PR

“I want to open my own online shop with Shopify and make my dreams come true!”

“But what should I prepare first? What if I fail?”

“Do successful Shopify sellers have some special secret?”

We’re in an era where anyone can easily launch a professional online store with Shopify. Its ease of use and advanced features have attracted many individuals and businesses to the e-commerce world. However, many also jump in without sufficient preparation or knowledge, leading to disappointing results and even withdrawal.

Don’t worry! This article is your compass to avoid failure and pave the way to success when launching your Shopify store. Based on the latest information as of May 16, 2025, we’ll thoroughly explain, from a professional perspective, the crucial “points of caution” you must understand before launching, as well as practical “secrets to success” for getting your business on track after opening.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll understand the potential risks in launching a Shopify store and be able to confidently start your journey. You’ll also gain a clear action plan for realizing your dreams.

It’s not about “just starting,” but about “starting to succeed.” The knowledge to do that is right here.

Why not start by shaping your ideas with a 14-day free trial of Shopify, allowing you to thoroughly explore its possibilities risk-free?

Click here for your Shopify 14-day free trial↓

Why Shopify? Re-Discovering the Overwhelming Advantages of Opening a Store

Before diving into specific considerations and secrets to success, let’s reaffirm why so many people choose Shopify and its undeniable benefits.

  • Overwhelming Ease of Use: You can build and manage your store intuitively, even without programming knowledge, making setup a breeze.
  • Abundant Design Templates: Instantly create a store that matches your brand image with beautiful, professionally designed themes (both free and paid).
  • Powerful Features and Scalability: E-commerce operation essentials like inventory management, customer management, and marketing features come standard. Plus, you can freely add and expand functionalities with over 7,000 apps.
  • Global Compatibility: Shopify is strong in cross-border e-commerce, offering multi-language/multi-currency support and international shipping assistance.
  • Reliable Support System: In addition to 24/7 English support, there are extensive Japanese help documents and a thriving community.
  • Scalability: It can flexibly accommodate businesses of all sizes, from small sole proprietorships to large corporate e-commerce sites, adapting as your business grows.

To maximize these benefits, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand the “points of caution” and “secrets to success” we’re about to share.

【Must Check Before Launch!】7 Pitfalls to Avoid When Launching Your Shopify Store (and How to Bypass Them)

Launching a store is filled with dreams and hopes, but unexpected pitfalls can lurk. By knowing them beforehand, you can wisely mitigate risks.

1. Ambiguous Concept and Target: “What do I want to sell to whom?”

Pitfall: Starting with a vague idea like “I’ll just sell whatever seems popular…” often leads to half-baked product selection, store design, and marketing strategies.

Bypass Strategy:

  • Where’s Your Passion?: Choose products or services you genuinely feel passionate about selling.
  • Define Your Target Customer Specifically: Create a detailed persona, including age, gender, hobbies, lifestyle, and pain points.
  • Clarify Your Store’s “Unique Selling Proposition (USP)”: Clearly define what sets your store apart and why customers should buy from you.

2. Lack of Products! Flawed Product/Sourcing Plan

Pitfall: Even if you find appealing products, your business won’t be sustainable if you can’t consistently source them or if the profit margins are too low.

Bypass Strategy:

  • Secure Stable Sourcing Routes: Explore multiple options like wholesalers, direct manufacturer deals, or dropshipping, and find reliable suppliers.
  • Proper Pricing and Profit Calculation: Set prices that ensure sufficient profit, considering purchasing costs, Shopify fees, operating expenses, etc.
  • Inventory Management Plan: If holding inventory, plan appropriate stock levels, storage locations, and management methods. For dropshipping, you need a system to track supplier inventory.

3. “Is This Legal?!” Insufficient Knowledge of Necessary Licenses/Legal Requirements

Pitfall: Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the law. Failing to obtain necessary permits or neglecting legal disclosures can lead to penalties or even store closure.

Bypass Strategy (for Japan):

  • Specific Commercial Transaction Act (特定商取引法に基づく表記): Displaying the seller’s name (company name), address, phone number, etc., is mandatory. Shopify makes it easy to create this page.
  • Privacy Policy: Clearly state how personal information is handled. Shopify also provides templates for this.
  • Check for Licenses/Permits: Depending on the products you sell, you might need specific licenses, such as a second-hand dealer permit (for used goods), permits based on the Food Sanitation Act (for food), or a liquor sales license (for alcoholic beverages). Always confirm with the relevant administrative agency.
  • Respect Intellectual Property Rights: Be careful not to infringe on others’ copyrights (images, text) or trademarks (brand logos). Strive for original content.

4. “I’m Out of Money!” Overlooking Costs and Budget Planning

Pitfall: Besides Shopify’s monthly fees, various other costs arise. Overlooking these can lead to a cash flow shortage.

Bypass Strategy:

  • Initial Costs: Shopify plan fees (utilize the free trial first!), paid theme purchase costs, custom domain acquisition fees, logo creation costs, etc.
  • Operating Costs: Monthly plan fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees, paid app usage fees, purchasing costs, advertising expenses, packaging material costs, communication fees, etc.
  • Secure Working Capital: Prepare several months’ worth of working capital to cover expenses until sales stabilize. We recommend creating a detailed budget plan using tools like Excel.

5. “Nobody’s Coming…” Absence of a Customer Acquisition Strategy

Pitfall: Even if you build a fantastic store, products won’t sell if no one knows about it. The idea that “customers will just come once I open” is a big mistake.

Bypass Strategy:

  • Choose Customer Acquisition Methods Tailored to Your Target Audience:
    • SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Attracting customers from search engines. Utilize Shopify’s blog feature.
    • Social Media Marketing: Share information on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) to gain followers.
    • Paid Advertising: Target specific audiences with Google Ads and social media ads.
    • Content Marketing: Provide valuable information to nurture potential customers.
  • Start preparing even before launch, such as growing your social media accounts.

6. “I Can’t Handle It Alone!” Insufficient Preparation of Operational Structure

Pitfall: Order processing, packing/shipping, customer support, inventory management, product updates, marketing… e-commerce operations involve a continuous stream of diverse tasks. Trying to handle everything alone will lead to burnout.

Bypass Strategy:

  • Identify and Delegate Tasks: List out all the tasks that will arise and plan who will do what and how.
  • Utilize Efficiency Tools: Actively automate tasks that can be automated using Shopify apps.
  • Consider Outsourcing: Outsourcing services like fulfillment, customer support, or design creation to specialists can be an effective solution.
  • Time Management Skills: Prioritizing tasks and working efficiently are also crucial skills.

7. “This Isn’t What I Expected…” Misunderstanding Shopify’s Capabilities/Limitations

Pitfall: While Shopify is highly functional, it’s not a silver bullet. If you don’t understand what its standard features can do, what needs to be supplemented with apps, or when specialized customization is required, you’ll end up with “missing features.”

Bypass Strategy:

  • Thorough Pre-Investigation: Thoroughly research beforehand whether the features essential for your business model (e.g., subscriptions, pre-orders, B2B functionalities) are feasible with Shopify, and which plan or apps you might need.
  • Utilize the Free Trial: Actually operate the platform to check its features and usability.
  • Consult Shopify Experts: If you have complex requirements, consider consulting a Shopify-certified expert.

Start your Shopify free trial to pre-check these cautionary points ↓

【Compass to Success】7 Secrets to Getting Your Shopify Store on Track

Once you’ve cleared the cautionary points, it’s time for the secrets to success. By implementing these, your store will steadily grow.

1. Obsessively Craft Engaging Product Pages That Evoke “I Want It!”

  • High-Quality Product Images and Videos: Customers rely on images to make purchasing decisions. Provide visuals from every angle that convey your product’s appeal to the fullest.
  • Heart-Touching Product Descriptions: Don’t just list features; convey the benefits (value) customers gain and evoke empathy through storytelling. Keyword selection, keeping SEO in mind, is also crucial.
  • Easy-to-Understand Variant Display: Design options like size and color so customers can choose without hesitation.
  • Actively Utilize Customer Reviews: Good reviews are the best advertising. Create a system for collecting reviews and display them on your product pages.

2. Create a Memorable Store Design That Expresses Your Brand’s Worldview

  • Careful Theme Selection: Choose a theme that matches your brand image, then unify your logo, color scheme, and fonts to create a unique brand aesthetic.
  • Intuitive and User-Friendly Navigation: Aim for a simple, intuitive menu structure so customers can find their desired products or information without getting lost.
  • Mobile-First Design: Prioritize how your store looks and functions on smartphones. Shopify themes are generally responsive.

3. Implement Effective Customer Acquisition Strategies Using Diverse Channels

  • Continuous SEO Efforts: Utilize Shopify’s blog functionality to publish high-quality content and increase organic traffic from search engines.
  • Strengthen Social Media Marketing: Leverage integration features with Instagram and Facebook to enhance visual appeal and deepen communication with customers.
  • Cost-Effective Ad Operations: Reach target customers precisely with Google Ads and social media ads. You can start with small budgets.
  • Customer Nurturing Through Email Marketing: Build relationships with leads and existing customers through newsletters and abandoned cart emails to encourage repeat purchases.

4. Build Loyalty! Foster Strong Customer Relationships (CRM)

  • Prompt and Courteous Customer Service: Respond to inquiries sincerely to boost customer satisfaction. Implementing chatbots can also be effective.
  • Implement Repeat Customer Initiatives: Create incentives for return visits, such as loyalty programs, member-exclusive discounts, or birthday coupons.
  • Listen to Customer Feedback: Collect customer opinions through surveys and reviews, and use them to improve products and services.

5. Make Data-Driven Decisions! Continuous Analysis and Improvement

  • Utilize Shopify Analytics: Regularly check basic data such as sales, traffic, and conversion rates.
  • Integrate with Google Analytics: Allows for more detailed analysis of customer behavior.
  • Conduct A/B Testing: Compare and test product page copy and design, ad creatives, etc., to find the most effective versions.
  • Implement the PDCA Cycle: Continuously plan, do, check, and act to improve your store. Maintaining this iterative improvement mindset is crucial.

6. Eliminate Waste and Focus on Your Core Business! Build an Efficient Store Operation System

  • Automate Tasks with Shopify Apps: Automate routine tasks like inventory management, order processing, invoice generation, and accounting software integration to save time and effort.
  • Smart Use of External Services: Consider outsourcing non-core tasks such as fulfillment (3PL), customer support, and legal/tax expertise to specialists.
  • Create Manuals and Share Information: If operating with multiple people or planning to hire staff in the future, documenting your operational procedures in manuals will ensure smoother transitions.

7. Embrace Change and Keep Learning! Aim to Be an E-commerce Trendsetter

  • Keep Up with Industry Trends: The e-commerce market is constantly evolving. Continuously learn about new technologies, sales methods, and customer needs.
  • Check Shopify’s New Features and Updates: Shopify itself is continually evolving. Utilizing new features can further streamline and advance your store operations.
  • Competitor Analysis and Differentiation Strategy: Keep an eye on competitor activities while building a unique position that leverages your store’s strengths.
  • Participate in Shopify Communities and Seminars: Actively seek opportunities to exchange information with other store owners and learn from experts.

Useful Resources for Launching and Operating Your Shopify Store

Here are some valuable resources to help you when you’re stuck or want to deepen your knowledge.

  • Shopify Help Center (Link to Shopify Official Website): The most reliable official source of information. It offers extensive resources in Japanese.
  • Shopify Blog (Japanese Version) (Link to Shopify Official Website): Packed with e-commerce operational know-how, success stories, and new feature updates.
  • Shopify Community (Link to Shopify Official Website): A forum where you can ask questions and exchange information with other Shopify users.
  • Shopify Japan Official YouTube Channel: Provides easy-to-understand explanations through videos.

Summary: Thorough Preparation and Passion for Success Will Pave the Way for Your Shopify Store’s Future!

Launching a store with Shopify is an incredible first step toward realizing your dreams. However, success doesn’t happen by chance. Thorough preparation before launch and continuous, passionate effort after opening are essential.

Keep the “7 Points of Caution” discussed in this article firmly in mind to avoid potential risks. By implementing the “7 Secrets to Success,” your store will steadily grow and become a beloved brand to many customers.

Shopify is the best partner to powerfully support your business. Make the most of its diverse features and weave your own success story.

Now, it’s your turn! Why not start by registering for Shopify’s 14-day free trial and begin forming a concrete plan based on the knowledge you’ve gained from this article?

Start your Shopify 14-day free trial now and take the first step toward success!↓