Shopify Features: The Complete Guide for Optimizing Your Store

Shopify is one of the best platform to build an online store. Even if you don't know anything about coding, you an create beautiful stores easily using Shopify's tools. In this article, we will explore the top Shopify features and how they benefit users.

1. Main feature groups on Shopify

On Shopify, the main feature groups can be broadly split into two groups: basic and advanced features.

Basic Features

1. Set up an online store

Shopify provides an intuitive interface for creating beautiful online stores. It has customizable designs and a built-in blogging tool.

2. Shopify theme store

The Shopify Theme Store offers many slick theme designs (80+ free and paid options). This lets users to edit their online stores easily.

3. Blog Posts

Users can easily create blog posts on Shopify to attract more customers to their store.

4. Other Pages

Easily create custom pages such as "About Us" or "Mission and Vision" to personalize your store's content and engage with your audience.

5. Custom storefront

Customize your online store's shopping experience with the JavaScript SDK and extend it to iOS and Android mobile apps.

6. Metafields

Enhances store customization by storing specialized information, providing greater flexibility in managing content and attributes.

7. Product management

Product management, with the aim of meeting customer needs, include tasks such as:

• Creating listings
• Managing inventory
• Categorizing products
• Offering customization options

8. Order management

For a seamless shopping experience, order management is crucial in:

• Processing orders efficiently
• Updating statuses in real-time
• Addressing customer demands
• Managing returns/refunds

9. Customer management

Effective customer management involves:

• Collecting and leveraging customer information
• Engaging across channels
• Utilizing data for targeted marketing
• Soliciting feedback for improvement. 

This help you manage your customer well and fosters long-term customer loyalty in e-commerce.

10. Payment

Payment management includes securely processing transactions. It also offers various payment options like credit/debit cards and digital wallets to customers.

11. Shipping

Shipping management ensures efficient order fulfillment and timely delivery. Users can select carriers, calculat costs, generat labels, track shipments, and manag logistics.

12. Analytics & Reporting

Success in eCommerce requires a data-driven approach, and Shopify provides essential reports to support informed business decisions.

13. Shopify Reports

Shopify offers reports across various categories crucial for informed business decisions:

• Behavior
• Sales
• Profit margin
• Marketing
• Finance
• Fraud

Access these reports by navigating to Analytics > Reports in the Shopify admin sidebar. You can also create custom reports tailored to your specific needs.

14. Live View Dashboard

Shopify analytics offers real-time insights into crucial metrics, featuring interactive maps showcasing live activity locations.

Advanced Features

The advanced features on Shopify offer advanced tools and features. They can help elevate your online store's performance and improve the shopping experience for your customers.

1. Marketing (Integrated with Facebook, Google, …)

Shopify integrates with multiple sales channels like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, expanding your business reach. 

The Shopify Pixel Manager tracks website visitor actions, while custom reports offer valuable data insights to optimize marketing campaigns and drive conversions.

2. SEO - Advanced E-commerce Solutions

Shopify's SEO tools help increase your store's visibility by optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs with relevant keywords. 

Plus, it automatically generates a sitemap.xml for easy discovery by search engines like Google and Bing.

3. Automation

Shopify provides two types of automation: Marketing and eCommerce, essential for enhancing efficiency in eCommerce operations.

Marketing automation allows you to record on visitor interactions and drive sales conversions by:

• Leveraging email marketing flows
• From welcome emails to retargeting campaigns

4. Shopify Flow - eCommerce automation

Shopify Flow simplifies automation through three key components: Trigger, Condition, and Action.

5. B2B

Shopify simplifies B2B (Business-to-Business) management by 

• Allowing you to create company profiles
• Set buyer-specific pricing
• Establish a B2B self-serve portal
• Auto net payment term assignments.

6. Development tools 

Shopify offers a range of development tools like APIs, SDKs, and theme resources, empowering developers to create customized solutions tailored to their business requirements.

7. API

Shopify's API allows developers to create custom integrations for Shopify stores by accessing its data and features.

8. Shopify Scripts

Are small pieces of code that allow you to create unqiue customer experiences. They're only on the Shopify Plus plan and are written in Ruby.

9. Custom reports

With Advanced Shopify or Shopify Plus plans, you can customize default reports and create tailored ones using Shopify's filtering and editing features. 

Custom reports offer personalized data display and can be saved for later use. 

10. Advanced operational features

Advanced operational features in Shopify include:

• Order automation: Streamline order processing with auto workflows.
• Inventory management: Optimize inventory levels and track stock across multiple locations.
• Multi-channel selling: Expand your reach by selling across various online and offline channels.
• Custom workflows: Create personalized workflows to suit your business needs..
• Fulfillment: Utilize fulfillment options such as dropshipping or third-party logistics.
• Scalability: Scale your operations seamlessly as your business grows.

2. Additional features of Shopify

Drag-and-drop theme editor

The drag-and-drop theme editor is a powerful tool within Shopify's platform, designed to simplify the process of customizing your online store's design.

• Ease of use: Users can easily make design changes without coding. knowledge. They can rearrange elements by dragging and dropping them.
• Real-time visual feedback: Users get instant previews of design changes.
• Customization options: Shopify offers many options to change your websites, including colors, fonts, and pre-designed templates.

Overall, the drag-and-drop theme editor in Shopify is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to create a beautiful and working online store.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, this system help you to bring your creative vision to life.

Large app community - More niched features 

Shopify's large app community provides niched features tailored to specific business needs. There are many third-party applications for various e-commerce operations.

• Wide range of options: Shopify's app community offers various solutions like Oberlo for dropshipping, Klaviyo for email marketing, and Yotpo for customer reviews.
• Specific solutions: Merchants can find apps such as ShipStation for order fulfillment, ReCharge to manage subscription, and Bold Upsell to increase average order value.
• Seamless integration: Apps like Smile.io for loyalty programs and Zendesk for customer support integrate seamlessly with Shopify stores.
• Thorough coverage: There's an app to support every aspect of running an store on Shopify.
• Empowering merchants: Shopify provides access to niched tools, so merchants can edit and optimize their stores, driving growth and success.

Please check out Nextsky's Shopify app development services.

POS system: Offline sales integrated online

• Point of Sale: Shopify's POS feature enables offline sales with card readers.
• Inventory Integration: Transactions sync seamlessly with Shopify inventory.
• Unified Dashboard: Manage orders, view history, and apply discounts in one place.
• Apple Device Compatibility: Works with iPhones and iPads for flexibility.
• Customization and Loyalty: Customize orders and implement loyalty programs.
• Marketing Campaigns: Plan personalized campaigns to boost in-store sales.
• Two Options: Choose between Shopify POS Lite and Pro for varying features.

High security and reliable

Shopify prioritizes the security of customer data, implementing robust features to safeguard its platform. These measures are essential for ensuring the trust and confidence of customers in e-commerce businesses.

Free SSL Certificate

• Free 256-bit SSL Certificate: Shopify provides each store with a 256-bit SSL certificate.
• Data Encryption: This certificate encrypts all data exchanged between the store and customers, ensuring the security of sensitive information.
• Cyber Threat Protection: SSL encryption protects the store from potential cyber threats and unauthorized access to customer data.
• SEO Benefits: Having an SSL certificate can improve the store's SEO, as Google prioritizes secure websites in search results.
• Higher Search Rankings: With improved SEO, the store may rank higher in search engine results.

PCI Compliance

• PCI Compliance: Shopify is certified as Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, meeting all six categories of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
• Thorough Protection: This certification ensures robust protection for every transaction conducted on Shopify stores.
• PCI Compliance Checklist: Shopify provides a PCI compliance checklist, simplifying the process of maintaining compliance and conducting regular assessments.
• Continuous Security Measures: Regular assessments and validations are part of Shopify's commitment to ongoing security.

In summary, Shopify's PCI compliance and ongoing security measures are crucial for protecting businesses and building trust with customers. These features are the reason why Shopify is a top choice for e-commerce ventures.

Multilingual and Multi-Currency Support

• Multilingual Support:Shopify supports up to 20 languages for selling on a single store. The Shopify app supports 7 languages, while the POS app and Shopify admin support 21 languages
• Multi-Currency Support: Shopify supports over 133 currencies. You can enable multiple currencies in your Shopify Payments settings.
• Global Expansion: With these features, Shopify facilitates global expansion.

Shopify not only provides a robust platform to kickstart online businesses but also offers many niched features.

We encourage users to explore Shopify's feature set further to fully get the benefits it offers. By creatively and flexibly utilizing these features, you can build and grow a successful and sustainable online store on Shopify.

For more detailed information on the features in each package, you can refer to the following documents:

• Basic Shopify Plan: The Perfect Choice for Beginners
• Advanced Shopify Plan: The Ultimate Solution for Large Businesses
• Shopify Starter Plan: Is It Right For Your First Online Store?