5 things to prep before you build
You’ve mapped out your eCommerce launch.
You’ve booked your designer or developer.
And the clock’s ticking toward go-live day.
So, what’s the #1 reason launch timelines get pushed back?
The content isn’t ready.
Not the design.
Not the tech.
The words, the images, the little-but-important pieces that tell your brand story and drive conversions.
If you’re planning to launch your Shopify store in the next few months, here are 5 essential things to prep before your build begins—so your project runs smoothly (and you can pop the champagne on time).
1. Your product details
Think names, descriptions, prices, weights, and variants.
Even if your copy still needs finessing, having a complete product spreadsheet with all the essentials will save hours of back-and-forth later.
💡 Pro tip: Set your team (or future self) up for success by making sure product names and variants are consistently formatted.
2. Photography
This is one of the biggest blockers I see. If your shoot is booked after your project starts, you’ll likely hit delays.
Plan your shoot in advance so your designer has real content to work with—and you can test layouts with actual images.
💡 Don’t forget lifestyle shots! They’re gold for homepage and banner design.
3. Brand messaging
You don’t need a 50-page brand book. But you do need clarity around how you talk about your brand, who your customer is, and what sets you apart.
Even a few well-crafted paragraphs about your brand’s mission, tone, and audience will help guide design and content choices.
💡 Already working with a copywriter? Amazing. Share your tone of voice and key messages early.
4. Your menu and navigation
It seems simple—until you’re deep into setup and unsure how to group products or what to call each page.
Start mapping your navigation early. What’s in your main menu? Do you need sub-collections? How many categories is too many?
💡 Shopify now lets you duplicate menus—so it’s never been easier to test and tweak your nav over time.
5. Policies and must-haves
Think shipping info, returns policy, size guides, and FAQs.
These might live in the footer—but they still need to be written, formatted, and uploaded before launch.
💡 These pages help build trust and reduce customer service headaches—don’t leave them to the last minute.
Let’s make your launch feel seamless, not stressful.
I know prepping content can feel overwhelming. But a little planning now means less chaos later.
Need a second set of eyes on what’s missing—or help getting it all sorted?
✨ Book a Shopify Success Blueprint
It’s the best way to set your launch up right—with a tailored action plan and expert eyes on your site, content, and strategy.