The Shopify Launch Checklist I Use on Every Store
Launching a Shopify store is exciting, and that excitement makes it easy to miss small details that cost sales later. This is the checklist I run through on every store before it goes live.
Store settings
- Store name, contact email and sender email set correctly.
- Store currency, time zone and weight units configured.
- Taxes reviewed for your country and regions.
- Custom domain connected and set as primary, with SSL active.
Payments and checkout
- Payment gateway activated and tested with a real order, then refunded.
- Cash on delivery or local payment options enabled where customers expect them.
- Checkout branding (logo, colours) applied.
- Order confirmation and shipping emails customised with your brand voice.
Shipping
- Shipping zones and rates set for every region you serve.
- Free shipping threshold configured if you offer one.
- Product weights entered so calculated rates are accurate.
Products and collections
- Every product has clear photos on a consistent background, plus lifestyle shots.
- Descriptions answer size, material, use and care — the questions buyers ask.
- Variants, SKUs and inventory tracking set up.
- Collections organised the way customers shop, not the way your warehouse is organised.
Trust and policies
- Refund, shipping, privacy and terms pages published and linked in the footer.
- About and contact pages with real details.
- Product reviews app installed and ready.
Marketing basics
- Abandoned cart email (and SMS where possible) switched on.
- Email pop-up with a welcome offer.
- Meta pixel, Google Analytics and Google Merchant Center connected.
- SEO titles and meta descriptions written for the homepage, collections and top products.
Final checks
- Test the full journey on a phone: browse, add to cart, checkout.
- Check page speed and remove apps you are not using.
- Remove the store password and announce the launch.
A store that is set up properly on day one does not need emergency fixes on day three.
Work through this list and your store will be ready to sell from its first visitor.
