6
Shopify Store Initial Setup
基础
2-3 days
Complete guide to building a professional Shopify online store from scratch, including account registration, domain configuration, basic settings, and optimization.
Shopify Account Registration & Initial Configuration
Detailed guidance on Shopify account registration, plan selection, and basic configuration process
📋
Pre-Registration PreparationEssential preparations to ensure smooth registration process
- Prepare international email (recommended: Gmail, Outlook, or ProtonMail)
- Ensure stable network environment (VPN recommended for access)
- Prepare international credit card or PayPal account for payment
- Prepare basic store information (store name, business category, target market)
- Understand Shopify pricing plans and feature differences
🛍️
Detailed Account Registration ProcessStep-by-step completion of Shopify account registration with trial benefits
- Visit Shopify official website or register through invitation link (get 3 months at $1/month)
- Enter email address and set strong password (include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters)
- Fill in store name (can be modified later, recommend brand-related)
- Select "I'm already selling" or "I'm just starting out" based on actual situation
- Complete email verification (check spam folder)
- Set store address information (affects tax and shipping calculations)
💳
Detailed Shopify Plan ComparisonChoose the most suitable plan based on business needs
- Basic Plan ($29/month): Suitable for startups, includes basic features and 2 staff accounts
- Shopify Plan ($79/month): Suitable for growing businesses, includes professional reports and 5 staff accounts
- Advanced Plan ($299/month): Suitable for large enterprises, includes advanced reports and 15 staff accounts
- Shopify Plus: Enterprise-level solution with custom pricing
- Trial period recommendation: Start with Basic Plan, upgrade as business grows
- Important note: Plans can be upgraded or downgraded anytime, billed monthly
🔒
Account Security SettingsStrengthen account security protection to safeguard store data
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) - recommend Google Authenticator
- Set strong password policy (regular changes, unique from other platforms)
- Configure login notifications (detect unusual login attempts)
- Set staff permission management (principle of least privilege)
- Regularly check login logs and activity records
- Backup important data and configuration settings
⚙️
Basic Store Information ConfigurationComplete store basic information and operational settings
- Store details: Complete store description, contact information, business hours
- Currency settings: Choose primary sales currency (recommend USD or target market currency)
- Tax configuration: Set tax rates according to business region (consult tax experts)
- Shipping zones: Set delivery areas and shipping policies
- Payment methods: Configure Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, etc.
- Notification settings: Configure order, inventory, customer notifications
💰
Detailed Payment Gateway ConfigurationSet up multiple payment methods to improve conversion rates
- Shopify Payments: Official payment gateway, lowest fees (2.4%-2.9%)
- PayPal Express: Globally accepted, high customer trust (2.9%+$0.30)
- Stripe: Advanced technology, supports various payment methods (2.9%+$0.30)
- Local payment methods: Add based on target market (e.g., Alipay, WeChat Pay)
- Test payment process: Use test mode to verify payment functionality
- Fraud protection: Enable Shopify's fraud analysis tools
Domain Binding & SSL Configuration
Connect custom domain to Shopify store and configure SSL certificate for security
Step 1: Domain Preparation & Verification
Ensure domain availability and prepare DNS configuration
- Confirm domain ownership and management permissions
- Login to domain registrar management panel (e.g., Cloudflare, GoDaddy)
- Backup existing DNS records (avoid service interruption from configuration errors)
- Confirm domain status is normal (not locked or in transfer)
- Prepare subdomain strategy (www, shop, etc.)
Step 2: Detailed DNS Resolution Configuration
Configure DNS records at domain registrar to point to Shopify
- Add A record: @ pointing to 23.227.38.65 (Shopify main IP)
- Add CNAME record: www pointing to shops.myshopify.com
- Remove conflicting A and CNAME records (avoid resolution conflicts)
- Set TTL value to 300 seconds (speed up DNS propagation)
- Save DNS configuration and wait for effect (usually 5-30 minutes)
Step 3: Shopify Backend Domain Binding
Add custom domain in Shopify admin panel
- Login to Shopify admin panel, go to Settings > Domains
- Click "Connect existing domain" button
- Enter complete domain name (e.g., www.yourdomain.com)
- Click "Verify connection" to verify DNS configuration
- Wait for verification to pass (may take minutes to hours)
- Set as primary domain
Step 4: SSL Certificate Configuration & Verification
Ensure website uses HTTPS encrypted connection
- Shopify automatically generates free SSL certificate for custom domains
- Wait for SSL certificate generation completion (usually 24-48 hours)
- Verify HTTPS access: visit https://yourdomain.com
- Check SSL certificate status: look for lock icon in browser address bar
- Configure HTTP to HTTPS redirect (Shopify handles automatically)
- Update all internal links to use HTTPS
Step 5: Domain Configuration Troubleshooting
Resolve common domain binding issues
- DNS propagation check: Use tools to check global DNS propagation status
- Clear browser cache and DNS cache
- Check domain registrar DNS settings are correct
- Confirm no CDN or proxy services interfering
- Contact Shopify support for technical assistance
- Consider using Cloudflare or other DNS services for improved performance
Basic Store Configuration & Optimization
Complete basic store settings to improve user experience and search engine optimization
🎨
Theme Selection & InstallationChoose appropriate store theme and perform basic customization
- Browse Shopify theme store, select industry-appropriate theme
- Consider factors: mobile responsiveness, loading speed, SEO-friendly, conversion optimization
- Recommended free themes: Dawn, Craft, Sense (officially maintained, excellent performance)
- Paid theme selection: Choose based on budget and feature requirements ($100-$300)
- Install theme: Theme > Add theme > Select and install
- Backup current theme: Avoid losing customizations
📄
Essential Page CreationCreate necessary store pages to enhance professionalism
- About Us page: Brand story, team introduction, values
- Contact page: Contact information, address, business hours, contact form
- Privacy Policy: Privacy policy (use Shopify template)
- Terms of Service: Service terms (consult legal experts)
- Shipping Policy: Shipping policy, timeframes, fee explanations
- Return Policy: Return and exchange policy, process, time limits
🧭
Navigation Menu OptimizationDesign clear website navigation structure
- Main navigation: Product categories, brand story, contact us
- Footer navigation: Customer service, policy pages, social media
- Mobile navigation: Simplified menu structure, optimized touch experience
- Breadcrumb navigation: Help users understand current location
- Search functionality: Add search box, support quick product finding
- Menu hierarchy: No more than 3 levels, keep simple and clear
🔍
Basic SEO ConfigurationOptimize search engine visibility to increase organic traffic
- Website title and description: Set in Settings > General
- Page title optimization: Set unique title and description for each page
- URL structure optimization: Use concise, descriptive URLs
- Image Alt tags: Add descriptive Alt text for all images
- Schema markup: Shopify automatically adds structured data
- XML sitemap: Shopify automatically generates and submits to search engines
📊
Google Analytics IntegrationSet up website analytics tools to track visitor behavior
- Create Google Analytics 4 account
- Get Measurement ID (G-XXXXXXXXXX format)
- Add in Shopify backend: Settings > Analytics > Google Analytics
- Configure e-commerce tracking: Automatically track purchases, add to cart events
- Set conversion goals: Purchase, registration, contact key behaviors
- Verify data collection: Use Google Analytics real-time reports
📱
Social Media IntegrationConnect social media platforms to expand brand influence
- Add social media icons: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
- Configure Facebook Pixel: Track ad effectiveness and user behavior
- Set up Instagram Shopping: Sell products directly on Instagram
- Add customer reviews: Integrate Google Reviews, Trustpilot, etc.
- Social sharing buttons: Add sharing functionality to product pages
- Social media login: Simplify customer registration process
Important Reminders & Best Practices
Key considerations and practical advice to help avoid common issues
重要提醒！
- ⏰
Shopify Trial Period Management
Make full use of trial period, avoid unnecessary costs
- 🚨
Common Domain Binding Pitfalls
DNS configuration errors may cause website inaccessibility, be sure to backup original settings
- 💡
Payment Method Selection Advice
Offering multiple payment methods can significantly improve conversion rates, recommend at least 3 options
- 💾
Importance of Data Backup
Regularly backup store data, theme settings, and important configurations to prevent accidental loss
- ⚖️
Compliance Requirements Reminder
Add necessary legal pages and tax settings according to sales region requirements