With its user-friendly interface, robust built-in sales features, and vast app store boasting over 8,000 apps, Shopify stands out as a premier hosted eCommerce platform.
If you’re considering launching a Shopify store, maximizing the Shopify free trial is a savvy way to test the waters and save some money in the process.
But how long is Shopify’s free trial, and what steps should you take once you’ve secured it? In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need about Shopify’s free trial programs.
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What Is Shopify, And What Is Its Free Trial Program?
Imagine having a virtual mall kiosk, but instead of paying rent and dealing with mall headaches, you manage it all online. That’s Shopify! It’s a platform designed specifically for creating and running an online store.
So, how does it work?
When you sign up for Shopify, you get an admin dashboard, like a mission control center for your store. This dashboard lets you:
- Design your store: Choose a theme and customize the look and feel to match your brand.
- Add products: Upload photos and descriptions, and set prices for everything you want to sell.
- Manage sales: Process orders, track inventory, and accept payments securely.
- Market your business: Use built-in tools to promote your store and reach new customers.
Shopify has different monthly plans, ranging from $25 to $399. The good news is Shopify offers a free trial program.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Standard Trial: This gives you access to most features for $1 per month for the first 3 months. It’s a great way to test the waters and see if Shopify is a good fit for you.
- Secret Trial: There’s actually a better deal! We can’t disclose all the details here, but a little research online can help you find out how to get an extended trial period at a very low cost.
If you’re serious about starting an online business, Shopify is a powerful and user-friendly option. The free trial lets you explore the platform and see if it meets your needs before committing. With a little effort, you might even snag a super affordable extended trial to give it a thorough test drive!
Shopify’s Free Trial Long
Shopify’s free trial options can be a bit of a maze, with whispers of different durations floating around. Let’s clear the air and get you the facts straight.
Current Free Trial: (As of April 6, 2024)
- The Straightforward Option: Shopify offers a 3-day free trial. This gives you a taste of the platform and lets you experiment with setting up your store.
- The Extended Play: After the 3 days, you can extend your trial for an additional month for just $1. This lets you delve deeper into Shopify’s features and see if it fits your business.
Trials That Are No Longer Available
- 14-Day Trial: Shopify used to offer a 14-day trial, but the current 3-day option has replaced this offer.
- 60-Day Trial: Back in 2019, Shopify had a 60-day trial as part of a specific marketing campaign. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available.
- 90-Day Trial: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shopify offered a 90-day trial to encourage businesses to move online. This program ended in June 2020.
So, How Long Can You Really Try Shopify for Free?
The official free trial is 3 days, with the option to extend it for an additional month at a low price. While there might be unofficial ways to extend it further, proceed cautiously if you choose to explore that path.
What Should Sellers Do During Shopify Free Trial?
Here are some things you should take advantage of during Shopify Free Trial!
Adding The Products to Your Shopify Store
Here’s the key to a thriving online store: amazing products! That’s why adding them is the first step in your Shopify free trial adventure. After all, these are the gems customers will add to their carts and checkout with.
Focus on adding products first, then customize your store’s look and feel later. This ensures every design tweak enhances your products, not the other way around.
Adding Products is a Breeze
- Navigate to Products.
- Click the Add product button.
This takes you to a product editing screen (like the one in the image). Here’s where the magic happens:
- Craft a Compelling Title: Give your product a clear and descriptive name that grabs attention.
- Write a Winning Description: Craft a captivating product description that highlights features and benefits, making customers want to add it to their cart.
- Add High-Quality Images: Showcase your products with stunning photos from multiple angles.
Don’t Forget to Save! Hit the save button to preserve your product details and preview it to see how it looks on your store.
Moving from Another Platform? No worries! You can import product data from your current platform using a CSV file. Here’s how:
- In your current platform, export your product data as a CSV file.
- On your Shopify admin dashboard, go to Products > Import.
- Upload your CSV file.
Now you’ve got your product arsenal ready to roll! With these first steps, you’re well on your way to building a successful online store during your Shopify free trial.
Dress Up Shop By Theme Customization
Your products are ready to shine, but now it’s time to make your store visually stunning! Here’s how to customize your theme during your Shopify free trial.
A well-designed store creates a positive first impression for customers. It reflects your brand and makes it easy for visitors to navigate and find what they want.
By default, you’ll have access to the Dawn theme, a free and customizable theme from Shopify. Before you consider premium themes, let’s explore the potential of Dawn during your free trial.
Unleashing the Theme Editor:
- Head to your Shopify admin dashboard.
- Click Online Store.
- Find the theme you want to customize (Dawn in this case).
- Click Customize.
Here’s where you can personalize your store’s look and feel. You can tweak various sections like:
- Homepage: Make your first impression count!
- Collection Page: Organize your products and entice customers to browse.
- About Us Page: Tell your brand story and connect with your audience.
The theme editor lets you play around with fonts, colors, layouts, and more. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what resonates with you. Remember, you can always preview your changes before making them permanent.
Shopify offers a vast library of premium themes that cater to different styles and functionalities. But before you make the jump, mastering the free Dawn theme during your trial is a great way to build your design skills and confidence.
Setting Up Your Payments
Your products look amazing, and your theme is on point, but there’s one more crucial step, configuring payments! Here’s how to prepare your store to accept money during your Shopify free trial.
Shopify offers two ways to accept customer payments:
- Shopify Payments: This is the recommended option if it’s available in your region. Using Shopify Payments means you avoid extra transaction fees from third-party providers.
- Third-Party Payment Gateways: You can choose a third-party payment gateway like PayPal. However, remember you’ll incur additional transaction fees for using this method.
Setting Up Payments is a Breeze:
- Head to your Shopify admin dashboard.
- Click Settings.
- Select Payments.
- Choosing Your Provider: In the “Payment Provider” section, click “Choose a provider.” You’ll see a list of available options, including Shopify Payments and third-party gateways.
- Click on Payment Methods.
- Tick the boxes next to all the payment methods you want to offer (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, etc.). This will help identify providers that support your chosen methods.
Important Note: Since your free trial might have limitations on features, activating Shopify Payments might require contacting Shopify support to verify your eligibility.
With payments configured, your store is now equipped to accept customer orders! Remember, if you choose a third-party gateway, make sure you understand and accept their associated transaction fees.
Install Shopify Apps
Shopify’s free trial is a fantastic opportunity to test the platform and discover its hidden gem, the extensive Shopify App Store! Over 87% of Shopify merchants leverage apps to fuel their online businesses, and you can, too!
While Shopify’s built-in sales and marketing features are impressive, there’s always room for more. Here’s how to spice up your free trial experience with must-have apps:
- PageFly, Gempages, Shogun: These apps let you create stunning pages with pre-made templates, making the design process a breeze, even for beginners.
- Ali Reviews, Judge.me, Loox: These top-rated apps help you collect and showcase customer reviews, giving your store instant credibility.
- Reconvert, Honeycomb, Frequently Bought Together: These apps help you recommend relevant products, encouraging customers to spend more at checkout.
- TrueProfit, BeProfit, Conversific: These apps help you track your true profits and losses, giving you a clear picture of your store’s financial health.
Important Note: Some apps might have limited functionality during your free trial or require paid plans to unlock full features. However, exploring these categories in the app store can give you valuable insights and help you choose the perfect apps for your store once you launch for real.
FAQs
How can I access a one-month free trial on Shopify?
Unfortunately, Shopify does not offer a one-month free trial. Instead, the standard trial period remains at 3 days, with the option to continue for $1 per month for the initial 2 months. Despite its minimal cost, it essentially serves as a free trial.
Does Shopify offer a 90-day free trial?
Shopify no longer offers a 90-day free trial. This offer was initially available during the COVID-19 pandemic but has now expired.
Is Shopify available for $1 for a 3-month period?
No, Shopify does not offer a $1 deal for 3 months. The $1 offer applies only for the first 2 months after the conclusion of the 3-day free trial.
What is the duration of Shopify’s free trial?
The standard Shopify free trial lasts for 3 days. Following this period, you can continue using the platform for $1 monthly for the first 2 months. In specific cases, the trial period may be extended to 120 days instead of the usual 3 days.
In Conclusion
Shopify presents an excellent opportunity to kickstart your selling endeavors. We trust this article has helped alleviate any confusion surrounding the Shopify free trial.
After reading, we hope you feel equipped to confidently sign up and explore the platform before making investment decisions. Happy selling!