Growing your Shopify store
Visitors come from search, email and the sales channels you connect. Shopify covers the first two at little or no extra cost.
Basics
How many businesses use Shopify?
Millions of businesses in 175+ countries, by Shopify's count in August 2026. Its pricing page says merchants have made $1.1 trillion in sales on Shopify, without a date.[1, 2]
How do you get your Shopify store found?
Start with search: Shopify's guidance is to use your keywords in page titles, descriptions and alt text, then submit your sitemap to Google.
| Step | Shopify's guidance |
|---|---|
| Page titles | Up to 70 characters; keep to 60 so they aren't cut |
| Meta descriptions | About 160 characters |
| Alt text | Readable phrases that describe each image |
| Sitemap | Made for you at /sitemap.xml; submit it in Google Search Console |
| Private mode | Turn it off, or search engines can't read the sitemap |
Where else can a Shopify store sell?
On sales channels you connect from Shopify: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Google, Amazon, Temu and Shopify's own Shop app, among others. Not sure Instagram's own shop is enough? Read Instagram Shop or your own store?.[5]
Advanced
Can you advertise through Shopify?
Yes, with Shop Campaigns: you set an average cost to win a customer, and pay only when a customer converts.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where ads run | Shop app, shop.com, Shopify Product Network and optional third-party placements |
| Upfront cost | No budget or subscription fee |
| You need | Shopify Payments, direct checkout on Shop, and a supported currency |
| Countries | 37, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and most of the EU |
Does Shopify include email marketing?
Yes: Shopify Messaging sends 10,000 emails free each month on the Basic, Grow, Advanced and Plus plans, then $1 per 1,000.[8]
What can you build with Shopify's APIs?
Apps and custom storefronts. Some APIs need Shopify's approval or a specific plan.
| API | What it does |
|---|---|
| GraphQL Admin API | Reads and writes products, customers, orders and inventory |
| Storefront API | Building blocks for custom storefronts, and the base of Hydrogen |
| Shopify Functions | Your own logic for discounts, payments and delivery |
Sources [9]
Which paid options on Shopify are worth it?
Use search and the free email allowance first; pay for Shop Campaigns once your store converts. The order is our view.
| Option | Cost | What it buys |
|---|---|---|
| SEO settings and sitemap | Included | Visitors from search |
| Shopify Messaging | Free up to 10,000 emails a month | Repeat sales from your list |
| Shop Campaigns | Per converted customer | New customers from Shop and partners |
Where else should you claim your Shopify store name?
On Instagram, TikTok and the .com. Check your store name on all of them at once.
Sources (9)
- PrimaryShopify newsroom: Q2 2026 financial results
- PrimaryShopify: Pricing (archived)
- PrimaryShopify Help Center: Adding keywords for SEO
- PrimaryShopify Help Center: Finding and submitting your sitemap
- PrimaryShopify Help Center: Sales channels
- PrimaryShopify Help Center: Shop Campaigns
- PrimaryShopify Help Center: Shop Campaigns requirements
- PrimaryShopify Help Center: Shopify Messaging email pricing
- PrimaryShopify.dev: Shopify APIs, libraries, and tools