Shopify Launch Checklist for NZ Stores (Updated 2025)

Getting set up on Shopify properly can be a daunting task, but with my experience launching over 200+ Shopify stores in NZ, I have compiled this detailed guide to launching your store on Shopify covering all of the key tasks you need to do before you start selling online and in NZ.

Please be aware, I predominantly work with New Zealand stores, so there may be important tasks for your specific location that are not covered here such as tax, privacy, or disclosure requirements if you are based elsewhere.

Table of Contents

The Basics

Before you get started launching your Shopify store, there are some basic tasks that every business should do.

  • Create your Shopify account
    You can’t start your Shopify store until you have a Shopify account! Shopify usually has a free trial or promotion for new stores. Use the Basic Shopify plan to start.

  • Register your domain
    Your domain is your website URL. Register through Shopify or a registrar like Crazy Domains or GoDaddy. Avoid complicated or lengthy names.

  • Set up a mailbox using your custom domain
    Use Google Workspace or similar to create an email address on your domain. Avoid using a generic Gmail for support emails.

  • Design your logo and branding
    Good branding makes your store memorable. You can use Canva or Hatchful, or hire a professional.

  • Secure your account with 2FA
    Enable two factor authentication for security. Read Shopify’s Guide

  • Set up social media channels
    Create and be active on Facebook, Instagram, and any others that fit your business (TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube). Post at least once weekly.

Theme Setup

Your Shopify Theme determines your website’s look and feel. Use official Shopify Themes for long-term support and quality.

  • Pick the right theme
    Choose a theme that fits your business model and goals. Check its features, example stores, and reviews.

  • Add a favicon
    This is the icon that shows in the browser tab. Use a square version of your logo.

  • Add your homepage metadata
    Set your homepage title and description under Shopify Admin > Sales Channels → Online Store → Preferences. Helps with SEO.

  • Set up your header and footer menu
    Include links to collections, support, policy pages, info, reviews, and contact.

  • Show accepted payment methods in the footer
    Enable this in theme settings under “Footer” → “Payment Icons”.

  • Show your contact details in the footer
    List your email, phone, address, and hours if you have a physical store. Required for Google Ads and local SEO.

  • Add your social media links
    Link your active profiles to drive engagement.

  • Customise your checkout
    Add logo, brand colors, and font under Settings → Checkout → Customise Checkout.

  • Customise your homepage
    First impressions matter. Follow a detailed guide to optimise your homepage.

  • Customise your product pages
    Include important info like size guide, specs, features, and clear reasons to buy.

  • Customise your collection pages & filters
    Add filters for easier product finding. Use apps for advanced options.

  • Make your key selling points obvious
    Show your returns policy, free shipping, service, loyalty, and unique benefits on every page.

  • Add an about page
    Share your story, team, and mission to build trust.

  • Add a contact form page
    Make it easy for customers to get in touch. Link from main menu/footer.

  • Add a FAQ page
    Reduce repetitive questions with an FAQ. Use your theme’s template or an app.

  • Add a blog
    Great for SEO and engagement if you can post at least weekly. An app like AI Blog Agent can help automate this if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, just make sure to monitor the quality and customise it to your personal tone and topics.

  • Customise your cart page
    Upsell/cross-sell, show key selling points, and enable order notes.

  • Customise your 404 page
    Add recommended products and keep branding consistent.

  • Customise your search page
    Most themes let you customise search filters, or use an app for more.

  • Enable quick view
    Let customers view and buy products from a popup without leaving the page.

  • Show pickup option if applicable
    Use prebuilt theme blocks to display pickup availability.

  • Enable a cart drawer or dropdown
    Let customers view cart contents without leaving the page.

  • Show navigation breadcrumbs
    Helps customers navigate between product and category pages.

  • Enable dynamic checkout buttons
    Let customers skip the cart and go straight to checkout.

  • Use high quality images, avoid stock images
    Invest in professional photos. Avoid blurry, low quality, or generic stock images.

  • Show social proof
    Add reviews, testimonials, UGC, awards, and good press. Dedicate a page to it.

  • Show your shipping, returns, and privacy policy
    Feature these in your main or footer menu. Start with Shopify’s templates, but replace placeholder text.

Products & Categories

Make sure all product information is correct, well-formatted, and each product has 3-7 high-quality photos or videos.

  • Set up your product collections
    Organise by brand, type, season, use-case, “sale”, or “new arrivals”. Link top collections in the main menu.

  • Use high quality product photos
    Good product photos are essential for conversion. Use a pro photographer or a lightbox.

  • Write a description for every product and collection page
    Detailed, well-written descriptions improve SEO and conversion. Use AI as a starting point, but always rewrite in your own words.

  • Add product vendor, type, and unit cost
    These fields help with reporting and segmentation later.

  • Set up gift cards
    Enable under Products → Gift Cards. Add a custom image and description.

Apps & Integrations

Start with essentials; add more as your store grows. See the Shopify Success Checklist for more app ideas.

  • Add a product reviews app
    Try JudgeMe or Loox.

  • Add a social feed app
    InstaFeed is recommended for UGC.

  • Automatically hide out of stock products
    Use Knockout for this.

  • Use a back in stock app
    Let customers get notified when products are restocked. Use Back in Stock.

  • Add a wishlist app
    Wishlist Plus is a solid option.

  • Add an app for product upsells and cross-sells
    Frequently Bought Together is recommended.

  • Add an app for post-purchase feedback
    Zigpoll has a generous free plan.

  • Connect an email marketing app
    Klaviyo is highly recommended. Shopify Email also available.

  • Add an app to promote email signups
    Use Klaviyo or Shopify Forms.

  • Consider a product filter and searching app
    Product Filter & Search is great for advanced filtering.

  • Connect Google’s suite of apps
    Use the Google app for Analytics, Merchants, Ads, and Search Console.

  • Connect Facebook & Instagram
    Use the official Facebook app.

  • Connect other social media platforms
    Search for and install official Shopify apps for Snapchat, Pinterest, TikTok, etc.

  • Install Shopify Inbox
    Shopify Inbox lets you chat with customers from Shopify admin.

  • Add the Shop channel
    Install the Shop app. Growing in popularity with shoppers.

  • Install a fulfillment app
    NZ stores often use GoSweetSpot or StarShipIt.

  • Install an app for rural shipping rates (if applicable)
    KiwiSprout Rural Shipping helps manage rural rates.

  • Add your other sales channels
    Add channels like Amazon, TradeMe, or The Market via their official Shopify apps.

Store Settings

There are a lot of settings to update when you create your Shopify store. Review these carefully.

  • Add your branding
    Admin > Settings → Brand. Fill out all fields for logo and colors.

  • Set up your shipping rates
    Admin > Settings → Shipping and delivery. Delete global rate if you do not want international orders.

  • Collect tax
    Admin > Settings → Tax and duties. Select your country, collect GST, enter GST number, tick “include tax in prices” and “charge tax on shipping”.

  • Add your IRD number (NZ only)
    Settings > Billing > Tax Registration.

  • Set your inventory location
    Settings > Location. Update the address.

  • Enable pickup and local delivery
    Settings > Shipping and Delivery > enable pickup/local delivery under your location.

  • Review your store details
    Settings > Store Details. Check store name, phone, email, legal name, address, currency, time zone, metric system.

  • Add Shopify Payments
    Settings > Payments > Set up Shopify Payments.

  • Accept Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Shop Pay
    Enable these after setting up Shopify Payments.

  • Add your other payment methods
    Settings > Payment Methods. Add Afterpay, Laybuy, Klarna, etc. as needed.

  • Enable customer accounts
    Settings > Customer accounts.

  • Edit your email templates
    Settings > Notifications > Customise email templates.

  • Add your store policies
    Settings > Policies. Use Shopify’s templates and replace placeholder text.

  • Invite your team
    Settings > Users and permissions. Each staff should have their own login and 2FA.

  • Enable email notifications
    Settings > Notifications > Staff order notifications.

  • Add your domain
    Read Shopify’s Guide if you purchased your domain elsewhere.

  • Verify your sending email
    Settings > Notifications > Authenticate your domain under “Sender email”.

  • Enable Shopify Markets (if required)
    Settings > Markets. Add markets and install the Geolocation app for international sales.

  • Enable Shopify Privacy & Compliance (as required)
    Install app for Europe or USA compliance.

Launch Strategy

You’re nearly there! Take these final steps before and after you launch your store.

  • Test purchasing on your store
    Walk through the full customer buying process. Check stock, pricing, cart, shipping, and payment methods.

  • Check your website links
    Click every link and make sure they all go to the correct pages. Do this manually for launch.

  • Check your grammar and replace placeholder content
    Fix all typos, grammar, and placeholder images or text.

  • Remove your storefront password
    Go to Online Store → Preferences → Untick “Restrict access to visitors with the password”. Your website is now live.

  • Announce your launch on all channels
    Share your store launch on your newsletter, social media, and anywhere you can.

  • Consider running a launch promotion
    Offer 10-30% off first orders in exchange for newsletter signups. Promote this via all your channels.

  • Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console
    Log in, add your sitemap at /sitemap.xml to speed up Google indexing.

  • Read the Shopify Success checklist
    Shopify Success Checklist: Covers activities to help grow sales after launch.

If you need help or have questions about launching your Shopify store, reach out here.

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