How to Sell on Shopify: A Beginner’s Friendly Guide

So, you’re thinking about selling online and asking yourself, “how to sell on Shopify?” You’re not alone. Shopify has become a go-to platform for beginners because it’s simple, flexible, and powerful. But let’s be real—setting up your store is only half the battle. The real challenge is keeping track of orders, managing sales, and staying on top of your finances without feeling overwhelmed.

That’s where PlugBooks comes in. It’s like having a co-pilot for your Shopify store—it automatically syncs your orders, keeps your books tidy, and makes tax season a breeze.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide:

• Step-by-step tips for Shopify beginners.
  
• How to sell without holding inventory.
  
• Insights for selling in Australia.
  
• Real-life experience of a Shopify seller.
  
• How PlugBooks helps save time and avoid headaches.

Why Shopify is Great for Beginners

Shopify isn’t just popular because it’s trendy. It’s popular because it works. Even if you’ve never sold online before, you can:

• Set up a store in a few clicks.
  
• Accept payments from all over the world.
  
• Customize your store to reflect your brand.

When I first started selling, I struggled to keep my orders organized. I had Shopify, a few spreadsheets, and countless emails from customers. That’s when I found PlugBooks, and it completely changed the game. Suddenly, my sales, refunds, and payouts were automatically recorded—no more late nights reconciling numbers.

How to Sell on Shopify for Beginners

If you’re new, here’s a simple roadmap:

1. Sign up for Shopify – pick a plan that suits your needs.
   
2. Choose a theme – make it clean, simple, and mobile-friendly.
   
3. Add products – use clear photos, write detailed descriptions, and set fair prices.
   
4. Set up payment gateways – Shopify works with PayPal, Stripe, and others.
   
5. Launch and promote – share your store on social media, use SEO tricks, and run small ads.
   

PlugBooks Experience:

When I started using PlugBooks, keeping track of every sale became effortless. Orders flowed in seamlessly, synced automatically with QuickBooks or Xero, and I could see exactly what my business earned every week—no more late nights reconciling spreadsheets. 

If you want to learn how to connect Xero or QuickBooks even after skipping initial setup, check out this guide from PlugBooks. It makes getting your accounting on track simple and stress-free.

How to Sell on Shopify Without Inventory

You don’t need a warehouse to start selling. Dropshipping and print-on-demand are two great options:

• Dropshipping: Your supplier ships products directly to your customer—no stock, no stress.
  
• Print-on-demand: Customize products like t-shirts or mugs, and they are printed only when someone orders.
  

Pros: Low startup costs, no storage worries.
Cons: Lower profit margins and reliance on suppliers.

Experience story: One Shopify seller I know, Sarah, started a print-on-demand store while traveling. With PlugBooks, she tracked every order and payout automatically, even while working from a cafe in Melbourne. No spreadsheets, no confusion—just smooth operations.

How to Sell on Shopify Australia

Selling in Australia comes with unique considerations:

• Payment gateways: Ensure you accept AUD and popular local payment options.
  
• Shipping: Provide clear rates and reliable delivery.
  
• Taxes: GST compliance is a must.
  

PlugBooks experience: I’ve helped several Australian sellers, and PlugBooks makes tracking sales across different currencies seamless. It automatically calculates taxes and generates reports—no more guessing or manual entries.

Tips to Boost Your Shopify Sales

• Upsell and cross-sell: Suggest related products to customers.
  
• Recover abandoned carts: Use automated emails to remind buyers.
  
• SEO & marketing: Optimize product pages and run targeted ads.
  
• Keep books clean: With PlugBooks, your sales data is automatically reconciled, giving you a clear view of your business’s financial health. Learn more about how it works in PlugBooks’ Shopify bookkeeping guide.

Why PlugBooks Makes Shopify Selling Easier

Selling on Shopify is fun, but bookkeeping can be stressful. PlugBooks helps you:

• With PlugBooks, you can sync your Shopify orders automatically with QuickBooks or Xero, eliminating manual entry and reducing errors.
  
• Consolidate multiple sales channels in one dashboard.
  
• Generate accurate, tax-ready reports.
  
• Save time and focus on growing your business instead of chasing numbers.

FAQs

1. Do I need inventory to sell on Shopify?
   
   • No. Dropshipping and print-on-demand let you sell without stock.
     
2. Is Shopify beginner-friendly?
   
   • Yes. Tools like PlugBooks make it even easier by automating bookkeeping.
     
3. Can I sell internationally from Shopify Australia?
   
   • Absolutely. Shopify supports global shipping and multi-currency payments.
     
4. How do I track sales for taxes?
   
   • PlugBooks automates sales tracking and generates accurate, tax-ready reports.
     
5. Is starting on Shopify expensive?
   
   • Not necessarily. Start small and scale. Automated tools reduce hidden costs.
     
6. Can Shopify integrate with QuickBooks/Xero?
   
   • Yes. PlugBooks provides seamless integration, syncing orders and generating reports automatically.