Free Template

Shopify Store Launch Template

Complete Pre-Launch Configuration Checklist & Setup Guide

50 items across 6 phases. From domain setup to launch day, this template covers every step so nothing falls through the cracks. Print it, check it off, and launch with confidence.

1

Foundation

10 items
Domain Setup
Purchase and connect your custom domain. Use a .com whenever possible. Configure DNS records and ensure it points to your Shopify store.
SSL Certificate
Verify SSL is active (Shopify provides this free). Check that all pages load with HTTPS. Test in multiple browsers.
Theme Selection
Choose a theme that matches your brand personality and product type. Prioritize mobile responsiveness and page speed. Consider premium themes for advanced features.
Logo & Branding Assets
Upload high-resolution logo (SVG or PNG with transparency). Prepare logo variations: full logo, icon-only, light/dark versions.
Color Scheme
Define primary, secondary, and accent colors. Set up in theme settings. Ensure sufficient contrast ratios (WCAG AA minimum) for accessibility.
Typography
Select heading and body fonts. Limit to 2 font families maximum. Test readability at all sizes, especially on mobile devices.
Homepage Structure
Plan and build homepage sections: hero banner, featured collection, value propositions, social proof, email signup, and footer. Each section should guide the visitor toward a purchase.
Navigation Planning
Create main menu with logical categories. Keep top-level items under 7. Set up mega menu if needed. Create footer menu with support/policy pages.
Legal Pages
Create Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Refund/Return Policy. Shopify provides templates, but customize them for your business. These are required for payment processing.
Favicon
Upload a 32x32px favicon that represents your brand. This appears in browser tabs and bookmarks. Use your logo icon or a simplified version.
2

Products

10 items
Product Titles
Write clear, keyword-rich titles. Include brand name, product type, key feature, and size/variant. Keep under 70 characters for SEO display.
Product Descriptions
Write benefit-focused descriptions, not just features. Use formatting (headings, bullets, bold) for scannability. Include materials, dimensions, and use cases.
Product Images
Upload high-quality images: white background main image, lifestyle shots, detail close-ups, and scale reference. Minimum 5 images per product. Consistent aspect ratios across all products.
Pricing
Set retail prices and compare-at prices (for sale display). Account for all costs: product, shipping, packaging, transaction fees, marketing. Ensure healthy margins.
Variants
Configure size, color, material, or other variants. Add variant-specific images. Set individual SKUs and inventory levels per variant.
Collections
Organize products into logical collections (by type, purpose, price range). Create both manual and automated collections. Feature key collections on homepage.
Tags
Apply consistent tags for filtering and automated collections. Establish a tagging convention (e.g., type_shirt, color_blue, material_cotton).
Inventory Tracking
Enable inventory tracking for all products. Set initial stock levels. Configure low-stock alerts. Decide on overselling policy.
Weight & Shipping Dimensions
Enter accurate weight and dimensions for every product. This is critical for calculated shipping rates. Include packaging weight.
Product SEO
Customize SEO title and meta description for every product. Edit URL handles to be clean and keyword-rich. Add alt text to all images.
3

Checkout & Payments

8 items
Payment Gateways
Set up Shopify Payments (avoids transaction fees). Add PayPal as secondary. Consider Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay for express checkout.
Checkout Customization
Add your logo to checkout. Customize colors to match brand. Configure checkout fields (what is required vs optional). Enable order notes if relevant.
Abandoned Cart Recovery
Enable automatic abandoned checkout emails. Customize the email template with your branding. Set timing (recommended: 1 hour, 24 hours, 72 hours).
Tax Settings
Configure tax regions and rates. Enable automatic tax calculation. Verify tax is displaying correctly on products. Consult a tax professional for multi-state/international sales.
Shipping Zones & Rates
Define shipping zones (domestic, international). Set rate types: free shipping threshold, flat rate, calculated rates. Create shipping profiles for different product types.
Order Confirmation Email
Customize the order confirmation email template. Include expected delivery time, support contact, and next steps. Test by placing a real order.
Customer Accounts
Decide between optional accounts, required accounts, or guest checkout only. Optional accounts is recommended. Configure account creation and login pages.
Gift Cards
Enable gift cards and create product listings for them. Set denominations. Design the gift card email template. Great for launch promotions.
4

Marketing Setup

8 items
Google Analytics 4
Create GA4 property and install tracking code. Set up e-commerce tracking. Configure key events: purchases, add to cart, begin checkout. Verify data is flowing.
Meta Pixel
Install Facebook/Meta Pixel for retargeting and conversion tracking. Verify standard events are firing: ViewContent, AddToCart, Purchase. Set up Conversions API for server-side tracking.
Email Capture Popup
Install an email capture popup or slide-in. Offer a compelling incentive (10-15% off first order). Set trigger: time delay or exit intent. Connect to your email platform.
Welcome Email Flow
Create an automated welcome email series (3-5 emails). Include: welcome + discount code, brand story, best sellers, social proof, final reminder. Space 2-3 days apart.
Social Media Links
Add links to all active social profiles in footer and header. Create social sharing buttons on product pages. Ensure Open Graph images are set for link previews.
Blog Setup
Create the blog section with at least 3 launch-day posts. Cover topics relevant to your products and audience. This supports SEO from day one.
Sitemap Submission
Shopify auto-generates your sitemap. Submit it to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. Verify your store is being indexed.
Google Search Console
Verify domain ownership. Submit sitemap. Check for crawl errors. Set up email alerts for issues. Monitor indexing status over first 30 days.
5

Conversion Optimization

8 items
Trust Badges
Add trust badges near the add-to-cart button: secure checkout, money-back guarantee, free shipping threshold. Use recognizable icons (SSL lock, payment logos).
Reviews App
Install a product reviews app (Judge.me, Loox, or Shopify Reviews). Configure automatic review request emails. Import existing reviews if available.
Urgency & Scarcity Elements
Add low-stock indicators, countdown timers for sales, or announcement bars for limited-time offers. Use honestly and sparingly to avoid eroding trust.
Cross-Sell & Upsell
Configure "You may also like" product recommendations. Add complementary product suggestions on cart page. Consider a post-purchase upsell flow.
Mobile Testing
Test entire purchase flow on real mobile devices (iPhone and Android). Check navigation, product images, cart, and checkout. Over 70% of traffic will be mobile.
Page Speed Check
Run Google PageSpeed Insights on key pages. Optimize images (compress, use WebP). Remove unused apps and scripts. Target 90+ mobile score.
404 Error Page
Customize the 404 page with your branding, a search bar, and links to popular collections. A good 404 page recovers lost visitors instead of bouncing them.
Accessibility Check
Verify keyboard navigation works throughout. Check color contrast ratios. Add alt text to all images. Test with a screen reader. Fix any WCAG violations.
6

Launch Day

6 items
Test Purchase
Place a real test order using Shopify's Bogus Gateway or a real payment. Walk through the entire customer journey: browse, add to cart, checkout, confirmation email, order in admin.
Test All Payment Methods
Test every enabled payment method: credit card, PayPal, Shop Pay, Apple Pay. Verify successful payment processing and order creation for each.
Test All Emails
Trigger and review every automated email: order confirmation, shipping confirmation, abandoned cart, welcome series. Check formatting, links, and mobile rendering.
Test Mobile Experience
Do a final end-to-end mobile test. Ask 2-3 people unfamiliar with the store to attempt a purchase on their phones. Note any confusion points.
Remove Password Page
Go to Online Store > Preferences and remove the password protection. Your store is now live. Double-check that the homepage loads correctly on the custom domain.
Announce Launch
Send your launch email. Post on all social channels. Notify friends, family, and beta testers. Monitor analytics in real-time for the first few hours to catch any issues.

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