E-commerce has transformed how companies operate worldwide, and Nepal is embracing this change at a rapid pace. More Nepali business owners are turning to online shops to reach customers at home and abroad.
Whether your passion is making handicrafts, designing clothing, crafting jewelry, or selling digital products, Shopify is a proven platform to turn your dream into reality.
For those living in Nepal and ready to create a Shopify store, this guide will break down each step, from picking products to setting up safe payments, smart shipping, and growing your store onto global marketplaces.
Why Choose Shopify for Your Online Store?
Yes, there are other platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, and Wix, but Shopify is the favorite for first-time online sellers. Here’s why it shines for Nepali entrepreneurs:
User-Friendly: You do not have to write code or manage server issues. The store builder is a simple drag-and-drop tool, so you can launch a polished site within a few hours.
Mobile-Ready: More than 70% of online orders happen through smartphones. All of Shopify’s themes are automatically optimized for mobile devices, so your site looks great on every screen.
Sell Anywhere: Shopify is designed for global reach, allowing you to list products for customers from Tokyo to Toronto, not just Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Start a Shopify Store in Nepal: A Quick How-To
All-in-One Solution: Shopify bundles stuff you need, inventory, email, analytics so everything runs like a well-oiled shop without needing extra add-ons.
App Integration: Easily plug in apps for dropshipping, print-on-demand, accounting, or marketing. They’ll power up your store without slowing you down.
Expandable When You Need It: Sell 10 hand-carved khukuris today or scale to 10,000 later. Shopify flexes to any number.
👉 For Nepali Founders: Test products or ideas with less cash up front. Perfect if you want to experiment without a mountain of expense.
Step-by-Step Guide to Launch Shopify from Nepal
1. Pick Your Product
Picking a single standout product gets the cash flowing. A common mistake is cramming “everything Nepali” into one shop. Drill down to a theme that sings.
Ideas that fly:
- Nepali Handiworks: Pashmina, thangka paintings, hand-carved khukuris.
- Fashion: Ethnic or south-Asian /modern streetwear.
- Accessories: Handcrafted silver, wooden beads, or unique mask souvenirs.
- Home Goods: Local teak chairs or spun cotton kitchen towels.
- Dropshipping Surprises: Supplying gadgets or weight loss capsules from foreign suppliers.
- Digital Content: Courses teaching traditional dance or e-books on trekking trails.
Pro Tips for Product Ideas:
Search for demand on Amazon, Etsy, or even the Jungle of our own home on Daraz Nepal. You’ll see what’s selling, what’s getting clicks, and what photos or descriptions made the sale.
Launching Your Ecommerce Store with Shopify
1. Pick Feasible Products First
Choose items that let you earn a good profit after all costs. Pick light products if you want to ship internationally later. Lighter goods shrink delivery charges. Start with a few items, then add more once you understand what shoppers love.
2. Create Your Shopify Account
Setting up your Shopify account is simple and straightforward:
- Go to Shopify.com.
- Sign up with your email address.
- Enter your store name (this will also be your subdomain, e.g., storename.myshopify.com).
Fill in your business details.
👉 Shopify gives you a free 3-day trial to kick the tires. After that, the Basic plan costs $29 a month. That’s a small fee for the tools you receive. You can always link a custom domain like yourstore.com later to make it look more legit.
3. Set Up Your Store
Now it’s time to build your shop’s look and feel. Shopify lets you tweak everything with easy tools.
- Pick a Theme: Start with the free “Dawn” theme or get a premium look from the Shopify Theme Store or ThemeForest.
- Customize the Front Page: Upload your logo, change colors, and set up a homepage that echoes your brand’s vibe.
- Add Your Products: Use high-resolution photos, and write descriptions that explain why the product makes life better (not just what it is).
- Organize Collections: Sort your store by creating categories like Men’s Fashion, Women’s Accessories, and Handmade Goods.
- Configure Settings: Set tax rules, pick your currency, and adjust checkout options.
👉 Pro Tip: A simple design and clear menus will convert more visitors than flashy, crowded layouts.
4. Configure Payments
Payment solutions can be tricky for Shopify sellers in Nepal. Since Shopify Payments isn’t an option, you need to use third-party gateways.
Options for Nepali Entrepreneurs:
- PayPal: A verified PayPal Business account lets you accept global payments. Due to restrictions in Nepal, you may need to open a U.S. LLC to fully use PayPal and Stripe.
- 2Checkout (now Verifone): Offers global coverage, including Nepal, and accepts credit and debit cards from international buyers.
- Payoneer: Good for international receipts. It also integrates smoothly with dropshipping suppliers.
- Cash on Delivery (COD): Nepali shoppers prefer COD. Work with a local courier that offers this option.
👉 Global Scale: Want to ship to the U.S. or Europe? Set up a U.S. LLC to gain access to Stripe, PayPal, and U.S. banking. Bizstartz can handle the paperwork for you.
5. Set Up Shipping and Delivery
Shipping is key to keeping your customers happy.
For sales inside Nepal:
- Pick local partners like Khalti Delivery, Pathao Courier, Daraz Express, or any neighborhood courier you trust.
- Add Cash on Delivery to your checkout, lots of local shoppers prefer to pay when the package arrives.
For sales outside Nepal:
- Contact DHL, FedEx, Aramex, or UPS to handle reliable international shipments.
- Use Shopify’s built-in shipping calculator so your checkout page shows exact delivery costs.
- Think about using fulfillment centers or dropshipping to skip dealing with storage.
👉 Pro Tip: Clearly show shipping costs and delivery dates on the product page. It keeps customers calm and builds trust.
6. Launch Your Store
Before you open for business, run these final checks:
- Complete a test order from start to finish to catch any checkout glitches.
- Review your shipping and payment settings with a dummy order.
- Look at your site on both your phone and a computer to fix any design oddities.
- Go to “Preferences” and switch off the password to let the public in.
👉 Now shout about your grand opening on social networks, emails, and WhatsApp. It’s the quickest way to get your first order in!
7. Market Your Shopify Store
Even the best Shopify store needs a marketing plan. Here’s how to get people to visit and buy:
- Social Media Marketing: Post fun content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Short videos showing products in everyday use get the most views.
- Influencer Marketing: Team up with micro-influencers in Nepal or abroad who fit your brand. Their honest reviews can reach the right audience.
- Email Marketing: Use popups to collect visitor emails. Offer a small discount for sign-ups and send monthly newsletters with tips and special deals.
- SEO Optimization: Add relevant keywords to product titles, descriptions, and blog posts. Think phrases like “Shopify store Nepal” and “buy handicrafts online Nepal.”
- Paid Ads: Begin with a small budget. Facebook Ads and Google Ads let you target the exact audience you need.
- Content Marketing: Write blog posts like “Top 10 Nepali Handicrafts for Home Décor” to bring in free, steady traffic.
👉 Remember: Marketing isn’t a one-time job. Keep putting in the effort to see growing sales over the long term.
Challenges of Running a Shopify Store from Nepal
A successful store can be built in Nepal, but there are hurdles:
- Payment Restrictions: As of now, direct access to Stripe and Shopify Payments isn’t available.
- High Shipping Costs: Sending bulky items overseas can be costly, cutting into profits.
- Limited Market Knowledge: Many Nepali entrepreneurs are just starting to learn digital marketing.
- Internet and shipping problems are getting better, but they’re still a headache for store owners.
To beat these hassles, set up a U.S. LLC for trust and taxes, use global payment services for smooth checkouts, and target light, fast-selling items that don’t cost a lot to ship.
Why U.S. LLCs Are a Smart Move for Your Shopify Store
Many Nepali entrepreneurs who sell internationally create a U.S. LLC for these key reasons:
- The LLC gets you straight into Stripe and PayPal, two payment gateways that every global seller needs.
- You’ll be able to open a U.S. business bank account, making handling foreign currencies and transfers smoother.
- Buyers trust US-registered companies more, giving you a competitive edge.
- Reporting and compliance become simpler when everything is legally set in the U.S.
👉 At Bizstartz, we specialize in helping Nepali sellers incorporate these LLCs, get EINs and ITINs, and open bank accounts and payment gateways. That way, you can run your Shopify store like a global pro from day one.
Conclusion
Launching a Shopify store from Nepal is not a dream; it’s a fast-growing opportunity to sell to both neighbors and the rest of the world. Shopify’s user-friendly dashboard means you don’t need coding or design skills to create a stunning storefront.
Success hinges on picking the right products, locking in reliable payment processors, planning your shipping strategy, and marketing your brand consistently. When you set up a U.S. LLC, you open the door to global payment solutions while building name credibility.
Online shopping is booming in Nepal, and with the right plan, you can create a money-making store that serves customers everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I start a Shopify store from Nepal?
Yes, Shopify is fully accessible from Nepal. The biggest hurdle is getting paid, but you can solve that using Payoneer, 2Checkout, or setting up a U.S. LLC to access Stripe and PayPal.
2. Do I need a U.S. company to run a Shopify store?
Not at all, but setting up a U.S. LLC makes it a lot simpler to serve global customers and accept payments without issues.
3. How do I get paid in Nepal from Shopify?
You can receive payments through Payoneer or 2Checkout, or you can offer Cash on Delivery (COD) for customers within Nepal. For payments from abroad, a U.S. LLC with Stripe or PayPal is preferred.
4. What are the costs to run a Shopify store?
The Shopify Basic plan starts at $29/month. You’ll also need to buy a domain (about $10–$15/year), pay for any premium themes you choose, and set aside a budget for marketing.
5. Can I sell globally from Nepal using Shopify?
Yes, you can sell worldwide. You’ll need to partner with international shipping couriers and have a reliable global payment option. That’s why a lot of Nepali entrepreneurs register a U.S. LLC.
