Shopify Store Launch Checklist: Plan, Build, and Go Live (Step-by-Step)

Launching a Shopify store is more than clicking the “go live” button. Many stores face payment issues, missing pages, or checkout errors because planning and setup steps are skipped. A proper Shopify store launch checklist helps you prepare your store so customers can browse, add products, and place orders without trouble.

This guide walks through each step in simple terms so you can prepare your store the right way before launch.

What Is a Shopify Store Launch Checklist?

A Shopify store launch checklist is a list of tasks that must be completed before opening your store to customers. It covers planning, store settings, payments, shipping, taxes, and legal pages.

Building a Shopify store and launching a store are not the same. A store may look finished, but it is not ready until checkout works, shipping rules are clear, and orders can be placed without errors. This checklist helps you prepare for a smooth launch.

Before You Build: Planning Your Shopify Store

Planning helps reduce last-minute fixes and delays.

Decide what products to sell first

You do not need your full product range on launch day. Many stores begin with:

• A small set of best-selling products
• Clear product categories
• Simple pricing

Starting small makes setup faster and easier to review.

Plan your collections

Collections help customers find products quickly. Before setting up your store, decide:

• Main product groups
• Featured collections for the homepage
• Sale or seasonal collections, if required

Clear collection planning keeps navigation simple.

Store name and domain setup

Store details should be set before adding products or content.

Choose a store name that:

• Matches your brand
• It is easy to read
• Works well as a domain name

If you already own a domain:

• Connect it from the Shopify settings
• Set it as the primary domain
• Check that SSL is active

This prevents security warnings during checkout and helps build trust.

Shopify Store Setup Checklist: Core Settings

Core settings must be configured before launch. Missing any of these can block orders.

Payments setup

Go to Settings → Payments and:

• Activate Shopify Payments if available
• Add PayPal or other payment options
• Set payout details

Before launch, place a test order using Shopify’s test mode. This confirms that checkout and payment processing work correctly.

Shipping setup

In Settings → Shipping and delivery:

• Create shipping zones
• Add shipping rates
• Set free shipping rules if applicable

Make sure shipping costs are clear and easy to understand. Confusing rates often cause cart abandonment.

Taxes setup

In Settings → Taxes and duties:

• Turn on automatic tax calculation
• Review tax regions
• Check how taxes appear at checkout

Tax errors can cause legal and customer issues after launch, so review this section carefully.

Legal Pages Checklist

Every Shopify store must have legal pages.

Create these pages:

• Privacy Policy
• Refund Policy
• Terms of Service
• Shipping Policy

Shopify provides basic templates, but you should adjust them based on your business rules.

Add these pages to:

• Footer menu
• Checkout policy section

This builds customer trust and meets platform requirements.

Basic Theme Setup

At this stage, focus on function, not design polish.

Before moving forward:

• Check mobile layout
• Test menu links
• Review homepage sections

Your store should load correctly on phones and tablets. Design refinements can come later.

Once the core store settings are in place, the next step is preparing products, content, and basic visibility. These elements shape how customers experience your store and play a major role in early trust and conversions.

Product Setup Checklist

Products are the foundation of your Shopify store. Each product page should be clear, complete, and easy to understand before launch.

Product titles

Product titles should:

• Clearly describe the item
• Stay consistent across similar products
• Avoid unnecessary words

A clear title helps customers understand what they are buying without confusion.

Product descriptions

Product descriptions should answer common buyer questions.

Include:

• What the product is
• Key features
• Size, material, or usage details
• Care instructions or warranty details, if applicable

Keep paragraphs short so the content is easy to read on mobile devices.

Product images

Before launch, review every product image:

• Images should be clear and of high quality
• Use multiple angles when possible
• Keep image sizes consistent across products

Add image alt text to each image. This supports accessibility and helps search engines understand the content.

Collections Review

Collections help customers browse products with ease.

Review each collection to confirm:

• Products are assigned correctly
• Sorting order makes sense
• Collection pages load without errors

Click collection links from the menu and homepage to confirm they open the right pages.

Shopify SEO Checklist Before Launch

You do not need advanced SEO before launch, but a basic setup helps your store get indexed properly.

Page titles and descriptions

Add page titles and short descriptions for:

• Homepage
• Collection pages
• Product pages

Titles should be readable and describe the page clearly. Descriptions should explain what visitors can expect.

URL structure review

Check page URLs to confirm they are:

• Short and readable
• Free from random numbers
• Consistent across similar pages

Changing URLs after launch can cause broken links, so this step matters.

Sitemap and indexing check

Shopify creates a sitemap automatically.

Before launch:

• Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console
• Confirm important pages are not blocked

This allows search engines to find your store pages more easily.

Navigation and Menu Review

Menus guide customers through your store and should be checked carefully.

Review:

• Main navigation menu
• Footer menu
• Policy page links

Click every menu item to confirm it opens the correct page and does not lead to errors.

Checkout and Order Testing

Testing checkout is one of the most important launch steps.

Test orders

Place test orders using:

• Shopify test payment mode
• A real payment method and refund the order

Confirm that:

• Orders appear in the admin panel
• Confirmation emails are sent
• Payment status updates correctly

This confirms your checkout flow works end-to-end.

Email notification check

Review and test:

• Order confirmation emails
• Shipping confirmation emails
• Contact form responses

Edit email text if needed so messages are clear and easy to understand.

Mobile and Speed Review

Most customers shop on mobile devices, so mobile checks are required.

Before launch:

• Open the store on different phones
• Test menus, product pages, and checkout
• Review image loading

Avoid installing too many apps before launch. Extra apps can slow down pages and cause conflicts.

Broken Links and Error Review

Broken links create frustration and hurt trust.

Manually check:

• Product page links
• Collection page links
• Footer and policy links
• Contact page

Fix any links that lead to missing or incorrect pages.

Final Check Before Going Live

Before moving to launch day steps, confirm:

• Products are complete and accurate
• Images load correctly
• Navigation works properly
• Test orders pass without issues
• Email notifications are active

With these checks complete, the store is ready for launch day actions and post-launch monitoring, which follow next in the same checklist.

Launch Day Checklist – Going Live on Shopify

Launch day should be calm and controlled. If earlier steps were followed, only a few actions remain.

Remove the store password

Go to Online Store → Preferences and remove the password protection. This makes your store visible to the public.

Before removing the password:

• Confirm payments are active
• Confirm shipping rules are correct
• Confirm policy pages are live

Once the password is removed, your store is officially open.

Place a final test order

After the store is public, place one more test order.

Check that:

• Checkout loads correctly
• Payment is captured
• The order confirmation email is sent
• Order appears in the admin panel

This confirms that nothing broke after password removal.

Domain and security check

Confirm:

• The correct domain is set as primary
• HTTPS is active
• There are no redirect loops

These checks help avoid browser warnings and checkout problems.

After Launch: First 7 Days Checklist

The first week after launch is critical. This period often reveals small issues that were not visible earlier.

Monitor orders and payments

During the first seven days:

• Review orders daily
• Watch for failed payments
• Check refund requests

Quick action helps prevent customer frustration.

Review store analytics

Open Shopify Analytics and review:

• Store visits
• Product views
• Cart activity

This helps you understand how visitors interact with your store and where they drop off.

Watch customer communication

Check and reply to:

• Contact form messages
• Order questions
• Shipping or return concerns

Fast responses help build early trust and reduce chargebacks.

Shopify Plus Launch Notes (If Applicable)

If your store is on Shopify Plus, a few extra checks are required.

Before and after launch:

• Review checkout custom blocks
• Test any scripts or functions
• Confirm approval flows for changes

These checks help avoid checkout issues during high traffic periods.

Common Shopify Store Launch Mistakes to Avoid

Many store owners repeat the same mistakes. Avoiding them saves time and money.

Launching without test orders

Skipping test orders often leads to broken checkout or missing emails.

Missing policy pages

Stores without refund or privacy pages lose trust quickly.

Confusing shipping costs

Unexpected shipping fees cause cart abandonment.

Too many apps were installed early

Extra apps slow pages and create conflicts.

Ignoring mobile experience

Most customers shop on phones. Poor mobile layout reduces sales.

Simple Checklist Recap

Before considering your launch complete, confirm:

• The store password is removed
• Orders processed without errors
• Emails are sent correctly
• Domain and security are correct
• Customers can contact you easily

This recap helps catch any missed steps.

Need Help Launching Your Shopify Store?

Launching a Shopify store involves many moving parts. Missing even one step can lead to checkout issues, order errors, or poor customer experience. This is where expert support can save time and prevent costly mistakes.

CartCoders works with Shopify merchants at every stage of store launch. From store setup and theme configuration to checkout testing and post-launch support, the focus stays on stability, clarity, and long-term growth.

Whether you are launching your first store or reworking an existing one, having experienced Shopify developers involved helps keep the launch process smooth and controlled.

If you prefer a guided launch instead of handling every step alone, contact CartCoders today to get expert assistance with planning, setup review, testing, and go-live readiness, so your store starts strong from day one.

Final Thoughts

A Shopify store launch checklist helps turn planning into action. When each step is followed in order, stores launch with fewer errors and a better customer experience. This checklist can be reused for every new store or re-launch on Shopify.

Following a structured launch process gives your store a strong start and reduces fixes after going live.

Frequently Asked Questions