Can You Start Selling on Shopify in Your First Free Trial? No. To make sales on Shopify, you must first sign up for and pay for a subscription plan. In this article, I’ll walk you through how Shopify’s free trial works, including everything you need to get started selling on Shopify, the best strategies to earn sales right after the trial, what happens after said trial, and so on.
So, if you still want to dive into the world of online retailing, keep reading for an in-depth look at Shopify’s free trial and everything it has to offer.
How Shopify Free Trial Works
Shopify provides a three-day free trial to help you see if the platform is the right place to establish your business. During this period, you can build up your business and get it to start ranking on search engines.
However, the checkout option is disabled during the free trial. To enable the checkout, you must first select and pay for a Shopify plan.
Features Of The Free Trial
With the Shopify free trial, you may uncover a world of limitless possibilities, since it is jam-packed with significant benefits for your eCommerce business venture. Let me go over everything the platform has to offer in greater detail.
No Credit Card Required
The Shopify free trial’s lack of an up-front credit card requirement is one of its main advantages. In other words, you can begin using the platform risk-free to determine whether it’s a good fit for your business before committing to a paid membership.
Access to Base Shopify Features
Moreover, during the free trial time, you have full access to all of Shopify’s features and tools, including those for managing products, marketing campaigns amd customers. This provides you the opportunity to thoroughly test the platform and decide if it satisfies your requirements.
Customizable Themes
You can customize the appearance of your store with Shopify’s wide selection of both free and premium themes. The trial period is the ideal time to experiment with various designs and select the one that best embodies your brand. You can make great use of your ideas to maximize your trial experience.
Product Management
You’ll be able to easily manage your products and keep everything organized throughout your trial period. That means you can start including captivating product descriptions, top-notch photos, and pricing information. You can manage shipping and tax options, keep tabs on your inventory levels, and much more using Shopify.
With all of that, you can maximize your trial and guarantee a seamless transition to your live store.
Marketing Tools
You can test out the platform’s built-in marketing capabilities during your Shopify trial. It provides tools for social media integration, SEO optimization, and email marketing campaigns, all of which can help you reach a larger audience and successfully market your store. This guarantees that you won’t miss out on the opportunity to give your business a boost before even launching.
Customer Management
The free trial lets you try out Shopify’s user-friendly customer management system, which allows you to keep track of all your customers and orders with ease. Impress your customers with exclusive discount codes and provide top-notch customer service with Shopify’s live chat and email support options.
Payment Processing Preview
During the trial period, you can get a glimpse into Shopify’s payment processing capabilities. The platform integrates with a variety of payment gateways, so you can see the options available and get a better understanding of how they can benefit your business.
However, keep in mind that the payment processing capabilities cannot be fully tested as the checkout is not live and enabled for customers to make purchases.
Can I Start Selling on Shopify in My First Free Trial?
As I said, you cannot start selling in that period. That’s because the checkout feature will be disabled. You will need to select and pay for a Shopify plan to start selling products.
Don’t be too disappointed, though- while it may seem like an additional expense, investing in a Shopify plan is a wise decision for many e-commerce businesses.
Not only does it enable the checkout feature for your customers, but it also provides access to a variety of powerful tools and features to help you grow your business.
Plus, with affordable monthly plans starting at just $1, you can get started with a minimal investment and scale your business as you grow.
What Happens After the Shopify Free Trial?
When your Shopify free trial ends, you can choose from a good number of business plans for your business needs. From the versatile Basic Plan to the feature-rich Shopify Plus, there’s a range of options to choose from. Each plan offers a unique set of features and pricing, so you can find the one that fits your business best.
Which Shopify Plan Is Best For Beginners?
For beginners, the Basic Plan is a great option. It’s one of the cheapest plan and It provides all the essential features you need to start selling online, including payment processing and large product inventory. The best part? It’s only $19 per month. You can always upgrade to a more advanced plan later on as your business grows.
What Are The Requirements To Sell On Shopify?
Starting an online store with Shopify is a breeze, but it’s important to make sure you have everything in place before opening the doors to your customers. In this section, we’ll guide you through the crucial requirements to ensure a smooth and successful launch.
Legal Requirements
Before you can start raking in the big bucks on Shopify, it’s crucial to make sure your business is fully compliant with all laws and regulations. This includes obtaining any licenses or permits required, registering for taxes, and following privacy and data protection guidelines. Don’t let legal red tape hold you back from reaching your entrepreneurial dreams.
Products
Obviously, you need to have something to sell! This can be physical products, digital products, or a combination of both. Make sure to carefully consider what you want to offer and how you’ll manage and source your products. Your future customers will thank you.
Payment Processing
To make sales on Shopify, you’ll need a payment processing system in place. The platform integrates with a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and more. Simply set up an account with one of these providers and you’ll be able to start accepting payments in no time.
Shipping
If you’re selling physical products, you’ll need to consider your shipping options. Shopify offers a range of shipping options, including flat rate and weight-based shipping, so you can choose the best options for your business. Don’t worry, setting up your shipping preferences is incredibly easy on Shopify.
Domain Name and Website Content
Your Shopify store will need a domain name and website content to truly shine. Make sure you have all the details in place, such as product descriptions, images, and information about your business. First impressions are key, so make sure your store is ready to make a statement.
By taking care of these important requirements, you’ll be fully prepared to start selling on Shopify and take your business to the next level.
Tips To Sell On Shopify As Beginner
Once you’re settled in a plan, you can use the following tips to get a head start on your business.
Leverage the Power of Social Media
Maximize your reach by utilizing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Share visually appealing content showcasing your products, engage with online communities related to your niche, and foster relationships with influencers. Use promotions and discounts to drive sales and entice customers.
Get Creative with Special Offers
Entice customers with limited-time deals, such as buy one get one free or discounts on your entire store. Create a sense of urgency by announcing an upcoming end date for the promotion.
Partner with Influencers
Partner with individuals who have a large following on social media to promote your products. Provide your products for free or at a discount in exchange for their promotion to their followers. Reach a large and targeted audience and drive sales.
Optimize Your Website for Success
Ensure that your website is optimized for conversions. Test different layouts, images, and headlines, and track the results. Ensure that your website is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and has clear calls to action.
Give Dropshipping A Go For An Easy Start
Start selling on Shopify without a large upfront investment by trying dropshipping. Partner with a supplier who handles product fulfillment and shipping, allowing you to focus on marketing and promoting your store. Easily scale your business as it grows.
By focusing on providing value to customers, building a strong brand, and utilizing all the tools Shopify has to offer, you can make the most of your Shopify free trial and start making sales.
FAQs
What about the sites that say I can sell on Shopify during the trial?
They’re wrong. I’m sharing all this information from my own prior experience. I’ve even checked in with Shopify directly about the matter, just in case they changed things since my own first free trial.
Can I start selling on Shopify without a business license?
While a business license is not a mandatory requirement for selling on Shopify, certain factors such as the type of business or location may necessitate obtaining one. Remember, obtaining a license is a local or state-level process.
Can I start Shopify with 100 dollars?
Yes, you can start Shopify with 100 dollars. You’ll only need to pay for your subscription plan and any additional add-ons or apps you want to use.
Is Shopify good for beginners?
Yes, Shopify is a great option for beginners as it provides all the tools and support you need to start your online store.
How much money can a beginner make on Shopify?
The amount of money you can make on Shopify depends on many factors, such as your niche, marketing strategy, and customer demand. Some beginners are able to make substantial profits, while others may make less in the beginning.
Will Shopify Offer Any Long Term Free Trials Anytime Soon?
Unfortunately, there is no information currently available about Shopify offering long-term free trials.
Can I Extend Shopify Trial?
No, it’s not possible to extend the Shopify trial period. However, the Shopify Starter plan is the closest thing to it. This plan allows you to subscribe to Shopify for $1 for 3 months, giving you more time to fully test out the platform and see if it’s the right fit for your business. With the Starter plan, you’ll actually be able to sell your products, though you won’t get a storefront or any of Shopify’s core plan features. So, if you’re looking for a longer trial period, the Starter plan might be just what you need.
Final Thoughts
Shopify is a feature-rich eCommerce platform that provides everything you need to kickstart your online store. The free trial is a fantastic opportunity to test out the platform and get a feel for what it has to offer.
While you may not be able to make sales during this time, you’ll be able to see if Shopify is the right fit for you. And if you do fall for the platform, starting to sell is a breeze- with subscription plans starting at just a few dollars a month.
To make the most of your trial, don’t forget to utilize the wealth of marketing and SEO tools available to you, and explore the Shopify App Store. With a bit of hard work and a focus on delivering value to your customers, you can turn your Shopify trial into a thriving online business.
