Setting up a Shopify webshop: complete step-by-step plan for 2025
Launching a professional Shopify webshop goes beyond choosing a template and uploading products. Modern e-commerce requires strategic thinking, technical optimization, and smart automation. This guide shows you step by step how to build a webshop that truly converts.
- 10-step process: From strategy to launch - preparation, account, design, products, payments
- SEO fundamentals: Unique titles, meta descriptions, alt texts, and internal link structure from day 1
- Essential apps: Judge.me (reviews), Klaviyo (email), Tidio (chat), PageFly (landing pages)
- Cost overview: €27/month basic, €100-200 themes, apps free to €100+/month
- Success factors: Mobile optimization, fast loading time, clear navigation, and local payment methods
Preparation: the foundation of success
Market research and competitive analysis
Before you place your first pixel, invest time in research. According to Shopify data, webshops that conduct thorough market research beforehand are 67% more likely to succeed in their first year.
The Belgian e-commerce market is growing rapidly. More than 45,000 webshops are active in Belgium, with particularly strong growth in Flanders. Check out the latest e-commerce trends for 2023 to sharpen your positioning.
Analyze at least 5 direct competitors on:
Pricing strategy and product presentation
Customer communication and tone of voice
Checkout process and payment methods
Mobile user experience
SEO performance via tools like SEMrush
Product validation and price positioning
Test your product idea via social media, Google Ads, or a simple pre-order page. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that 42% of startups fail due to a lack of market need.
Determine your pricing strategically:
Cost-plus pricing: product costs + desired margin
Value-based pricing: price based on perceived value
Competitive pricing: equal to or slightly below competition
Account setup and technical configuration
Choosing a Shopify plan
“Shopify is designed to be user-friendly for beginners, allowing you to create an online store with drag-and-drop templates without programming.”
Source: Shopify - What Is Shopify and How Does It Work
| Plan | Monthly costs | Transaction fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | €27 | 2.9% + €0.30 | Starting webshops |
| Shopify | €79 | 2.6% + €0.30 | Growing businesses |
| Advanced | €289 | 2.4% + €0.30 | High volumes |
Domain and hosting setup
Use your own domain (.be, .nl, or .com) instead of myshop.shopify.com. A custom domain significantly increases trust and SEO value.
SSL and security configuration
Shopify handles SSL automatically, but double-check these extra security features:
Activate fraud detection
Set up two-factor authentication
Schedule regular security audits
Design and user experience
Theme selection and customization
Free themes like Dawn, Craft, or Sense are perfectly adequate for most webshops. Premium themes (€150-€350) offer more customization options.
Consider professional help setting up your webshop. ClickForest builds customized Shopify webshops with a focus on conversion optimization and user experience.
Essential pages and content
Ensure complete, trustworthy content:
Homepage: clear value proposition within 3 seconds
Product pages: at least 5 high-quality photos and extensive descriptions
About page: story behind your brand and team
Shipping & returns: transparent conditions
FAQ: answers to 80% of customer questions
Contact: multiple contact options
“Shopify supports online stores and retail businesses in more than 175 countries, offering features for large enterprises while eliminating the need for costly migration to another platform.”
Source: Shopify - What Is Shopify and How Does It Work
Mobile-first optimization
More than 79% of e-commerce traffic comes from mobile devices. Test your webshop extensively on different screen sizes:
iPhone SE (375px): smallest modern smartphone
iPhone 12 (390px): most popular iOS device
Samsung Galaxy (412px): most popular Android format
Tablet (768px): iPad standard
Product management and SEO
Product photography and content
Invest in professional product photos. Webshops with high-quality product images have an average of 94% higher conversion rates.
Checklist per product:
Minimum of 5 photos from different angles
Lifestyle photos showing the product in use
Close-ups of important details
Consistent lighting and background
Alt-texts for every image
SEO for Shopify
Systematically optimize each product page:
Title tags (max 60 characters):
[Brand] [Product] - [Key feature] | [Shop name]Meta descriptions (max 160 characters):
[Product benefit]. [Call to action]. [Unique traffic argument]. [Shipping info].Product descriptions: use natural keywords and answer buying questions:
What are the specifications?
How do you use the product?
For which target group is it suitable?
What are the advantages compared to alternatives?
SEO is evolving rapidly, especially with the rise of AI search engines. Read more about how SEO is becoming GEO and how you can respond to it.
“AI-powered tools are rapidly changing consumer shopping behavior, with 61% of consumers having used general AI tools to help them shop online.”
Source: CX Dive - AI rapidly changing consumer shopping behavior
Apps and integrations
Essential apps for every webshop
| Category | App | Costs | Why essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEO | Plug in SEO | €20/month | Technical SEO checks |
| Reviews | Judge.me | Free-€15/month | Social proof increases conversion |
| Klaviyo | Free-€150/month | Abandoned cart recovery | |
| Analytics | Hotjar | €32/month | User behavior insights |
| Chat | Tidio | Free-€59/month | Live support increases conversion |
“With the best converting checkout on the internet, an AI commerce expert, and deep shipping discounts, Shopify helps businesses deliver the ultimate shopping experience to customers everywhere.”
Source: Shopify - What Is Shopify and How Does It Work
AI tools are becoming increasingly important for Shopify. Discover the best AI apps for Shopify in 2025 and learn how to write better prompts for maximum results.
Advanced apps for scalability
As you grow, consider these apps:
ReConvert: post-purchase upsells (+15-30% AOV)
LoyaltyLion: customer loyalty programs
Omnisend: advanced email automation
PageFly: custom landing pages
Gorgias: multichannel customer service
Payment methods and checkout optimization
Payment providers for Belgium/Netherlands
| Provider | Transaction fees | Available methods | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Payments | 2.9% + €0.30 | Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay | Native |
| Mollie | 2.8% + €0.25 | Bancontact, iDEAL, SEPA | App |
| Stripe | 2.9% + €0.25 | 40+ methods | App |
Want to get started right away with a professionally set up Shopify webshop? Discover our Shopify e-commerce services.
Checkout optimization tips
Guest checkout: don't force account creation
Progress indicator: show steps in the checkout process
Trust badges: SSL, reviews, security certificates
Multiple payment options: at least 3 different methods
Mobile optimization: large buttons, simple input
Webshops that optimize their checkout see an average of 35% less cart abandonment.
Need help with technical optimization? Our online marketing experts can help you with everything from checkout optimization to advanced tracking.
Marketing automation and customer retention
Email marketing setup
Set up these automated flows from day 1:
Welcome series (3 emails over 5 days):
Welcome + brand history
Bestsellers + social proof
First purchase discount
Abandoned cart (3 emails over 3 days):
"You forgot something" + product photos
Reviews of the product
Last chance + urgency
Post-purchase (2 emails):
Order confirmation + expectations
Review request after delivery
"Email marketing still delivers the highest ROI of any digital channel - €42 for every €1 spent. But only if you do it strategically." - Emma Johnson, Marketing Director at Klaviyo
Customer lifetime value optimization
Focus on repeat purchases via:
Loyalty program: points for purchases
Subscription options: for consumables
Bundle deals: complementary products
Seasonal campaigns: holidays and events
Want to fully automate your marketing? Check out our AI solutions for growth and discover how smart automation gives you more time and better results.
Analytics and optimization
Essential metrics tracking
Track these KPIs weekly:
| Metric | Benchmark | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion rate | 2-3% | Shopify Analytics |
| Average order value | €50-€100 | Shopify Analytics |
| Cart abandonment | <70% | Google Analytics |
| Email open rate | 25-30% | Klaviyo |
| Customer acquisition cost | <30% van LTV | Facebook Ads Manager |
A/B testing priorities
Systematically test these elements:
Product page CTAs: "Add to cart" vs "Buy now"
Pricing presentation: €99 vs €99.00 vs "From €99"
Product descriptions: feature-focused vs benefit-focused
Email subject lines: urgency vs. curiosity vs. personal
Homepage hero: product focus vs. lifestyle focus
We are happy to help with in-depth analysis and optimization of your webshop. ClickForest offers complete online marketing services including conversion optimization and data analysis.
“We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It is our job to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little better every day.”
Source: Bloomberg - Online Extra: Jeff Bezos on Word-of-Mouth Power, Interview by Robert D. Hof, August 2, 2004
International expansion
Multi-market strategy
If you are successful locally, consider expanding to:
Germany: largest EU e-commerce market
France: luxury and fashion-friendly
UK: English-speaking, post-Brexit opportunities
Localization essentials
Currency: show local currency
Language: professional translations
Shipping: local carriers and pickup points
Payment: locally popular methods
Legal: GDPR, return policies, consumer rights
The e-commerce world is changing rapidly. Stay informed about the latest e-commerce innovations and trends to maintain a competitive advantage.
Advanced growth strategies
Social commerce integration
Social commerce is growing by 30% per year and will account for €1.2 trillion worldwide by 2025.
Integrate with:
Instagram Shopping: product tags in posts and stories
Facebook Shops: dedicated shop tab
TikTok Shopping: in-app purchasing
Pinterest Shopping: product rich pins
AI and automation
Implement smart tools for:
Personalized recommendations: "Customers also bought"
Dynamic pricing: competition-based price adjustments
Inventory forecasting: seasonal demand planning
Chatbots: 24/7 customer support
Want to strategically implement AI in your business? Schedule a free strategy session or download our free AI white paper for SMEs with concrete implementation tips.
Avoiding common mistakes
Technical mistakes
Slow loading times: optimize images and apps
Poor mobile experience: test extensively on different devices
Weak security: use strong passwords and 2FA
Missing analytics: track everything from day 1
Marketing mistakes
No email list building: start immediately with popups and opt-ins
Ignoring SEO: every page needs unique, optimized content
Poor product photography: invest in professional images
Inconsistent branding: logo, colors, and tone of voice must be consistent
Budget planning and ROI
Startup cost breakdown
| Component | Monthly costs | One-time costs |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic | €27 | - |
| Premium theme | - | €200 |
| Essential apps | €50 | - |
| Professional photos | - | €500-€2000 |
| Logo and branding | - | €300-€1500 |
| Total first year | €924 | €1000-€3700 |
Marketing budget allocation
Allocate your marketing budget strategically:
40% Google Ads: search and shopping campaigns
30% Meta Ads: Facebook and Instagram advertising
20% Email marketing: tools and automation
10% Content: blog writing, video production
“If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they might tell 6 friends. If you make customers unhappy on the internet, they can tell 6,000 friends.”
Source: Bloomberg - Online Extra: Jeff Bezos on Word-of-Mouth Power, Interview by Robert D. Hof, August 2, 2004
Conclusion
Setting up a successful Shopify webshop requires strategic planning, technical knowledge and continuous optimization. Focus on user experience, build trust through social proof and invest in long-term customer relationships.
The e-commerce world is evolving rapidly. Keep experimenting, measure results, and adapt. With the right approach, your Shopify webshop can grow into a profitable, scalable business.
Need help setting up or optimizing your Shopify webshop? ClickForest combines e-commerce expertise with smart marketing automation. We are happy to contribute to your growth strategy.
Start today, learn along the way, and keep optimizing. Your future customers are waiting for what you have to offer.
🚀 Get more results from AI, online marketing, and e-commerce
Do you have ideas you want to realize faster? Do you want more leads, smarter marketing, or better use of AI in your company? We actively think along with you. Discover what AI can do for your growth, online marketing or e-commerce can mean for you.
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Frequently asked questions about building a Shopify webshop
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Basic costs start from €27/month for Shopify Basic. Total monthly costs range between €75-€150 including apps. One-off costs for theme, photos and branding: €1000-€3500.
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Yes, Shopify fully supports BE/NL including VAT calculation, Bancontact/iDEAL, Dutch and Flemish interface, and local shipping partners such as PostNL and bpost.
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Via Shopify Payments or Mollie: Bancontact, iDEAL, credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Klarna, and PayPal. A minimum of 3 methods significantly increases conversion.
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With preparation: 2-4 weeks. Basic setup: 1 week. Professional content and photos: 1-2 weeks. Testing and optimization: 1 week. Rush jobs often lead to problems later.
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Shopify: ease of use, speed, reliability, better support. WooCommerce: more customization, lower monthly costs, complete control. For most entrepreneurs, Shopify is more efficient.
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Essential: SEO app, review system, email marketing, analytics. Useful: live chat, upsell apps, loyalty program. Start with 3-5 apps, add more as you grow.
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Test on different screen sizes, use large buttons (minimum 44px), optimize loading times, make checkout simple, and ensure readable text without zooming.
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Yes, Shopify handles international taxes and duties via Shopify Markets. Start locally, expand to Germany, France, or the UK when you have stable revenue.
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Start with Google Ads on your brand name, ask friends/family for reviews, use social media organically, consider influencer partnerships, and optimize for local SEO.
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Shopify has 24/7 support, extensive documentation, and a large community. For complex adjustments, you can hire Shopify experts through the Expert Marketplace.
Sources and references
E-commerce market statistics for Belgium and the Netherlands
Statista Netherlands: "Market size of e-commerce in the Netherlands 2005-2024" - https://www.statista.com/statistics/558214/yearly-online-consumer-expenditure-in-the-netherlands/
Statista Belgium: "E-commerce in Belgium - statistics and facts" - https://www.statista.com/topics/4910/e-commerce-in-belgium/
BSS Commerce: "Top 6 Shopify payment methods in Belgium" - https://bsscommerce.com/shopify/shopify-payments-for-belgium/
Shopify platform and apps
Store Leads: "The state of Shopify in 2025" - https://storeleads.app/reports/shopify
Judge.me: "Product Reviews App where trust drives commerce" - https://judge.me/
DoDropshipping: "The 15 most popular Shopify apps in 2025 (data-supported)" - https://dodropshipping.com/most-popular-shopify-apps/
SEO and technical optimization
Go Fish Digital: "Shopify Structured Data in 2025: Schema Markup for Shopify" - https://gofishdigital.com/blog/shopify-structured-data-guide/
Shopify SEO Guide: "Shopify SEO: how to generate more store traffic (2024)" - https://www.shopify.com/blog/shopify-seo
Automation and payment methods
Zapier: "7 ways to use the Zapier Shopify integration" - https://zapier.com/blog/favorite-zaps-shopify/
Mollie: "Accept online Bancontact payments" - https://www.mollie.com/payments/bancontact
