7 min read

Shopify

Overview

Launching a website once meant learning to code, setting up web hosting, configuring servers, installing software, and hoping everything continued working after each update. Shopify changed that experience by providing an all-in-one commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to build, manage, and grow online stores without needing to become web developers. Today, Shopify powers millions of businesses around the world, from first-time entrepreneurs to internationally recognized brands.

Although Shopify is best known for online stores, the platform has grown into a broader commerce ecosystem. Businesses can sell through websites, physical retail locations, social media platforms, online marketplaces, and mobile devices while managing products, inventory, orders, payments, and customers from a centralized dashboard.

Quick Information

Tool: Shopify
Developer: Shopify Inc.
Category: Ecommerce Platform
First Released: 2006
Common Uses: Online stores, ecommerce, inventory management, order processing, website building, payments, and retail operations
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Official Website: www.shopify.com

What Is Shopify?

Shopify is a cloud-based ecommerce platform that enables businesses to create and manage online stores while handling many of the operational tasks involved in selling products and services. Instead of building an ecommerce website from scratch, users can manage products, customize their storefront, process orders, accept payments, monitor inventory, and communicate with customers through a single platform.

The platform is designed to simplify online selling for businesses of different sizes. Whether someone is launching a home-based business, opening their first online shop, or managing an established retail operation, Shopify provides tools that reduce technical complexity while allowing business owners to focus on products, customers, and growth.

Who Developed Shopify?

Shopify was developed by Shopify Inc., a Canadian technology company founded by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake. The company began after its founders struggled to find suitable software for their own online business and decided to build a better ecommerce platform. What started as a solution for one online store eventually evolved into one of the world's leading commerce platforms.

Since its launch, Shopify has expanded well beyond website building. The platform now includes payment processing, point-of-sale systems, shipping tools, marketing features, business analytics, artificial intelligence capabilities, and an extensive ecosystem of applications developed by Shopify and third-party partners.

What Can Shopify Do?

Shopify helps businesses manage many aspects of online and retail commerce from a single platform. Users can build ecommerce websites, organize product catalogs, manage inventory, process customer orders, accept online payments, monitor sales, create discount campaigns, generate reports, and manage customer information.

Beyond ecommerce websites, Shopify also supports selling through social media channels, online marketplaces, physical retail locations using Shopify POS, and other digital sales channels. This allows businesses to manage multiple sales channels while keeping products, inventory, and orders synchronized across their operations.

Key Features

Shopify combines website creation with ecommerce management tools. Its major features include customizable online storefronts, product management, inventory tracking, secure checkout, payment processing, shipping tools, order management, customer management, analytics, marketing tools, discount creation, abandoned cart recovery on supported plans, artificial intelligence features, and access to thousands of applications through the Shopify App Store.

Because Shopify operates as a cloud-based platform, users can manage many aspects of their business through a web browser or supported mobile applications while updates, security, and infrastructure are managed by Shopify behind the scenes.

Shopify Plans

Shopify offers several subscription plans designed to support businesses at different stages of growth. Whether someone is launching their first online store or operating an established retail business, Shopify provides plans with features that scale alongside the needs of the business. Available plans, pricing, and included features may change over time.

Basic — Designed for individuals and small businesses starting their ecommerce journey with essential selling features.
Grow — Offers additional reporting, staff accounts, and features for businesses experiencing growth.
Advanced — Includes more advanced reporting, shipping capabilities, and tools for larger businesses with increasing operational needs.
Plus — Shopify's enterprise solution for large organizations that require greater customization, automation, scalability, and dedicated support.

In addition to these plans, Shopify also offers products and services such as Shopify POS, Shopify Payments, Shopify Markets, Shopify Shipping, Shopify Email, and Shopify Magic, depending on regional availability.

Who May Find Shopify Useful?

Shopify is designed for businesses that sell products or services online, in physical stores, or through multiple sales channels. Because the platform manages much of the technical infrastructure behind an online store, it allows business owners to spend more time developing products, serving customers, and growing their businesses.

Shopify may be useful for entrepreneurs, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, artists, authors, restaurants selling merchandise, fashion brands, beauty businesses, home-based businesses, nonprofit organizations, and established companies expanding into ecommerce.

Supported Platforms

Shopify is primarily accessed through modern web browsers and official mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Business owners can manage products, review orders, monitor sales, communicate with customers, and oversee store operations while away from their computers.

Pricing Overview

Shopify is available through subscription-based plans with features that vary according to the selected package. Transaction fees, payment options, included features, and available services may also differ depending on the country, selected payment provider, and business requirements. Readers should visit Shopify's official website for the latest pricing and regional availability.

Why Many Businesses Choose Shopify

Shopify has become one of the world's leading ecommerce platforms because it removes much of the technical complexity involved in selling online. Instead of building and maintaining an ecommerce website from scratch, businesses can launch an online store using professionally designed themes, integrated payment options, secure hosting, and a growing ecosystem of applications.

The platform's flexibility also allows businesses to expand beyond a traditional online store. Many merchants sell through social media, marketplaces, retail locations, and international markets while managing products, inventory, customers, and orders from one centralized platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify only for large businesses?

No. Shopify is used by businesses of many sizes, from first-time entrepreneurs and small businesses to internationally recognized brands.

Can I build a website with Shopify?

Yes. Shopify includes website-building tools that allow users to create and customize online storefronts without building a website from scratch.

Can Shopify accept online payments?

Yes. Shopify supports online payments through Shopify Payments in supported regions as well as numerous third-party payment providers.

Can Shopify manage inventory?

Yes. Shopify includes inventory management tools that help businesses monitor stock levels, products, and orders across supported sales channels.

Why should I care about Shopify?

If you're planning to sell products or services online, Shopify is one of the most influential ecommerce platforms available today. Understanding what it offers can help you choose the right tools for launching, managing, and growing an online business.

Final Thoughts

Shopify has transformed online commerce by making it easier for businesses to launch and operate professional online stores without extensive technical knowledge. By combining website creation, ecommerce management, payments, inventory, marketing, and business tools within one platform, Shopify has become a trusted solution for millions of merchants around the world.

Understanding what Shopify is provides a solid foundation for anyone exploring ecommerce. Learning how to build a store, customize themes, manage products, optimize sales, and grow an online business comes next, and those topics are explored through Daily Whoa's Shopify tutorials and ecommerce guides.