We're here to help you start your online store, so you can do it as cheaply and efficiently as possible. Whether you are selling your own products or reselling those of others, there are many ways to create an attractive, functional, and high-quality online store.

Although there are many applications and payment services that help you develop your website, here are some free solutions you can implement.

OPTIMIZING YOUR WEBSITE

ADD A SEARCH BAR

Search bars are known for improving the number of sales and they make the user experience much more personalized. Unfortunately, most search bars cost lots of money to implement. Try Instant Search+, which includes analysis features and offers a free one-month trial, then a $20 small business plan.

Here is a video that details some key benefits and features of Instant Search+.

MAKE YOUR PRODUCT PAGE STAND OUT

Make your product page feel more welcoming and attractive to your visitors. It should cover product description writing, clear product presentation, and cross-selling. You should also add a product review feature that is free and helps your customers better understand your products, as well as allowing you to get real information and communicate with your buyers. In fact, 65% of customers are more likely to buy from sites with user-generated comments.

DON'T LET IMAGES SLOW YOU DOWN

Amazon estimates that for every extra second your product page takes to load, they lose nearly $2 billion in revenue. If your product page takes more than three seconds to load, you will likely lose potential customers. It is extremely important to make sure that all your photos are optimally sized. Fortunately, Shopify has some free features such as image resizing. Need archival images? Don't pay for them. On the internet, you can access dozens of sites where, just by registering, you can add millions of archive photos.

USE DIFFERENT PAYMENT FORMS

Payment platforms are the mechanism that collects money from your customers and disburses it into your bank account. Shopify supports dozens of payment platforms, allowing your customers to use one they are familiar with. Payment platforms include both credit card and transaction charges, so the more you're using, the more you'll be paying; however, Shopify offers its own payment platform that eliminates transaction fees, reducing your costs immediately. Shopify Payments allow your customers to enter any type of credit card, so for most Shopify store owners, you don't have to worry about payment processing. Offering Apple Pay, Google Pay, or accepting cryptocurrencies is a good option.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO INCREASE SALES

Sales channels are integrations with other platforms that allow people to buy through your store. For example, someone who sees your product on Amazon or Twitter can buy directly from that site, instead of having to click on a link to your independent website. Many sales channels offer free integrations, including Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Keep in mind that some sales channels, such as Amazon, offer free integration applications, but require a paid business membership.

ANALYZE YOUR DATA

It's to have access to reliable data from the moment your store is created. Shopify has some free analysis tools, but you can learn a little more by combining different analytical tools. Google Analytics is an industry-standard analytics tool that will allow to gain valuable insights on user behavior on your website.

SPREADING THE MESSAGE

Getting your products on multiple social media platforms is crucial for any serious e-commerce site. There are applications that help you manage multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also find out more about selling through Instagram or Pinterest.

DESIGNING YOUR OWN THEME

One of the most important parts of your store is the impression user get when they first land on your site. The look of your Shopify store can be edited in the online store at → Themes. There are quite a few free Shopify themes that are ready to use, have good functionality, and are visually appealing.

If none of them catch your eye, try adjusting one of them until you have what you're looking for. In your administrator's right sidebar, you'll find each section of your topic. You can adjust the color, size, and style of any section, including headers, footers, body, etc.

Did you design a custom theme that you're proud of? Create some passive income by selling it to the Theme Store.

SHIPMENT TRACKING

There are many types of shipping services for your Shopify store. Profitability will depend on the number of shipments your company makes per month and can be pay per label or pay per month. In addition, there are applications that help you and your customers track your shipments while minimizing errors.

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS

Try to find an email management software that allows you to design and test email marketing campaigns, create attractive and dynamic newsletters, and keep track of what people are interested in.

Are you currently bootstrapping your Shopify store on a tight budget? Comment below and let us know what is working for you and what you need help with!