Starting an e-commerce business can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to building and designing your online store from scratch. However, with the increasing popularity of pre-built Shopify stores, entrepreneurs now have an easier way to kickstart their online business. A pre-built Shopify store offers the advantage of being ready to launch, often complete with products, designs, and essential apps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of acquiring a pre-built Shopify store, the benefits of doing so, and how ReferRush can help you scale your new venture.
1. What Is a Pre-Built Shopify Store?
A pre-built Shopify store is a fully set-up online store that is ready for you to start running immediately. These stores are often created by experienced e-commerce professionals and come complete with a custom design, product listings, and essential apps. Some pre-built stores are even optimized for SEO and come with pre-existing traffic, making them a turnkey solution for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Benefits of a Pre-Built Shopify Store:
- Time-Saving: Skip the time-consuming process of designing and setting up your store from scratch. With a pre-built store, you can start selling right away.
- Professional Design: Benefit from a professionally designed store that’s already optimized for conversions.
- Pre-Loaded Products: Many pre-built stores come with a selection of products, saving you the hassle of sourcing and listing items.
- Ready-to-Launch: With everything set up, you can focus on marketing and growing your business from day one.
2. Where to Find Pre-Built Shopify Stores
There are several platforms and marketplaces where you can purchase a pre-built Shopify store. These platforms typically offer a variety of stores in different niches, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your business goals.
Popular Platforms for Buying Pre-Built Shopify Stores:
- Exchange Marketplace: Shopify’s official marketplace, Exchange, allows users to buy and sell Shopify stores. Here, you can find stores ranging from brand new to well-established businesses.
- Flippa: Flippa is a popular marketplace for buying and selling online businesses, including Shopify stores. You can filter listings by niche, revenue, and more.
- Empire Flippers: Empire Flippers specializes in high-quality online businesses, including Shopify stores. They offer a rigorous vetting process to ensure the stores listed are legitimate and profitable.
- Private Sellers: Some e-commerce professionals sell pre-built Shopify stores directly through their own websites or through brokerages.
When choosing a platform, make sure to carefully review the store’s performance metrics, including traffic, revenue, and customer base, to ensure it meets your expectations.
3. What to Look for in a Pre-Built Shopify Store
When purchasing a pre-built Shopify store, it’s important to evaluate several factors to ensure you’re making a sound investment. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Key Factors to Consider:
- Store Niche: Ensure the store’s niche aligns with your interests and business goals. Choose a niche with a strong demand and growth potential.
- Design and User Experience: Review the store’s design and user experience to ensure it’s professional and optimized for conversions.
- Product Inventory: Check the store’s product inventory, including the quality and sourcing of products. Make sure the products have good margins and are in demand.
- Traffic and Revenue: Look for stores with consistent traffic and revenue. Ask the seller for proof of earnings and analytics to verify the store’s performance.
- Operational Complexity: Consider how much work is required to manage the store. Look for stores that offer automation and streamlined operations.
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select a pre-built Shopify store that is well-positioned for success.
4. How to Transfer Ownership of a Pre-Built Shopify Store
Once you’ve selected a pre-built Shopify store to purchase, the next step is transferring ownership. This process typically involves the following steps:
Steps for Transferring Ownership:
- Agreement: Negotiate the terms of the sale with the seller, including the purchase price and any assets included (e.g., domain, inventory, customer list).
- Payment: Complete the payment process through a secure platform, such as Escrow, to protect both parties.
- Transfer Process: The seller will transfer the Shopify store to your account. Shopify’s support team can assist with the transfer if needed.
- Domain Transfer: If the store includes a custom domain, the seller will transfer ownership of the domain to you.
- Final Checks: Review all assets and confirm that everything has been transferred correctly before finalizing the sale.
Once the transfer is complete, you’ll have full control over the Shopify store and can begin managing it as your own.
5. Growing Your New Shopify Store with ReferRush
After acquiring a pre-built Shopify store, the next step is to focus on growing your business. One of the most effective ways to do this is by leveraging referral marketing. ReferRush is an automated referral program that can help you drive more traffic and sales to your new store by encouraging your existing customers to refer friends and family.
How ReferRush Can Help:
- Automated Campaigns: ReferRush automates the referral process, making it easy for customers to share your store with their network via email, WhatsApp, and SMS.
- Personalized Incentives: Offer personalized referral incentives, such as discounts or rewards, to both the referrer and the referred customer, increasing the likelihood of successful referrals.
- Multi-Channel Approach: Reach your customers on the platforms they use most, ensuring maximum engagement with your referral campaigns.
- Performance Tracking: Monitor the success of your referral campaigns in real-time with detailed analytics, allowing you to optimize your strategy for better results.
By integrating ReferRush into your marketing strategy, you can tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing and rapidly expand your customer base, driving growth for your new Shopify store.
Final Thoughts
Acquiring a pre-built Shopify store is a great way to jumpstart your e-commerce journey with a ready-to-launch business. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can find and purchase a store that aligns with your goals and set yourself up for success. Once you’ve taken ownership, don’t forget to leverage tools like ReferRush to accelerate your store’s growth and maximize its potential. Start your journey today and watch your e-commerce business thrive!
