Shopify has become the leading ecommerce platform that most companies use for their ecommerce needs. It comes with a wide range of capabilities such as it’s user friendly layout and customizable capabilities. That being said, Shopify still has a list of prohibited items that you are not allowed to sell. In this article, we will explore Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy and exactly what products are not allowed to be sold on the platform.
Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy is a list of rules and regulations that basically state what can and cannot be sold on their platform. The AUP is updated every so often so, it’s important to always be checking it.
Prohibited Products
Shopify prohibits the sale of certain products on their platform. These include:
Illegal Products
Shopify strictly forbids the sale of any items or the promotion of any illicit activity. Drugs, firearms, and stolen items are just a few examples of what is covered here. It also contains goods that, despite being lawful in certain places, are regarded as illegal in others.
Restricted Products
On Shopify, some products are regarded as restricted, which means that they can only be sold with Shopify’s approval. These products include adult services as well as alcohol, cigarette, and cannabis products. If a retailer wants to offer certain products, they must abide by tight rules and submit the required paperwork to Shopify for approval.
Infringing Products
Products that infringe on intellectual property rights, such as trademarked or copyrighted items, are not allowed on Shopify. So, products that use unauthorized logos or branding, as well as products that are considered counterfeit or unauthorized replication of another company’s products.
Products that Promote Hatred
You cannot sell products that promote hatred, violence or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic. This includes products that use hate speech or promote extremist ideologies.
Products that are Offensive
Shopify prohibits the sale of anything that is deemed obscene or unsuitable. Products that encourage bloodshed, gore, or graphic imagery fall under this category. Merchants are required to make sure that none of the content in their items could be construed as offensive or inappropriate and that it is appropriate for all audiences.
Prohibited Services
Certain services are prohibited on Shopify, such as pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, and get-rich-quick schemes. These types of services/schemes are often associated with fraudulent activities and are not allowed on Shopify.
Why Does Shopify Have These Restrictions?
Shopify’s restrictions are in place for 2 main reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that merchants using Shopify adhere to legal and ethic standards. By doing this, Shopify and its clients are shielded from liability. Additionally, these restrictions help maintain Shopify’s reputation as a safe and trustworthy place to shop.
And by prohibiting the sale of illegal, infringing, or offensive products, Shopify is helping prevent these products from entering the mainstream market.
What Happens If You Sell Prohibited Products on Shopify?
If a merchant is found to be selling prohibited products on Shopify, they will be contacted by Shopify and given a warning. And if the merchant still continues to sell prohibited products, their account may be suspended or terminated. In some cases, legal action may also be taken against the merchant.
Merchants should thoroughly read Shopify’s AUP. This will make sure they aren’t unintentionally selling illegal goods.
Examples of What You Can Sell
After reading the above list, you might be thinking “what can I sell then?”. Here are some of the best things you can sell on Shopify:
1. E-Sports Products
Gaming is a popular and common activity among people. This makes it an ideal opportunity for you to sell products like gaming chairs, mice, keyboards, headphones, or any other gaming accessory.
2. Sports And Gym Equipment
Sports equipment such as baseball bats, soccer balls, or niche sports like archery can be a good choice of products to sell on your website. You can also sell home workout equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, pull-up bars, or any related accessory like wrist support. These products tend to have a good percentage of profit and have a dedicated and loyal customer base.
3. Smartphone Accessories
Almost everyone uses a smartphone and for this reason, selling a smartphone accessory is an ideal product to sell. Another reason to start selling smartphone products is that you will never run out of ideas for products to sell. You can sell covers, skins, screen guards, holders, and other such items.
4. Clothing
You can use Shopify to start your clothing with different designs. You can try different clothes like shirts, T-shirts, skirts or even sunglasses. Be creative and sell your clothes.
5. Sneakers
Sneakers are a big industry in itself now. Selling customized sneakers is gaining popularity day by day. If you have an interest in sneakers and can use your creativity to customize a pair of sneakers then go ahead and try this out.
6. Paintings
If you are a painter then you can use Shopify to add a touch of professionalism to it by selling it online. This not only makes you look professional but also helps you to reach out to more people.
7. Jewelry
If you are just starting a new business then you can start by selling artificial jewelry like necklaces, rings, earrings, or any other jewelry. This is a good start for a business as jewelry is common and you have a vast target audience from teenagers to senior citizens. If you have enough money then you can sell real jewelry as well.
Related: Is Shopify Good for Jewelry Businesses?
8. Signage
Signage can also be a good starting point for selling on Shopify as they are used as a decorative material and are a common item in people’s homes
9. Toys
Toys are also a huge industry in itself with a variety of toys. Selling toys is also a good product to start your Shopify journey.
Conclusion
To sum up, Shopify’s AUP was put in place to make sure that all merchants utilizing the platform follow the law and moral principles. While some products are restricted on Shopify, these limitations serve to safeguard both Shopify’s users and itself. Before creating their Shopify store, merchants should carefully check the AUP to make sure they are not unintentionally selling forbidden goods.
