Build It Yourself?
If you're tech-savvy or on a tight budget, doing it yourself is totally possible. Shopify’s setup wizards and templates are easy to follow.
When to Get a Shopify Store Built for You
If you’re short on time, want a polished result, or need unique features—hiring help makes sense. Many entrepreneurs opt for a Shopify store built for you to save time and reduce stress.
Pros and Cons of Each Approach
| **Approach** | **Pros** | **Cons** |
| DIY | Free, hands-on control | Time-consuming, limited skills |
| Hire Pro | Faster, expert touch | Costs money, less control |
Understanding the ‘Custom Built Shopify Store’ Advantage
What Makes It “Custom”
A custom built Shopify store is designed to reflect your brand exactly. Instead of a cookie-cutter layout, your store gets custom pages, design, and features.
Features You Can Personalize
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Homepage layout
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Product page design
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Checkout experience
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Custom fonts and colors
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Third-party integrations
Why Businesses Choose Custom Over Templates
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Better user experience
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Higher conversions
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Professional appearance
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Scalability
The Rise of ‘Shopify Store Built for You’ Services
What These Services Offer
Done-for-you services typically include:
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Full store setup
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Theme customization
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Product imports
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SEO optimization
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Mobile optimization
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Launch support
How They Work Step-by-Step
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You choose a package
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Submit your content/products
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Developers build your store
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You approve and launch
Pricing, Support, and Turnaround Times
Most services range from $300 to $3,000, depending on features. Expect 1-3 weeks turnaround. Many offer post-launch support for tweaks and fixes. I offer these services with prices starting at $300.
Exploring Free Pre Built Shopify Store Options
What Is a Free Pre Built Shopify Store?
A free pre built Shopify store is a ready-made online store you can start using right away. It usually includes a theme, sample products, and basic settings. I have a few of these sites ready to go. I have been slowly working SEO on them.
Where to Find Legit Options
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Shopify Exchange Marketplace
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Facebook groups for entrepreneurs
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Freelancers offering free templates to build portfolio
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Online forums and giveaways
Pros and Cons of Going This Route
| **Pros** | **Cons** |
| Saves time | May not match your brand |
| Free or very low cost | Limited customization |
| Quick setup | Generic look and feel |
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Shopify Store from Scratch
Choosing a Theme
Pick a theme that fits your brand. Shopify offers free and paid themes. Look for:
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Mobile-friendliness
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Clean layout
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Good reviews
Adding Products
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Click "Products" → "Add Product"
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Add a title, description, and images
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Set price, inventory, and shipping
Setting Up Payments and Shipping
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Go to "Settings" → "Payments"
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Activate Shopify Payments or PayPal
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Set shipping zones and rates under "Shipping & Delivery"
Customizing Design and Pages
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Use the Theme Editor to change homepage, menu, colors
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Add key pages: About Us, Contact, FAQs
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Install apps like size charts, reviews, or pop-ups
Essential Features for a Built Shopify Store
Mobile Responsiveness
More than 60% of online sales come from phones. Your store must look great on small screens.
SEO Optimization
Use keywords in:
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Product titles
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Meta descriptions
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Image alt texts
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Blog posts
User-Friendly Navigation
Your menu should be clear and simple. Add filters for large inventories.
Fast Loading Speed
Compress images and limit excessive apps or animations.
Apps and Integrations to Boost Store Performance
Inventory Management
Use inventory apps to track stock, set restock alerts, and automate reordering. Popular ones include:
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Stocky
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TradeGecko
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Oberlo (for dropshipping)
Email Marketing
Email tools help keep in touch with customers, promote sales, and recover abandoned carts.
Top picks:
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Klaviyo
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Omnisend
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Mailchimp for Shopify
Social Media & Ad Tools
Connect Shopify with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google Ads. Run campaigns and sync product catalogs directly.
SEO for Shopify Stores
Keywords and Meta Descriptions
Your product pages, blogs, and homepage should include important keywords like:
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custom built Shopify store****
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Shopify store built for you****
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free pre built Shopify store****
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built Shopify store****
Example: Instead of "Shirt," write “Organic Cotton T-Shirt for Women – Built for Comfort.”
SEO Apps to Use
These help automate tasks like meta tags, alt text, and page speed audits.
Blogging and Content Strategy
Content builds trust and boosts SEO. Try writing:
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Product guides
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Industry news
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How-to posts
Blogging helps new customers find you through Google.
Branding and Design Tips
Creating a Memorable Logo
Use tools like Canva or hire a designer on Fiverr. Make sure your logo is:
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Simple
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Recognizable
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Scalable for mobile and print
Choosing Colors and Fonts
Stick to 2–3 colors and 1–2 fonts. This keeps your brand consistent and clean.
Keeping It Consistent
Use your brand style across:
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Product packaging
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Emails
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Social media
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Website banners
This builds customer trust and recognition.
How to Promote Your Shopify Store
Organic vs. Paid Traffic
Organic: SEO, blogging, YouTube
Paid: Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Influencer marketing
Start with free channels and scale up with paid ones once you get conversions.
Influencer Marketing
Send products to influencers in your niche. They promote your store on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.
Using Shopify’s Marketing Tools
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Discount codes
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Email campaigns
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Automated abandoned cart recovery
These built-in tools can increase sales without extra costs.
Managing Orders and Customer Service
Handling Fulfillment
Shopify lets you print shipping labels and track orders from the dashboard. Use Shopify Shipping or link to fulfillment centers like ShipBob or Amazon FBA.
Setting Up Email Notifications
Notify customers when:
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Their order is received
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It’s shipped
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There’s a delay
This keeps your buyers informed and happy.
Customer Support Tips
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Add live chat (Tidio, Gorgias)
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Use help desk apps for email tickets
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Create a FAQs page to save time
Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Shopify Store
Skipping Mobile Design
Always check how your site looks and works on mobile before launching. A bad mobile layout can cost you sales.
Overloading on Apps
Too many apps slow down your site. Stick to essentials only.
Poor Product Photos or Descriptions
Use high-quality images and write clear, benefit-driven descriptions. Think like a customer—what would you want to know before buying?
Real Success Stories: Built Shopify Store Case Studies of BKThemes
Startup to Six Figures
Jane launched a Shopify store selling handmade jewelry. She started with a free pre built Shopify store and grew it into a full custom site in six months—reaching $100K in revenue. She used SEO-1/">BKThemes SEO to help her throughout the whole process.
How a Custom Built Shopify Store Scaled Fast
A coffee brand hired a BKThemes for a custom built Shopify store. It included subscriptions, upsells, and blog automation. Within a year, they tripled their customer base.
From Free Pre Built Store to Profit
A college student downloaded Eyes Shopify theme from a BKThemes and turned it into a profitable fitness gear shop using TikTok ads and SEO blogs.
Shopify Store Maintenance Checklist
Weekly and Monthly Tasks
| **Task** | **Frequency** |
| Update product inventory | Weekly |
| Check store speed | Monthly |
| Review analytics | Weekly |
| Refresh homepage banners | Monthly |
Updating Products and Content
Keep things fresh. Update:
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Product images
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Titles and descriptions
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Blog content
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Seasonal promotions
BKThemes has different options when it comes to Shopify maintenance. What's listed on the site isn't always accurate. Best to schedule a meeting and talk about your needs.
Backups and Store Security
Use backup apps like Rewind to protect your data. Always enable two-factor authentication.
[dsm_faq dsm_open_faq_item="on" dsm_enable_schema_markup="on" dsm_open_toggle_padding="10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true" dsm_animate_icon="on" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" header_level="h3" header_font="|||||on|||" header_text_shadow_style="preset1" global_colors_info="{}"][dsm_faq_child dsm_title="How long does it take to build a store?" dsm_content="
It depends. DIY can take a few days to weeks. A Shopify store built for you by [BKThemes](https://bkthemes.design) usually takes 1–3 weeks. Other may take 1-4 months and charge 3 times as much.
" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dsm_faq_child][dsm_faq_child dsm_title="Is a custom built Shopify store better?" dsm_content="
100%, if you want a unique look, better performance, and higher conversions. It can be more expensive, but worth it in the long run.
" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dsm_faq_child][dsm_faq_child dsm_title="Can I really get a free pre-built Shopify store?" dsm_content="
Yes, some freelancers and forums offer free pre built templates. Make sure they are clean, legal, and safe to use. I offer the same service. I have 4 ready to go now.
" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dsm_faq_child][dsm_faq_child dsm_title="What’s the average cost of a Shopify store built for you?" dsm_content="
Anywhere from $300 to $5,000, depending on complexity, features, and who builds it. [BKThemes](https://bkthemes.design) have prices starting at only **$300.00**.
" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dsm_faq_child][dsm_faq_child dsm_title="Do I need coding skills to build on Shopify?" dsm_content="
Nope. Shopify is made for non-techies. Most features are click-and-drag. You can use apps or hire help for anything advanced. [BKThemes](https://bkthemes.design) trains you on how to use the customizer when you hire them to build a site for you.
" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dsm_faq_child][dsm_faq_child dsm_title="How do I make my built Shopify store stand out?" dsm_content="
-
-
- Hire BKThemes to make your site cutting edge.
Use professional photos
Write great product descriptions
Add trust badges and reviews
Keep your design clean and mobile-friendly
" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dsm_faq_child][/dsm_faq]
Final Thoughts: Your Shopify Journey Starts Today**
Start Small, Dream Big**
Whether you’re starting with a free pre built Shopify store** or investing in a custom built Shopify store**, the key is just to begin. Every great store started with a simple idea and the courage to try.
Let Your Store Grow With You**
As your business grows, so can your store. You can move from basic to custom, add new features, and explore new markets. Shopify is built to scale with you.
So what are you waiting for?
Build your Shopify store today—and turn your idea into income.**
🔗 Bonus Resource**:
Check out Shopify's official Getting Started Guide for more tips and support.
Whether you’re starting with a free pre built Shopify store** or investing in a custom built Shopify store**, the key is just to begin. Every great store started with a simple idea and the courage to try.
Let Your Store Grow With You**
As your business grows, so can your store. You can move from basic to custom, add new features, and explore new markets. Shopify is built to scale with you.
So what are you waiting for?
Build your Shopify store today—and turn your idea into income.**
🔗 Bonus Resource**:
Check out Shopify's official Getting Started Guide for more tips and support.
Check out Shopify's official Getting Started Guide for more tips and support.
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About the Author
Brian Keary
Founder & Lead Developer
Brian is the founder of BKThemes with over 20 years of experience in web development. He specializes in WordPress, Shopify, and SEO optimization. A proud alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Brian has been creating exceptional digital solutions since 2003.
Expertise
Writing since 2003
