Shopify Store Setup: The Exact Checklist from Blank Theme to First Sale (2025 Guide)

To set up a Shopify store in 2025, you need to: create an account, choose a plan, set up your theme, add products, configure payments, launch marketing, and test your checkout before going live.

This checklist walks you through everything from opening a blank theme to celebrating your first order.

Why Shopify Is the Go-To Platform in 2025

• Over 4.5 million websites run on Shopify globally (Statista 2025).
• Built-in multi-channel selling (Amazon, Instagram, TikTok).
• Strong app ecosystem (8,000+ apps).
• Beginner-friendly but scalable for SMBs and enterprises.

At Reliqus, we’ve helped 200+ businesses migrate or launch on Shopify, often boosting conversion rates by 25–40% within 3 months. 

Step 1 — Create Your Shopify Account

1. Go to Shopify.com.
2. Click “Start Free Trial” (3-day free trial in 2025).
3. Enter store name, email, password.
4. Pick your plan later (Basic, Shopify, Advanced).

Pro Tip: Use a professional email (e.g., sales@yourbrand.com) for trust.

Need guidance on Shopify setup? Book a free consultation with Reliqus to skip common pitfalls.

Step 2 — Choose the Right Shopify Plan

• Basic ($29/month): Great for startups.
• Shopify ($79/month): Best for scaling SMBs.
• Advanced ($299/month): Enterprise-level features.

Hidden Costs: Apps & transaction fees (2% unless using Shopify Payments).

Step 3 — Select and Customize a Theme

1. Browse free/premium themes in the Shopify Theme Store.
2. Install & preview theme.
3. Customize colors, fonts, and navigation.

Checklist:

• Homepage: clear hero section + CTA
• Product Page: high-res images + reviews
• Cart Page: easy checkout flow

If you need a conversion-focused custom theme, a Shopify website design agency like Reliqus can redesign your store to boost sales.

Step 4 — Add Products and Collections

1. Go to Products → Add Product.
2. Enter product title, description, and images.
3. Set pricing, SKU, and inventory.
4. Organize products into Collections (e.g., Men’s Shoes, Women’s Accessories).

SEO Tip: Use long-tail keywords in product titles (e.g., “Handmade Leather Backpack” vs. “Backpack”).

Step 5 — Configure Payments, Shipping, and Taxes

• Payments: Activate Shopify Payments (Stripe, PayPal, credit cards).
• Shipping: Flat rate, weight-based, or carrier-calculated.
• Taxes: Enable auto-calculated rates based on region.

Advanced Option: Add “Buy Now, Pay Later” (Klarna, Shop Pay Installments) to increase conversion rates.

Explore the cheapest e-commerce website platforms if you’re cost-conscious.

Step 6 — Set Up Essential Apps

Recommended starter apps (2025):

• SEO & Marketing: Plug in SEO, Klaviyo for email, Judge.me for reviews.
• Conversion: Privy (popups), ReConvert (post-purchase upsell).
• Analytics: GA4 + Shopify Reports.

Reliqus Insight: One client added email automation with Klaviyo and saw +28% in repeat purchases.

Explore AI-assisted store builders to accelerate setup: AI Online Store Builder 2025.

Step 7 — Optimize for SEO

• Customize meta titles and descriptions for each product/category.
• Use clean URLs (/products/product-name).
• Install schema markup for products (via app or dev).
• Compress images & use descriptive alt text.

Our Shopify SEO services help optimize category structures, product schema, and speed for higher rankings.

Step 8 — Test Your Checkout Flow

Before launch, simulate a real order:

1. Add product to cart.
2. Apply the discount code.
3. Proceed to checkout.
4. Test payment (Shopify test mode).

Pro Tip: A/B test checkout buttons (Buy Now vs Add to Cart).

Step 9 — Launch Marketing Channels

• Email: Welcome sequence for new subscribers.
• Social Ads: Retargeting on Facebook & Instagram.
• Google Ads: Shopping campaigns (Product Feed).
• Content: Blog for SEO traffic.

Case Study: After launching a Shopify SEO + Google Ads campaign, one of our fashion clients achieved their first 100 sales in under 30 days.

Shopify Store Setup Checklist (At-a-Glance)

• Create account & trial 
• Choose a plan 
• Install & customize theme 
• Add products + collections 
• Configure payments, shipping, and taxes  
• Install essential apps 
• Optimize for SEO 
• Test checkout flow 
• Launch marketing campaigns

Final Thoughts — From Blank Theme to First Sale

Shopify makes it possible to launch a professional store in days, not months. But the difference between a store that “exists” and one that sells is in how well you optimize design, SEO, and marketing.

If you want to skip the trial-and-error, our team at Reliqus Consulting specializes in Shopify store setup, theme design, and custom app development. Start today with a free consultation.

FAQs

Q1. How long does it take to set up a Shopify store? 

You can launch in 1–2 days, but optimizing design & SEO may take 2–4 weeks.

Q2. Can I build a Shopify store without coding? 

Yes, Shopify is drag-and-drop friendly. Custom features require Liquid or dev help.

Q3. How much does a Shopify store cost in 2025? 

Basic costs: $29/month plan + apps ($50–$200/month) + domain (~$15/year).

Q4. Which Shopify apps are must-haves for beginners? 

Judge.me (reviews), Plug in SEO, Klaviyo (email), ReConvert (upsells).

Q5. Do I need a Shopify developer to launch my store? 

Not for basics. But for scaling, custom features, or SEO, working with a Shopify development agency saves time and boosts ROI.