5minstore

Shopify marketing guide: getting your first customers

A new store has no visitors. First sales almost always come from paid ads or an audience you already have. The key is to test with a small budget and only scale once the numbers work.

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Profit per sale after VAT, cost and fees

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Short answer

First customers usually come from Instagram, TikTok or Google ads at $10 to $20 a day. Shopify already includes email marketing (10,000 free emails a month), abandoned checkout reminders and discount codes. Test 2 to 3 products and only raise the budget once there's profit after ads.

Shopify marketing channels compared

ChannelGood forStarting budgetPatience
Instagram and Facebook adsproducts people need to see$10–20 a day1–2 weeks
TikTok ads and organiceye-catching, low-priced products$10–20 a day1–2 weeks
Google Shoppingproducts people search for$10 a day2–4 weeks
SEOfree visitors long termtime instead of money3–6 months
Emailrepeat buyers, cart abandonersalmost freefrom your first customer

What Shopify already includes

  • Shopify Email: send emails right from the admin. Up to 10,000 emails a month are free, then $1 per 1,000 (per shopify.com, as of October 26, 2026).
  • Abandoned checkout reminders as a ready-made automation. Turn it on and adjust the text.
  • Discount codes and automatic discounts, like 10% off when buying two.
  • Sales channel apps for Facebook and Instagram, Google and YouTube, and TikTok.

A simple plan for your first 30 days

  1. 1

    Week 1

    Set up pixels and the cookie banner, turn on abandoned checkout emails, advertise 3 products with 2 to 3 videos or images each.

  2. 2

    Week 2

    Stop ads that get clicks but no sales. Move budget to the best product.

  3. 3

    Week 3

    Improve the winner's product page: better images, answer questions from comments, make delivery time clear.

  4. 4

    Week 4

    Do the math: is there profit per sale after ads? Then raise the budget slowly, otherwise test the next product.

FAQ

How much budget do I need for Shopify marketing?

$150 to $300 for a first test. That's enough to see with 2 to 3 products whether anyone buys at all.

What is the best marketing channel for a new Shopify store?

Instagram and TikTok for products you need to show. Google Shopping for products people actively search for. SEO pays off long term but brings little in the first months.

Is Shopify Email free?

Up to 10,000 emails a month, yes. After that it costs $1 per 1,000 emails (as of October 26, 2026).

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Updated: 26 October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.