Are you impressed with Shopify’s potential but still unsure whether the platform is the right fit or not? Well, there is only one way to find out: make the best out of the generous Shopify free trial to see it for yourself.
But how many days does the Shopify free trial last? Is there anything I should be concerned about? What should I do after the trial ends?
Don’t panic! In this article, we will answer all you need to know about Shopify’s trial programs and any questions you might have in mind.
Contents
- 1. An introduction to Shopify
- 2. A glance at all Shopify free trial ‘evolution’
- 3. Shopify’s current free trial program: $1 for 33 days
- 4. How to extend your trial for 30 days with $1?
- 5. What happens after your Shopify free trial ends?
- 6. How to make the most of your Shopify free trial?
- 7. Final thoughts
- 8. Frequently asked questions
1. An introduction to Shopify
Shopify is a world-famous eCommerce platform that enables anyone to launch an online store and start selling with ease.
At its core, Shopify is a hosted platform. This means you subscribe to one of Shopify pricing plans to:
- Host your website on Shopify’s server for free (with some other platforms, you will have to find hosting providers and pay hosting costs on your own)
- Access an admin dashboard to add products, manage inventory, customize your website’s appearance, etc.
It is that simple—as long as you have a good Internet connection, you can start selling online with Shopify right from your living room sofa.
Check out our Shopify review for more information on Shopify’s features, pros and cons, and more. And to look at other platforms that are as great as Shopify, our article on Shopify alternatives would make for interesting reading.
2. A glance at all Shopify free trial ‘evolution’
Some sellers on Shopify Community said Shopify has a 90-day free trial, whereas some other sources said the platform offers up to 120-day free trial.
So, how long is Shopify free trial? Well, Shopify adjusts its pricings constantly to align with its pricing strategy and that includes its trial period.
Let’s take a sneak peek of all the free trials that Shopify has ever offered its users:
No | Shopify free trial version | Status | Who is eligible for it? | What’s included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shopify $1 for 1 month | Valid | Everyone | A 3-day free trial period and then $1/month for the first month |
2 | Shopify $1 for 3 months | Invalid | Everyone | A 3-day free trial period and then $1/month for the first 3 months |
3 | Shopify $1 for 2 months | Invalid | Everyone | A 3-day free trial period and then $1/month for the first 2 months |
4 | Shopify 14-day free trial | Invalid | Everyone | A 14-day free trial period |
5 | Shopify 60-day free trial | Invalid | Everyone | A 60-day free trial period |
6 | Shopify 90-day free trial | Invalid | Everyone | A 90-day free trial period |
7 | Shopify 120-day free trial | Valid | Black-owned businesses | The Shopify free trial for black-owned businesses gives eligible users a 120-day free trial |
8 | Shopify unlimited free trial | Valid | Development store for developers and agencies | Developers and agencies can create unlimited Shopify stores and use them free forever |
✨ Learn more: Shopify 120-Day Free Trial: Who is It for & How to Apply [2024]
3. Shopify’s current free trial program: $1 for 33 days
As of writing this article, Shopify’s standard free trial period lasts for 3 days, which is a bit short, isn’t it?
Actually, it’s not. After the 3-day trial ends, you can use Shopify for $1/month for the first month, which is nearly free. And this is what makes the program appealing. That’s why Shopify’s free trial is more often discussed as ‘Shopify $1/month’ rather than’ Shopify 3-day free trial’.
The incredible part about the Shopify free trial program is that you can use it on any plan, with no limit on any feature. Here’s a quick look at what you can experiment with Shopify free trial:
- Drag-and-drop theme editor: You can use Shopify’s intuitive editor to customize a website how you imagine it with no code
- Sales & marketing features: All the tools you need to set up and run an online store, such as inventory management, payment gateway setups, and customer engagement tools
- Shopify apps and themes: You can experiment with 8,000+ apps on the Shopify App Store and 180+ high-quality Shopify themes on the Shopify Theme Store.
- Multi-channel selling: The trial even includes the ability to sync and sell your products across social commerce platforms (Facebook Shops, TikTok Shop, etc.) and marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
- Analytics: You will also unlock access to all your store’s reports and analytics like traffic, conversion rate, sales volume, etc.
So, what do you say? Are you inspired to build a full-featured online store and get your first sales at $1 for 33 days?
4. How to extend your trial for 30 days with $1?
To extend your Shopify free trial for 30 days at the cost of $1, you’ll need to follow these steps after starting your initial 3-day free trial:
- Visit our link: Start by clicking our exclusive link to claim the discount if you haven’t already.
- Pick a plan: After your 3-day trial, you’ll be prompted to select a plan to continue. At this stage, you can choose any of Shopify’s plans (Starter, Basic, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify) for just $1 for the next month.
- Proceed to checkout: Choose your billing cycle and enter your payment details. This is where you can opt to pay $1 for the first month extending your access to Shopify.
- Subscribe: After entering your payment details, you’ll confirm the subscription and complete the process to enjoy an additional month of Shopify for just $1.
5. What happens after your Shopify free trial ends?
As we were saying, after your Shopify free trial ends, you will be prompted to choose a Shopify plan (except Shopify Plus or Shopify Starter) to continue using Shopify at $1/month for the next 30 days.
Here is a brief explanation of what each plan has to offer so you can choose the plan that best suits your needs:
- Shopify Basic: At $39 a month, Basic Shopify gives you all you need to launch an e-shop and start selling online. This includes unlimited products and a free SSL certificate.
- Shopify: At $105 a month, the Shopify plan supports up to 5 staff accounts, allowing you to better collaborate with your team and manage your business as it expands.
- Shopify Advanced: At $399 monthly, this plan includes up to 15 staff accounts and offers the ability to integrate third-party calculated shipping rates at checkout. Plus, your checkout page speed is 10 times faster when you’re on Advanced Shopify.
From our experience, just get started with the Basic Shopify plan and upgrade whenever you see fit.
6. How to make the most of your Shopify free trial?
6.1. Name your business
Choosing the right name for your business is crucial as it sets the tone for your brand identity. Make sure it’s unique, memorable, and gives an insight into what you sell.
Use Shopify’s business name generator or check our list of lucky names for business if you’re stuck. This initial step is fundamental in creating a strong foundation for your brand’s online presence.
6.2. Add your products
Your next step is to add your products. Provide clear, high-quality images and detailed descriptions to help customers make informed decisions. Include weight, dimensions, materials, and other relevant details.
Don’t forget to use categories and tags to organize your items effectively, making it easier for customers to navigate your store.
6.3. Pick your theme
Selecting the right theme is key to ensuring your online store is visually appealing and functional. The Shopify Theme Store offers a variety of the best Shopify themes that can be customized to suit your brand.
Hence, choose one that aligns with your industry and aesthetic preference, ensuring it is mobile-friendly and user-friendly.
6.3. Extend your Shopify store with apps
Another thing you cannot miss out on while in your trial period is trying out the best Shopify apps.
Whether you need to improve SEO, manage inventory, enhance email marketing, or provide customer support, there’s an app for almost every need.
Nevertheless, remember to evaluate each app carefully by reading reviews and maybe start with free options to keep your costs down during the trial period.
6.4. Learn from other successful Shopify stores
And last but not least, since the best way to learn is to learn from the best, you should also explore and learn from the best Shopify stores during your trial period.
Observe how they design their sites, interact with customers, and handle operations. Many case studies and interviews are available that provide insights into their strategies and what tools they use. This can inspire innovative ideas and best practices that you can adapt for your store.
7. Final thoughts
All in all, if you feel like Shopify can unleash your store’s potential and lead you to the next big thing, just do it. With Shopify free trial, you can set up your online store and start selling at $1/month for the first month.
Therefore, the question here shouldn’t be “Why?” any longer, it’s “Why not?” Just activate your free trial today and learn everything along the way with eComStart.
Here’s how: simply check out eComStart.io for all the latest Shopify tutorials, eCommerce tips, and tricks.
8. Frequently asked questions
