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How To Get A Free Shopify Account
Last modified: November 28, 2023
Shopify doesn’t have a free option when it comes to building a store on the basic plans. You get a 3-day free trial, which allows you enough time to build your store and with the average time of about 3 days for a first order, then there is plenty of time to get some money coming in.
However, for some businesses, 3 days isn’t long enough and they want to have a free Shopify account for a prolonged period of time.
There is a way to get a free Shopify account, using a developer website. However, there are certain limitations of this strategy. For instance, you can:
- Only process a maximum of 50 test orders using an active payment gateway on the store. The whole order can be completed, just like a normal order and there are going to be some fees associated with this if you take money, but you can only have 50 orders.
- Create an unlimited number of unique products. This means you can build your store up.
- Create up to 10 private apps, perfect for those brands who want to have a few custom apps built and installed for them.
- Assign a custom domain to the development site. This allows you to start the process of getting your URL more trusted by Google which should help with your ranking.
While there are limitations for your Shopify store through the development scheme, it is the perfect test environment, giving you more time to build the perfect, high converting store for your brand. This might be useful, especially if you have lots of products to add on, or want to make sure you launch with a perfect website.
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Steps To The Free Development Store
If you want a free development store for your brand, here are the simple to follow steps.
Step 1 – Login
Login to your Shopify Partners’ account.
Step 2 – Stores Tab
From inside the dashboard, navigate to the ‘Stores’ tab. Here you will see all the stores that are available to you now. These will all be in development and not on any paid plan.
Step 3 – Add Store
Now click on the ‘Add Store’ button that allows you to create a store. You will be then asked to select the store type. For this, you will need to choose the ‘Development Store’ option. After you’ve selected this you will need to complete all the required details for the store and then you can proceed to create a store.
Step 4 – Develop Your Store
Now you’ve got a development store you can build until it is perfect before releasing it to a paid Shopify plan. However, be warned that you can only take 50 orders on the site and this can be rather limiting until you’re on the paid plan.
Why Getting A Free Shopify Account Matters
Test Before Investing
A free Shopify account allows users to explore and test the platform’s features without financial commitment.
This trial is crucial for understanding how Shopify fits into your business model.
It provides a risk-free opportunity to experiment with store design, product placement, and workflow.
Once you are ready to go – you can check the Shopify pricing plans and decide which is right for you.
Learning Curve and Training
The trial period serves as a valuable learning phase for new users.
It offers time to familiarize oneself with the Shopify interface and its various functionalities.
This hands-on experience is essential for building confidence and skills before launching a store.
Strategic Planning for Business Growth
Utilizing a free account enables strategic planning for future business growth.
It allows users to assess the scalability of the platform and plan for potential expansions.
This foresight is key in choosing the right subscription plan post-trial.
Important Reminders When Getting A Free Shopify Account
Check for Promotional Validity
Always verify the current status of Shopify’s promotional offers.
These deals, including extended trials or discounted rates, can change frequently.
Staying informed ensures you don’t miss out on beneficial terms.
Understand the Limitations of Free Trials
Free trials offer a glimpse into Shopify’s capabilities but come with limitations.
You can set up your store and explore features, but selling capabilities might be restricted until you opt for a paid plan.
Plan for Post-Trial Subscription Costs
Be prepared for the transition to a paid subscription after the trial period.
Understanding the different plan costs and features helps in selecting the most suitable option for your business needs.
Conclusion: How To Get A Free Shopify Account
You can’t exactly get a free Shopify account on the store. However, you can get an unlimited trial period that allows you to build your store at your own pace and perfect it for your conversion rate. Sometimes it can take months for your site to be ready, so this is a great option for some brands.
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Are there any transaction fees associated with the free Shopify development store?
No, there are no transaction fees associated with a free Shopify development store. However, standard transaction fees apply once you switch to a paid plan and start processing real sales.
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Can I upgrade my free Shopify development store to a paid plan?
Yes, you can upgrade your free development store to a paid plan at any time, which allows you to access more features and remove the limitations of the development store.
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Are there any limitations on the number of products I can add to a free Shopify development store?
No, you can create an unlimited number of unique products in a free Shopify development store, allowing you to fully build and test your store’s inventory.
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