Why Shopify?
Shopify removes the technical barriers that used to make selling online feel overwhelming. Unlike WordPress, you don't need to manage hosting, plugins, or security patches. The platform handles secure payments, real-time inventory, and social media integrations — all from a single dashboard. Whether you run a physical shop, a creative studio, or are starting from zero, Shopify scales with you.
Step 1 — Create Your Account
Go to shopify.com and click "Start free trial." Enter your email, create a password, and choose your store name. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, followed by discounted pricing for the first few months so you have time to set everything up without pressure.lafabriqueshopify+1
💡 Tip: Choose a store name that reflects your brand — it will appear in your temporary URL and shape your first impression online.
Step 2 — Choose Your Pricing Plan
Shopify offers several plans to match different stages of growth (France prices)
Start with Basic — you can always upgrade as your sales grow.
Step 3 — Choose and Customize Your Theme
Your theme is your storefront's visual identity. Shopify's Theme Store offers dozens of free and paid options, designed for different industries. To choose the right one:
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Browse by industry (fashion, food, crafts, home goods, etc.)
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Preview the mobile version — most purchases happen on a smartphone
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Prioritize speed and simplicity over flashy design
Once you've picked a theme, customize it using the drag-and-drop visual editor: upload your logo, set your brand colors, and select your fonts. No coding required.
💡 Tip: Shopify's free Dawn theme is clean, fast, and ideal for most small stores just getting started.
Step 4 — Add Your Products
From the "Products" section in your back office, click "Add product" for each item. For every product, fill in:youtube
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A clear, keyword-rich title
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High-quality photos (minimum 3 images per product)
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An engaging description (benefits first, then technical specs)
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Price and available stock
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Variants where applicable (size, color, format)
Then organize your products into collections (e.g., "New Arrivals," "Bestsellers," "Handmade Ceramics") to make navigation intuitive.
Step 5 — Set Up Payments
This is the most critical step. Under Settings > Payments, activate the payment methods you want to accept. Shopify Payments is the built-in solution and supports:
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
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Apple Pay and Google Pay
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PayPal (via integration)
Important: Using Shopify Payments means no additional transaction fees from Shopify. If you use a third-party provider, a fee of 0.5%–2% applies depending on your plan.
💡 For European sellers: Make sure 3D Secure authentication is enabled for card payments — it has been a legal requirement in the EU since 2021.
Step 6 — Configure Shipping and Taxes
Under Settings > Shipping and delivery, create your shipping zones (domestic, Europe, worldwide) and set your rates. Your options include:
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Flat rate per order
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Free shipping above a minimum order value
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Real-time carrier rates (UPS, DHL, Royal Mail, etc.)
For taxes, Shopify can calculate them automatically based on your location and your customers' location. Make sure your tax settings are aligned with local regulations before going live.
Step 7 — Set Up Your Domain and Legal Pages
Purchase a custom domain directly through Shopify or connect an existing one via Settings > Domains. A branded domain (e.g., mystore.com) builds trust and improves your search engine ranking.
Before launch, also create the required legal pages:
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Legal notice / About
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Privacy policy
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Terms and conditions
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Refund and return policy
Shopify can auto-generate templates for these pages — review and adapt them to your specific situation before publishing.
Step 8 — Test and Go Live
Before opening your store to the public, place a test order to validate the full customer journey. Check:
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Payment processing works end to end
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Order confirmation emails are sent correctly
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Legal pages are accessible from the footer
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Mobile browsing is smooth and fast
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Shipping costs display correctly at checkout
Once everything checks out, go to Settings > Online Store, remove the password protection, and your store is live.
Prefer to Have Expert Support?
Building your store yourself is entirely doable — but it takes time, attention to detail, and the confidence to make the right decisions at every step. If you'd rather have a francophone expert guide you through the process, Entrepreneurs Lane offers Lane 2 — "The Digital Launch": a full-service program covering your Shopify store setup, payment and shipping configuration, and online visibility strategy. It's designed specifically for merchants, artisans, and creators who want a stress-free launch — starting from €2,800 excl. VAT.
What Comes After Launch
Your Shopify store is a living project, not a one-time setup. Once you're live, focus on:
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SEO: Publish regular blog content to build topical authority and rank for long-tail searches entrepreneurslane
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Social media: Optimize your Instagram and TikTok profiles with relevant keywords and consistent posting. entrepreneurslane
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Customer reviews: Ask your first buyers to leave a review — social proof drives conversions
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Analytics: Use Shopify's built-in reports to identify your best-performing products and adjust your strategyscribd
Sources
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Shopify — How to Create an Online Store: Complete Guide shopify
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Shopify Help Center — Official Launch Checklisthelp. shopify
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Entrepreneurs Lane — Why Shopify Is the Best Platform for Local Small Businesses
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Entrepreneurs Lane— SEO in 2026: How AI Has Changed the Way Your Customers Find You
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Iubenda — Shopify Checklist: Essential Steps Before Launchiubenda
This guide is brought to you by Entrepreneurs Lane, a consulting specializing in digital growth for independent merchants and creative entrepreneurs in francophone and anglophone markets.