When you want to create and build a successful online storefront, your best bet is to use an eCommerce platform like Shopify. Since its founding in 2006, Shopify has become the leading eCommerce platform for companies that are looking to create a robust online presence. Site owners can use the platform to create websites and storefronts with features like unlimited products, web hosting, checkout capacity, shipping labels, and a theme store.

Before you start developing your storefront, focus on selecting the right setup to streamline store creation and management. You have many options at your disposal, including everything from pre-built templates to custom tools for site creation. In this guide, we’ll answer the question “How can I get a pre built Shopify store”.

Can You Get a Pre-built Shopify Store?

If you’re not familiar with website design and development, creating an online storefront might seem like a challenging task. You’ll need to consider everything from branding and marketing to search engine optimization and copywriting. Your website should also be designed correctly to appeal to modern consumers who expect a seamless online shopping experience.

Because of the complexity that comes with building an online storefront, many businesses choose to use pre-built Shopify stores. With Shopify templates, themes, and apps, you can create your own eCommerce storefront without knowing how to code. Buying a functional Shopify store significantly reduces the duration of the setup process. You’ll save a considerable amount of time and money.

While pre-built stores simplify the website creation process, you still have several decisions to make. For example, it’s important to identify the features you wish to incorporate into your online storefront. When you’re weighing your options, consider the types of features and functionality that your audience wants in a modern eCommerce store. When you’re searching for the right pre-built store, you can obtain them in the Shopify theme library or from third-party designers.

Essential Apps for Your Shopify Store

To increase the success of your Shopify store, consider downloading and installing the right apps. From marketing to analytics, there are many types of apps that can help you enhance the functionality of your Shopify store.

• Marketing and SEO Apps: Marketing and SEO applications are necessary if you want to bring in new customers and improve your storefront’s visibility. The purpose of these apps is to help you improve your ranking on search engines, which should boost site traffic. There are also several apps that focus on identifying and resolving existing SEO problems. With these tools, you can improve your organic marketing and optimize your search engine presence.
• Inventory Management Apps: Consumers want to make an order and receive it quickly, which is why it’s highly recommended that you install inventory management apps. These apps give you the tools necessary to automate reorder processes and track stock levels. You’ll be able to avoid issues like stockouts and overselling, which should allow you to maintain a consistent supply chain.
• Customer Support Apps: These apps make it easier for you to provide customer support in the form of help desks and live chats. You’ll be able to directly communicate with customers when they need help buying products or finding information about the services you offer. Look for customer service support apps that accommodate real-time live chat. With the right app, you can increase customer loyalty.
• Analytics and Reporting Apps: Obtaining metrics on the performance of your website and products is crucial if you want to make quick and informed decisions that grow your company. Analytics apps allow you to track traffic, sales, customer behavior, and other useful metrics.
• Popular apps to consider: When you’re looking for apps that work with your Shopify store, consider factors like user reviews, subscription models, and mobile optimization functionality. If you’re wondering “What are the essential apps for a Shopify store”, there are many options that can help you improve the appearance and functionality of your website.

For example, Oberlo is an app that focuses specifically on dropshipping by simplifying the process. You can use this app to import items and effectively fulfill orders without delay. Even if you don’t hold physical stock, you’ll be able to expand your inventory.

Yotpo gives you the tools you need to take advantage of customer reviews. By providing site visitors with a place to leave reviews, you can build trust with new and returning customers. The customer review section on your website should accommodate photos and written feedback. This is a type of social proof that should help you increase your conversion rates.

Klaviyo is an app that focuses on email marketing automation. You can use this app to personalize emails and segment customers. It should help you increase customer retention rates by making it easier to provide targeted emails and communications. Some of the other apps you should consider installing through your Shopify store include the following:

• QuickBooks
• Tidio
• Shippo

Is a Template Required for a Shopify Store?

When you’re looking to create a Shopify store, you can choose between Shopify’s default theme and custom templates. While the default theme is easy to use and offers some advantages, it provides a minimalist design that doesn’t allow for much customization. Instead of using the default theme, consider switching to a custom template. Third-party solutions offer thousands of custom templates. On the Shopify theme store, you’ll have access to more than 100 templates.

There are many situations where you can benefit from using the default theme. For example, if you want to launch your storefront quickly, your best option is to use the default theme. This theme is also useful if you lack technical skills or don’t have a large budget.

While there are several advantages to using the standard template, this option doesn’t offer much flexibility. For example, the product category you sell might not pair well with the template. There’s also a chance that the design won’t appeal to your target audience.

Pre-built stores and customer templates can help you create a successful online store. However, they aren’t essential. Before you identify the type of Shopify website you’d like to have, evaluate your company’s needs to ensure you make the right decision.

Can You Set Up a Shopify Store Without a Template?

Shopify offers considerable flexibility by allowing stores that aren’t made with templates. You can create a theme from scratch to ensure you have a unique online storefront that provides users with a premium experience.

With a fully custom theme, every facet of your website will be designed to help you meet your business objectives. If you intend to use this storefront for years to come, it’s a good idea to create it from scratch, which should help you scale your website.

There are many reasons why companies choose to create a custom design or use a barebones theme that accommodates customization. For example, a custom design can be tailor-made to meet the requirements of a modern eCommerce company. You can be confident that the final design will match your brand image.

The main advantage of creating a custom Shopify theme is that it won’t contain any superfluous code. If your website doesn’t have any unnecessary code, you should benefit from quicker loading times. Clean code in the back-end allows you to maintain high performance on the front-end.

A custom theme also allows you to focus on features and services that meet your company’s specific needs. Let’s say that you want to provide your customers with the ability to purchase a product on your eCommerce store before picking it up from a brick-and-mortar location. This functionality is easy to add when you build a custom Shopify store. It can be challenging to implement if you’re using a pre-built template.

There are, however, a few issues with making a custom website, the primary of which is that it takes a lot of time. Creating a visually appealing and highly functional website from scratch can take weeks depending on the needs of your eCommerce storefront. The other downsides include a high upfront cost, ongoing maintenance requirements, and the need for technical skills. You might be tasked with hiring a developer to create the website for you.

When you wish to customize an eCommerce store without templates, you may need to use Shopify’s Theme Editor. Otherwise, you’ll be tasked with adding coding to the website yourself. This process can be handled properly if you hire a professional development team.

Conclusion

Choosing the right store setup and apps is crucial if you wish to create an appealing website that meets your audience’s needs and provides them with the kind of content and functionality they require. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time on this process, consider using one of Shopify’s many themes. These themes are often equipped with a drag-and-drop builder that allows you to create a website in minutes.

However, custom setups are highly recommended if you want more control over your online storefront. Explore Shopify’s many resources for pre-built options and template-free stores to ensure you create a website that effectively represents your brand and company.