How to Open a Pet Store on Shopify

Before Building Your Store

1. Market Research and Product Selection

Before launching your Shopify pet store, it's essential to conduct thorough market research and carefully select the right products.

a. Identify Your Niche

• Trendy Pet Products: Focus on popular pet categories like eco-friendly pet supplies, personalized pet products, or health-conscious food and toys.
• Pet Types: Consider specializing in products for dogs, cats, birds, or even exotic pets like reptiles and small mammals.
• Pet Care & Accessories: Expand beyond food and toys to include grooming tools, pet apparel, or training equipment.

b. Research Competitors

Study top competitors in the pet industry to understand their product offerings, pricing strategies, and unique selling points (e.g., sustainable pet care products, natural food options, or luxury pet accessories).

c. Validate Product Demand

Utilize platforms like Google Trends, Amazon Best Sellers, and social media (Instagram, Pinterest) to see trending products and customer demand for various pet supplies.

d. Source Your Products

• Wholesalers/Manufacturers: Platforms like Alibaba, Oberlo, or SaleHoo offer a wide range of pet supplies for dropshipping or bulk purchasing.
• Handmade/Custom Products: If you’re making unique pet products (e.g., personalized collars or organic treats), highlight their craftsmanship and appeal to pet owners looking for something special.

2. Set Brand Essentials

a. Moodboard

Create a moodboard to define your brand's aesthetic. A calm, nature-inspired theme works well for eco-conscious pet products, whereas a fun, colorful vibe can suit stores focusing on playful pet toys or accessories.

Moodboard Example

b. Colors (Hex Codes)

Choose a color palette that reflects your brand values, appealing to pet owners.

Color Palette Example

c. Logo

Your logo should be simple yet memorable. It can be just a text logo, or you can consider featuring elements like paws, bones, or silhouettes of popular pets to visually connect with your audience.

Logo Example

d. Fonts

Opt for clean, friendly fonts that are easy to read. Choose a playful font for headers and a simple, legible font for product descriptions.

Font Example

2. Create a Brand Name and Buy a Domain

a. Brand name

Use tools like Shopify’s Free Business Name Generator to come up with a catchy, unique name for your pet store.

b. Domain

After choosing your brand name, secure a domain using platforms like GoDaddy or directly through Shopify when setting up your store.

3. Prepare content

Gather high-quality photos, product descriptions, and videos showcasing your products. Highlight the benefits for pets, such as improved health, eco-friendly materials, or durability for active animals.

Building Your Shopify Store

1. Sign Up for Shopify

a. Start for free

Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, and the first 3 months cost only €1. Sign up at Shopify.

Shopify Plans (November, 2024)

2. Set Up Store Essentials

a. Create Products and Collections

• Product Descriptions: Write clear, engaging descriptions, focusing on the benefits for pets (e.g., health benefits, durability, eco-friendliness).
• High-Quality Photos: Use professional, high-resolution images, preferably of pets interacting with your products.
• Product Variants: Add options for sizes, colors, or flavors where applicable.
• SEO-Friendly Titles: Include relevant keywords like "best dog toys," "natural pet food," or "cat grooming supplies" in your product titles and descriptions.

b. Complete Company & Legal Information

• Set up essential legal pages such as Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Refund Policy.
• Add contact information and social media links.
• Include any necessary certifications for pet products, such as FDA approval for pet food or safety compliance for pet toys.

c. Set Up Navigation and Footer

Ensure easy navigation for your store, including key pages like Home, Shop, About Us, and Contact Us. Make it simple for users to find specific product categories like toys, food, or grooming supplies.

3. Design your store

a. Choose a Theme

Select a theme that suits your brand from Shopify’s Theme Store. You can browse themes tailored for pet products or general eCommerce themes that you can customize.

b. Test your theme

Test different themes by creating essential pages like your homepage, product pages, and collections. Shopify allows you to preview a theme before purchasing.

c. Purchase your theme (optional)

While free themes are available, you might want to consider investing in a premium theme like Honey (ideal for a pet store) for better functionality and customization. The theme costs $390 (September, 2024); it is a one-time payment, and you can use it indefinitely.

Link to the theme Honey, style paws

Honey Theme - Ecommerce Website Template

d. Customize Your Store

• Use high-quality images and videos of pets enjoying your products.
• Incorporate a welcoming color palette.
• Ensure easy-to-use navigation, especially for pet owners shopping on mobile devices.

4. Complete Your Store with Additional Information

a. Add Visual & Text Content

Make sure all content is uploaded (banners, product descriptions, photos). Organize photo shoots with pets to showcase your products in action.

b. Pick your payment gateway

Shopify supports multiple payment gateways such as Shopify Payments, PayPal, and credit card payments. Set these up based on your location and target audience.

c. Configure Shipping Settings

• Decide on domestic and international shipping rates.
• Use Shopify’s Shipping Profiles to set specific rates for different regions or pet product categories.
• Consider offering free shipping or discounted rates for large orders.

5. Install Shopify Apps

Explore the Shopify App Store to add extra features like email marketing, loyalty programs, or product reviews. Be mindful of performance—don’t overload your store with unnecessary apps, as they can slow down load times.

6. Test Your Store

• Test all links, apps, and forms.
• Make sure everything looks good on mobile devices.
• Place a test order.
• Have friends or family try the site and give feedback.

7. Launch Your Store

Remove the store password and officially launch! Download the Shopify mobile app to track sales and manage your store on the go.

After Launch: Marketing Your Store

1. Add sales channels

Integrate your store with Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms to sell directly through social media and tag products in your posts.

2. Create discounts

Offer discounts or promotions on specific products or collections. You can share these via email or social media, providing a direct link to the discount.

3. Social Media Marketing

• Instagram & Pinterest: Share engaging visuals of pets using your products. Create a sense of community with fun content like pet tips, customer stories, and product reviews.
• Facebook Ads: Use detailed targeting to reach pet owners based on location, breed, or specific pet needs.
• TikTok: Create playful, short videos showing pets interacting with your products, focusing on fun and practical use cases.

4. Content Marketing

• Blogging: Write blog posts about pet care, tips for pet owners, and product recommendations based on breed or pet type.
• Video Tutorials: Share videos that explain how to use your products for grooming, feeding, or training pets.

5. Email Marketing

• Build an email list by offering discounts, educational pet care guides, or early access to new products.
• Use Shopify Email or Klaviyo to send tailored campaigns based on customer purchases (e.g., dog owners, cat owners).

6. Influencer Partnerships

Partner with pet influencers and bloggers who can share your products with a broad audience of dedicated pet owners.

7. Google Ads and SEO

• Invest in Google Shopping Ads to show your products in search results for terms like “best dog food” or “safe cat toys.”
• Optimize product descriptions, blogs, and other content with SEO-friendly keywords like "eco-friendly pet supplies" or "durable dog toys."