A store that's easy to buy from.

What do shoppers search before they buy online?

Shoppers search by product or by need: "waxed canvas tote," "gift for a hiker," "handmade candles Michigan" or a brand and model number. They then open a few stores and compare. A small store rarely wins on price, so it wins on clarity.

Buyers ask the same questions of every store. What does shipping cost, and when will it arrive? Can I return this? Is it the right size or color? Is this store real?

Most visitors arrive on a product page from a search or a social post, not on your home page. Every product page therefore has to work as a first impression: what it is, what it costs, how it ships and why they can trust you.

Gifts and seasonal items add pressure. People buying a gift want a delivery date, a gift option and a return policy that does not make them nervous.

Which pages does a store need?

• Product pages: several clear photos, a description in your words, sizes, materials and price.
• Collections: groupings by use or gift, not only by category.
• Shipping and returns: in plain language, linked from every product page.
• About and contact: a real name, a real place and a way to reach you.
• FAQ: sizing, care, gift options and order changes.

What mistakes do online stores make?

• Revealing shipping cost only at the last step of checkout. It is a common reason people abandon an order.
• Copying supplier descriptions. If hundreds of stores use the same words, none of them stand out.
• Dark, small or inconsistent photos.
• Installing many add-on apps. Each can slow the store and adds a monthly fee.
• Hiding the return policy.
• Skipping a free-shipping threshold when your average order could use a nudge.

What does a store cost to start?

Our store build is $4,500, quoted in writing. Shopify's own subscription and payment fees are separate and paid to Shopify. We set up shipping and tax settings from the rules you give us, but sales tax details are a question for your accountant.

If you also have a physical location, our restaurants and shops page covers what that site needs. For features Shopify does not offer out of the box, see custom development. Every price is on the pricing page.