Shopify’s free trial only has one big catch: no sales. Yeah, that sounds like a bummer, but it’s not the end of the world. While it might limit your free trial experience, it’s still possible to jumpstart your online store with what you’ve got. And the best part? You can make your store fully functional for just $19 and access every feature you need.
So, what’s the deal with the free trial? I’m here to break it down for you and give you some tips on how to make the most of it. Read on to find out more.
Shopify Trial Vs Paid Plan
The Shopify free trial is a great way to get started with building your online store- you can fully build it from the ground up in every way. You can even polish it. But none of that would be worth much if you can’t sell your products. You won’t be able to copy the design on another platform. You’ll lack tools, and the free trial also limits users from using some special tools. Hence, to unlock the full suite of features and tools that Shopify has to offer, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
You can truly unlock the full potential of your online store with a paid Shopify plan. With an upgrade, you’ll be able to:
- Give Your Checkout Process A Personal Touch: You’ll have the power to fully customize the checkout page to match your store’s brand.
- Stand Out From The Crowd: Choose from a wider selection of professional-looking themes to give your store a unique and polished appearance.
- Stay In The Know: Keep a close eye on your sales, traffic, and customer behavior with advanced reporting tools at your fingertips.
- Recover Lost Sales: Set up automatic abandoned cart recovery emails and increase your chances of recovering lost sales.
- Offer Gift-giving Options: Give your customers the option to purchase gift cards, making shopping for loved ones a breeze.
- Expand Your Reach: Sell your products on multiple channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon, giving you access to a wider audience.
- Manage In-person Sales With Ease: Use Shopify’s POS system to seamlessly manage both online and in-person sales.
- Streamline Shipping: Set up complex shipping rules, including real-time shipping rates and shipping rate calculations based on weight, destination, and order value.
- Never Be Left In The Dark: Have peace of mind knowing you have access to 24/7 support from Shopify’s expert team.
Investing in a paid Shopify plan means you’ll have access to these advanced features and more, giving you the tools you need to take your online store to new heights and reach your business goals faster.
How Many Trials Can You Get On Shopify
Shopify allows for only one free trial per store. This means that if you have already taken advantage of a free trial for a store, you will not be able to take another free trial for that store or a different store. However, if you are starting a completely new business, you can sign up for a new free trial for that business.
It’s important to make the most of your free trial and fully evaluate if Shopify is the right platform for your business needs before committing to a paid plan.
What’s The Current Shopify Free Trial In 2023?
The current Shopify free trial in 2023 is for 3 days. While the trial may seem to be brief, the benefits remain the same. You will have access to all of the tools and features required to set up and launch your online business during the free trial. You’ll be able to try out different themes, add products, look at payment options, and do other things.
What Happens After the Free Trial?
If you want to continue using Shopify to run your online store after the free trial time expires, you can select a paid plan. There are a variety of paid plans available, each with its own set of features and pricing options, so you can pick the one that best suits your demands and budget.
To continue utilizing the platform, you must also add a payment method to your Shopify account. You can pay using a variety of methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and direct bank transfer.
Does Shopify Delete Your Website After the Free Trial?
No, after the free trial period, Shopify will not delete your website. However, if you do not select a paid plan and do not provide a payment method, certain features and functions of your store may be deactivated. This includes the ability to accept orders and process payments, so it’s critical that you select a paid plan and add a payment method to your account as soon as the free trial time expires.
While your website will not be removed, some of its core operations may be jeopardized if you do not upgrade to a paid plan. So, take advantage of the free trial and examine your needs then decide on which paid plan is best for you.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Shopify Trial
The process of opening an online business can be thrilling as well as overwhelming, but Shopify’s three-day free trial offers a fantastic way to begin your journey. Here are some pointers to assist you maximize this trial time and make sure your online store launches successfully.
Plan The Route Of Your Store Before You Start
Plan ahead before beginning your free trial. You’ll have a plan for your time on Shopify if you take the time to consider your product offerings, target market, and unique selling proposition. Keep in mind- this planning stage is incredibly important for a seamless launch.
Customize Your Theme For An Good First Impression
When setting up your Shopify store, the theme you select can have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your website. For this reason, your trial period is the ideal time to customize your theme and make sure your site can leave a lasting impression on any customers.
Using the variety of themes available, you can experiment with different designs, hues, and layouts to find the best fit for your business. The possibilities are endless, whether you like a more minimalist design or a more whimsical environment.
If you set up a unique theme that displays your unique flare and sets you apart from the competition, you can make a name for yourself on Shopify.
Gain Insight Into Shopify By Adding Product Options
A crucial step in the setup process is adding products. Start by adding a few products to your trial and tinkering with a few different variants. This will help you have a good handle of how Shopify functions and how your store will appear after it is finished.
Get Your Payment and Shipping Options Up and Running
To commence selling, it’s crucial to have payment and shipping in place. Shopify integrates with several payment gateways and shipping carriers, so you can choose the one that suits you best. Be sure to set them up during the trial period to avoid delays in accepting orders once your store is launched.
Boost Your Store’s Capabilities with Shopify Apps
Explore the abundance of enhancement options in the Shopify app store during your trial period. Pick a few to test, and see which ones will make the biggest impact on your store’s performance.
Don’t Hesitate To Seek Support When Required
Shopify offers outstanding customer support to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter during the trial period. Whether you need help setting up your store, optimizing your website, or resolving technical problems, the Shopify support team is always ready to help.
Stay Connected with Customers Through Effective Email Marketing
Email marketing is an efficient tool for establishing relationships with your customers. During the trial period, start building your email list by offering incentives such as discounts for customers who sign up. Then, use your email list to keep in touch with your customers and provide them with valuable information and promotions.
Stay On Top of Your Store’s Success with Shopify Analytics
During the trial phase, utilize the analytics tools provided by Shopify to keep a close eye on important metrics such as page views, sales, and conversion rates. This will give you the insight you need to fine-tune your store and make informed decisions to help it scale smoothly.
Jot Down Notes to Plan for the Future
As you test various features and marketing channels during the trial period, take thorough notes. These notes will be a useful reference when you launch your store and plan for its future growth. By documenting your experiences, what worked well, what didn’t, and what needs improvement, you’ll have a clear plan for your store’s success.
How to Get an Extended Free Trial on Shopify
Shopify offers a 3 day free trial, but you may be able to get an extension on this trial if you need more time to explore the platform. Here’s what you need to do:
- Contact Shopify Support: You can reach out to the Shopify support team through the Help Center or live chat and request an extension on your free trial. Make sure to explain your reasons for needing more time and provide any relevant information about your business.
- Provide Detailed Information: The more information you provide to Shopify Support, the better. This includes your business name, type of store you’re building, and what you hope to accomplish with your store.
- Follow Up: If you don’t hear back from Shopify Support within a few days, don’t hesitate to follow up and inquire about your request.
If you are unable to get an extended free trial, you can still sign up for the $1 For 3 Months Shopify Starter plan. This plan allows you to test out the platform with a limited set of features, and you can upgrade to a paid plan later if you decide to launch your store.
How to Sign Up for a Free Shopify Trial and Activate it
Getting started with Shopify is easy. Here’s how to sign up for a free trial and activate your account:
- Go to Shopify.com: Visit the Shopify website and click on the “Start Free Trial” button.
- Enter Your Information: Fill out the required information, including your name, email address, and password. You’ll also need to provide the name of your store.
- Choose Your Plan: Select the “Shopify” plan and click on the “Start Free Trial” button.
- Set Up Your Store: Once you’ve completed the sign-up process, you’ll be taken to the Shopify dashboard where you can start setting up your store.
- Activate Your Trial: Make sure to activate your trial by providing your billing information. This will ensure that you have access to all of the features and functionalities of the platform for the full 3 day trial period.
Note: If you sign up for the $1 For 3 Months Shopify Starter plan, you’ll need to provide your billing information to activate the trial, just like the free trial.
FAQ
Q: Can you make sales during the Shopify free trial?
A: No, you cannot make sales during the Shopify free trial period- checkout is by then.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of products I can add during the trial period?
A: No, there is no limit to the number of products you can add during the trial period on Shopify.
Q: Can I accept payments during the trial period?
A: No, you cannot accept payments during the Shopify free trial period as checkout is disabled.
Q: Can I customize my store’s design during the trial period?
A: Yes, you can customize your store’s design during the trial period, including choosing a theme, customizing your layout, and adding your own branding elements.
Q: Will I be charged if I close my Shopify store?
A: No, you will not be charged if you close your Shopify store, however, you will lose access to your store and any data associated with it.
Final Thoughts
The Shopify free trial is a great way to get started with the platform and see if it’s the right choice for your eCommerce store. While the trial does come with some limitations, it’s still a great opportunity to explore the platform and start setting up your store.
During the trial period, you won’t be able to accept payments or make sales, but you can still add products, customize your store’s design, and experiment with different features and apps.
While it’s important to keep in mind the limitations of the free trial, it’s also worth remembering that Shopify offers excellent customer support and superb features to help you get started. With the right planning and preparation, the Shopify free trial can help you get started on the right foot and set you up for success in the long run.
