Introduction
In today’s digital-first world, having an online store is no longer optional—it is essential. Whether you are a small business owner in Manchester, a UK-based entrepreneur, or someone planning to sell products online, you’ve likely heard of Shopify. But what exactly is Shopify, and how does it work?
Shopify is one of the world’s most popular ecommerce platforms, powering millions of online stores across more than 175 countries. From local Manchester retailers to global brands, Shopify enables businesses to create, manage, and grow online stores without needing advanced technical skills.
This comprehensive guide will explain what Shopify is, how it works step by step, its features, pricing, benefits, and who it is best for, with a strong focus on UK businesses.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a cloud-based ecommerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create their own online store and sell products or services online, in-store, and across multiple channels such as social media and marketplaces.
Instead of building a website from scratch or managing complex hosting and software updates, Shopify provides an all-in-one solution that includes:
- Website hosting
- Online store builder
- Shopping cart system
- Payment processing
- Inventory management
- Order tracking
- Marketing tools
- Security and updates
Because Shopify is hosted in the cloud, users can access their store from anywhere using a web browser—no installation required.
Why Shopify Is So Popular
Shopify’s popularity comes from its ease of use, flexibility, and scalability. It works just as well for:
- Small home-based businesses
- Manchester local shops
- UK startups
- Growing ecommerce brands
- Large enterprises (via Shopify Plus)
Shopify removes the technical barriers that often prevent people from launching an online store.
How Does Shopify Work? (Step-by-Step Overview)
At its core, Shopify works by providing you with tools to build a store, add products, accept payments, and manage orders. Let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: Create a Shopify Account
To start using Shopify, you need to create an account on Shopify’s website.
What Happens After Sign-Up?
Once you sign up, Shopify:
- Creates your store dashboard
- Assigns you a temporary domain (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com)
- Gives you access to store setup tools
You don’t need hosting, software installation, or coding knowledge.
Step 2: Choose a Shopify Theme (Store Design)
Your store’s appearance is controlled by a Shopify theme.
Shopify Themes Explained
- Themes control layout, fonts, colours, and design
- Shopify offers free and paid themes
- All themes are mobile-responsive
- Themes can be customised without coding
Why Themes Matter
A good theme:
- Improves user experience
- Builds trust with customers
- Increases conversion rates
- Reflects your brand identity
For Manchester and UK shoppers, clean design and fast loading times are especially important.
Step 3: Add Products or Services
Products are the heart of any Shopify store.
What You Can Sell on Shopify
- Physical products (clothing, electronics, food)
- Digital products (ebooks, courses, software)
- Services (appointments, subscriptions)
- Print-on-demand items
- Dropshipping products
Product Information Includes
- Product name
- Description
- Images or videos
- Price
- SKU and inventory
- Shipping weight
- Variants (size, colour, etc.)
Shopify automatically creates product pages based on this information.
Step 4: Set Up Payments (UK-Friendly)
Shopify allows you to accept payments securely from customers.
Payment Options in the UK
- Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe)
- PayPal
- Credit & debit cards
- Apple Pay & Google Pay
- Klarna and other BNPL options
Why Shopify Payments Is Popular in the UK
- No third-party transaction fees
- Faster payouts to UK bank accounts
- Easy VAT handling
- Built-in fraud protection
Customers can pay securely at checkout, and funds are deposited directly into your bank account.
Step 5: Configure Taxes (VAT in the UK)
For UK businesses, VAT is an important consideration.
Shopify allows you to:
- Set VAT rates automatically
- Apply VAT based on UK rules
- Add VAT-inclusive pricing
- Generate tax reports
This is especially useful for Manchester businesses that need to comply with HMRC regulations.
Step 6: Set Up Shipping & Delivery
Shipping settings tell Shopify how orders are delivered.
Shipping Options
- Flat-rate shipping
- Free shipping
- Weight-based shipping
- Local delivery (Manchester area)
- Click & Collect
- International shipping
UK Shipping Providers
Shopify integrates with:
- Royal Mail
- DPD
- Hermes / Evri
- DHL
- Local couriers
You can define shipping zones for Manchester, the UK, Europe, and worldwide.
Step 7: Connect a Domain Name
To look professional, most businesses connect a custom domain.
Examples:
Shopify allows you to:
- Buy a domain through Shopify
- Connect a domain from another provider
- Use SSL security automatically
Step 8: Launch Your Shopify Store
Once everything is set up:
- Products are live
- Payments are enabled
- Shipping is configured
- Your site is secure
You can then remove password protection and start selling.
What Happens When a Customer Places an Order?
Here’s how Shopify works behind the scenes:
- Customer visits your store
- Adds products to the cart
- Proceeds to checkout
- Makes payment securely
- Shopify confirms payment
- Order appears in your dashboard
- Inventory updates automatically
- You ship the order
- Customer receives confirmation email
Everything is tracked in real time.
Shopify Admin Dashboard Explained
The Shopify dashboard is the control centre of your store.
What You Can Manage
- Orders
- Products
- Customers
- Inventory
- Payments
- Marketing campaigns
- Analytics & reports
- Apps & integrations
It is designed to be beginner-friendly while offering advanced tools for growing businesses.
Shopify Apps: Extending Store Functionality
One of Shopify’s biggest strengths is its App Store.
What Shopify Apps Do
- Add new features
- Automate tasks
- Improve marketing
- Enhance SEO
- Manage inventory
- Improve customer support
Examples of Popular App Categories
- SEO optimisation
- Email marketing
- Reviews & testimonials
- Live chat
- Accounting (UK-compatible apps)
- Shipping & fulfilment
Apps allow you to customise your store without development work.
Shopify Marketing Tools
Shopify includes built-in marketing features.
Marketing Channels
- Email marketing
- Discount codes
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Facebook & Instagram integration
- Google Shopping
- TikTok integration
For Manchester businesses, local marketing and social media integration are especially powerful.
Shopify SEO: How It Helps You Rank on Google
Shopify is built with SEO in mind.
SEO Features Include
- Custom meta titles & descriptions
- SEO-friendly URLs
- Image alt text
- Blog functionality
- Mobile optimisation
- Fast loading speeds
With proper optimisation, Shopify stores can rank well on Google UK, including local searches like “Shopify store Manchester”.
Shopify Security & Reliability
Security is handled by Shopify.
Security Features
- SSL certificates
- PCI-DSS compliance
- Secure checkout
- Fraud analysis
- Automatic updates
- Data backups
This means you don’t have to worry about technical security issues.
Shopify Pricing Explained (UK Overview)
Shopify works on a monthly subscription model.
Common Shopify Plans
- Basic Shopify – for small businesses
- Shopify – for growing stores
- Advanced Shopify – for scaling businesses
- Shopify Plus – for enterprises
Each plan includes hosting, security, and core features. There are no hidden hosting costs.
Who Is Shopify Best For?
Shopify is ideal for:
- Beginners with no technical knowledge
- Manchester local businesses
- UK startups and SMEs
- Dropshippers
- Creators selling digital products
- Brick-and-mortar stores going online
- Growing ecommerce brands
Advantages of Using Shopify
Key Benefits
- Easy to use
- No coding required
- UK-friendly payment systems
- Secure and reliable
- Scalable as your business grows
- Strong community and support
- Excellent app ecosystem
Disadvantages of Shopify
While Shopify is powerful, it’s important to be balanced.
Potential Limitations
- Monthly subscription costs
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments
- Customisation limitations without coding
- Apps can add extra costs
For most businesses, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Shopify vs Other Ecommerce Platforms
Compared to platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, or Wix:
- Shopify is easier to manage
- Requires less technical maintenance
- Is more beginner-friendly
- Offers better scalability
This is why many UK businesses choose Shopify.
Is Shopify Worth It for Manchester & UK Businesses?
Yes, Shopify is absolutely worth it for most UK businesses.
It offers:
- Compliance with UK regulations
- Local payment options
- Scalable growth
- Professional design
- Strong SEO capabilities
Whether you’re a small Manchester shop or a nationwide brand, Shopify provides a reliable ecommerce foundation.
Final Thoughts
Shopify is more than just an ecommerce platform—it is a complete business solution. It simplifies the process of selling online by handling technology, security, and performance, allowing you to focus on what matters most: growing your business.
If you’re planning to launch an online store in Manchester or anywhere in the UK, Shopify is one of the best platforms to consider.