So, you've got yourself a pre-built Shopify store. Smart move! Whether you bought one to skip the exhausting setup process or you just wanted to save yourself from the trial-and-error madness of e-commerce, you're on the right track. But, the real magic happens when you start putting your own products in there.
As the owner of Ecomency with over 8+ years of e-commerce experience, I've helped hundreds of merchants do exactly this—make their stores truly theirs. So, let's get into it. Here’s the step-by-step on adding your products, customizing your store, and giving your business that personal touch it deserves.
Why Add Your Own Products?
First, you might be wondering why you should bother adding new products when your pre-built Shopify store already comes with a selection of goodies. The answer’s simple: customization and standing out. The market’s crowded, and adding your unique products can really set you apart.
Step 1: Log in to Your Shopify Admin
It sounds obvious, right? But let’s start at the beginning. Head over to your Shopify Admin, enter your credentials, and click on the Products tab on the left-hand side. Here’s where the magic happens.
Pro Tip:
Make sure you have good WiFi. Nothing’s more frustrating than trying to upload products with spotty internet. Trust me.
Step 2: Click 'Add Product'
This one’s easy. Once you’re in the Products section, hit that green Add Product button. This is where you’ll give your product life.
What You’ll Need:
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Product Title: Make it catchy, but clear. Think about what your customers would search for.
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Description: This is where you sell your product. Be as descriptive as possible. Share how your product solves a problem, makes life easier, or just how cool it is.
Here’s an example template for a pet accessory:
“Say goodbye to messy water bowls! Our PawsUp No-Spill Water Bowl makes sure your furry friend stays hydrated without the mess. Perfect for car rides, home, or on-the-go adventures.”
Short, snappy, and hits the key points! -
Images: High-quality images are non-negotiable. No one wants to buy a product with a blurry photo. Show different angles, lifestyle shots, and if possible, include short videos.
Pro tip: Use consistent backgrounds for a professional feel.
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Pricing: Set your price. You might want to do a little market research to make sure your pricing is competitive.
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Inventory Details: Be honest about stock levels. If you have 100 items, great. If it’s just 5, mention that. Scarcity often leads to faster sales.
My Take on Descriptions:
Don’t be boring. I’ve seen far too many stores with copy-paste descriptions. Use this section to speak to your customer. Make it relatable. Humor works, as long as it fits your brand.
Step 3: Organize Your Products
Once you’ve added a few products, you’ll want to group them into collections. Maybe you have a collection for ‘Summer Wear’ or ‘Gadgets Under $50’. Collections make it easier for your customers to browse and find what they’re looking for.
Creating a Collection:
- Go to the Products section.
- Click on Collections.
- Hit Create Collection.
- Add a name, description, and select the products you want in it.
Manual vs. Automated Collections: If you have a specific criteria, like ‘Products under $20’, you can set up an automated collection so products that match that condition get added automatically. Fancy, right?
Step 4: Optimize for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Don’t sleep on this step! Adding a product isn’t enough; you want people to actually find it. Scroll down to the Search engine listing preview and edit the meta title, description, and URL handle.
Example Table for SEO:
| Field | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Meta Title | Main product name + a key benefit or USP |
| Meta Desc. | Short, punchy summary (keep it under 160 chars) |
| URL Handle | Short, readable (e.g., /pawsup-water-bowl) |
This step is crucial if you’re looking to attract organic traffic.
Step 5: Customize Product Variants
If your product comes in different sizes, colors, or materials, you’ll want to set up variants. It makes for a better customer experience when they can easily select what they want.
- Scroll down to the Variants section.
- Click Add Variant and enter the relevant details.
Step 6: Configure Shipping & Tax Settings
Before you hit publish, double-check your shipping and tax settings. If you’re dropshipping, talk to your supplier about shipping rates and regions they serve. Got your own inventory? Make sure you’ve calculated accurate shipping fees.
My Take on Shipping:
Offer free shipping if possible. Studies have shown customers are more likely to buy if shipping is free, even if you’ve slightly raised the product price.
Step 7: Click 'Save' and Preview
Once everything looks good, click Save. Head to the front end of your store and preview how it looks to customers. You want to ensure the images look crisp, descriptions make sense, and that it all just feels right.
FAQs
Q: Can I add products from other suppliers?
Yes! You have full control over what you sell. Mix it up with your own products, dropshipping items, or even wholesale.
Q: Can I edit or remove existing products?
Absolutely. Everything’s customizable. If a product isn’t selling, swap it out for something else.
Q: Do I need to edit existing descriptions?
If you feel they don’t align with your brand voice, yes. We encourage it for consistency.
Final Thoughts
Running a pre built Shopify store isn’t just about the initial purchase—it’s about making it yours. By adding your own products, tweaking the content, and optimizing for search engines, you’ll carve out your own corner of the market. Remember, the most successful stores are always evolving.
Happy selling!