How to Use Shopify’s Free Trial to Start Selling Online (Step-by-Step Guide!)

Thinking about starting an online store but don’t want to commit to a paid plan just yet? Shopify’s free trial is the perfect way to test things out before spending any money. It lets you build a store, add products, and even process some orders (depending on the plan). The best part? You don’t need a credit card to get started!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to sign up, set up your store, and make the most of your free trial. Let’s dive in!

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Step 1: Sign Up for Shopify’s Free Trial

First things first, head over to Shopify’s website and click on the “Start Free Trial” button. Shopify usually offers a 3-day free trial, but they often have promotions where you can extend it or pay just $1/month for a longer period.

What You’ll Need to Sign Up:

       1.An email address (use one you check often)

       2.A store name (can be changed later)    

       3.A rough idea of what you want to sell

Once you enter your email and store name, Shopify will ask you a few questions about your business goals. Answer them honestly—it helps Shopify suggest the best tools for your store.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shopify Store

Once you’re in, you’ll land on your Shopify Dashboard, which is where all the magic happens. Here’s what to do next:

1. Pick a Theme

Go to Online Store > Themes and choose a free theme to start with. Shopify has some great free options like Dawn and Sense that look clean and professional.

2. Add Products

Go to Products > Add Product and start listing items. You’ll need:

          1.A product name

          2.A description (make it engaging!)

          3.High-quality images

          4.Pricing details

          5.Inventory (if you have stock)

          6.Shipping information

Don’t stress too much—this can always be updated later!

3. Set Up Payments

To get paid, you need to set up a payment method. Go to Settings > Payments and choose Shopify Payments (easiest option) or connect PayPal, Stripe, or another provider.

4. Customize Your Website

Under Online Store > Customize, you can tweak your homepage, add your logo, and change colors/fonts to match your brand.

Step 3: Explore Shopify’s Features

Shopify’s free trial gives you access to a ton of cool features. Here are a few worth checking out:

             Apps & Plugins: Add extra functionality with the Shopify App Store (like live chat, upsells, and email marketing).

             Marketing Tools: Use Shopify’s built-in SEO tools and integrations with Facebook & Google Ads.

             Analytics: See how your store is performing with Shopify’s reports.

Step 4: Launch & Test Your Store

Even though you’re on a free trial, you can still make your store live! Share your link with friends, test the checkout process, and get feedback before committing to a paid plan.

Pro Tip: Use a $1/month Shopify Deal

Shopify often runs deals where you can continue your trial for just $1 per month for three months. It’s a great way to keep testing without spending much!

Final Thoughts

Shopify’s free trial is a fantastic way to dip your toes into e-commerce without risk. Whether you’re serious about launching a business or just experimenting, follow these steps and make the most of it.