Shopify Free Trial (2024): Getting Started with Shopify at $0

In this article of Mageplaza, Sam will delve into the essentials of starting with the Shopify free trial, guiding you through setup procedures, key features, and practical tips to maximize your experience.

Shopify Free Trial Overview

Whether you’re new to e-commerce or considering a platform switch, the Shopify free trial is a great chance to explore this platform’s features without any upfront cost. At the time of this writing, Shopify offers a standard 3-day trial. Additionally, there’s a special offer with just $1/month for the first 3 months of subscription.

During the trial, you can build and customize your store, try out different themes, and add products. You can also test key features like managing inventory, using discount codes, and connecting with essential apps. However, you cannot make live sales or transactions until you select and purchase a Shopify plan.

In short, this trial is mainly for getting to know Shopify and planning your store setup.

Shopify Free Trial Duration

The standard Shopify free trial duration is 3 days, starting from the day you sign up for a Shopify account. Once this 3-day period expires, you have the option to continue using Shopify at a special rate of $1/month for the next 3 months. This offer is available across all Shopify subscription plans except the Shopify Plus plan.

Shopify 14-Day Free Trial

Previously, Shopify offered a standard 14-day free trial, but since November 2022, they have switched to a 3-day free trial promotion. As of now, there are no indications that Shopify will bring back the 14-day trial period.

Shopify 30-Day Free Trial

Back in the day, Shopify offered a 30-day free trial, but in 2019, they discontinued this month-long option and introduced a 14-day trial period instead.

Shopify 60-Day Free Trial

In 2019, Shopify offered a 60-day free trial through a select group of partners as part of a marketing campaign. These partners exclusively shared the deal with their customers, rather than offering it publicly. However, this special offer is no longer available, though it’s possible that Shopify may reintroduce it in the future.

Shopify 90-Day Free Trial

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shopify supported merchants by providing a 90-day free trial, but this special offer concluded in June 2020. Currently, after the standard 3-day free trial, merchants can continue using Shopify for an additional 3 months at a cost of $1 per month. This means you can experience Shopify for up to 93 days for just $3 in total.

Shopify 120-Day Free Trial

Shopify, in partnership with Operation Hope, launched the One Million Black Business & Black Entrepreneurship Initiative (1MBB) to help break down traditional barriers to Black entrepreneurship. This initiative offers tools, resources, and education to support the development of strong Black businesses. As part of this effort, Shopify provides a 120-day free trial to all eligible merchants who identify as members of the Black community. This offer is still available if you identify as a member of the black community. More information on this program can be found here.

How To Sign Up For The Shopify Free Trial

Signing up for the Shopify Free Trial is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

• Step 1: Visit the Shopify website
• Step 2: Look for the “Start free trial” button.

• Step 3: You will be asked to share details about your business, such as your business type, what you’re selling, and the channels you use for sales. However, if you prefer, you can skip these questions.

• Step 4: Select where your business will be located

• Step 5: Then, create your shopify account by entering your email address and password. Ensure it’s an address you can access, as you’ll receive important information about your account here.

• Step 6: Now, your account is set up, you’re free to explore Shopify’s features. Remember, if you want to start selling, you’ll need to choose a paid plan after the trial ends.

• Step 7: Be mindful of the length of your free trial so you can make the most of it.

How To Extend My Shopify Free Trial

After your 3-day free trial ends, you can take advantage of the $1/month for the first 3 months deal to extend your trial to 90 days. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Log in to your account

• Step 2: Once your free trial concludes, your store will be deactivated. To reactivate it and continue, simply choose a Shopify plan by clicking the button.

• Step 3: Choose the plan that best suits your needs.

• Step 4: Fill in your payment details and click Subscribe.

How Much Does Shopify Cost After the Free Trial?

That depends on what Shopify plan you choose to go for. Here is an overview of Shopify’s pricing plans and fees.

Shopify Pricing Plans & Fees

Features	Shopify Starter	Shopify Basic	Shopify	Shopify Advanced
$1/month for 3 months	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pricing(USD)	$5month	$39/month	$105/month	$399/month
Staff account	1	2	5	15
Store locations	2	4	5	8
Max shipping discount	Not Included	77%	88%	88%
Credit card fees (online)	5%+30¢	2.9%+30¢	2.6%+30¢	2.4%+30¢
Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments	5%	2%	1%	0.5%
Full online store	Not Included	Included	Included	Included
Abandoned card recovery	Not Included	Included	Included	Included
Advanced reports	Not Included	Not Included	Included	Included
Advanced report builder	Not Included	Not Included	Not Included	Included
Automated third-party shipping rates	Not Included	Not Included	Not Included	Included

Note: The prices may vary depending on your territory and region. You can get up to 25% off your Shopify plan if you are willing to pay for your first year’s service upfront. Visit Shopify’s pricing plan section for the latest region-specific offers.

There’s also a point-of-sale (POS) add-on available - Shopify POS Pro, which lets you use Shopify to sell both online and in physical locations.

Basic POS features (Shopify POS Lite) come bundled with all Shopify plans. The Shopify POS Pro, which costs $89 per location per month, unlocks more advanced functionality.

Which Shopify Plan Should I Choose After the Free Trial?

When your free trial ends, you get the option to commit to a Shopify paid plan so you can sell products on Shopify. Choosing the right Shopify plan depends on your budget, business scale, and goals.

• Shopify Starter: suitable for business owners who want to sell online across social media platforms or add a “Buy Button” to their existing websites.
• Shopify Basic: suitable for small or newly-built businesses with a larger inventory and looking for the cheapest plan to get a fully functional eCommerce website.
• Shopify plan: suitable for growing eCommerce business owners with high-volume online stores with many customers.
• Shopify Advanced: suitable for large businesses and enterprises looking for an advanced e-commerce solution to deal with high-volume stores and store traffic.

Mageplaza guide: How To Cancel The Shopify Free Trial quickly

If you wish to cancel your Shopify account within the free trial period and have yet to choose a pricing plan, there’s no need for any action. Your account will automatically be deactivated after 3 days from the sign-up day, and no charges will apply once the trial period ends.

If you still want to cancel the trial after it expires, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access your Shopify account Step 2: In the “Plan details” section, you’ll find an option labeled ‘Deactivate trial.’ Click on this to proceed with deactivating your trial.

Step 3: Shopify will prompt you to specify the reason for closing your account. Select your preferred reason from the provided list and submit your choice. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.

Step 4: Finalize your decision by entering the password and clicking Deactivate your store.

Bottom Line

To conclude, Shopify Free Trial creates great experience opportunities for businesses and individuals who want to start an online business on the e-commerce platform, thanks to its diverse and rich interface and many features to help those who want to start an online business. Beginners can also easily create a business. What are you waiting for? Start signing up for Shopify Free Trial with Mageplaza and get attractive promotions after the trial! Mageplaza is always ready here to answer your questions.

Shopify Free Trial FAQs

How Much Does Shopify Cost After The Free Trial?

After the Shopify free trial ends, the cost depends on the plan you choose. It can start from $5 with the Starter plan to over $2,000 with the Shopify Plus plan. You should visit the Shopify pricing landing page for more information on the plan it offers.

Does Shopify Offer A Free Trial?

Yes, Shopify has a free trial that allows merchants to try out all the features and start building their stores at no cost.

How Long Does The Shopify Free Trial Last?

Shopify typically offers a standard 3-day free trial, starting from the day you sign up. After this period, there’s an option to continue using Shopify for $1/month for three months, applicable to all Shopify plans except for Shopify Plus.

Additionally, Shopify sometimes introduces various trial models, including extended periods of up to 120 days free, depending on your location and specific promotional programs they’re running. Keep an eye out for these special offers to potentially enjoy a longer trial period.

Can I Extend My Shopify Free Trial?

Yes, you can extend your Shopify free trial by opting for the $1/month for 3 months deal or sign up for Shopify One Million Black Business & Black Entrepreneurship Initiative (1MBB) if you’re in the Black community.

You can request an extension to your free trial. You will need to contact Shopify’s support team with your store URL and then state your reason for the extension.

Does Shopify Free Trial Require Credit Card Details?

No, there is no credit card required when you register and start your Shopify trial subscription. However, you will need to submit your email address and agree to receive marketing emails from Shopify.

Can I Sell Products During My Shopify Free Trial?

No, you can not process a transaction during the free trial. You need to purchase a Shopify plan to start selling.

You can build your store, add products to collections, and customize Shopify themes during your free trial. But you cannot sell anything.

How to Get the Most Out of Shopify Free Trial?

Once you are in your store’s admin dashboard, there are some things you can do to take full advantage of your Shopify trial.

1. Start Adding Products to Your Online Store

You can add a few products to your store directly from the admin dashboard. Here are the steps.

• Step 1: Click on Products, then enter the required information such as product description, image, SEO, etc.
• Step 2: Click the Save button to save your change.

If you plan to dropship on Shopify, you can find dropping products directly within your admin dashboard.

• Step 1: From the Setup guide section, click on the “Find products to see” button
• Step 2: You should see a list of the top dropshipping apps. Select the one that helps find potential suppliers and add their products to your Shopify store.

2. Configure Payment

Once you have a few products in your store, it’s time to set up your payment methods. Practically, there are two ways to handle transactions in your Shopify store.

Shopify Payments: Shopify’s in-house payment gateway removes the transaction fees incurred when you use a third-party processor. Here is how to set up Shopify Payments.

1. From the admin dashboard, click on Settings
2. Choose Payments and select Activate Shopify Payments
3. Provide your personal and business information

Third-party gateways: Shopify charges every online transaction through a third-party gateway. Shopify supports all popular third-party providers, including Paypal, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.

1. Click on Settings from the admin dashboard
2. Choose Payments
3. Select your preferred payment gateway

3. Play Around with Shopify Themes

Shopify themes determine how your store looks and feels to your customers. During your free trial, you can try out a free theme to see if it suits your brand. There are currently over 100 free and premium themes on the Shopify Themes Store.

The best themes are the ones that improve user experience and keep visitors on your site longer, thus increasing conversion rates.

You can follow the steps below to install a Shopify theme on your store.

• Step 1: From your Shopify admin dashboard, choose Online Store
• Step 2: Select “Add theme” and hit “Visit Theme Store”
• Step 3: Select “Try theme” and start customizing it

4. Install Shopify Apps from the Shopify App Store

Shopify apps are web-based applications that add extra functionality to your Shopify store. Most apps on the Shopify App Store are free, so you can test some apps to find the best Shopify apps during your free trial.

It’s straightforward to integrate a Shopify app with your store. Here is how to do it.

• Step 1: Choose Apps from your admin dashboard.
• Step 2: Choose “Recommended apps”, go for the app you want to test, and hit the Add button.

What Happens When My Shopify Free Trial Ends?

Two scenarios will happen when your Shopify free trial ends. They are as follows:

• Account deactivation. If you fail to submit your credit card details and select a paid plan during the free trial signup process, your Shopify account will be deactivated.

• Automatic upgrade. If you have already added your credit card to Shopify and selected your preferred plan, your free trial will automatically become a paid subscription after your free trial ends.