Shopify: Expectations vs. Reality

Shopify: Expectations vs. Reality

Welcome back folks! Today, we are going over Shopify's expectations and what the reality is when it comes to running a business through Shopify. Shopify is an awesome platform, especially to those who want more of a say when it comes to pricing, policies, etc. Before getting into a Shopify business, you really need to understand the reality of the business and not what you see on social media. Let's get started!

Expectation #1: Signing up and setting up is super easy and can be done quickly!

Reality #1: Signing up for Shopify is simple, and setting up can be simple IF you know exactly what you're doing. If it's your first time, it can take some time setting up your storefront. You have think of your store name, themes, policies, terms of service, and so much more. If you're newer to the business model, it may take a few days to have everything set up. If you're seasoned, you could probably bang it out in a day!

Expectation #2: Money is going to run towards you in a snap!

Reality #2: Not necessarily. There are so many factors that you need to consider. In order for your business to make money, you need to run marketing. You're going to need an advertising budget to start diverting traffic to your store. However, if you're one of our students, we teach you how to get traffic going your way without paying for marketing. 

Expectation #3: It's easy to find perfect products for the business.

Reality #3: Believe it or not, it takes time to find the perfect product. Especially if you're niche focused. This could limit you and the amount of products you could have on your storefront. Even if you have multiple categories it still takes time. You need to research your market, pricing for your products, checking out the quality of the product and so much more.

Expectation #4: Getting your ROI back quickly. 

Reality #4: Getting your ROI and seeing consistency can take anywhere from 2 months to 6+ months. You have to keep in mind the marketing you're spending, cost of apps, shipping supplies, warehouse, etc. 

These are the some of the realities when it comes to using Shopify as your eCommerce platform. It's still a great platform to use, especially if you're looking for long-term growth. Our Shopify Legacy program is a great program to those who want to learn and get their eCommerce business going. 

WRITTEN BY: Leslie Lazaro