Shopify is one of the most recommended hosted platforms for launching any online business store. Initially, this hosting platform was designed to create online stores where merchants can sell product-based items.
But later, the company customized it, and now merchants also present customers with service-based offers.
Do you also want to use Shopify for running a non-eCommerce website? Can you use Shopify for non-eCommerce things? Keep reading this article to learn if you can use it for your cause.
Can You Use Shopify Outside Of eCommerce?
Shopify is mainly for businesses where merchants can create an online store and sell their products to customers in different parts of the world. However, if someone wishes to use Shopify platforms for non-eCommerce purposes, then it is also possible.
Shopify provides a user-friendly, optimized page. So, using this platform for running a non-commercial site can still benefit your cause.
However, there is a huge disadvantage to the owners of their site in Shopify for not using it as an eCommerce site. Shopify comes mainly with three monthly subscription plans – basic plan, standard, and advanced Shopify plan.
To use Shopify, every merchant has to purchase Shopify’s monthly subscription plan. These plans offer merchants different tools with which the site owners can customize their page and use it to sell their items.
Now, if you are not using Shopify for eCommerce, then it simply means the checkout page and other features of the plans are being wasted unless of course, you are selling digital products, services, or other things. And you are paying for nothing.
Hosting your site for non-eCommerce purposes from Shopify is a good idea. But, Shopify plans are best for selling products or using features to design the stores; it would be best if someone uses this platform to host their online store.
Is Shopify for Selling Only?
No, Shopify is not just for selling. Although it was first designed only for product-based businesses, it was later modified, and people can also run service-based businesses.
In addition, Shopify can also run normal websites, like blog sites which only give pieces of information and have nothing to do with selling. If you are one of those who think Shopify is only for selling, then you are completely wrong.
However, the fact Shopify mainly benefits users with online stores is true. The features of all the Shopify plans provide users and tools which can benefit the merchants, in building and running their online store on Shopify.
These tools or features provided in the membership plans of Shopify are of no use to regular websites. For instance, if someone has a regular website sharing information, the payment applications and app store he is paying for are a complete waste.
However, Shopify provides users with a user-friendly platform with a basic UI that is easy to understand. In addition, the features also include some blogging features that can help the users.
But again, these features are only a small help for regular sites. So, consider opening a regular site where you will not sell any items. In that case, it’s best to choose some dedicated hosting platforms with plenty of features to support non-eCommerce websites.
In addition, even if you have created an online store, selling items when you purchase Shopify subscription plans is optional. You can use your online store on Shopify as a catalog for your brick-and-mortar store.
Once you subscribe to the plans of Shopify, your store can generate traffic, and the audience can view your product catalog and contact you at your physical store to purchase that product.
If you are not selling from your online store on Shopify, you will also be saved from the extra transaction fees you are charged when any transactions are made using Shopify payment options.
Can Anyone Have a Shopify Store?
Every person worldwide is welcome to Shopify to host their online store. Whether new or veteran entrepreneurs, every person can migrate or open their online store at Shopify.
When you visit the official site of Shopify, you can find the sign-up page from where you will take the first step to starting your online business. Besides this, every user with a valid email id will also be offered a 3-day trial plan of their platform, to get the merchants to get acquainted with the system and its overall working.
However, there are a few restrictions on who can open an online store on Shopify. Every person who tries to open an online store on Shopify must abide by Shopify’s policy and terms.
For instance, you must be above 18 to open an online store account on Shopify. And you will also need to have your email where you will be getting all the notifications of your online store on Shopify and a bank account where all your earnings or funds will be transferred.
Shopify also needs the person to have a credit card, through which the users will have to pay the monthly or annual subscription plans. Anyone with a credit card cannot open or run an online store business on Shopify.
Can You Use Shopify for a regular website?
Yes, you can use Shopify to build your regular website.
It is optional to sell items from your site. But, you should be aware of the limitations you will face using Shopify as a regular website.
Since Shopify mainly hosts eCommerce sites and is not a traditional website builder (for example, blog sites or portfolios), you will miss out on some key features required to build an ideal regular website.
The lowest plan of Shopify is $29, which will give you practically everything you need to run a regular non-commercial website. Other plans can also be used – Standard plan ( $79/month) and Advanced Plan ($299/month).
I actually have an article going over Shopify Vs Custom Site if that is something that interests you.
What Are Some Products I Can Sell On Shopify?
Here are some other product-based items that you, as a merchant in Shopify, can sell from your online store.
NOTE: There are things you cannot sell on Shopify, you can read the full list of them here: Can You Sell Anything On Shopify article.
1. Sports Products
Shopify lets a merchant sell every sort of sports item. It can range from yoga mats and water bottles to different types of sportswear and even running shoes.
Moreover, you can even sell gym equipment like dumbbells, treadmills, and other exercise machines.
2. Furniture
Every type of home and office furniture can be shipped from Shopify. You can even use your online store as an online catalog and sell the items from your factories, provided you are not drop shipping.
3. Pet Accessories
Selling pet accessories from your online store is also possible.
However, you might need help selling pets from your online store. Besides, pet foods, beds, dresses, and belts can be sold from Shopify.
These are some of the product-based items that you can sell on Shopify.
As you can see, you can sell almost anything from Shopify online store. However, a few things are restricted from selling from Shopify online store.
Can I Use Shopify for a Service Business?
Shopify has long been the best friend for product-based businesses. However, it is also quite popular among service-based companies.
It is optional to sell items from Shopify online store. Merchants can display the catalog of their offered products from their online store or website.
Service business products are not physical items. Rather they can be best said as selling the experience or skills to customers for utilizing it in their cause.
Some service business products can be consultations, selling class notes, freelance writing, and designed ideas. To aid your cause, Shopify presents users with many useful Shopify applications that can enhance your store for selling service-based products.
Some useful applications in Shopify which can help you to build an excellent service-based online store are given below:
1. BookThatApp
This Shopify application offers merchants a responsive booking calendar. It is very useful when used in consultation or appointment-based services.
2. Events Calendar
This Shopify application will display a calendar on your service-based online store. Like popular calendars, it offers the luxury of changing its layout and theme and syncing it with external calendars from Google or Eventbrite.
With the help of this application, you can notify timings for your audience and even add various information like images, links, and videos.
3. Globo Request a Quote
It gives you the luxury of responding to your customers with fancy and interactive email templates. Instead of using standard checkout or cart options, you can use this option to let your customers select a request for a quote, where they can fill out a form for their demands.
Get Globo Request a Quote Here
Can You Use Shopify If You’re Not Selling Anything?
Shopify is indeed a well-known platform for hosting online store businesses. However, it is not true that anyone not selling from their online store cannot use this platform.
In the past, Shopify was for only merchants. Still, later in the years, the developers made modifications to the Shopify platform, and now Shopify can be used for non-Ecommercial websites.
In simple terms, you can use the Shopify platform even if you are not selling anything from your site. You can provide any free information (not for selling or any premium content) that will engage the audience.
In addition, Shopify can now also be used to run service-based products. Some users also need clarification about if they only need physical products to start selling from Shopify.
Again this is not true; any users or merchants can even sell or present users with service-based products, like free solutions to their computer problems, online free tutorials, and many more, which have nothing to do with the physical delivery of products.
However, if you are not thinking of selling anything from your website in Shopify, then it will be best if you do not use Shopify to host your site. All the features of Shopify are directly linked to benefit the online store business heads.
So, using the Shopify platform to host your non-selling site will not save you money and resources as the Shopify features will only benefit an e-commercial website.
Final Thoughts
Most people think they need some physical products to start selling from Shopify. However, that is not true.
You can practically sell anything from Shopify, but that should not violate the terms of Shopify selling products. Furthermore, using Shopify for a non-commercial website can be a downside to your online site since you will not be able to utilize any of the tools and features offered by Shopify to its users.
