What Is Shopify and How Does It Work?
If you’re considering launching an online store, you’ve likely come across Shopify. But what exactly is it, and how can it help your business grow? In this guide, we’ll explain what Shopify is, why it’s such a popular eCommerce platform, and whether it’s the right fit for you.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes sell products online. It provides everything you need to set up and run a store — from hosting and payments to inventory management and checkout. Best of all, you don’t need coding experience to get started.
With Shopify, you can sell physical and digital products, manage orders, and expand globally. The platform’s app store also gives you thousands of integrations to add features like subscriptions, email marketing, and advanced analytics.
Why Choose Shopify? Key Benefits
- Easy to use: Launch and manage your store without technical knowledge.
- Scalable: Suitable for small shops and large enterprises (via Shopify Plus).
- Secure: PCI-compliant with built-in SSL and reliable uptime.
- Mobile-optimised: Themes and checkout are responsive by default.
- Global payments: Sell worldwide with 100+ supported gateways.
How Much Does Shopify Cost?
Shopify has several pricing tiers to suit different businesses:
- Basic Shopify: £19/month – great for small businesses just starting out.
- Shopify: £49/month – adds advanced reports and lower fees.
- Advanced Shopify: £259/month – designed for scaling with more staff and reporting.
- Shopify Plus: custom pricing – enterprise-level solution.
Keep in mind: apps, premium themes, and payment processing fees are additional costs to budget for.
Is Shopify Right for My Business?
If you sell products online, Shopify is one of the best platforms available. However, it’s not for everyone. If you run a blog, a service-only business, or require full customisation and control of hosting, you may want to consider alternatives like WordPress.
Important: Shopify restricts certain industries (such as firearms, gambling, counterfeit goods, and high-risk financial services). Always check their acceptable use policy before committing.
Can You Customise a Shopify Store?
Yes. You can start with free or paid themes, then customise design, content, and layout. For a unique look and advanced functionality, a Shopify developer can create a bespoke theme or add custom code and integrations tailored to your brand.
Is Shopify Easy to Use?
Shopify is user-friendly for day-to-day tasks like uploading products, processing orders, and editing content. However, advanced features such as automation, marketing integrations, and custom design often require expert help.
Hiring a Shopify agency like Morgan Digital saves you time and ensures your store is built to industry best practices. We know what works on Shopify — and what pitfalls to avoid.
FAQ: Common Questions About Shopify
Can I sell services on Shopify?
Yes, but it’s primarily designed for products. Service-based businesses may be better off on WordPress or Wix.
Does Shopify support digital products?
Yes, you can sell downloads, memberships, and subscriptions with the right apps.
Is Shopify good for SEO?
Shopify includes built-in SEO features like editable metadata and clean URLs, but advanced SEO may require apps or custom development.
Can I migrate from another platform?
Yes — we regularly migrate businesses from WooCommerce, Wix, and other systems into Shopify.
Case Study: Shopify in Action
We recently helped a fashion retailer migrate from Wix to Shopify. Within 3 months, their new store had a faster checkout, improved mobile design, and sales increased by 28%. With a tailored setup, they’re now scaling into international markets.
Thinking About Shopify?
The best way to decide if Shopify is right for you is to explore it with guidance. Start a free 14-day trial, or book a consultation with our team at Morgan Digital. We’ll give you an honest assessment of whether Shopify is the right platform for your business goals.
Need expert Shopify advice? Get in touch with Morgan Digital. Call us today or connect via Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
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