How to Set Up a Shopify Store for Free
Free Guide for Artists
Your Shopify store.
Live tonight.

You don't need thousands of dollars or a web developer. A free Shopify template and 30 minutes is all it takes.

Show me how Browse Free Themes
Before you start
Why Shopify? Free templates actually work

Shopify is built for selling. Not blogging, not portfolios. Selling. And their free themes are genuinely excellent.

Built for sellingCart, checkout, and payments are all set up for you. No coding, no guessing.
Free themes are genuinely goodClean, fast, and mobile-ready out of the box. You don't need to pay for a theme to look professional.
Grows with youStart simple with prints and originals. Add commissions, bundles, and digital products as you grow.
The guide
Five steps. One live store.

Follow these in order and you'll have a working online store by the end of the day.

Step 01
Create your free account
→
Go to shopify.com and start a free trialNo credit card needed. You get 3 days free, then it's around $1/month for the first 3 months.
→
Use your artist name as the store nameKeep it simple. You can connect a custom domain later. Don't overthink this step.
→
Answer "I'm just starting" when askedThis keeps your dashboard simple and removes features you don't need yet.
Step 02
Pick a free template
→
Go to Online Store → Themes → Free themesYou'll find them in your Shopify dashboard left sidebar. Click "Visit Theme Store."
→
Best free picks for artists: Dawn, Craft, or SenseDawn is the most flexible. Craft is great if you want a handmade, artisan feel.
→
Click "Add" and it won't go live until you publishYou can preview it, customise it, and only make it live when you're ready.
Step 03
Make it yours
→
Upload your logo and set your brand coloursGo to Customise → Theme Settings → Colours. Match it to your Instagram palette.
→
Replace the homepage banner with your best artwork photoUse a landscape image at least 1600px wide. This is your first impression. Make it count.
→
Write a short one-line header that says who you areSomething like: "Original art prints by [your name]." Clear beats clever here.
Step 04
Add your first products
→
Start with 3–5 products, not 30A focused shop feels more intentional. You can always add more. Don't wait until it's "full."
→
Use square images with a clean backgroundNatural light flat lays or mockups both work. Consistency matters more than perfection.
→
Write descriptions like you're talking to a fanShare what inspired the piece. People buy art because of the story as much as the image.
Step 05
Set up payments and go live
→
Enable Shopify Payments or PayPalSettings → Payments. Shopify Payments has no extra transaction fees if you're in AU, US, UK, or Canada.
→
Remove the password from your storeOnline Store → Preferences → uncheck "Password protect this store." That's it. You're live.
→
Link your store in your Instagram bioUse a link-in-bio tool or link directly to your store. Tell people it's there.
Quick links
Everything you need to get started

All the tools mentioned in this guide, in one place.

Free
Shopify Free Themes

Browse the full library of free Shopify themes. Dawn, Craft, and Sense are all great starting points for artists.

Browse themes →
Free Trial
Start Shopify Free

3 days free, then $1/month for 3 months. No credit card needed to get started. Just your email.

Start free trial →
Domain Names
Buy a Domain on GoDaddy

Need a custom domain like yourname.com? GoDaddy is one of the easiest places to register and connect it to Shopify.

Find your domain →
Watch out for these
Common mistakes artists make

Avoid these and you'll be ahead of 90% of artists trying to sell online.

✕
Waiting until it's "perfect"A live imperfect store makes sales. A perfect unpublished one makes zero.
✕
Buying a paid theme too earlyFree themes are genuinely excellent. Save the money for ads or packaging.
✕
Not mentioning the store on InstagramPost about it. Pin it in your bio. Your audience won't find it if you don't tell them.

If you want to fast track and learn it all

The Full-Time Artist Framework
Turn your art into a full-time income.

The store is step one. The Framework gives you the complete system: monetisation, brand building, avoiding burnout, and turning your community into consistent revenue.

Monetisation Stack
Brand Scaling
Burnout Prevention
Community as Revenue
$47 one time
Purchase the Framework

Instant digital download. Start today.

mitchrevs.com · Newcastle, NSW