Shopify Store Checklist: 15 Things to Set Up Before Your First Sale

Launching a new Shopify store? Here's the essential checklist to make sure you're not leaving money on the table from day one.

Store Basics (Do First)

1. Domain connected — Custom domain, not yourstore.myshopify.com
2. SSL certificate active — Shopify handles this, but verify the padlock shows
3. Payment gateway configured — Shopify Payments or your preferred processor
4. Shipping rates set — Free shipping thresholds boost AOV significantly
5. Tax settings configured — Automatic tax calculation enabled for your regions

Customer Experience

6. Mobile responsive — Test every page on actual mobile devices
7. Product images optimized — Consistent sizing, high quality, fast loading
8. Clear return policy — Visible in footer and on product pages
9. Contact information — Email, phone, and/or live chat accessible
10. Email notifications customized — Order confirmation, shipping updates branded

Revenue Optimization

11. Back-in-stock alerts — Capture demand when products sell out (you'll need this sooner than you think)
12. Product badges — "New," "Sale," "Bestseller" labels to guide browsing
13. Bundle/discount strategy — At least one AOV-boosting mechanism in place
14. Email marketing connected — Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or similar — start building your list from day one
15. Analytics configured — Google Analytics + Facebook Pixel at minimum

You don't need to have everything perfect at launch. But these 15 items are the foundation. Get them right, and you'll avoid the most common regrets new store owners have.