Shopify makes e-commerce easy, but setting up a new website still takes time. To get around this, some owners choose a pre-built store with all the bells and whistles. Is this option right for you? Discover how to get a pre-built Shopify store — and compare the pros and cons — with this helpful guide.
How Can You Get a Pre-Built Shopify Store for Your Business?
There’s more to pre-built stores than choosing your favorite colors and clicking “Go Shopify.” Great results require some digital legwork.
Browse Well-Known E-Commerce Marketplaces
First up — skip the scam sites. Places that sound like CheapShopifySite4Free.com are a headache waiting to happen.
Check out store solutions that successful Shopify store owners have used instead:
- ZenDrop: High-quality pre-built dropshipping stores
- AdSellr: Custom marketing and store design
- Flippa: Existing Shopify stores
- Empire Flippers: Like Flippa, but with higher sales volume (and $$$)
- Dropbuild: Full-service Shopify site creation
Some entrepreneurs recommend connecting with website builders on Fiverr, but this option is a too hit-or-miss for our tastes.
Do Your Homework
Compare Shopify store builders carefully. Make a list of what their services include, especially features like ongoing support, bundle functionality, and product catalogs.
Above all, look for:
- Quality: Test-run a few other Shopify sites created by the seller, looking for functionality and high-quality content.
- Experience: Look for a builder with many years of Shopify-specific experience.
- Reputation: Check Reddit, online reviews, and ratings, avoiding any services that sound shady.
Anything promising you boatloads of cash instantly should raise red flags. You want real figures and attractive features, not empty hype.
Look for a Close Fit
Some pre-built store services cater to specific markets like dropshipping or fashion clothing. The ideal store should support your products, jive with your brand identity, and deliver the shopping experience your target audience responds to.
How Much Does It Cost To Have a Shopify Store Built?
You can pick up a basic pre-built store (think Spirit Airlines the website) at Brandafy for about $17, but you only get 20 products and bare functionality.
The average cost for pre-built Shopify stores hovers around $400 to $600. Purchasing an existing shop is more expensive, with prices depending on niche, traffic, and sales volume.
Apps like ZenDrop approach costs differently. You get a high-quality pre-built Shopify website for a minimal cost. After the trial period ends, you pay a modest app subscription to keep the add-on features.
Are Pre-Built Shopify Stores Worth It?
High-quality pre-built sites can be valuable if they fit your business model. They save you lots of time and often look better, especially if you’re just starting on Shopify.
That said, learning how to use Shopify features during the creation process has benefits, too. The better you understand the interface, the more you can customize your content, products, and deals.
Can You Get a Pre-Built Shopify Store and Customize It?
At StayTuned Digital, we provide customization solutions for pre-built and brand-new Shopify stores alike. Our app integrations can supercharge your site’s bundles, size charts, product lists, and discounts. Learn how to get a pre-built Shopify store and take our user-friendly app stack for a test drive right away.