I’ll start off by saying such a trial never existed. That free trial appears to be a myth – I’ve reached out to my contacts in Shopify to confirm. While Shopify did provide fairly lengthy free trials in the past, you can only get a 3 Day one right now.
But that’s not entirely bad, either. Shopify’s also offering limited-time deals on their core plans. The Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans are the cheapest they’ve ever been.
How does the Shopify Free Trial Work?
Getting started with the Shopify trial is simple. All you need to do is create a Shopify account and select the “Start your free trial” option. This will give you access to all of Shopify’s core features for the duration of the trial period.
Once the trial period ends, you’ll have the option to upgrade to a paid plan or discontinue your account. If you decide to upgrade, your store will remain fully functional and you’ll be able to continue accepting orders and payments.
It’s important to note that during the trial period, you might be required to provide credit card information if you pick certain options, but you won’t be charged until the trial period is over.
A History Of Shopify 21 Day Trial
In the past, Shopify offered various long-term trials for their platform. Although the Shopify 21 day trial never existed, the company did offer trials with a length of 120 days, 90 days, 60 days, and 45 days.
The 120 day trial was the longest, being launched around the time Shopify came to be. It was designed to give businesses ample time to try out Shopify and determine if it was the right fit for their needs. During this trial, businesses had access to most of the platform’s features, allowing them to fully test and evaluate the capabilities of Shopify.
Such long trials aren’t available anymore, but I doubt you’d find them useful anyways, since Shopify’s UI has become much more streamlined these days. There’s no monetary benefit to those free trials. Products cannot be sold during this period.
Even still, you can get a lot done. You can learn all of its basics, get a feel for the platform and even finish setting up the most vital parts of your store in just 3 Days.
What’s the Current Offer for 2023?
The current trial period offered by Shopify is a 3 day trial. This is still a great opportunity to get started with Shopify and test out the platform’s core features. While it’s not as long as the previous 21 day trial, the 3 day trial is still a risk free way to see if Shopify is the right fit for your business.
Shopify Trial vs Paid Plan
While the Shopify free trial is a great way to get started with the platform, it does come with some limitations. For example, certain advanced features and integrations may not be available during the trial period.
On the other hand, upgrading to a paid plan will give you access to all of Shopify’s features and integrations. Additionally, a paid plan will allow you to accept unlimited orders and payments, while the trial period has some limitations in this regard.
Ultimately, the choice between the trial and a paid plan will depend on your business needs and goals. If you’re just starting out, the trial may be a great way to get a feel for the platform and see if it’s right for you. However, if you’re looking to take your business to the next level, a paid plan may be the way to go.
What Happens After the Free Trial?
Once your Shopify free trial period has ended, you’ll need to choose a paid plan to continue using the platform. Shopify offers a variety of pricing options to suit different business needs and budgets, including Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. I’ll give a brief overview of the plans before I proceed further.
- Basic Plan: The Basic Plan is a great option for those just starting out with their Shopify journey. It includes all the necessary tools to launch and manage your online store, process payments, and keep track of orders. Currently, the monthly fee for this plan is $19, which is a discount from its regular price of $25. With the Basic Plan, you’ll have access to basic reporting tools to monitor your store’s performance, the ability to manage up to 1,000 inventory locations, and 2 staff accounts to help you manage your store.
- Shopify Plan: The Shopify Plan is designed for businesses looking to enhance their store operations. With this plan, you’ll have access to advanced reporting tools to monitor and evaluate your store’s performance, inventory management for up to 1,000 locations, and 5 staff accounts for seamless store administration. The monthly fee for the Shopify Plan is currently $49, which is a discount from its regular price of $65.
- Advanced Plan: The Advanced Plan is the top-tier Shopify solution for businesses that want advanced reporting features and minimal transaction costs. This plan is designed for companies looking for the ultimate Shopify experience and is ideal for businesses that are looking for the most robust set of features available. The monthly fee for the Advanced Plan is currently priced at $299, which is a discount from its regular price of $399. With the Advanced Plan, you’ll have access to a custom report builder for tailored insights on your store’s performance, the ability to manage up to 1,000 inventory locations, and 15 staff accounts to help you manage your store.
If you decide not to choose a paid plan, your store will be disabled and you will no longer have access to your data. However, if you change your mind in the future, you can start a new trial or sign up for a paid plan to regain access to your store.
It’s important to weigh the benefits of the various paid plans against your business needs and budget to determine the best option for you. Shopify provides a range of resources and support to help you make the most of your online store, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help making a decision.
Can You Sell During The Shopify Free Trial?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot sell during the Shopify trial period. During the trial period, the checkout function is disabled, meaning that you cannot process any payments from customers. This restriction is in place to prevent any unauthorized transactions and to ensure the security of your customers’ information.
Additionally, during the trial period, you will not have access to a fully functional payment gateway, meaning that you cannot connect your store to a payment processor or payment provider. This means that even if you have a product set up, customers will not be able to purchase it through your store during the trial period.
To start selling products through your store, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid Shopify plan, which will enable you to process payments and access all of the necessary payment gateways. The paid plans offer a range of features, including robust reporting tools, increased inventory management capabilities, and the ability to manage multiple staff accounts. By upgrading to a paid plan, you’ll be able to start selling products and processing payments through your store, and take your business to the next level.
Making the Most of Your Shopify 3 Day Free Trial
Starting an online store can be a daunting task, but Shopify makes it easier with their 3 day free trial. To ensure that you make the most of this opportunity, follow these tips to get your store up and running in no time.
Plot Your Store’s Path Before You Begin
Don’t dive into your free trial blindly, plan ahead! By taking the time to think about what you want to sell, your target audience, and how you’ll set yourself apart, you’ll have a roadmap for your time on Shopify. This planning stage will ensure that you build a store that’s tailored to your needs.
Personalize Your Theme for a Memorable Impression
When it comes to setting up your Shopify store, the theme you choose can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your site. That’s why during your trial period, it’s the perfect opportunity to personalize your theme and make a memorable impression on potential customers.
With a variety of themes to choose from, you can experiment with different designs, colors, and layouts until you find the perfect fit for your brand. Whether you want a minimalist look or a more playful vibe, the possibilities are endless. So go ahead and make your mark on Shopify with a one-of-a-kind theme that showcases your unique style and sets you apart from the competition.
Add Products and Variants to Get a Feel for the Platform
Adding products is an important part of the setup process. During your trial, start by adding a few products and experimenting with different variants. This will give you a better understanding of how Shopify works and what your store will look like when it’s complete.
Set Up Payments and Shipping to Start Selling
To start selling products, you’ll need to set up payment and shipping options. Shopify integrates with a variety of payment gateways and shipping carriers, so you’ll be able to find options that work for you. Make sure to set up these options during the trial period so that you can start accepting orders as soon as you launch your store.
Enhance Your Store’s Functionality with Shopify Apps
Shopify’s app store has hundreds of apps to enhance your store’s functionality. During the trial period, try out a few apps and identify which ones are the most valuable for your store.
Remember To Fall Back On Support When Needed
Shopify provides excellent customer support to help you with any questions or problems you may encounter during the trial period. Whether you need help setting up your store, optimizing your website for search engines, or resolving technical issues, the Shopify support team is here to help. So, don’t be afraid to reach out for assistance whenever you need it.
Make Connections With Customers Through Email Marketing
Stay connected with your customer base through strategic email campaigns. Use the trial period to gather subscribers by offering exclusive deals for those who opt in to your email list. Then, keep your subscribers engaged with relevant content and special offers.
Keep Up With Your Store’s Performance Through Analytics
Shopify provides powerful analytics tools that you can use to monitor the performance of your store. During the trial period, start tracking key metrics, such as page views, sales, and conversion rates. This will help you identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about how to grow your store.
Take Notes During the Trial to Plan for the Future
As you test various features and marketing channels during your trial period, make sure to keep detailed notes. These notes will serve as a valuable reference point when you launch your store and plan for its future growth. By documenting your experiences and what worked well, what didn’t, and what needs improvement, you’ll have a roadmap for your store’s success.
Follow all these tips and you’ll be having your store functioning perfectly both post and pre launch. And before you know it, you’ll be enjoying having tons of customers and profits.
How Do I Get An Extended Free Trial On Shopify?
Unfortunately, Shopify does not offer the option to extend a free trial beyond the standard 3 day period. However, you can still get started with Shopify and begin growing your business right away.
For a low monthly fee, you can sign up for Shopify Basic, which starts at just $19 per month and gives you access to powerful eCommerce tools and features to help you make sales. Or, you can take advantage of the Shopify Starter Plan, which is just $1 per month for three months and provides a great way to get your feet wet and see if Shopify is the right fit for you.
How To Sign Up For A Free Shopify Trial & Activate It
Follow the simple steps below to start your free trial as well as your journey towards success.
- Step 1: Go to Shopify’s website and click on “Start free trial.”
- Step 2: Enter your contact details and store name.
- Step 3: You will automatically receive a free myshopify.com domain for your store.
- Step 4: Select a name for your business and click on “Create your store.”
- Step 5: Fill out the questions about your business to help Shopify better understand your business.
- Step 6: Enter your store.
- Step 7: Check your email for a confirmation of your free trial activation.
Note: Keep in mind that the free myshopify.com domain is the default domain and won’t be visible to customers once you buy a custom domain.
FAQs
Do I need a credit card to start the Shopify trial?
You’ll be glad to learn that launching your Shopify trial is 100% risk-free and requires no credit card information. That’s correct, you can begin developing and personalizing your online business with no cost outlay. This allows you to thoroughly test drive Shopify and see whether it is a good fit for your company before making any financial decisions.
Can I switch plans during the Shopify trial?
Yes, you can switch plans during the Shopify trial. If you find that the current plan you’re on isn’t meeting your needs, you can upgrade or downgrade at any time. This flexibility allows you to try out different plans and find the best one for your business.
Will my store be live during the Shopify trial?
Yes, your store will be live during the Shopify trial. This allows you to fully test and customize your store and start adding products before going live to the public. However, note that your store will have a default myshopify.com domain during the trial, which you can later change to a custom domain. You can’t sell anything during the trial either.
Is there a cost associated with the current Shopify trial?
No, there is no cost associated with the current Shopify trial. You can try out Shopify for free for a specified period of time, and only start paying after the trial period is over if you decide to continue using the platform. This gives you the chance to fully test and evaluate the platform before making a decision.
Final Thoughts
The old Shopify 21 day free trial is no longer available; nonetheless, the new trial provides a good opportunity to become acquainted with the platform’s services. It gives you access to a configurable store design, product management tools, payment processing options, a large app store, customer management, and order administration features, all of which are required to run a successful eCommerce site.
Plus, Shopify’s basic packages are reasonably priced, making it straightforward to upgrade to a premium plan once the trial time expires. Finally, giving the Shopify trial a shot will not present any difficulties and will allow you to build your business with the platform. Check out the link for the most recent Shopify trial, and until the next post, good luck!
