New to eCommerce? Here’s Everything you need to know about Shopify
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that enables businesses to create, customise, and manage their own online stores. Founded in 2006 by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake, Shopify has grown to support millions of merchants across approximately 175 countries.
How Shopify Works
At its core, Shopify provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to simplify the process of selling products and services online. Users can choose from a variety of customisable templates to design their storefronts, manage inventory, process payments, and track orders – all from a unified dashboard. The platform is cloud-based, allowing users to access their store from any device with an internet connection.
Key Features and Benefits
- User-Friendly Interface: Shopify’s intuitive design makes it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise. The drag-and-drop editor allows for customisation without the need for complex coding skills.
- Customisable Themes: With a wide selection of free and premium themes, merchants can create an online presence that aligns with their brand identity.
- App Integration: The Shopify App Store offers over 13,000 apps, enabling merchants to extend the functionality of their stores. These integrations cover areas such as marketing, customer service, inventory management, and more. You can browse Shopify Apps here >>
- Secure Payment Processing: Shopify Payments allows merchants to accept various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets, ensuring a seamless and secure checkout experience for customers. Apple Pay and Google Pay are included in this as a standard feature, which is paramount in today’s eCommerce UX.
- Mobile Optimisation: Recognising the growing trend of mobile shopping, Shopify ensures that all its themes are mobile-responsive, providing an optimal shopping experience across devices.
- SEO and Marketing Tools: Built-in SEO features help improve search engine rankings, while marketing tools like Email Marketing and social media integrations assist in reaching a broader audience.
- Scalability: Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, Shopify scales with your business. The platform offers various plans, including Shopify Plus, designed for high-volume merchants seeking advanced features and support.
- Point of Sale (POS) System: For businesses with physical locations, Shopify’s POS system integrates in-store and online sales, streamlining inventory management and sales tracking.
- Global Reach: With support for multiple languages and currencies, Shopify enables merchants to sell internationally, expanding their customer base beyond local markets.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Shopify offers round-the-clock support through various channels, including live chat, email, and phone, ensuring that assistance is available whenever needed.
Everything you need to know about Shopify – Pricing
Shopify operates on a subscription-based model, requiring merchants to pay a monthly fee that encompasses access to its cloud-based hosting and platform services. This structure ensures that your online store benefits from reliable performance, security, and scalability without the need for separate hosting arrangements.
Pricing varies based on the plan selected, each tailored to different business needs and sizes. For instance, as of February 2025, the Basic plan starts at £19 GBP per month when billed annually, offering essential features suitable for solo entrepreneurs. The Shopify plan, designed for growing businesses, is priced at £49 GBP per month, while the Advanced plan, catering to scaling enterprises, is available at £259 GBP per month. An introductory offers sees the first month of its standard plans costing just £1 for the first 3 months. If you are not entirely sure whether Shopify is for you, they are also offering a FREE 3 day trial for you to browse the system and essentially “try before you buy”.
For larger, more complex operations, Shopify Plus provides advanced capabilities, with pricing details available upon consultation.
Each plan includes hosting, but transaction fees and credit card rates may vary depending on the chosen plan and payment gateway configurations. If additional platform features are required from Shopify’s App Store, these may also incur additional fees/charges
For a comprehensive breakdown of features and pricing, you can refer to Shopify’s official pricing page.
Recent Shopify Developments
In recent years, Shopify has continued to innovate by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its platform. Features like “Shopify Magic” automate routine tasks such as generating product descriptions and discounts, enhancing efficiency for merchants.
Additionally, Shopify has expanded its payment options with Shop Pay, a streamlined checkout experience that allows customers to save their information for faster purchases. As of 2024, Shop Pay had over 150 million users worldwide.
How DTF Digital Can Assist You with Shopify eCommerce
Embarking on a new e-commerce venture or migrating from another platform can be a complex process. DTF Digital specialises in setting up Shopify stores tailored to your unique business needs. Our services include:
- New Store Setup: We guide you through the process of launching your online store, from initial setup to going live, ensuring a seamless experience.
- Platform Migration: If you’re moving from a different e-commerce platform, we handle the migration process meticulously, ensuring that your data is transferred accurately and efficiently.
- Custom Design: Our team creates professional, on-brand, bespoke designs that resonate with your target audience and enhance user experience.
- Ongoing Maintenance: To keep your store running smoothly, we offer monthly maintenance services, managing product updates, security checks, and performance optimisations.
Partnering with DTF Digital ensures that your Shopify store is not only visually appealing but also optimised for performance and growth. Our expertise allows you to focus on your core business operations while we handle the technical aspects of your e-commerce platform.
Shopify stands as a robust and versatile platform for building and managing an online store. Its extensive features and continuous innovation make it a preferred choice for merchants worldwide. With the support of professionals like us, you can leverage Shopify’s capabilities to establish a successful and thriving e-commerce business.
Helpful Shopify Guides
