How Do You Launch a Shopify Storefront to Sell Digital Goods?

Shopify provides a robust platform for creators and entrepreneurs to launch ecommerce storefronts selling digital products and services. With the right setup and promotion, Shopify can help you establish a professional online business selling downloads.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to launch a Shopify digital goods storefront from initial setup to driving traffic and sales.

If you’re looking to sell digital goods online, Shopify is an excellent platform to consider. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, launching a Shopify storefront for selling digital products has never been easier. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up your Shopify store, selling digital products, and maximizing your sales. So let’s dive in!

Choose the Right Shopify Plan

Shopify offers four main pricing plans depending on your needs:

The Basic Shopify plan provides standard storefront functionality for $29/month. It allows you to sell unlimited products with basic reporting. Shopify also takes a transaction fee.

The Shopify plan for $79/month adds gift cards, professional reporting, and shipping discounts. Advanced Shopify at $299/month provides further discounts on rates as your business scales.

Select the plan aligning with your sales volume and needs. You can always upgrade later once established.

Pick a Template and Theme

Shopify offers dozens of professionally designed templates and themes to launch your store with visually.

Considerations when selecting a template:

• Mobile responsiveness – Ensure the template looks polished on phones.
• Design style – Choose an appearance that fits your branding from minimalist to bold.
• Configurability – Assess how easily you can modify layouts, colors, and add sections.
• Features – Factor in elements like image sliders, popups, menus etc.
• Demos – Preview how template options display sample products.

You can further customize the template’s look and feel. But start with a polished foundation.

Set Up Your Domain and URL Structures

Register a custom domain name for your store to establish your brand. Avoid overly complex or confusing names.

Also set up URL structures for products and categories using keywords. For example:

• yourstore.com/digital-marketing-templates
• yourstore.com/custom-logo-design-service

Cleaner URLs strengthen your SEO so pages surface in relevant searches.

Configure Payments and Taxes

Shopify integrates with 100+ payment gateways to accept purchases globally. Select options fitting countries you sell in.

Common payment setups include:

• Shopify Payments if selling to the USA, UK, Canada or Australia. Shopify’s integrated system.
• Stripe for global credit card processing and built-in fraud protection.
• PayPal to allow buyers to pay with their PayPal accounts.
• Local payment methods preferred in target countries.

Also check your tax setup. Shopify can automate sales tax calculations and collection based on buyer locations.

Upload and Organize Products

Add your digital products to Shopify by first creating product listings then uploading associated fulfillment files.

For each product:

• Enter a title, description, variants if applicable, price etc.
• Upload images and assets like previews, samples, or collateral.
• Assign to a collection category like “Video Courses”.
• Add tags and keywords for search optimization.

Take time to create robust product listings with details buyers want to see. This builds perceived value.

Set Up Your Digital Delivery Process

A key step is configuring instant digital delivery so customers get your digital product files immediately after purchase.

In Shopify settings:

• Enable automatic order processing to fulfill orders as they are placed.
• Create ZIP files with your product contents to upload and deliver.
• Add ZIPs as fulfillment files under the relevant products.
• Turn on automatic digital delivery notifications and instructions for buyers.

Streamlining instant fulfillment provides a professional experience and convenience buyers expect when purchasing digital goods.

Customize Checkout and Cart Experiences

You want the checkout and shopping cart flows to persuade customers to complete their purchase.

Optimization tips:

• Display trust badges like McAfee Secure or SSL on checkout pages.
• Pre-fill customer data from previous purchases to expedite repeat checkouts.
• Set up discount or coupon codes buyers can apply at checkout.
• Recommend additional products on cart and checkout pages based on purchase history.
• Allow customers to log in with their social accounts like Facebook.
• Show minimal steps and progress trackers during checkout.
• Send abandoned cart recovery emails if buyers don’t complete checkout.

Smooth, clearly-marked checkout experiences reduce purchase friction and boost conversions.

Promote Scarcity and Exclusivity

For pricier products or services, create exclusivity and scarcity to prompt sales. But avoid hype or exaggeration.

Tactics like:

• Countdown timers until a promotion or price ends.
• Limited inventory or available spots flags.
• Offers only for previous customers or email subscribers.
• Batches released monthly with limited quantities.
• Highlighting customers from recognizable brands.
• Noting limited or one-time availability for new products.

Subtle urgency cues can nudge buyers who are wavering. Just ensure promotional pricing and claims are fully authentic.

Implement Customer Accounts and Self-Serve

Allowing customers to create accounts on your Shopify store provides a more tailored experience while building loyalty.

Account features to offer:

• View order history and download products again.
• Save default addresses and payment methods.
• Opt into notifications about new releases, sales etc.
• Access exclusive promotions for logged-in users.
• Submit reviews and interact with the brand.
• Initiate returns and exchanges logged into the account.
• Refer friends for discounts by sharing unique links.

Account self-serve gives customers ownership while reducing customer support workload over time.

Set Up an Affiliate or Referral Program

Affiliate marketing is a proven way to amplify digital product promotions. Offer commission incentives for referrals that drive sales.

Effective affiliate program elements:

• Competitive commission rates based on product prices and margins.
• Clear payout terms and thresholds spelled out upfront.
• Provide creatives, links, and promo texts for affiliates to easily access and use.
• Track referrals end-to-end from visits to orders in Shopify. Attribution is key.
• Rank affiliates with tiers and rewards for top performers.
• Promote the program in your store, on your blog, and directly to potential partners.

Affiliates incentivized to showcase your store can greatly expand your sales reach.

Spotlight Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Sprinkling authentic testimonials, ratings, and customer reviews across your store pages builds credibility while providing social proof.

Ways to highlight reviews:

• Show snippets of top text reviews near products.
• Display star ratings in headers navigation and footers for quick recognition.
• Create a dedicated Reviews page with full-length commentary.
• Curate video and image testimonials you can embed.
• Share new reviews on social media thanking customers by name.
• Spotlight well-known brands offering feedback if appropriate.

Quality reviews establish trust and peer endorsement. Proactively invite customers to leave honest reviews after purchase. Appreciate both positive and constructive feedback.

Blog to Share Insights with Your Audience

Launching a content blog on your Shopify store allows you to share insights related to your products while attracting organic traffic.

Best practices for in-store blogging:

• Publish a mix of tutorials, use cases, expert tips, and company updates. Offer practical value.
• Optimize articles for keywords people search when looking for your products.
• Promote new posts through email newsletters, social media, and influencer outreach.
• Allow user comments and share reader feedback to foster community.
• Repurpose top-performing blog content into other formats like videos and podcasts.

Blogging not only drives SEO but also lets you demonstrate subject matter expertise. Over time, it creates brand affinity reducing purchase resistance.

Email Visitors with Targeted Drip Campaigns

Set up automated email sequences in Shopify to engage visitors after they interact with your store. Emails can:

• Offer a coupon code for their first purchase after signing up.
• Share links to popular products or collections they viewed.
• Surface new arrivals or releases since their last visit.
• Recommend items similar to those they showed interest in.
• Send reminders to complete checkout for abandoned carts.
• Ask for product reviews after someone makes a purchase.
• Show appreciation or highlights after subscribing to your email list.

Automated emails nurture visitors into customers while personalizing communication at scale. Just avoid overly salesy tones. Focus on value.

Run Retargeting Ads Across Channels

Retargeting leverages tracking like pixels to serve targeted ads to previous store visitors across the web and social media.

Effective retargeting strategies:

• Create display ads showcasing products people viewed or had in carts.
• Tailor messaging to where they dropped off like at checkout.
• Offer discounts or incentives to complete the purchase they started.
• Use retargeting creatives reinforcing scarcity or expiring promotions.
• Build custom audiences in Facebook based on your pixel data to serve social ads.
• Try video ads summarizing key product benefits and urgency cues.

Retargeting re-engages visitors otherwise lost leveraging what you know about their interests. Coordinate journeys across search, social, and the web.

Analyze Key Store Performance Metrics

Review analytics regularly to gather Shopify store insights that inform merchandising and marketing decisions.

Key metrics to analyze:

• Top traffic sources – Where do visitors and sales originate?
• Conversion rates – The percentage of visitors that purchase.
• Sales by product – Which items perform best?
• Sales by collection – How do categories contribute to revenue?
• Average order value – What’s the revenue per transaction?
• Top selling and low performing pages – How effectively is each page converting?

Store stats reveal optimization opportunities and inform marketing resource allocation to maximize results.

Continuously A/B Test and Optimize

A/B split testing different versions of store elements identifies improvements you can make incrementally over time.

Some concepts to test:

• Different product page layouts and content formatting
• Pricing and package structures
• Checkout page flows and form fields
• Email content from subject lines to imagery
• Promotional messaging like coupon phrasing
• Customer review and social proof placement
• Page loading speeds based on image sizes

Small tweaks across your store can together add up to noticeable bumps in key metrics like revenue per visitor. Testing reveals true customer response vs guesswork.

Understanding Shopify

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create and run their own online stores. It provides all the necessary tools and features to start and manage an online business successfully.

Benefits of using Shopify

There are several reasons why Shopify is the go-to platform for selling digital products. Firstly, it offers a wide range of customizable templates, allowing you to create a unique and visually appealing storefront. Secondly, Shopify provides a secure and reliable infrastructure, ensuring that your digital products are safe and protected. Additionally, Shopify offers various marketing and SEO tools to help you reach your target audience effectively. Lastly, the platform provides excellent customer support, making it easier for you to resolve any issues or get answers to your questions.

Setting Up Your Shopify Store

Choosing a Shopify Pricing Plan

Before you can start selling on Shopify, you need to choose a pricing plan that suits your business needs. Shopify offers various plans, including a free trial, to accommodate businesses of all sizes. Take some time to assess your requirements and select the plan that aligns with your budget and goals.

Customizing Your Store’s Design

One of the benefits of using Shopify is the ability to customize your store’s design. You can select from a wide range of beautifully designed templates and customize them to match your branding. Customize your store’s colors, fonts, and layout to create a unique and professional storefront that showcases your digital products in the best possible light.

Adding Products to Your Store

Once your store’s design is set up, it’s time to start adding your digital products. Shopify makes it easy to upload and manage your digital files. Simply navigate to the “Products” section of your Shopify dashboard and click on “Add Product.” Fill in the necessary details, such as title, description, and price, and upload your digital file. You can also categorize your products and add tags to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.

Selling Digital Products on Shopify

What are Digital Products?

Digital products are intangible goods that can be downloaded or accessed online. They include e-books, software, music, videos, online courses, templates, and more. Unlike physical products, digital products can be delivered instantly, making them a convenient choice for both sellers and customers.

Why Sell Digital Products on Shopify?

Shopify provides a comprehensive platform for selling digital products. It offers secure digital downloads, automatic order fulfillment, and customer access to their purchased files. Moreover, Shopify provides an excellent user experience, making it easy for your customers to navigate and purchase your digital products. With its built-in marketing tools, you can also promote your products and drive more sales.

Popular Digital Products to Sell

There is a wide range of digital products that you can sell on Shopify. Here are a few popular options:

• E-books: Share your knowledge and expertise by creating and selling e-books on various topics.
• Online Courses: Create and sell online courses to teach valuable skills to your target audience.
• Music and Art: Share your artistic creations, such as music, illustrations, and digital art.
• Templates and Themes: Design and sell website themes, email templates, graphic templates, and more.

Apps and Tools for Selling Digital Products on Shopify

Top Shopify Apps for Selling Digital Products

Shopify offers a wide range of apps and tools to enhance the functionality of your store and streamline the selling process. Here are some top-rated apps for selling digital products:

• Easy Digital Downloads: This app allows you to easily sell and manage digital products on Shopify.
• SendOwl: SendOwl enables you to sell digital downloads, subscriptions, and memberships directly from your Shopify store.
• Digital Downloads: This app offers a simple way to sell and manage digital products, including files, software, and more.

Using Email Marketing to Promote Your Digital Products

Building an email list is crucial for promoting your digital products and driving sales. Utilize email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Klaviyo to create targeted email campaigns that showcase your latest products, offer discounts, and engage with your customers. By building a strong email list and nurturing your subscribers, you can increase your chances of making more sales.

Tips for Maximizing Sales of Digital Products on Shopify

Here are some tips to help you maximize the sales of your digital products on Shopify:

• Optimize your product page: Write compelling product descriptions, include high-quality images or videos, and showcase customer reviews to increase conversions.
• Promote your products on social media: Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase your digital products and attract potential customers.
• Offer promotions and discounts: Run limited-time promotions or offer discounts for bundled products to incentivize customers to make a purchase.
• Provide excellent customer support: Offer responsive customer support to address any inquiries or issues that your customers may have.

Launching Your Shopify Storefront

Setting Up Payment Gateways

To start accepting payments on your Shopify store, you need to set up payment gateways. Shopify offers various payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Stripe. Choose the payment gateways that are suitable for your target audience and integrate them into your store.

Configuring Shipping and Handling

If you offer physical products alongside your digital products, you need to configure your shipping and handling settings. Shopify provides flexible shipping options, allowing you to define shipping rates based on various factors, such as weight, location, and order value.

Testing and Launching Your Store

Before launching your Shopify store to the public, it’s essential to thoroughly test all its features and functionalities. Place test orders, verify payment processing, and ensure that your digital products are delivered smoothly. Once you’re satisfied with the testing phase, you can confidently launch your store and start selling to your target audience!

Conclusion

Launching a Shopify ecommerce storefront provides a polished platform to start selling digital goods at scale. With the right setup optimized for digital delivery, you can offer customers seamless purchasing and instant product access.

Focus on crafting compelling product listings, maximizing on-site engagement, building community, and implementing diverse traffic drivers and promotions. Analyze performance data to continuously improve results over time.

A well-executed Shopify digital goods store paired with thoughtful marketing and customer experience will position your business for sustainable commercial success selling downloads.

In conclusion, launching a Shopify storefront to sell digital goods is a straightforward and rewarding process. Remember to choose the right pricing plan, customize your store’s design, and carefully add your digital products. Promote your products through email marketing, social media, and other digital channels. Maximize your sales by optimizing your product pages and providing excellent customer support. And finally, test your store thoroughly before launching it to the public.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of how to launch a Shopify storefront to sell digital goods, it’s time to take action. Start by signing up for a free trial, explore the various customization options, and upload your first digital product. The world of online business and selling digital products awaits you!

References

Article Links

1. Shopify Official Website

2. Shopify Help Center

Recommended Resources

1. “The Ultimate Guide to Selling Digital Products Online” – eBook by Shopify

2. “Mastering Shopify: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners” – Online course by Udemy

FAQ: How Do You Launch a Shopify Storefront to Sell Digital Goods?

1. What is Shopify?
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create and manage their own online stores. It provides all necessary tools to start and run an online business successfully.

2. Why should I use Shopify to sell digital products?
Shopify offers a wide range of customizable templates, secure and reliable infrastructure, marketing and SEO tools, and excellent customer support, making it an ideal platform for selling digital products.

3. What are digital products?
Digital products are intangible goods that can be downloaded or accessed online, such as e-books, software, music, videos, online courses, templates, and more.

4. How do I choose the right Shopify plan?
Shopify offers various pricing plans to accommodate businesses of all sizes. Assess your requirements and select the plan that aligns with your budget and goals. Plans include Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month).

5. How do I customize my store’s design?
Shopify provides a variety of professionally designed templates and themes. Customize your store’s colors, fonts, and layout to create a unique and professional storefront that aligns with your branding.

6. How do I add digital products to my store?
Navigate to the “Products” section in your Shopify dashboard and click on “Add Product.” Enter details like title, description, price, and upload your digital file. Organize products into categories and add tags for better search optimization.

7. What payment gateways should I use?
Shopify integrates with 100+ payment gateways. Popular options include Shopify Payments (for USA, UK, Canada, Australia), Stripe, and PayPal. Choose gateways that fit your target market.

8. How do I set up digital delivery?
Enable automatic order processing in Shopify settings to fulfill orders instantly. Upload ZIP files with your product contents as fulfillment files and configure automatic digital delivery notifications for buyers.

9. How can I optimize the checkout experience?
Optimize checkout by displaying trust badges, pre-filling customer data, offering discount codes, recommending additional products, and sending abandoned cart recovery emails to reduce purchase friction and boost conversions.

10. How do I promote scarcity and exclusivity?
Create urgency with tactics like countdown timers, limited inventory flags, exclusive offers for previous customers, and highlighting limited availability. Ensure promotional claims are authentic.

11. Should I set up customer accounts?
Yes, allowing customers to create accounts can provide a tailored experience, build loyalty, and reduce customer support workload. Offer features like order history, saved payment methods, and exclusive promotions for logged-in users.

12. How can I set up an affiliate or referral program?
Offer commission incentives for referrals that drive sales. Use clear payout terms, provide promotional materials, and track referrals end-to-end in Shopify. Promote the program within your store and to potential partners.

13. How do I leverage customer testimonials and reviews?
Display snippets of top reviews, star ratings, dedicated review pages, and video testimonials. Share new reviews on social media to build credibility and social proof.

14. Is blogging beneficial for my Shopify store?
Yes, blogging can attract organic traffic and demonstrate expertise. Publish tutorials, use cases, expert tips, and company updates optimized for SEO. Promote posts through newsletters and social media.

15. What are targeted drip campaigns?
Automated email sequences that engage visitors after interactions with your store. These can include welcome offers, product recommendations, new arrival notifications, and abandoned cart reminders.

16. What is retargeting and how can I use it?
Retargeting serves ads to previous store visitors across the web and social media. Tailor ads to showcase products viewed, offer discounts, and reinforce urgency to re-engage visitors.

17. What key performance metrics should I analyze?
Review traffic sources, conversion rates, sales by product/collection, average order value, and top-selling/low-performing pages. Use insights to optimize your store and marketing strategies.

18. How do I continuously improve my store?
Conduct A/B split testing on different elements like product page layouts, pricing structures, checkout flows, email content, and promotional messaging to identify and implement improvements.

19. How do I get started?
Sign up for a free Shopify trial, explore customization options, and upload your first digital product. Focus on creating a professional storefront, optimizing your checkout process, and promoting your products effectively.