Shopify is a complete eCommerce solution provider that caters to both beginners and professionals in Pakistan. It offers simplicity for those new to eCommerce and power for those who are more experienced. In this article, we will explore what Shopify is, its advantages as an eCommerce platform, why it stands out from other eCommerce platforms, and the opportunities it provides.
So, What is Shopify?
Shopify is an eCommerce solution that operates on WordPress, which is another Content Management System (CMS). With Shopify, you can create a store, sell your products, and accept payment without any coding knowledge. The platform offers drag-and-drop tools to design your store the way you want it.
To start, you only need to provide your email address to use Shopify’s payment gateway. Shopify is responsible for the security of the customer’s payment and does not charge transaction fees. This feature makes running an online store more manageable, particularly if you have a small store and fewer transactions.
Why use Shopify?
Shopify is one of the top eCommerce platforms in the market, known for its user-friendly interface, extensive support, and market leadership. It is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to quickly set up an eCommerce store with intuitive design and built-in features.
As a Shopify user for the past three years, I can confidently say that it is one of the most robust eCommerce platforms available. It has been instrumental in running my own eCommerce store and personal projects. With Shopify, you can turn your dream of running a store into a reality. However, like any eCommerce platform, there is a learning curve involved.
In conclusion, Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform that offers simplicity and sophistication, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and professionals in the Pakistani market.
Benefits of Shopify
Utilizing a turn-key eCommerce solutions provider like Shopify can offer numerous advantages. Here are the top ten benefits to consider:
- Market Leader: Shopify holds the top position in the eCommerce industry due to its constant development and inclusion of the latest market features.
- User-Friendly: Shopify’s ease of use is a significant advantage, making it accessible to beginners and experts alike.
Shopify offers exceptional support for its customers, with a range of resources such as blogs, videos, forums, podcasts, and books available to help users learn the platform. Additionally, Shopify’s customer care team is highly responsive and knowledgeable. Our “Complete Shopify Tool Kit” is a valuable resource for users and is now available on Amazon.
What options are available for customizing a Shopify store in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, there are various ways to personalize and enhance your Shopify store. You can utilize custom themes, templates, apps, and even custom code to add features and improve functionality.
Themes
With Shopify, you have access to both free and premium themes that can transform the appearance of your store. Basic design features that can be customized include the store’s layout, background, colors, and fonts. Premium themes offer more advanced customization options and usually come with dedicated support from the theme’s designers.
Templates
Templates come in handy when creating product listings with specific details. You can add images, text, videos, and numbers, and edit product pages using these templates.
Apps
Shopify offers various apps that can be added to your store to enhance its functionality. These apps can assist in every aspect of your store, including marketing, sales, and customer service.
Custom Code
Shopify’s coding language, known as “Shopify Code,” makes it simple to add custom code snippets to your store. In Developer Mode, you can copy and paste code snippets from Shopify’s code library, and even build your own themes and apps using the language. The language is designed to be easy to use, even for novice developers, and you can install Shopify code snippets without any coding knowledge.
Features of Shopify for the Pakistani Market:
Shopify is a powerful e-commerce store builder that can help you sell your products online. If you’re considering starting an online business, Shopify could be the perfect choice for you. Let’s take a look at some of the features of Shopify that can help you succeed in the Pakistani market.
Payment Processors
Shopify works with a variety of payment processors that are popular in Pakistan, making it easy for you to accept payments from your customers. Some of the payment processors supported by Shopify are:
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Payoneer
- JazzCash
- UBL Omni
- EasyPaisa
- Meezan Bank
Shipping
Shopify has partnered with several shipping providers in Pakistan to ensure a smooth user experience. You can print shipping labels, send shipping confirmations to your customers automatically, and provide your customers with tracking information, all with the click of a button.
5 Best Shopify Online Payment Gateways Available in Pakistan
Here is a list of the local carriers that integrate with Shopify:
- TCS
- Leopards
- BlueEx
- M&P
- CallCourier
- Cheetay Logistics
Trusted SSL Certificates
SSL certificates are essential for online stores to appear trustworthy, and Shopify provides them by default. SSL certificates encrypt the data stored on your site, assuring your customers that their information is safe and secure.
Integrations with Accounting Software
Shopify integrates with several accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Zoho Books, making it easy to create invoices and receipts for your customers automatically.
The Shopify App Store
Shopify has a vast App Store that offers many apps to help you set up and run your online store in Pakistan. The platform is user-friendly, and with the right apps, you can have your online store up and running within a day.
Discount Coupons
Discount coupons are a common feature of online stores, and Shopify makes it easy to create them. Discount coupons can be anything from a percentage discount to a promo code that takes off a fixed amount.
Adding discount coupons to your online store is an effective way to increase sales, particularly during festive seasons like Eid or Ramadan.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a popular method used by many e-commerce stores in Pakistan. It enables you to sell products without holding any inventory. Instead, the product is shipped directly from the supplier to your customer.
Shopify provides a free webinar called “How to Get Started With Dropshipping” that can help you understand how to use this business model effectively.
Print-on-Demand
If you have an idea for a product, such as a T-shirt or a gym bag, but don’t want to spend a lot of money upfront on inventory, you can use a Print-on-Demand app. These apps allow you to upload your design and list your item for sale, even if it doesn’t exist yet.
When a customer places an order, the Print-on-Demand company prints your design onto the desired item and ships it directly to the customer. This business model is particularly useful for startups and small businesses in Pakistan.
Invoice Countdown Timers
You can use invoice countdown timers to show your customers how much time they have left to pay their invoice. A countdown timer is an effective way to convey urgency to your customers and encourage them to pay on time.
Adding an invoice countdown timer to your site is easy, and it can help you keep track of your payments more efficiently.
In conclusion, Shopify is an excellent platform for e-commerce stores in Pakistan. It provides a range of features that can help you set up and run your online store successfully. With the right combination of apps and features, you can make your online store stand out and increase your sales.
Is Shopify the right platform for your business in Pakistan?
As a developer who has built Shopify accounts for businesses of all sizes, I am often asked whether Shopify is the right platform for a particular business. To answer this question, I first need to understand the nature of your business.
Brick-and-Mortar
If you have a physical shop, you might be considering expanding your business online. In this case, you have two options: opening a Shopify account and running your own website, or selling your products through someone else’s platform.
Selling on Marketplaces
Several marketplaces, such as Amazon, OLX and Daraz, allow you to sell your products on their site. However, each marketplace has its own rules, and you need to make sure that your seller account and products meet the conditions set out by the marketplace. Shopify is well suited to selling products on marketplaces, allowing you to take payments from customers in every form imaginable and write shipping and refund policies necessary for selling on larger marketplaces.
Third-Party Sites
Several third-party vendors sell products on Shopify, and they are usually happy to let you sell their products on your site. However, the third-party vendor will demand a commission on each sale, and they will also control the level of customer support you can provide. You will still need to set up the store and take payments.
Why should you use Shopify?
Speed
Shopify is fast, and the developers are constantly working behind the scenes to help ensure that Shopify merchants get the maximum amount of site traffic. They are also constantly adding new features, functionalities, and templates.
Ease of use
Shopify is intuitive and easy to use, with an admin area that is easy to navigate and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to customize your store.
Customer Support
Shopify has a customer support system that allows you to connect with customer service representatives, email them, or chat with them using live chat. The customer support system is very responsive and works well.
The Pricing
Shopify charges a monthly fee of $9/month for their basic plan, and you also get 14 days of free access to all of the system’s features, including customer support. If you are starting in eCommerce or have a small store, this pricing plan is perfect.
Conclusion
Shopify is an excellent eCommerce platform for businesses of all sizes in Pakistan. It is fast, easy to use, and has excellent customer support, making it the perfect choice for those who want to grow their business online.
