No, you can’t sell during the free trial. However, on the bright side, Shopify is still an excellent way to start a lucrative eCommerce business with minimal investments, thanks to the offers it has on its main plans.
In this post, I’ll be letting you know what those offers are, along with some great things that you can actually still do through the free trial.
How Does Shopify Free Trial Work
The Shopify free trial allows you to test the platform for 3 days without having to enter payment information. Through the trial, you can set up a store, complete with customized looks and apps; whatever you do during this stage will stay if you decide to get a proper plan. The main purpose of the trial is to let you have a tour of all of Shopify’s features and themes.
At the end of the trial, you can choose to upgrade to a paid plan or discontinue your use of Shopify.
Shopify Trial Limitations
Shopify is very generous with the amount of leeway it provides during the free trial period. You’ll get plenty of time to determine whether Shopify is the ideal e-commerce platform for you with 3 days to test the platform and all of its features.
However, there is one key limitation to bear in mind: before you can begin receiving money and processing orders, you must first select a premium plan.
Check the full Shopify Trial Limitations Here!
Can You Make Sales On Shopify Trial?
During the 3-day Shopify free trial, you won’t be able to process any sales. You need a plan for that, otherwise your storefront will be locked from public access through a password, and the checkout for it won’t work either. So customers can’t look through and buy any products.
You’ll only get a free domain and access to the Admin dashboard, so that you can get a feel of Shopify’s features and capabilities, such as choosing a theme, using apps, and adding products to your store.
What Happens When Shopify Free Trial Ends
When the Shopify free trial ends, your store will be paused till you pay for a full plan. Keep in mind that if you cancel your Shopify account at that point, your store data will be deleted. You’ll lose everything from product listings to all your theme customizations and blog posts.
That may seem unfair, but that’s just how all paid platforms work. Shopify is still one of the better eCommerce platforms because it offers cheap transitioning to its paid plans. In fact, the first 3 months of Shopify’s select plans are the closest you can get to a free trial where products are sellable. More on that later.
How Much Is Shopify After The Free Trial?
Shopify offers different plans to cater to different needs and budgets. Even if the free trial is rather short, some of these plans have deals you won’t see on most other eCommerce platforms. I’ll provide both the pricing and most important aspects of the plans, so that you can transition to them smoothly.
Shopify Starter
This is the cheapest Shopify plan, meant to be a replacement for Shopify Lite. Right now, you can get it for as little as $1 per month. That pricing will last 3 months before reverting to standard Starter pricing, which is $5. That should be more than enough time to get you a lot of good sales, especially since you’ll have access to good eCommerce tools.
This Starter plan doesn’t come with a storefront; items are meant to be sold through messaging apps and social media sites through Shopify supplied product links.
Even without the storefront, you can still use it effectively, as Shopify offers basic but useful reports of your business’ performance. You can view analytics, see inventory reports and even behavior reports. Additionally, you can also access Shopify Marketplace, which makes international selling much easier.
Shopify Basic
This Shopify Basic plan is ideal for small and new businesses that require a functional online store. It provides fundamental features such as an online store builder, payment processing, up to 1,000 inventory locations, and 24/7 support. The plan also includes up to two staff accounts as well as the basic reporting tools of the Starter plan.
In terms of pricing, Shopify Basic costs $19 per month and includes a 2.9% + 30 cents transaction fee for online payments.
Shopify
The Shopify plan is a more robust option for businesses wishing to grow their online presence. Everything from the Basic Shopify plan is included, but with lower credit card rates and transaction costs.
It also includes up to five employee accounts and more comprehensive reporting features. The plan costs $49 per month and includes a transaction fee of 2.6% + 30 cents for online payments.
Shopify Advanced
Shopify Advanced is intended for enterprises with high-volume sales and specialized requirements. It includes additional features like advanced reporting, enhanced shipping, and the ability to design customized checkout experiences. It supports up to 15 staff accounts, third-party computed shipping costs, and comprehensive reporting.
This plan is $299 a month and includes a 2.4% + 30 cents transaction fee for online payments- this one actually has the lowest credit card rates and transaction costs compared to other general plans like Basic and Shopify.
Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus is a premium plan for large, high-volume enterprises that require significant customization, integrations, and support. It provides enterprise-level capabilities like custom development, advanced payment options, and 24/7 priority support.
This package enables for an infinite number of staff accounts, as well as a dedicated support team and comprehensive reporting and shipping features. It also has a larger range of free and paid themes for customizing the design of your business, as well as the ability to create personalized checkout experiences.
The pricing for Shopify Plus is based on the specific needs of each business and is provided through a quote from Shopify. However, it usually starts at $2,000.
How Do I Get A Longer Free Trial On Shopify?
Unfortunately, Shopify does not directly offer free trial extension. You can sign up for a new trial using a different email address and credit card information, though. Keep in mind that each trial period is limited to 3 days, and you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan in order to continue using the platform after the trial period ends.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Shopify Free Trial
By following the tips below, you can make the most of your Shopify free trial and get a better understanding of what it’s like to run an online business with Shopify.
Set Clear Goals
Before starting your free trial, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve. Do you want to test a specific feature or set up your store to start selling? Having clear goals will help you make the most of the trial period and ensure you don’t miss anything important.
Customize Your Store
Customizing your store is a crucial part of setting up an online business. Make the most of your free trial by experimenting with different themes and apps to find what works best for your brand.
Start Building Your Customer Base
One of the biggest benefits of Shopify is its ability to integrate with social media and other marketing tools. During your free trial, start building your customer base by promoting your store on social media and other channels.
Test Different Marketing Strategies
Shopify offers a range of marketing tools and integrations, including email marketing, SEO optimization, and advertising. Use your free trial to test different strategies and see what works best for your store.
Take Advantage of the Help and Support
Shopify offers excellent support, with a range of resources available to help you make the most of your free trial. From the knowledge base to the community forum, don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
Get Feedback from Customers
One of the best ways to improve your store is by getting feedback from customers. During your free trial, reach out to friends, family, and potential customers to get their thoughts on your store.
Plan for the Future
Finally, take some time during your free trial to think about your long-term goals and plan for the future. This could include developing your product range, expanding your customer base, or preparing for a full-scale launch.
FAQs
Is it hard to sell on Shopify?
Selling on Shopify is relatively straightforward, but it does require some effort on your part. You’ll need to create a product listing, optimize your website, and market your products effectively in order to sell successfully.
Do you get paid straight away on Shopify?
Yes, you can get paid straight away on Shopify. The platform integrates with several payment gateways, allowing you to receive payments immediately once a sale is made.
Is Shopify still doing 90 day free trial?
No, Shopify is currently offering a 3 day free trial.
Does Shopify charge you after free trial?
Yes, Shopify does charge you after the free trial. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan in order to continue using the platform.
How much does Shopify hold your money for?
Shopify does not hold your money. Instead, the platform integrates with several payment gateways, allowing you to receive payments immediately once a sale is made.
Final Thoughts: Can You Make Sales On Shopify Trial?
Starting an eCommerce business using Shopify may appear daunting at first, especially given the limits of the free trial. However, with the offers and resources available on the main plans, Shopify is still a sensible choice for businesses wishing to create a successful online store.
All you need to do is to use free trial time to become acquainted with the platform, improve your website, and establish a strong consumer base through social media marketing. As someone who has done it previously, I can promise you that it is well worth it in the long term. So go ahead and give it a shot; it’ll be a great step towards your financial independence.
