Can You Have Multiple Stores On Shopify?

As your e-commerce business grows, you may find yourself considering the prospect of opening multiple stores on Shopify. Whether you're expanding your product or service offerings, catering to different target audiences, or entering new markets, managing multiple stores can be a powerful way to scale your online business.

Today, I will provide you with an in-depth look at the various aspects of managing multiple Shopify stores, including store design, pricing, customer support, and more. With the help of this blog, you'll learn how to seamlessly manage multiple stores on Shopify, ultimately leading to business growth and success.

But to answer the question, yes you can have multiple stores on Shopify and manage each of them seamlessly.

Before you head into this post, if you want to get the lowdown on why I believe Shopify is such a great option for the majority of online sellers, read my Shopify review to be left in no doubt as to why I recommend it and use it myself.

Why Multiple Stores on Shopify?

By having multiple Shopify stores you can grow and reach audiences that you otherwise couldn't have reached.

Having multiple stores on Shopify allows you to cater to different target audiences, offer a wider range of products, and operate in different countries with localized language support.

Additionally, it enables you to create a unique website, and tailored shopping experiences for each store while optimising your marketing strategies for each audience. This is important because different countries or areas will have very different ways in which they like to be sold, along with different needs.

And if you have a number of different products or services that aren't closely related then it makes perfect sense to have multiple stores.

However, it doesn't make sense to have multiple Shopify stores if your product categories are related. If this is the case then I recommend creating subcategories within your Shopify store so that you can cross-promote your products and customers can easily find what they're looking for.

How many Shopify stores can I own?

There is no limit to the number of Shopify stores you can own, but you will find there are some limitations. For example, Shopify won't let you set up a store with a very similar name to the store that you already own because Shopify deems this to be potentially deceptive or at least somewhat confusing for customers.

Shopify won't let you sell the exact same products in two different stores either. The only way to get around this is by rebranding your products (if possible) so that they're different on your second store.

You can do this as many times as you want if you have the ability to rebrand your products. You can sell the same products, as long as they are branded differently.

Setting Up Multiple Stores on Shopify

When creating a brand new store on Shopify you will need to create a new account and sign up for it. This is a straightforward process which Shopify makes really easy.

However, when it comes to setting up more than one Shopify store, there are 3 different ways in which to approach it:

1. Create a new store and use a separate email address.
2. Use the same email address, but create a new payment processor and use that with your existing store.
3. Use the same email address and payment processor, but create a second store for your second site.

Each way is pretty easy to do, but there are some things that you'll need to bear in mind no matter which way you choose to create your second Shopify site.

Choose a unique store name for each new store

Choosing a store name is important, not only because Shopify could close your 2nd site down if it's too similar, but because you need it to be memorable so that people will remember it and not get confused when they look to return to your site.

The most successful brands have names that fit the personality of both their “brand voice” and their customers.

Customise your Shopify store web design

The truth is that a lot of Shopify websites look the same these days, with most eCommerce sites will looking like just the rest out there.

The best and often most successful Shopify stores are different in two ways:

1. They speak the language of their customers
2. They convert very well

Take Gymshark for example. Gymshark's branding and “voice” is aimed directly at the 16 to 30-year-old range, and it's Shopify store has a clear vision that speaks their language with it's lifestyle images and consistent brand message.

But the most important thing about your Shopify store is how well it converts, and I'm sure that you won't be surprised to hear that simple wins.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that borderline ugly wins…

It's easy to get sucked into how you want it to look and what a designer might think is best, but the truth is that fancy websites don't convert well at all, so keep it simple.

So when looking at themes, make sure that it's not overly complex and lets you show your products off in the best way possible.

I nearly always recommend Turbo or Flex themes from Out of the Sandbox because they have everything you need for your store at a reasonable price.

Obviously, you can choose a free theme, but you do tend to get what you pay for, and it is a one-off payment.

Configure your Shopify store payment methods

It goes without saying that by offering customers multiple ways to checkout you will increase your conversion rate.

Setting up transactions via 3rd party apps like PayPal or Apple Pay is super easy and done at the click of a button and will also let your customers checkout using whatever currency they want or need to.

Add apps and integrations to your Shopify stores

Gone are the days when there was only one way to buy from a store, so being omnichannel is essential. You need to be where your customers are, whether that's on Amazon or on Instagram.

There are apps to help you with pretty much anything, including affiliate marketing, all of which will open gateways to new customers and additional revenue streams.

Set up your Shopify POS system

You might want or need to have a point of sale device for a store if you attend events or have a physical location, and like most things, Shopify makes this set up easy.

Shopify's POS integrates perfectly with your store's sales system and adjusts stock accordingly as you sell at an event.

Work with a Shopify store developer to ensure optimal functionality

Most Shopify builds can be carried out by the store owner with very little knowledge, but if you have specific needs such as complex bundling then it can be beneficial to work with an experienced developer.

There is a number to choose from within the Shopify Experts section int. link but I recommend that you do a search on Google and check out their reviews and previous work before committing.

Don't create duplicate content

If you're planning on creating two or more stores that will be selling the same products under different branding, make sure that you don't simply copy and paste the product descriptions or anything else from one site to another.

Google will see that you've created duplicates and will not rank your 2nd or 3rd store(s) in it's search engine.

Shopify Store Management & Handling Multiple Stores

Managing multiple Shopify stores requires a robust management system, attention to detail, and the ability to monitor each store's performance. Some key aspects of managing multiple stores include:

• Leveraging the Shopify app store to access tools that support multiple stores
• Hiring customer support teams for each store, tailored to the local language and audience
• Using Shopify store growth strategies to optimize sales and performance
• Regularly updating and refining your store design, themes, and offerings

I can't really give you too much help in this section of the article because it's far too dependent on your specific needs. It's something that you'll need to figure out yourself.

The only thing I will say is that if you operate in different countries, make sure that you understand the language and culture.

How to Switch Between Shopify Stores

If your stores are all associated with one email address then switching between Shopify stores is relatively straightforward. All you need is the Shopify store switcher.

Here are a few benefits of taking this approach:

• You can customise permissions to particular users and can be set up store-by-store
• It's much easier to manage orders taken by each store
• Store switcher uses two-step authentication so each store is secure whilst going from one site to another

That's a wrap

Managing multiple stores on Shopify can be a great way to scale your business and cater to diverse audiences across different countries.

By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can create a successful multi-store strategy that drives growth and supports your expanding business. Remember to pay close attention to store design, customer support, and integrations as you navigate the world of multiple Shopify stores.