Shopify starter plan review and setup guide

Shopify empowers millions of sellers to launch and grow their businesses online. But not everyone needs a fully-fledged online store. Many entrepreneurs, influencers, and small-scale sellers simply want an easy way to sell products through social media and messaging apps.

That’s where the Shopify Starter Plan comes in.

This affordable and simplified plan is designed for those who want to start selling online without the hassle of building and maintaining a website.

In this guide, I’ll review the Shopify Starter Plan’s features, pricing, benefits, and limitations to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your business. I’ll also walk you through the setup process to help you get started.

What is the Shopify Starter Plan?

The Shopify Starter Plan is a streamlined, budget-friendly option designed for individuals and small businesses who want to sell products online without building a full fledged ecommerce website.

Instead of managing an online store, sellers can share product links directly on social media, messaging apps, and other platforms. This makes the Starter Plan an ideal solution for creators, influencers, and side hustlers.

With a low monthly cost, the Starter Plan provides essential tools like secure payment processing, basic order management, and mobile-friendly access.

If you primarily sell through Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, or other social platforms, this plan allows you to start selling quickly and easily with minimal setup.

Plan features

The Shopify Starter Plan is built for simplicity, allowing you to sell directly through social media and messaging apps without the need for a full online store.

Here’s what it offers:

• Selling through social media and messaging apps. Seamlessly integrate with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to let customers buy directly from your posts and messages.
• Product links and buy buttons. Easily generate shareable product links and embed buy buttons anywhere online including blogs, emails, and direct messages.
• Basic order management. Track orders, process payments, and manage customers with Shopify’s intuitive dashboard.

• Secure payment processing. Accept payments using Shopify Payments, PayPal, and other supported gateways for a smooth checkout experience.
• Mobile-first design. Manage your business from your phone so you can update products, process orders, and track sales on the go.

Pricing and comparison with other Shopify plans

The Shopify Starter Plan is one of the most affordable ways to start selling online. You can get started with just $5 per month.

Now, you might be wondering: how does the Starter Plan compare to the Basic Shopify plan?

While the Basic Shopify Plan ($19 per month) includes a full online store with a customizable website, the Starter Plan focuses solely on social selling.

The key difference between the two plans are:

• No standalone website. The Starter Plan lacks a dedicated storefront or custom domain.
• Limited store management tools. Features like detailed analytics, advanced inventory tracking, and custom themes are only available on higher-tier plans.

So, who should go for the Shopify Starter Plan?

The Starter Plan is ideal for influencers, creators, and small businesses selling a few products primarily through social media, messaging apps, or blogs. However, if you need a full-fledged online store with customization and scalability, upgrading to the Basic Shopify Plan is the better choice.

Benefits of the Shopify Starter Plan

The Shopify Starter Plan is designed for sellers who want to start small without the complexity of a full ecommerce website.

Here’s why it’s a great option:

1. Low barrier to entry

For just $5 per month, the Starter Plan offers one of the easiest and most affordable ways to begin selling online.

Whether you're testing a new product idea, launching a side hustle, or want to give ecommerce a shot, this plan allows you to get started with minimal investment.

2. Ideal for social media sellers

The plan is optimized for selling through Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social platforms.

This way, you can reach customers where they already spend time and where you may have already built an audience. Instead of driving traffic to a standalone website, you can sell directly from posts, messages, or links in the bio.

3. Simplifies selling with minimal setup

Unlike traditional ecommerce platforms that require store design and setup, the Starter Plan eliminates the need for website development. All you have to do is add products, generate links, and share them with potential buyers – no coding or design skills necessary.

4. Cost-effective solution for beginners

If you’re just starting out, investing in a full Shopify plan at $19 per month might feel like a big commitment.

The Starter Plan lets you test the waters before upgrading to a higher-tier plan. You still get access to Shopify’s secure checkout, payment processing, and order management tools, at a lower cost.

Limitations

While the Shopify Starter Plan is an excellent low-cost option for beginners, it comes with certain limitations that may not suit every business.

1. No standalone website or domain

The Starter Plan does not include a fully functional online store with a custom domain. Instead, it provides product links and checkout pages that can be shared on social media or via messaging apps.

This means you won't have a dedicated website where customers can browse multiple products or engage with your brand. If you want a storefront, you’ll need to upgrade to a higher-tier Shopify plan.

2. Limited features compared to higher-tier plans

Unlike Shopify’s Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus plans, the Starter Plan lacks:

• Advanced marketing tools such as email automation and SEO customization.
• Detailed analytics for tracking customer behavior and sales performance.
• Full inventory management which is essential for businesses with large or complex product catalogs.

For those who require these features, the Basic Shopify Plan ($19/month) may be a better fit.

3. Not ideal for businesses with large inventories

If you manage hundreds of products or need advanced order fulfillment options, the Starter Plan’s lightweight structure may not be sufficient for your business. It’s best suited for small-scale sellers, single-product businesses, or influencers promoting a few key items.

While the Shopify Starter Plan is great for simple, social-driven selling, businesses looking for scalability, customization, and more advanced features will eventually need to upgrade.

You may also like: 12 Honest Pros and Cons of Using Shopify.

How to set up the Shopify Starter Plan

Setting up the Shopify Starter Plan is quick and straightforward. Here’s how you can start selling online without the need for a full ecommerce store:

Step 1: Sign up for Shopify

Visit the Shopify Starter Plan sign up page.

Next, click Get Started Free button and enter your email address.

Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account. You’ll be asked simple questions like Where would you like to sell? and What do you plan to sell? to help you set up quickly.

Select the Starter Plan when prompted and complete the setup. Once that’s done, you’ll be redirected to the Shopify back-end. It should look something like this:

Step 2: Add your products

In your Shopify dashboard, go to Products and click the Add Product button.

Upload product images, write descriptions, and set prices. Select inventory settings (if applicable) and shipping options.

Once that’s done, click the Save button at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Share product links

Click the Share button to generate a product link or Buy Button.

Post the link on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, or in direct messages to let customers buy.

Step 4: Set up payments

Go to Settings → Payments from your Shopify dashboard. From here, you can enable Shopify Payments or select a third-party gateway like PayPal or Stripe.

Configure your payout settings and add your business bank account to start accepting payments.

Step 5: Manage orders and payments

When a customer makes a purchase, you'll receive a notification in Orders. You can track and manage orders from the Shopify dashboard. If you're handling fulfillment yourself, package and ship the order.

You can also use Shopify's tracking features to keep customers updated about the status of their orders.

Step 6: Install apps

To enhance functionality, consider adding Shopify apps. Some useful ones include:

• Quantity pricing and bulk discounts. Encourage higher order values.
• Combo product apps. Bundle products for better deals.
• Free gifts apps. Incentivize purchases with free products, either chosen manually or added to the cart automatically.

By following these steps, you can start selling right away with minimal effort.

Who should use the Shopify Starter Plan?

The Shopify Starter Plan is ideal for individuals and small businesses that want to sell online without the complexity of a full ecommerce store.

It’s designed for:

• Creators, influencers, and social media sellers. If you have an engaged audience on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or WhatsApp, the Starter Plan lets you turn followers into customers by sharing product links directly in posts, DMs, or bios.
• Entrepreneurs testing a product-market fit. If you’re launching a new product, the low-cost plan allows you to validate market demand before investing in a full Shopify store. You can create a minimum viable product (MVP) to test out before committing to a higher-tier Shopify plan.
• Small-scale businesses selling a few products. If you only sell a handful of products, there’s no need for a complex storefront. The Starter Plan keeps things simple and cost-effective.

That said, if you want a standalone website with a custom domain, blog, or full storefront, you’ll need at least the Basic Shopify plan. Similarly, if you manage a large inventory or require advanced ecommerce features like custom themes, in-depth analytics, or automation, a higher-tier plan is a better fit.

To put it simply: the Starter Plan is perfect for sellers who prioritize social commerce and direct sales without the hassle of managing a full website.

Alternative options

While the Shopify Starter Plan is an excellent choice for social media selling, there are other lightweight ecommerce solutions worth considering:

• Gumroad. A simple platform for selling digital and physical products. It charges a per-transaction fee, making it ideal for creators who want a hassle-free checkout process without a monthly subscription.
• WooCommerce. A free WordPress plugin that allows for more customization but requires hosting, setup, and maintenance. However, this option is best for those comfortable managing a website.
• Big Cartel. A minimalist ecommerce solution designed for artists and small businesses. It offers a free plan with limited products but lacks advanced features.

Shopify Starter offers seamless payment processing, built-in trust, and scalability, whereas other platforms may be better suited for niche needs like digital downloads (Gumroad) or website-based stores (WooCommerce).

FAQs

Can I upgrade from the Starter Plan to a higher plan later?

Yes, you can upgrade to any Shopify plan at any time. If you need more advanced features like a full website, detailed analytics, or additional customization, you can seamlessly transition to the Basic Shopify Plan (or higher) without losing your product data or sales history.

Does the Shopify Starter Plan include a custom domain?

No, the Starter Plan does not support a custom domain because it doesn’t include a full website. Instead, it provides product links and a checkout page hosted on Shopify. If you need a branded online store with a custom domain, you’ll need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan.

What payment methods can I accept with this plan?

The Shopify Starter Plan supports Shopify Payments (available in select countries) and third-party payment gateways, allowing you to accept credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other payment options. Keep in mind that transaction fees apply if using external gateways.

How does Shopify handle taxes on the Starter Plan?

Shopify provides basic tax calculation tools to help you apply taxes based on your customers' locations. However, it's your responsibility to configure tax settings and ensure compliance.

For automatic tax collection in certain regions, you may need to integrate a tax app or upgrade to a higher Shopify plan for advanced tax reporting features.

Our recommendation

The Shopify Starter Plan is an excellent choice for creators, influencers, and small-scale entrepreneurs looking for a simple, cost-effective way to start selling online. Its low barrier to entry, seamless social media integration, and secure payment processing make it ideal for those who don’t need a full ecommerce website.

However, it does come with limitations.

It lacks a standalone website, advanced marketing tools, and customization options. If your business requires a full storefront, detailed analytics, or extensive inventory management, you may need to consider upgrading to a higher-tier Shopify plan.

Before choosing, evaluate your selling needs and decide if the Starter Plan aligns with your business model. If you’re ready to give it a try, sign up for a free Shopify trial.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Are you considering using the Shopify Starter Plan? Let us know what interests you or if you have any questions in the comments!