How to Sell Baby Toys Online on Shopify

Before Building Your Store

1. Market Research and Product Selection

Before diving into setting up your Shopify store, it’s important to understand the market and choose the right products.

a. Identify Your Niche

• Trendy Baby Toys: Focus on current popular toys, such as Montessori, sensory, or eco-friendly toys.
• Age-Specific Toys: Cater to different age groups, like newborns, toddlers, or early learners.
• Educational Toys: Promote toys that help with cognitive and motor skills development.

b. Research Competitors

Analyze top competitors, their products, pricing strategies, and what makes them stand out (e.g., unique packaging, toy bundles, or personalized toys).

c. Validate Product Demand

Use tools like Google Trends, Amazon Best Sellers, and social media platforms (Pinterest, Instagram) to gauge demand for specific baby toys.

d. Source Your Products

• Wholesalers/Manufacturers: Find suppliers through platforms like Alibaba, Global Sources, or Oberlo for dropshipping.
• Handmade/Custom Products: If you’re crafting toys, showcase their unique, artisanal value.

2. Set Brand Essentials

a. Moodboard

Creating a cohesive visual identity is essential. Start with a moodboard to define your brand's aesthetic. Below is an example of a clean, child-friendly theme using soft colors like white and gray.

Moodboard Example

b. Colors (Hex Codes)

Choosing the right color palette helps in creating a calm, inviting, and child-friendly vibe for your baby toy store.

Color Palette Example

c. Logo

Your logo should be simple yet memorable, reflecting your brand’s values and appeal to your target audience (parents and caregivers).

Logo Example

d. Fonts

Choose fonts that are clean, easy to read, and fit your brand’s tone. Here’s an example of ideal font pairings for a baby toy store.

Font Example

 

3. Create a Brand Name and Buy a Domain

a. Brand name

Use a business name generator like Shopify's Free AI Business Name Generator to brainstorm a catchy, unique name for your brand.

b. Domain

Once you’ve selected a brand name, secure your domain. Platforms like GoDaddy allow you to easily search and purchase domains.

4. Prepare content

Gather and organize all the visuals, videos, and product images you’ve created so far. Ensure they are engaging and aligned with your brand’s aesthetic.

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

Start by creating at least 10 products and organizing them into collections (e.g., Montessori toys, educational toys, eco-friendly toys).

• Product Descriptions: Write detailed descriptions, focusing on the benefits for babies and features like safety, materials used, and educational value.
• High-Quality Photos: Use professional images showcasing toys in action (e.g., a baby playing with the toy).
• Product Variants: Add options for size, color, or bundle packages.
• SEO-Friendly Product Titles: Include keywords like "best baby toys," "eco-friendly toys for babies," etc., in your titles and descriptions.

b. Complete Company & Legal Information

• Create legal pages such as Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, and Refund Policy to comply with consumer laws.
• Add contact information & social media links
• Include a section that addresses safety standards for baby toys (e.g., compliance with safety regulations like ASTM F963 or EN71).

c. Set Up Navigation and Footer

Configure your store’s navigation bar to include important pages like Home, Shop, About Us, and Contact Us.

3. Design your store

a. Choose a Theme

Browse Shopify’s Theme Store to find a theme that suits your brand. Themes are built with features and designs that cater to specific industries, including baby products.

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 baby toy 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 treasure

Honey Theme - Ecommerce Website Template

d. Customize Your Store

• Add high-quality images of baby toys.
• Use a soothing color palette that appeals to parents (pastels, soft colors).
• Ensure your navigation is easy for first-time visitors.
• Ensure your store is user-friendly for parents shopping on mobile.

4. Complete Your Store with Additional Information

a. Add Visual & Text Content

Ensure all necessary content is ready (photoshoots, product descriptions, banners) to fill the pages based on your selected theme. Organise a photoshoot or / and hire a copywriter, if needed.

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.
• 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 photos and videos of babies using your toys, run giveaways, and collaborate with influencers in the baby niche.
• Facebook Ads: Target new parents, expectant mothers, and grandparents using Facebook's detailed demographic targeting.
• TikTok: Showcase fun and engaging short videos demonstrating how your toys work, focusing on playful and educational aspects.

4. Content Marketing

1. Blogging: Create a blog that shares parenting tips, baby toy buying guides, and educational content around baby development.
2. Video Tutorials: Share videos on how to use certain toys to aid a baby’s development (motor skills, cognitive growth, etc.).

5. Email Marketing

• Build an email list by offering discounts, toy guides, or parenting tips.
• Use Shopify Email or Klaviyo to send out targeted campaigns.
• Segment your email list based on customer purchases (newborn toys, toddler toys, etc.).

6. Influencer Partnerships

Collaborate with parenting bloggers, baby product reviewers, and micro-influencers who can authentically showcase your toys to a broad audience.

7. Google Ads and SEO

• Invest in Google Shopping Ads to appear in search results for "best baby toys."
• Optimize your product pages and blogs with SEO-friendly keywords like "safe baby toys," "best toys for toddlers," and "organic baby toys."