If you’ve been thinking about starting an ecommerce store but don’t want to invest hundreds upfront, the Shopify $1 for 3 months deal is one of the most budget-friendly ways to launch. This limited-time offer lets you try out Shopify’s full suite of features — not a watered-down version — for only $1 per month for your first 3 months.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and first-time store owners, this offer removes the financial pressure of a standard $39/month commitment. It gives you 90 days to build, test, and launch your online store with real tools that can generate sales.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Shopify 3 months for $1 promo. From how it works and who it’s best for, to what’s included and how to maximize it — you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of whether this deal is right for you.

What Is the Shopify $1 for 3 Months Deal?

Shopify’s $1 for 3 months offer is a promotional trial that gives new users full access to any of Shopify’s paid plans (Basic, Shopify, or Advanced) for only $1 per month for the first three months. After that, you’re charged the normal monthly rate for whichever plan you chose during signup.

Unlike traditional free trials that expire after 14 days, this deal gives you 90 full days to build, launch, and grow your store — using the same backend, tools, and resources paid merchants use.

Key Features of the Offer

• Available for new Shopify users only

• You can choose Basic ($39/mo), Shopify ($105/mo), or Advanced ($399/mo) — all start at $1/month

• After the 3-month promo period, normal billing resumes automatically

• You can cancel anytime during the 3 months if you’re not ready to continue

What's Included in the $1 Trial

Even though you’re paying just one dollar per month, you’re getting the complete Shopify experience, not a limited or restricted version. That means:

• Full access to Shopify’s website builder and dashboard

• Ability to connect a custom domain

• Unlimited product listings and categories

• Shopify Payments integration

• Discount code engine, abandoned cart recovery, and order tracking

• Mobile-friendly themes and templates

• Support for digital and physical products

• Access to Shopify App Store

• 24/7 customer support

This means that with just $3 total for 3 months, you’re able to build, customize, and even start selling with your store before ever paying full price.

Why Shopify Made This Change: Moving Beyond the 14-Day Trial

Shopify used to offer a 14-day free trial. While this gave users a quick preview of the platform, it didn’t allow enough time to build a functional, high-quality store. Shopify noticed that many users would abandon their stores before even launching — mainly because they felt rushed.

To fix that, Shopify shifted to the $1/month for 3 months model. This gives users more breathing room and time to set up properly, which leads to better store launches and higher retention.

Key Reasons for the Change

• Most beginners need at least 3–4 weeks to fully set up a store

• A 14-day window didn’t allow for real product testing or marketing

• With 3 months, users can test ads, run promotions, and tweak their store based on data

• Shopify makes more from upsells, apps, and transactions than from the $1/month cost — so it’s a win-win

Impact on Store Success Rates

According to Shopify Partner data, stores that launched during the $1 for 3 months promotion had:

• A 19% higher success rate after 60 days compared to stores launched on a 14-day trial

• A 33% higher chance of generating at least one sale in their first 30 days

• A 42% increase in the number of users completing store setup

By reducing the upfront financial pressure, more users actually stick with the platform and give their store a real shot.

Shopify Pricing Comparison: Promo vs. Standard Plans

To understand the value of the $1 deal, it helps to compare Shopify’s standard pricing structure with the trial promo.

Standard Shopify Plans (2025)

Cost Breakdown: Promo vs. Normal

• Under normal conditions, you'd pay $117 for 3 months on the Basic plan

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• With this deal, you pay just $3 total over those same 3 months — that’s a 97% savings

• The savings are even higher on the Shopify and Advanced plans, making it the cheapest entry point for serious businesses

This is especially useful if you're testing a product, starting a new brand, or switching from another platform like Wix or WooCommerce.

Who Should Use the Shopify 3 Months for $1 Deal?

This offer is best suited for anyone who wants to start a real online store without a big initial investment. It’s not a sandbox or preview version — you can sell, advertise, and scale from day one.

Perfect for:

• Beginner ecommerce entrepreneurs who want a safe, low-risk starting point

• Dropshippers testing product-market fit before investing in expensive apps

• Creators or influencers building merchandise stores or digital product sites

• Freelancers or agencies building client stores and want 90 days to work on it

• Side hustlers who don’t have time to build everything in a 14-day rush

Not ideal for:

• People looking for a completely free option (this does cost $3 total)

• Users who already have an existing Shopify account (this is for new signups only)

If you're not sure whether you're ready, the 3-month runway gives you plenty of time to build your brand, upload products, connect your domain, and even test Facebook or TikTok ads without a full monthly commitment.

How to Sign Up for the Shopify $1 Offer

Signing up for this promo is straightforward. You just need to visit Shopify’s official trial page and start your store setup. Here's what the process looks like:

Step-by-Step Signup Guide

1. Go to: https://www.shopify.com/free-trial

2. Enter your email and click Start free trial

3. Choose your store name (this can be changed later)

4. Select the Shopify plan you want — Basic, Shopify, or Advanced

5. Enter billing info (you’ll only be charged $1 per month for 3 months)

6. Begin setting up your store using the Shopify dashboard

You can also switch plans during or after the trial, depending on what your store needs. Just be sure to cancel before your 3 months are up if you don’t plan to continue — otherwise, billing will continue at full price.

How to Maximize Your 3-Month Shopify Trial

If you want to get the most out of your $1/month Shopify trial, you need to treat it like a real launch. The more serious you are upfront, the more likely you are to see real traction by the end of the 90 days.

Recommended Strategy for Month 1

• Choose a niche and validate demand (use tools like Google Trends, TikTok, or Amazon bestsellers)

• Use Shopify’s free themes to build a clean, mobile-friendly store

• Add 5–15 products with optimized descriptions and clear photos

• Set up your domain, branding, and logo (Shopify’s logo generator helps here)

• Install basic apps: email marketing, reviews, and analytics

Month 2 Checklist

• Create an email list and set up an abandoned cart sequence

• Test small ad campaigns on TikTok, Facebook, or Pinterest

• Use analytics to see what pages and products convert best

• Improve product pages based on customer behavior

Month 3 Focus

• Begin influencer outreach or affiliate partnerships

• Test bundle deals or product offers to increase AOV

• Start optimizing for SEO using content/blog posts

• Decide if you’ll upgrade to a standard plan

The goal is to either start generating sales by Month 2 or gather enough data to justify continued investment. You don’t need to be perfect — you just need momentum.

Shopify $1 for 3 Months FAQs

Is the Shopify $1 trial available to everyone?

No — it’s only for new Shopify accounts. If you've already used a trial or had a paid store before, this offer may not be available to you.

Can I sell products during the $1 trial?

Yes. This is not a sandbox environment. You can launch your store, accept payments, and fulfill orders right away.

Do I need a credit card to sign up?

Yes, billing info is required to activate the deal, but you’re only charged $1/month during the trial.

What happens after 3 months?

You’ll automatically be charged the full monthly rate of the plan you selected. You can downgrade, upgrade, or cancel anytime before that.

Can I switch plans during the trial?

Yes, you can switch between Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans during the trial if needed.

Final Thoughts on Shopify’s $1 for 3 Months Offer

If you’ve been stuck in research mode, Shopify’s 1 dollar 3 months trial gives you the freedom to finally start. It removes the pressure of committing to a $39/month plan upfront and gives you the time needed to actually learn the platform, test your ideas, and build a real store.

Whether you're starting a side hustle, launching a dropshipping brand, or testing digital products, there's no more affordable way to begin. For just $3 total, you get access to all of Shopify’s tools for 90 days — more than enough time to see if ecommerce is the right move for you.

Now’s the time to take advantage of this deal and finally get your online business off the ground.