Nowadays, doing business on e-commerce platforms is no longer strange. Even teenagers start wanting to do business early to have more financial independence.
However, with some platforms like Shopify, users need to commit to being 18 years old to create a personal account. In the article below, we will suggest some information about how to use Shopify under 18 and important notes.
Table of Contents:
- How old can you use Shopify?
- What happens if you lie about your age on Shopify?
- How to use Shopify under 18
- FAQs
- Conclusion
How old can you use Shopify?
According to Shopify’s operating policy, the minimum age to use this platform is 18. That’s because you need to verify a lot of information, such as identification codes or bank accounts, when setting up a Shopify account to make money.
In addition, 18 is when people begin to mature, develop proper awareness, and take responsibility for their actions.
Minimum age to use Shopify
There are many common problems in adolescents under 18 years old, typically psychological problems. At this age, they often do not have enough awareness of everything, so they may develop distorted thoughts or delusions. These issues appear in many aspects of life and can lead to serious consequences that affect a child’s development and cognition.
Therefore, Shopify has set a mandatory age requirement of 18 years old. However, if you still want to create a Shopify account when you are underage, you can ask your parents or relatives for help. Your parents can manage the platform on your behalf until you come of age.
What happens if you lie about your age on Shopify?
It is not encouraged to lie about your age on Shopify or any other platform, as it may lead to different consequences depending on the situation and the platform’s policies.
When you start a business on Shopify, the platform requires identity and age verification. If it is discovered that you are under 18 and have created an account, your account may be immediately disabled.
What happens if you lie about your age on Shopify?
Below are some situations you may face:
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Account suspension: With e-commerce platforms like Shopify, users must agree to terms and conditions before signing up. If false information violates these terms, Shopify may delete your account immediately.
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Legal issues: A more serious consequence is potential legal trouble. While Shopify itself may not sue users, law enforcement agencies could become involved if false identity information leads to fraud or other crimes.
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Loss of trust: Misrepresenting your age can damage trust. If customers or partners find out, it can negatively affect your store’s reputation and revenue. Trust is essential in business and difficult to rebuild once lost.
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Financial problems: Shopify requires accurate payment information to process transactions. Providing false details, including age, may cause issues with payment processing or lead to financial complications.
When registering for any online platform or service, it is vital to provide accurate and truthful information. If you have submitted incorrect details, it’s best to contact Shopify’s customer support and resolve the issue through official channels. Honesty and transparency are key to maintaining a positive reputation and running a responsible business.
How to use Shopify under 18
If you want to start your business early, you can still use Shopify even if you’re under 18. Below are some ways that show how to start a Shopify store under 18.
Using Shopify under your parent’s name
If you are under 18, consider asking your parents or legal guardian for help. You can collaborate on the store while they set up a Shopify account in their name. It’s important to understand that the adult will legally control the account and operate the business from start to finish.
Creating a Shopify account with your parents’ assistance means using your own store information, but the age, identification details, and bank account information must belong to your parents. After logging into the account, you can decide which products or product types you want to sell.
Because all bank account information is in your parents’ name, all profits earned from the Shopify business will legally belong to them. Therefore, you should choose someone you trust, such as your parents or close relatives, and clearly discuss profit management in advance.
Additionally, operating a Shopify store requires paying a monthly subscription fee. Currently, Shopify offers several basic plans, such as Shopify Lite, Basic Shopify, and regular Shopify, with prices starting from around $25 per month.
Here are some important terms to keep in mind when setting up a Shopify account with your parents:
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Profit management: A practical approach is to ask your parents to open a separate bank account in their name but allow you to manage it. Store profits can be transferred to this account for easier tracking and control.
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Choose someone you truly trust: Ideally, this should be your parents or close relatives with whom you communicate frequently. Avoid choosing someone you are not close to, as all profits will legally belong to the account holder.
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Transfer the account when you turn 18: Once you turn 18, you have the legal right to transfer the Shopify account to your own name, allowing you to manage the store independently.
Using Shopify through a business partner
An adult who meets Shopify’s age requirements can act as your business partner. In this case, the adult partner will be the account holder, and you can collaborate on running the business. It’s essential to clearly define roles and responsibilities in writing and have a formal agreement to protect both parties.
Using crypto payments on Shopify
Cryptocurrency is one of the best ways to manage profits when you want to open a Shopify account under 18 years old. With cryptocurrency, you can receive payments even if you are under 18, so you can control your store’s profits.
The verification process of cryptocurrencies is also easier than other methods, which can make you feel more secure. However, this option is risky because the verification process lacks strong guarantees.
If none of the above choices work for you, you may need to wait until you turn 18 to start your Shopify business. In the meantime, you can use this time to plan and prepare by learning about e-commerce, product sourcing, marketing, and other related topics. When you reach legal age, you’ll be better prepared to launch your online business.
You should also be aware that Shopify’s rules and requirements may change over time. It’s important to review Shopify’s latest terms of service and policies to get the most up-to-date information on account creation and age restrictions. When involving adults in your e-commerce activities, consulting a legal or business advisor can also help you handle any legal or operational concerns.
FAQs
Does Shopify check your age?
The answer is no. You are not required to verify your age during the account creation process, but you must agree to Shopify’s terms of service. By doing so, you implicitly confirm that you are at least 18 years old to open a store on the platform.
Although Shopify does not check your age at sign-up, processes such as payment verification may still require age confirmation. Providing false age information can lead to serious consequences. In many cases, if Shopify discovers that a user is under 18, the account may be suspended or permanently disabled.
Therefore, it’s strongly recommended to always provide accurate information when creating a business account. If you are under 18 and still want to use Shopify, consider asking your parents for help or using one of the alternative options mentioned above.
Can a beginner use Shopify?
Yes, Shopify is beginner-friendly and allows users with little to no technical experience to start an online business. The platform is designed to be intuitive and accessible for people new to e-commerce.
Shopify offers many features that make it easy for beginners to get started:
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User-friendly interface: Shopify provides a simple and intuitive dashboard, allowing you to manage your store without needing web development skills.
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Templates and themes: Shopify offers a wide range of professionally designed templates and themes. You can customize them to match your brand without writing code.
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Payment and shipping integration: Shopify integrates with multiple payment gateways and shipping providers, making it easy to set up transactions and logistics.
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Support and resources: Shopify provides extensive documentation, tutorials, videos, and a help center. In addition, 24/7 customer support is available.
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Security: Shopify handles hosting, security, and SSL certificates for you, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Even though Shopify is user-friendly for beginners, it’s still important to familiarize yourself with the platform, learn e-commerce best practices, and prepare a solid business strategy. You can start by signing up for Shopify’s free trial to explore its features. Once you feel confident, you can choose a paid plan that best fits your needs.
Do you need to pay a fee to start a Shopify store?
You can use Shopify for free during the first 14 days. During this trial period, you can explore the platform’s features, build your store, and test whether Shopify suits your business goals.
After the trial ends, you must subscribe to a Shopify plan to continue operating your store. Shopify offers multiple pricing plans with different costs, depending on the type of products you sell and the scale of your business.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information about Shopify plans and pricing, it’s recommended to visit Shopify’s official website, as prices may change over time.
Although Shopify allows you to start for free initially, you should still plan for ongoing monthly expenses. These include subscription fees, app costs, and any additional software or tools needed to promote and manage your online store. Proper budgeting is an important first step toward running a sustainable e-commerce business.
Conclusion
This article has helped answer the question of how to use Shopify under 18. To legally open and operate a Shopify store, you must be at least 18 years old.
If you’re passionate about business from a young age, you can consider using your parents’ information, working with a business partner, or exploring cryptocurrency payment options. However, waiting until you turn 18 is often the safest and simplest approach. At that point, managing finances, ownership, and profits becomes much easier, allowing you to focus fully on growing your store.
