This week we are doing things a little differently at Hot Mess and we’ve put together a whole video series for Shopify for Beginners! In this post we are breaking down some of the top questions we get from boutique owners just getting started (or thinking about getting started) with Shopify.
We asked our Head Dreamer Angela and Top Project Manager Karla for their thoughts, so if you’re thinking about jumping into ecommerce, this Shopify for Beginners series will hopefully answer some of your most burning questions!
And if video is more your style, check out the Q&As on our YouTube channel!
So first Question → Is Shopify good for beginners?
A: Shopify is one of the most user friendly platforms, and also one of the most robust. We love it because it is something that can grow with you. You don’t need all the bells and whistles when you’re just getting started, but as you grow, you can add in more and more features that will serve you as you scale.
It’s also great for boutique owners with a brick and mortar store as Shopify has got the full integration for a POS system, so it will fit neatly in with your current setup.
Shopify is also one of the biggest players in the ecommerce world, so their customer support team is next level. It also means that multiple sales channels is a breeze - you will always be able to find a solution that works with Shopify.
Cool cool cool. So what about setting up - is that easy too…..?
Q: What do I need to get started with Shopify?
A: Shopify is so easy to get started. They even have a free trial to get you started so you can see if you like it. And we don’t totally recommend this - but if you really wanted to, you get started on your phone. That’s how easy it is 👀
So go to shopify.com and create your account. Once you are registered, you need to think about the items you’re going to carry and how you will build out your collections and menus and pages. Shopify is full of resources to guide you through this, and then we also have a ton of resources on our blog and YouTube channel.
Our top tip is simply to roll up your sleeves, dive in and get started - play around with it and see how it feels. Just take it one step at a time, use the resources, and you’ll be up and running in no time 😚
Q: What is one thing you see biz owners miss when they set up their Shopify store?
Ooh, juicy question!!
A: There’s a few things we see boutique owners miss out in their eagerness to get started. And truthfully, if you can pick these things up, you’re one step ahead ;)
So first off, take an extra 5-10 minutes before you set everything up to get clear on how you will organize the products that you sell - be clear about how you want to set up your collections. Being organized from the beginning will save you so many headaches in the future - your future CEO self will definitely thank you for it!
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Second (and this is related!) be consistent in how you tag and describe your products, for the same reasons as above.
And lastly - though this might sound a bit odd! - make sure you are clear and consistent in how you name your location. This has a bearing on Local SEO and it also adds to the legitimacy of your business. It’s surprising how many boutique owners overlook this!
Nice! So, you’re a bona fide store owner on Shopify - what’s next?
Why, you need to make it look good of course!
That's it for Part 1! Stay tuned for Part 2, 3, and 4 coming soon!
