How to Set Up Shopify to Sell in Nigeria

Before taking from your profit or investing in something new, you need to understand what it will really cost

Author

Team THRIVE
March 12, 2026

If you read the first blog in this series, then one thing should already be clear: Nigeria-to-Nigeria selling is where Shopify works best right now. If you haven’t read the first part, it is recommended you do so before continuing with this series, as it gives a broader understanding of Shopify and sets the foundation for everything we will discuss going forward.

We have already talked about the pros and cons of Shopify as a platform. Today, the focus is more practical. This is about how a regular business in Nigeria can move from not having a Shopify store at all to actually having one that sells to Nigerians in Nigeria.

But before anything else, we need to talk about money. Money is always an important factor to consider. Before taking from your profit or investing in something new, you need to understand what it will really cost.

Table of Contents

How Much Does It Really Cost to Set Up Shopify in Nigeria

To start with, Shopify’s Basic plan costs about $39 per month. That fee alone does not cover everything. You still need to factor in transaction fees, your domain name, apps, and sometimes development costs.

The good thing is that Shopify allows you to start with a free trial, so you can at least test the waters and see if this is something you want to commit to. There is also a discount of  $1 per month for the first three months, which helps you get started without a heavy financial commitment.

If you are paying with a Nigerian card like Chipper Cash, you also need to factor in the dollar rate, which currently sits around ₦1,300 - ₦1,400. On top of that, you will need to secure a domain name. A .com or .ng domain typically costs between ₦15,000 and ₦18,000 per year, depending on where you buy it from.

Before committing, you should budget for at least one year. Running a Shopify store for three months and shutting it down because of cost usually means poor planning. Once you decide to start, be ready to see it through. Over a year, you should realistically budget for Shopify itself, your domain, and basic apps as recurring costs.

This is where many people get stuck by trying to do everything themselves. Realistically, trying to handle domain setup, integrations, Shopify build, templates, backend configurations, and payment setup on your own can lead to burnout very quickly.

Shopify is advertised as “easy to use,” and it is, but setting it up properly still requires experience. Payments, shipping rules, taxes, currency, store structure, and mobile optimisation all matter. If you are committing $39 monthly, then it’s worth doing it properly. A poorly set-up store can cost you more in lost sales than what you would have paid to set it up correctly from the beginning.

Step-by-Step Guide on Setting Up Shopify

As we mentioned earlier, setting up Shopify is not difficult. However, if you have little technical background, it is strongly recommended to get professional help. Whether you decide to set it up yourself or hire someone, below is a realistic step-by-step guide you can follow through..

Step 1: Create Your Shopify Account

Go to Shopify and create an account using your email address. Shopify usually offers a free trial, which allows you to explore the dashboard before committing to a paid plan.

At this stage, don’t overthink things. Choose your store name and answer the basic setup questions. Shopify has a detailed guide on creating your first store if you need help.

Step 2: Choose the Right Plan

We recommend you start with the Basic Shopify plan, currently around $39 per month. This plan is enough to start selling and gives you access to all the features you need. Shopify also currently offers $1 per month for the first three months, which is helpful for beginners.

Remember that you will be paying in dollars, and Nigerian banks will apply exchange rates and charges. You can also find a detailed breakdown here of what each plan includes, and it’s worth reviewing before subscribing.

Step 3: Buy a Domain Name

Your store looks more professional with a proper domain name. You can buy a free domain directly from Shopify for free or connect an existing domain.

For Nigerian businesses, a .com or .ng domain works perfectly fine. Shopify provides a simple guide on buying or connecting domains.

Step 4: Pick a Theme That Works on Mobile

This step is very important.  Globally, over 1.65 billion people, which is about 30% of all internet users, shop on mobile devices. Most Nigerians browse and buy things on their phones, not laptops or desktops.

Start with a free Shopify theme. You don’t need a premium theme at the beginning. Shopify’s theme store clearly shows which themes are mobile-friendly.

Avoid “over-designing” your store when you are just getting started. Simple layouts, clear product displays, and easy checkout structure work best.

Step 5: Add Your Products Properly

When adding products, don’t just upload pictures and prices. Nigerians want clarity.

Your product pages should clearly answer:

  • What is this product?

  • How much does it cost in Naira?

  • How long will delivery take?

  • How much is the delivery?

Shopify has guides on writing product descriptions, but you must tailor them to fit Nigeria. Be clear about delivery timelines. If delivery takes 2–5 working days, say it. If it depends on location, explain it clearly.

Step 6: Set Your Store Currency to Naira

If you are selling within Nigeria, your store currency should be set to NGN. Nigerians do not want to shop in dollars while living in Nigeria. You should make people shopping from your brand feel at home.

Step 7: Set Up Payments Nigerians Can Actually Use

This is one of the most important steps.

For Nigerian businesses selling locally, Paystack and Flutterwave are the safest options. These platforms support card payments, bank transfers, and USSD, which Nigerians are already comfortable with. Avoid forcing payment options that don’t work well in Nigeria. 

The goal here is simple: make it easy for people to pay you.

Step 8: Configure Shipping and Delivery

Before launching your store, shipping and delivery must be properly set up.

Decide how you will deliver orders, either by integrating with companies like GIG, Kwik, or DHL, or by using dispatch riders. The goal is to make sure every customer receives exactly what they paid for, and on time.

Also set clear shipping rates and delivery timelines in Shopify. You can also learn more about shipping zones and rates, but you must adapt them to Nigerian realities.

Step 9: Set Your Policies

You need basic policies for:

  • Delivery

  • Returns

  • Refunds

  • Privacy

Shopify provides helpful policy templates, but you should edit them to reflect how your business actually operates in Nigeria. Clear policies reduce misunderstandings and recurring complaints from customers.

Step 10:  Test Everything Before You Launch

Before sharing your store link, test everything and test it again.

Place a test order. Check how payments work. Review confirmation messages. Open your store on your phone and try shopping like a customer would. This small step can save you a lot of stress later.

Why Using a Shopify Partner in Nigeria Matters

Here’s the truth: Shopify was not built with Nigeria in mind. That doesn’t mean Nigerians cannot use it, but it does mean knowledge is power here.

A Shopify Partner helps you avoid common mistakes, reduce setup time, and build a store that actually converts Nigerian customers. Instead of spending weeks experimenting, you get a working store right away without confusion or mistakes.

If you are serious about building a standard Shopify store in Nigeria, OATS Africa is worth paying attention to. They are the first Nigerian Shopify Partner, which matters more than people realise. They understand Shopify deeply and also understand Nigerian businesses, payment systems, and customer behaviour.

OATS Africa doesn’t just build websites. They help businesses structure stores properly, integrate the right tools, and avoid shortcuts that later become expensive problems. For business owners who want to do things properly from day one, this kind of partnership saves time and money.

What Comes Next in This Series

Now that we have covered how to set up Shopify for selling within Nigeria, the next blog will take things a step further.

We will talk about selling from Nigeria to other countries. What works, what doesn’t, shipping costs, payment workarounds, and when it actually makes sense to go global.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I really need Shopify to sell in Nigeria?
No. You can build a custom website, use local ecommerce platforms, or sell through WhatsApp and Instagram. Shopify becomes useful when you want better structure, inventory management, and a more professional setup.

Can I set up Shopify myself and save money?
Yes, you can. But many business owners later realise they lost money due to poor setup, bad checkout flow, or logistics issues. It depends on your time, experience, and goals.

Is paying a Shopify partner worth it in Nigeria?
For many businesses, yes. Especially if you want a store that works properly for Nigerian customers and can scale over time.

Can I expand internationally after starting locally?
Yes, and that is usually the smarter approach. Build locally first, then expand once your foundation is solid.

Team Thrive

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