Module 22

Shopify store setup

16 lessons, 73 stepsOne instruction at a time, each with the result to expect. Tick steps as you go; Helix remembers.

Outcome: a Shopify store that is ready to take real orders. It has your own domain, a fast theme, and clear home and product pages. Shipping, taxes and payments work, and policies are plain. It has a small set of apps and tracking for your ads. And a test order went all the way through.

Related: Module 9 Website, conversion and order value, Module 18 Choosing your tool stack, Module 7 Meta ads in practice, Module 1 Daily profit foundations

In plain words

Stage: Convert (turn visits into sales). Every lesson below is tagged with its stage; see Attract, Convert, Grow.

What it is: We build your Shopify store one small step at a time. We stop when it is ready for real orders.

Why it matters: A clear, fast, trustworthy store makes every ad dollar go further. Mistakes in tax, payments or tracking are hard to fix later.

Do this:

  1. Get your domain, pick a free theme and build the home and product pages.
  2. Set shipping, taxes, payments and plain-language policies.
  3. Install tracking, check speed on a phone and place a test order before launch.

Words to know:

  • Theme: The design template for your Shopify store. It controls how every page looks.
  • Domain: Your store's web address, like yourbrand.com.
  • Variant: One option of a product, like a size or colour, with its own stock and price.
  • GST: Goods and services tax. Each country sets its own rate, such as 10% (Australia) or 15% (New Zealand). Registered businesses add it to most sales.
  • Sales tax: In the US, a tax set by most states (and many local areas) that the seller collects at checkout.
  • Test order: A pretend order you place yourself to check payments, emails and tracking work.

All words are explained in the glossary.

Lesson 22.1: Plan before you buildConvert

In short

A store takes days to build and minutes to judge.

Do this now

Step 1: Write your one-line promise: who it is for and the result they get.

Why this matters

A store takes days to build and minutes to judge. Planning first means you build only what a buyer needs and know your numbers before the first sale. This takes about an hour.

Step 1 of 50 of 5 done

Write your one-line promise: who it is for and the result they get.

Expected result

You can say in one sentence what you sell and who it is for.

Lesson 22.2: Domain and emailConvert

In short

Your domain is your web address.

Do this now

Step 1: In Shopify, go to Settings > Domains .

Why this matters

Your domain is your web address. A store on its own domain looks more trustworthy than the free myshopify.com address. Emails from your own domain also land in inboxes more often.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

In Shopify, go to Settings > Domains. Buy a short domain that matches your brand, or connect one you own (see Shopify: domains).

Expected result

The domain shows as connected in Settings.

Watch out

Outside the US: a .com.au needs a local business link, usually an ABN or ACN (see auDA: .com.au). Many brands own both .com.au and .com. US: .com is the normal choice.

Tips

Domain
Your store's web address, like yourbrand.com.

Lesson 22.3: Choose and set up a themeConvert

In short

The theme is the design of your store.

Do this now

Step 1: In Online Store > Themes , start with a free Shopify theme such as Horizon or Dawn (see Shopify: themes ).

Why this matters

The theme is the design of your store. A fast, simple theme beats a fancy slow one. Always edit a copy, so you never break the live store.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

In Online Store > Themes, start with a free Shopify theme such as Horizon or Dawn (see Shopify: themes).

Expected result

A fast, supported theme is installed.

Watch out

Only pay for a theme if it has a feature you truly need. Check its speed on a phone first.

Tips

Theme
The design template for your Shopify store. It controls how every page looks.

Good to know

Set up your theme safely in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify: themes

Lesson 22.4: Build the home pageConvert

In short

The home page should answer three questions in a few seconds.

Do this now

Step 1: In the theme editor, add a promo bar with one short line.

Why this matters

The home page should answer three questions in a few seconds. What is this? Is it for me? Why should I trust it? Build the top first, then the sections below in a proven order.

Step 1 of 50 of 5 done

In the theme editor, add a promo bar with one short line. Use your shipping offer or a guarantee.

Expected result

The promo bar shows at the very top on every page.

Tips

Theme
The design template for your Shopify store. It controls how every page looks.
Guarantee
A clear promise that removes the fear of a bad purchase, like a 30-day money-back promise.

Lesson 22.5: Product pages: titles, photos and descriptionsConvert

In short

Most buying decisions happen on the product page.

Do this now

Step 1: Write a short title: the product name plus what it does or is made of.

Why this matters

Most buying decisions happen on the product page. Answer every worry before the buyer has to ask. Keep price, rating and Add to cart easy to see on a phone.

Step 1 of 50 of 5 done

Write a short title: the product name plus what it does or is made of. For example: "Linen Shirt, Relaxed Fit".

Expected result

The title is clear and short.

Tips

Good to know

Add a product the right way in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify: adding products

Extra details on every page: Shopify lets you add your own fields to products, called metafields. Use them for things like care steps, sizing or ingredients. Then your theme shows them in the same spot on every product page. Find them under Settings, then Metafields and metaobjects (see Shopify: metafields).

Lesson 22.6: Variants and inventoryConvert

In short

Variants are the options of one product, like size or colour.

Do this now

Step 1: Add options (Size, Colour) to one product instead of separate products (see Shopify: variants ).

Why this matters

Variants are the options of one product, like size or colour. Inventory is how many you have. Setting them up properly stops overselling and lets Helix work out profit and shipping correctly.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

Add options (Size, Colour) to one product instead of separate products (see Shopify: variants).

Expected result

One product page shows every option.

Tips

Variant
One option of a product, like a size or colour, with its own stock and price.

Lesson 22.7: ReviewsConvert

In short

People trust other customers more than they trust you.

Do this now

Step 1: Install one review app that collects photo reviews and sends a request email after delivery.

Why this matters

People trust other customers more than they trust you. A review app collects and shows reviews automatically, and honest replies to bad reviews build more trust than hiding them.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

Install one review app that collects photo reviews and sends a request email after delivery.

Expected result

Review requests go out automatically.

Lesson 22.8: Collections, menus and searchConvert

In short

Collections are groups of products, and menus and search help people find them.

Do this now

Step 1: Make collections for Best sellers, New, and one per product type.

Why this matters

Collections are groups of products, and menus and search help people find them. A new visitor should reach any product in 3 taps or fewer.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

Make collections for Best sellers, New, and one per product type. Use automatic collections where you can (see Shopify: collections).

Expected result

Collections update themselves as products change.

Tips

Good to know

Build a short main menu in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify: menus and links

Lesson 22.9: Shipping zones, rates and a free-shipping amountConvert

In short

Surprise extra costs, like shipping, are one of the most common reasons people leave at checkout.

Do this now

Step 1: In Settings > Shipping and delivery , create a zone for your home country.

Why this matters

Surprise extra costs, like shipping, are one of the most common reasons people leave at checkout. Simple rates, a free shipping amount and honest delivery ranges fix most of it.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

In Settings > Shipping and delivery, create a zone for your home country.

Expected result

A home country zone exists.

Tips

Good to know

Set a free shipping amount in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify: set up shipping rates

Lesson 22.10: Taxes: GST and sales tax basicsConvert

General information, not tax or legal advice. Tax rules change and depend on your situation. Check with a registered tax agent or accountant before you decide.

In short

Tax set up wrong either costs you money or breaks the law.

Do this now

Step 1: Outside the US: check your GST turnover (this month plus the last 11).

Why this matters

Tax set up wrong either costs you money or breaks the law. Under the ATO's rules, you must register for GST once sales reach $75,000 a year. Other countries set their own limits. In the US, sales tax depends on nexus: a strong enough link to a state. Helix strips GST from your sales before any profit maths.

Step 1 of 50 of 5 done

Outside the US: check your GST turnover (this month plus the last 11). Has it reached $75,000, or will it in the next 12 months? If so, register within 21 days (see ATO: registering for GST).

Expected result

You know whether you must register.

Tips

GST
Goods and services tax. Each country sets its own rate, such as 10% (Australia) or 15% (New Zealand). Registered businesses add it to most sales.

Good to know

Turn on tax settings in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify: taxes

Lesson 22.11: PaymentsConvert

In short

Let people pay the way they like, because every extra step at checkout loses buyers.

Do this now

Step 1: In Settings > Payments , turn on Shopify Payments if available in your country (see Shopify Payments ).

Why this matters

Let people pay the way they like, because every extra step at checkout loses buyers. Express wallets and a recognisable statement name cut drop-offs and disputes.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

In Settings > Payments, turn on Shopify Payments if available in your country (see Shopify Payments).

Expected result

Cards are accepted. You also avoid Shopify's extra fee for outside payment providers (2% on Basic).

Tips

Good to know

Turn on payments in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify Payments

Lesson 22.12: Policies and legal pagesConvert

General information, not legal advice.

In short

Clear policies build trust and keep you within the law.

Do this now

Step 1: Go to Settings > Policies .

Why this matters

Clear policies build trust and keep you within the law. Write them in plain words a 12-year-old could follow, and link them where buyers look.

Step 1 of 80 of 8 done

Go to Settings > Policies. Make Return and refund, Privacy, Terms of service, Shipping and Contact information pages, starting from Shopify's templates (see Shopify: store policies).

Expected result

All five policy pages exist.

Tips

Lesson 22.13: Essential apps (and only those)Convert

In short

Every app can slow your store and adds a monthly cost.

Do this now

Step 1: Install the starter set only.

Why this matters

Every app can slow your store and adds a monthly cost. A small starter set covers almost everything a new store needs. See Module 18 for when to add more.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

Install the starter set only. That is a reviews app, plus Shopify Email or another email tool. Add the Facebook & Instagram and Google & YouTube channels, and maybe an after-purchase offer app. Add subscriptions only if you sell refills.

Expected result

Your app list is short and every app has a job.

Tips

Lesson 22.16: Place test ordersConvert

In short

A test order proves that payments, emails, stock and tracking all work together.

Do this now

Step 1: In Settings > Payments , turn on test mode for Shopify Payments.

Why this matters

A test order proves that payments, emails, stock and tracking all work together. It is the last step before real customers.

Step 1 of 50 of 5 done

In Settings > Payments, turn on test mode for Shopify Payments. Or use Shopify's test payment gateway, which shows as Bogus Gateway (see Shopify: test orders).

Expected result

Checkout accepts test card numbers.

Tips

Test order
A pretend order you place yourself to check payments, emails and tracking work.

Good to know

Place a test order in Shopify

Drawing, not a real screenshot. Labels on your screen may look a little different. Official help: Shopify: test orders

Lesson 22.17: Pre-launch checklistConvert

In short

Do one last checklist before you launch or turn on ads.

Do this now

Step 1: Go through every row of the table below and tick it off.

Why this matters

Do one last checklist before you launch or turn on ads. It catches the small things that cost the first sales.

Step 1 of 30 of 3 done

Go through every row of the table below and tick it off.

Expected result

Every row is ticked.

Good to know

Area Check
Domain Own domain is primary; emails come from your domain
Theme Published copy you tested; logo, colours and fonts set
Home page Promise, one button and proof visible on a phone
Products 4+ photos, price, rating, FAQ, cost and weight on every variant
Collections and menu 4 to 5 menu links; filters on; search works
Shipping Home zone, clear rates, free-shipping amount shown
Taxes GST or state settings checked (with your accountant)
Payments Cards, Shop Pay and express wallets; statement name set
Policies Return and refund, privacy, terms, shipping and contact linked in footer
Apps Only the starter set; speed checked after each
Tracking Test Purchase seen in Meta and Google
Speed Main product image shows in about 2.5 seconds on a phone (Lesson 9.4)
Password Store password removed when you are ready to launch

Lesson 22.18: Sell to people near youConvert

In short

Local shoppers can get your products the same day, with no shipping cost.

Do this now

Step 1: In Shopify, go to Settings , then Shipping and delivery .

Why this matters

Local shoppers can get your products the same day, with no shipping cost. Pickup and local delivery remove a big reason people leave the cart. Local ads can also reach people who walk past your door.

Step 1 of 50 of 5 done

In Shopify, go to Settings, then Shipping and delivery. Turn on Local pickup if people can collect from you.

Expected result

Pickup shows as a free option at checkout for nearby shoppers.

Words to know in this module

Domain
Your store's web address, like yourbrand.com.
Theme
The design template for your Shopify store. It controls how every page looks.
Test order
A pretend order you place yourself to check payments, emails and tracking work.
Profit
Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.
Variant
One option of a product, like a size or colour, with its own stock and price.
GST
Goods and services tax. Each country sets its own rate, such as 10% (Australia) or 15% (New Zealand). Registered businesses add it to most sales.
Sales tax
In the US, a tax set by most states (and many local areas) that the seller collects at checkout.
Product cost
What one item costs you to make or buy, including freight to your warehouse.
Guarantee
A clear promise that removes the fear of a bad purchase, like a 30-day money-back promise.
SKU
Stock keeping unit: a short code you give each product option so you can track it.
Nexus
In the US, a link with a state (like a warehouse there, or enough sales into it) that means you must collect its sales tax.
Duties
Taxes charged by a country on goods coming in from overseas.
VAT
Value added tax: the UK and EU version of GST, usually included in the shown price.
Express wallets
One-tap payment options, like Shop Pay or the wallet on a shopper's phone.
All words to know