Can you monetize a Shopify blog?

If you run an online store or are thinking about it, there’s one thing that’s pretty certain: your customers will want to know what else is going on in the world.

And while social media has become extremely popular over recent years, blogging can be just as effective—if not more so—at connecting with shoppers. In fact, according to MarketingSherpa's 2017 Bloggers' Survey, nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of consumers read at least some type of blog before making their final purchase decision for any given product category.

The only problem is that most ecommerce businesses don't have their own blog — which means they're missing out on this opportunity. If you've been considering starting a business blog but aren't sure where to begin, we'll show you everything you need to get started. You may even find inspiration along the way!

How do I promote my blog on Shopify?

Shopify provides bloggers with easy ways to customize their shop by adding images, videos, testimonials, links, etc., all without having technical experience. That said, if you decide to use custom code like HTML or CSS, you should familiarize yourself with these tools beforehand. Here’s our beginner’s guide to using Shopify themes.

There are many different ways to boost traffic to a website. One of them is through organic SEO, also known as natural SEO. This involves optimizing content for specific keywords and phrases relevant to your target audience. The goal here is to help people search for products related to yours when looking up information online. For example, let’s say you sell shoes. When someone searches “running shoes,” you would want your site to appear high up in Google results.

You could accomplish this by focusing heavily on keyword optimization within posts. But another great way to naturally increase visibility is by creating new pages specifically designed for each post. A common mistake made by beginners is trying to squeeze every bit of SEO juice out of single long articles. While it's important to optimize text around key words, breaking down longer pieces into smaller chunks helps readers digest your message better and encourages them to click further.

In addition, think outside the box when deciding on titles for each post. Rather than simply title after topic or section, consider naming things based on user intent. For instance, "Why Is Your Website So Slow" might seem strange until you realize that users tend to scan websites first before clicking anything. By changing the wording to something like "What Are Your Tips & Tricks To Boost Site Speed," you create curiosity because now users wonder why your page was slow in the first place.

Another tip is to add a call to action right away. Letting visitors know exactly what to expect next makes them feel encouraged to keep reading. And remember to always include hyperlinks with clear directions to other parts of your site. It doesn't matter whether those pages contain additional advertising, they still serve as useful navigation points.

Lastly, it’s crucial to build backlinks via guest posting, article marketing and participating in forums. Backlinking refers to directing targeted traffic towards your website by linking to other sites in such a manner that others pick up on the link and bring it to your domain too.

Here are three simple steps to follow once your blog is set up and running:

1. Pick a niche. What types of topics interest you? Think broadly, and then narrow down to focus on areas of particular relevance. It's easier to write and publish multiple blogs in various niches rather than try to cover everything under the sun.

2. Create unique landing pages. Having separate webpages dedicated to individual topics allows you to highlight sections of your blog in turn. This tactic increases engagement among viewers who see themselves reflected in the subject matter.

3. Schedule content updates. Whether you choose to update daily, weekly or monthly, stick to regular publishing schedules. Consistency leads to higher rankings in search engines.

How do I make my blog visible on Shopify?

Blogger platforms like Medium allow anyone to share original writing across a wide range of topics. However, unlike traditional personal blogs, these platforms require authors to pay to access their content. We recommend following basic guidelines outlined below to ensure your content remains free of charge.

To avoid copyright infringement issues, never copy entire posts directly onto your blog. Instead, take advantage of features such as excerpts, quotes, snippets, highlights, annotations and hashtags. Using these tactics allows your followers to easily skim through large blocks of texts. They can later come back to learn more details at their leisure.

It's also helpful to tag photos and graphics appropriately. Noting #image_name lets viewers filter your blog accordingly, which ensures that they won't end up scrolling through endless pictures of shoes.

Finally, don't forget to check the settings on your profile. Most blogger apps provide options to adjust privacy levels and disable comments altogether. These measures prevent spammy behavior and protect your reputation.

How do I promote on Shopify?

Promoting your brand via social media is essential for boosting sales. After all, people generally buy more when they receive positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Since Facebook ads aren't available on Shopify stores yet, we suggest building relationships with influencers and sharing interesting posts on Twitter and Instagram instead.

Don’t worry though; promoting your blog on Shopify itself isn't difficult either. There are several ways to do so depending on the size of your budget. Unfortunately, Shopify does not offer paid promotion opportunities like AdWords.

However, you can utilize Shopify's built-in analytics to track visitor numbers, average order values, bounce rates, referring URLs and much more. Once again, this data proves invaluable for improving future campaigns.

As mentioned earlier, backlinking is an excellent way to drive traffic to your domain. Posting quality material on your blog gives other sites permission to feature your work. This practice is called syndication. As a result, whenever somebody clicks on a link shared somewhere else, they’ll visit your website too.

But don’t stop there. Sharing your blog URL on other platforms, especially social media channels, is highly recommended since you’re likely to reach a wider audience. Just bear in mind that doing so requires extra effort and planning.

Lastly, you can leverage Shopify's native blog function to gain exposure beyond its platform. Allowing third parties to republish your posts elsewhere works similar to syndicated content, except that it’s done automatically. Don’t worry though; Shopify offers full control over how your blog appears on external domains.

Blogs work on Shopify?

So far, you've learned how to start a blog and grow it into a profitable venture. Now it's time to put theory into practice by putting together a complete strategy. Start small and gradually expand your efforts as you see fit. Remember to treat every project as an experiment and evaluate your progress regularly.

Your journey starts today...

Blogging has been around since 2005. For many years it was just something that people enjoyed doing in their spare time or as an extra hobby. Nowadays there are thousands upon thousands of successful businesses started through blogging alone. Blogs can be used by anyone with the right idea who wants to turn their passion into profit.

We’re going to show you everything you need to know about starting your own blog using Shopify so you can make money online. If you want to get straight to the point then head over to our list of Shopify themes which will help you create your first shopify store today!

If this article doesn't answer all your questions please leave us a comment below and we'll try our best to respond quickly.

Should you blog on Shopify?

Before jumping into making money off of your blog why not think about whether you should even use Shopify at all?

Shopify is a great platform if you're looking to build an e-commerce site but one thing they don't advertise enough is that you can also have a full personal website (or "theme") running alongside it. You could easily install WooCommerce onto any WordPress installation and sell products directly through your existing content management system without having to switch platforms. This makes setting up your business much easier than trying to integrate another CMS like Joomla or Drupal.

There's no reason you shouldn't run both a Shopify store and a standard website too though. Your product range may only require a static storefront while others might require more interaction with customers via email and live chat.

Here are some reasons why you might choose to have two websites instead of one:

You prefer to communicate with clients via email rather than social media accounts.

Your website isn't built yet. 

You already have a domain name purchased.

If none of these apply to you, feel free to skip ahead.

How do I write a blog post on Shopify?

Blog posts are usually short articles containing between 400 and 500 words. The length is important because shorter pieces tend to convert better than longer ones. It gives readers less chance to lose interest before reading further. Longer posts aren't always better either though. Some long posts contain information overload which confuses readers who are interested in learning new things.

It's worth noting that most popular blogs feature mostly short posts. In fact, it would probably take months to read every single entry on sites such as BuzzFeed or Mashable. What separates them from other news sources is that they keep producing fresh content regularly. Readers enjoy being able to visit often and see what's coming next week. Of course, longer posts are still acceptable here too. People love good writing regardless of its length.

The easiest way to add text to your page is simply typing it out manually. However, if you'd prefer to type faster you can buy plugins such as TypeKit. These allow you to tap keys simultaneously to enter multiple lines of code quicker than usual. There is also a plugin called Livefyre which lets you control comments on your blog. A lot of bloggers find this useful when dealing with customer service issues.

Once you've written a piece ask yourself whether it includes enough links to relevant areas within your website. Links are vital to SEO as Google uses them to determine rankings. Don't worry if you haven't got any ideas yet however. We'll cover ways to generate topics later in this article.

Make sure you proofread your work thoroughly before publishing. Mistakes made after publication will result in negative feedback and lost sales.

Is Shopify blog free?

No matter what kind of website you end up creating, there will come a day where you decide to move on to bigger and better things. Fortunately, if you created a Shopify blog you can continue to publish new material without paying anything.

What does this mean exactly? Well, it means that once you hit 1,000 visitors per month you won't pay anywhere near $10/month for hosting anymore. Instead, Shopify provides unlimited bandwidth for free.

This means that you're completely unrestricted in terms of traffic volume. If you ever want to increase your audience dramatically, you can scale up whenever you want without worrying about monthly costs.

Unfortunately, this benefit comes with some downsides. Traffic volumes above 10,000 views per month can slow down performance due to server load. Also, you'll notice that images occasionally appear pixelated. This happens because Shopify displays each image twice---once normal size and again compressed. To avoid this problem you can set specific dimensions in CSS. Alternatively, you can host your blog elsewhere.

Note: Even if you never plan on selling goods through your blog, you should consider upgrading to premium plans anyway. They offer a variety of benefits such as ad blocking support, automatic backups, etc. Read our comparison of Shopify vs BigCommerce for more info.

Choosing a suitable theme for your blog is very crucial. Not only do you want your pages to look professional, but you also need them to perform well. Here's a few tips to ensure your Shopify blog runs smoothly:

Ensure that you update your Shopify theme frequently. New versions improve security and fix bugs. Updating themes can sometimes break functionality, especially if you change core files.

Keep JavaScript disabled unless absolutely necessary. Too many scripts slows down browsers and affects search engine optimization. Use browser extensions to minimize problems caused by script bloat.

Use HTTPS wherever possible. Search engines give higher priority to secure connections.

Don't forget to check your blog stats from time to time. With the right tools you can learn about your viewers' behavior and adjust accordingly.

Which Shopify theme is best for blogging?

As mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of different Shopify themes available for download. Depending on what sort of web design experience you have and what you intend to achieve, certain themes may suit you better than others.

For example, if you're aiming to gain traction with brand awareness campaigns then a dark background with light colored buttons is ideal. On the other hand, if you're hoping for high conversion rates then a bright white homepage works wonders.

To help narrow down choices, let's talk briefly about common elements present across themes. Most include header menus, featured posts, categories, tags, widgets, footers, archives, etc. When designing a blog it helps to stick to a consistent layout which allows users to navigate freely.

In general, darker colors tend to draw attention away from the actual content, whereas brighter shades emphasize it. Colored backgrounds are helpful for branding purposes but can cause compatibility issues depending on screen resolution.

Most Shopify themes also provide templates designed specifically for retail stores. Although they're quite basic, these templates can serve as a solid foundation to begin building on top of.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that Shopify offers dozens of pre-made blog designs ready for customization. Simply select whichever suits your needs best and click Custom Design under Settings. From here, you can pick from premade layouts or upload your own custom logo to replace the default placeholder image.

Afterwards, you can configure various settings such as fonts, color schemes, font sizes, sidebars, etc. By adjusting these options you can customize your blog exactly to fit your vision.

Do you hope to earn some serious cash from your Shopify blog? Then remember to check out our complete beginner's guide to getting started on Etsy. Otherwise, stay tuned for more informative articles covering Shopify.

Have you ever thought about turning your passion into passive cash flow by creating or joining an affiliate program that will pay you commissions when people buy products through links on your website or blog? If so, then this article is right up your alley! We'll show you exactly what it takes to set up shop online with the ultimate goal being making money off your content without having to work in any capacity (except perhaps writing). This includes everything from building a blog to choosing which affiliate programs are worth selling yourself short.

We'll be using Shopify as our example platform throughout this piece, but most of these concepts can apply to other platforms such as WordPress. The main difference between them would lie in interface elements rather than core functionality. In addition, we'll also touch upon some popular affiliate marketing platforms like Amazon Associates and Google Affiliate Links. You may find one better suited to your needs depending on your goals.

The biggest hurdle facing many new bloggers looking at getting started online is finding their niche. Once they do, however, there's plenty of room for success. But first things first...

Can you monetise Shopify blog?

If you're thinking "I want to make money," the answer is yes. There are two ways you can accomplish this. First, if you have no experience running a business, you could sell advertising space directly from within your site. Second, you could use affiliate marketing strategies to earn commission each time someone makes a purchase via a link on your site. Both methods require different skill sets. Let's take a look at both options.

Selling ad-space to advertisers provides more revenue upfront while still giving those who advertise less control over where ads appear. However, it requires much more technical expertise and knowledge of HTML code. It usually costs $100 - $200 per month to run paid advertisements on your site (depending on size), plus another percentage of sales made through said ads. For instance, Facebook runs its own network of sponsored posts called Sponsored Stories; Twitter has Promoted Tweets & Ads, and Instagram offers Advertisements on Posts. These ads don't affect search engine rankings since they only display above organic results.

Ads from companies like Facebook, Google and others provide a great way to generate additional traffic, especially during busy times like Black Friday and Christmas, but they aren't ideal for long-term earning because users quickly become accustomed to seeing ads every single time they visit your page. Additionally, companies often change their terms of service, limiting exposure to certain demographics or types of visitors. As such, your profit margins tend to decrease significantly after reaching critical mass.

On the flip side, affiliates allow for greater flexibility and ease of management. They typically offer higher commissions, longer payout periods, and fewer restrictions compared to direct advertisement networks. Since affiliates get a cut of all purchases completed via your links regardless of whether or not they've been placed by you, you never need to worry about refunds due to lack of interest from advertisers. On top of that, they can reach a wider audience than just your current followers/fans.

As far as fees are concerned, most of these platforms charge a small fee based on performance. Some even let you choose your own rate once you hit a certain threshold. Unfortunately, there isn't enough information available regarding Shopify specifically. That said, most of these services operate under similar principles. Here are some notable ones to consider:

Amazon Associates: A well known affiliate company offering high quality products and competitive rates, Amazon Associate Program allows merchants to promote Amazon products via their websites. Merchants must sign up on Amazon's official partner pages before beginning operations. To qualify for commissions, all items sold must meet specific requirements for price, product availability, shipping limits, etc., and cannot contain any form of digital download.

ClickBank: Clickbank enables merchants to create campaigns promoting various affiliate marketplaces. Merchants receive 50% percent of gross earnings for each sale generated through clicks on their links. Clickbank charges merchants a flat monthly fee ($49) unless they wish to select individual products to promote instead.

Google Affiliates: Offers merchants the ability to showcase their wares across a variety of platforms including YouTube videos, social media channels, and blogs. Merchant accounts are free to join. Commissions vary depending on item type and merchant account status.

These are the primary advantages of becoming an affiliate. Of course, the downside of relying solely on affiliates is limited visibility and brand awareness. Depending on your intended target demographic, though, this shouldn't pose too big of a problem. Plus, adding external sources of income can help ensure financial stability in case something goes wrong.

Another perk of working this way is that you won't need to deal with customer support issues or handle returns. All orders completed through your site automatically pass to the vendor, leaving you free to focus on whatever else interests you.

So, now that we know why we'd want to turn a hobby into passive income, next comes the question of how to actually achieve that dream. That brings us to the topic of...

Can I monetize my blog on Shopify?

There are several ways to integrate affiliate links onto your Shopify site. One method involves embedding tracking software on your store's homepage. Then, whenever someone completes a transaction via your links, you'll receive commission payment(s) straight into your bank account. Another option is to add affiliate links to your product descriptions or category tags. Still yet, you can implement either of these methods by simply copying and pasting relevant snippets of HTML code into your theme file.

However, neither of these solutions is particularly appealing for anyone trying to save money. Why? Because Shopify doesn't currently offer a built-in feature allowing merchants to track conversions. Without this capability, marketers essentially have zero insight into conversion data aside from general statistics showing total number of visits, number of customers, average order value, etc. Fortunately, third parties exist that specialize in providing analytics tools designed to analyze visitor behavior patterns. While these applications might cost extra, they're essential for helping you determine the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

It should come as little surprise that Shopify doesn't include integrated affiliate programs out of the box. Unlike larger tech giants like Apple and Samsung, whose affiliate schemes enable retailers to maximize profits by targeting highly interested consumers, Shopify focuses on maximizing user adoption among its base of small businesses rather than encouraging repeat buyers. Therefore, they opted to leave the decision of setting up affiliate promotions entirely up to merchants.

That said, it's possible to connect with affiliate programs outside of Shopify itself. Many large ecommerce sites offer integration plugins enabling Shopify stores to function as storefront fronts for other reputable brands' products. Alternatively, you can contact a few major affiliate providers such as Amazon, eBay Partner Network, Rakuten Supermarket, ShareASale, Commission Junction, LinkShare, Media Alliance, PQD Digital Products, CJ Affiliatemarketplace, and Top Tier Directories.

Here's a list of some common questions asked by Shopify merchants wanting to incorporate affiliate links: 

What does the Shopify Marketplace Fee cover?

Shopify charges a 1% fee for all transactions processed through their marketplace. This applies to all payments received, whether they were initiated by shoppers or vendors. Vendors, for example, can charge 2%, whereas shoppers only incur a 0.5% fee.

How do I set up my affiliate links?

You can easily copy and paste HTML code containing your desired links into the editor. Make sure to replace the placeholder text with actual URLs pointing to the correct locations. From there, simply click Preview to see how your links will look on your website. When satisfied, click Save Changes to finalize changes.

Will I lose credit card privacy?

No. Shopify uses SSL encryption technology to protect sensitive personal data including names, addresses, phone numbers, email address, credit cards, banking details, passwords, etc. By default, all communications sent between client computers and servers use Transport Layer Security (TLS) security protocol. TLS encrypts communication to prevent eavesdropping and tampering. Furthermore, the Shopify application server contains multiple layers of firewalls protecting against malicious activity.

Finally, Shopify supports multi-currency processing. Regardless of which currency you prefer, you can always switch back to US dollars at any point.

Are there any legal concerns?

Yes. Like many countries around the world, Canada prohibits the usage of cookies. Cookies refer to tiny files created by web browsers that record browsing habits for later reference. Although cookies themselves are harmless, some internet browser extensions used by hackers can redirect unsuspecting victims to phishing scams. Thus, Shopify encourages users to disable cookie alerts on their devices.

For the best results, please consult your local laws concerning the storage and distribution of cookies.

In conclusion, Shopify is a robust platform capable of handling almost anything imaginable. With that said, it doesn't necessarily follow that everyone should open a Shopify store immediately. Whether you decide to pursue a career path focused on entrepreneurship or stick to a full-time job, it's important to remember that starting a business can involve risks. Be prepared to face challenges along the way, whether they stem from unforeseen circumstances beyond your control or internal factors such as inexperience. Above all, keep your eyes peeled for red flags indicating trouble ahead.