Shopify Store Setup (Non-Technical & Budget-Friendly)

Objective

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for non-technical users to build a trustworthy, attractive Shopify store without writing code or falling into common AI-related scams.

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Key Steps to Build Your Shopify Store

1. Getting Started

• Sign up or log into Shopify.
  Use the link provided or create a new account.
• Navigate to ‘Online Store’ under ‘Sales Channels.’
• Start with the default ‘Dawn’ theme:
  Click ‘Customize’ to begin editing.

2. Understanding the Page Layout

• The homepage is split into:
  • Header: Announcement bar, logo, navigation
  • Body (Template): Image banner, featured products
  • Footer: Email signup, payment methods, social links
• Sections and blocks can be added, moved, or deleted via the left sidebar.

3. Customizing the Homepage

• Use high-quality images (recommended: 1280px wide, 16:9 ratio).
• Edit image banners: Adjust overlay, reposition text/buttons, and tweak size/color for clarity.
• Check mobile layout: Use the mobile preview and make layout adjustments.
• Link call-to-action buttons to your products or collections.

4. Adding Products

• Add products via the ‘Products’ > ‘Add Product’ in the admin.
• Focus on:
  • Product images (multiple angles, high quality)
  • Descriptive and specific titles
  • Benefit-focused product descriptions
  • Setting price and inventory
• Save each product after editing.

5. Creating Collections

• Group products into collections for easier browsing.
• Manually add products for small inventories; use “smart collections” for large catalogs.
• Add collection images and descriptions.
• Save your collections.

6. Finishing Page Edits

• Link banners/buttons to products or collections.
• Add featured collection and collection list sections to highlight specific products/categories.
• Adjust columns/carousel settings for better display, especially for smaller inventories.
• Check both mobile and desktop previews.

7. Customizing Header & Footer

• Header:
  • Upload and resize the logo.
  • Adjust logo position and navigation menu items, including sub-menus.
  • Use the announcement bar for promotions or trust-building statements.
• Footer:
  • Set up email signups (recommended).
  • Control social/media icons and display store policies.

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AI Store Builder Scams: What to Avoid

• “Free” store builder claims: Often low quality, full of upsells, and produce untrustworthy storefronts.
• AI-generated fake content: Testimonials and reviews often fabricated, which can harm your business integrity.
• Drop shipping apps with misleading features: Commit you to shipping promises and fake endorsements; always verify before use.

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How to Safely Use AI to Improve Your Store

• Best use case:
  Use AI (such as ChatGPT) to review and improve your actual store, not to generate/storefronts automatically.
• How-to:
  1. Take a full-page screenshot (use a browser extension like Go Full Page).
  2. Upload it to ChatGPT with context (what you’re selling and to whom).
  3. Ask for recommendations to improve conversion.

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Closing Tips

• Avoid shortcuts that harm trust and quality.
• Ask yourself if you’d personally trust your store before launching.
• Build your site step-by-step using Shopify's built-in tools for best results.
• Use AI as a consultant for optimization, not as a replacement for honest work.

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Further Learning

• Watch in-depth tutorials for advanced customization.
• Leave your questions and feedback for more guidance.

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Video credits: David — Shopify site design & AI pitfalls overview