Starting a new Shopify store is exciting—you’re setting up products, designing your theme, and maybe even experimenting with upsell and cross sell strategies to boost sales. But there’s one key area new merchants often overlook: store policies.

Clear, professional policies not only build trust with customers but also protect your business. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why policies matter and how to create them in your Shopify store, step by step.

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When customers shop online, they can’t walk into your store or speak to a staff member directly. Policies are your way of setting expectations and answering common questions upfront.

Strong store policies help:

• Build trust → Shoppers are more likely to complete a purchase if they know your refund or shipping rules.
• Reduce disputes → Fewer chargebacks and customer complaints.
• Boost conversions → A transparent Shopify store is one customers feel safe buying from.
• Support upsells & cross sells → Customers who trust you are more willing to add extra items or accept upsell offers.

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Here are the must-have policies for a new Shopify store:

1. Refund & Return Policy
   • Clearly explain conditions for returns, refunds, or exchanges.
   • Example: Do you accept returns within 14 or 30 days? Who pays shipping?
2. Shipping Policy
   • Outline shipping methods, delivery times, and costs.
   • Consider adding info about international orders.
3. Privacy Policy
   • Explains how you handle customer data.
   • Shopify automatically generates one, but you can customize it.
4. Terms of Service
   • Outlines customer rights, responsibilities, and your business rules.
5. Payment Policy (Optional)
   • Clarify accepted payment methods and currency.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep policies simple, easy to read, and written in plain language.

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Luckily, Shopify makes this process very straightforward. Here’s how you can add policies to your new Shopify store:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
2. Go to Settings > Policies.
3. You’ll see sections for Refund, Privacy, Shipping, and Terms of Service.
4. Either use Shopify’s free templates or write your own customized policies.
5. Click Save when you’re done.

Your policies will automatically appear in your store’s checkout footer and can also be linked in your navigation menu.

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• Be transparent: Customers dislike vague wording.
• Keep it short: Policies should be easy to skim.
• Update regularly: Especially during busy sales seasons like Black Friday.
• Align with your upsell and cross sell strategy: For example, if you upsell bundles, make sure your return policy explains whether customers can return individual items or the entire bundle.

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Think of store policies as part of your sales funnel. A customer might discover your Shopify store, browse products, and see your cross sell or upsell offers. But if they don’t trust your store, they won’t click “Buy.” Trust is the foundation of every successful sale.

By showing clear refund, shipping, and privacy policies, you remove doubt. That trust often leads to:

• Higher conversion rates.
• More successful cross sell placements (like product recommendations).
• More effective upsell offers (like bundles or upgrades).

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When setting up your new Shopify store, don’t forget that store policies are just as important as design and product setup. For a complete step-by-step setup, check out our [Ultimate Checklist for Launching Your First Shopify Store].

Creating clear and professional store policies is one of the most overlooked steps when setting up a new Shopify store. Many merchants focus on design, product pages, and marketing—but without policies, your store may look incomplete and less trustworthy to first-time shoppers.

Policies are more than just a legal requirement—they are a powerful way to build confidence. When customers see that your refund, shipping, and privacy policies are easy to understand, they feel safer buying from your store. This safety net encourages them not only to complete their purchase but also to explore more of your products. That’s where upsell and cross sell opportunities thrive.

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For example, if your Shopify store offers bundles or add-on products through upsells, customers will want to know if they can return an individual item or the whole set. When your policies are transparent, shoppers are much more likely to accept your upsell offers because they know they’re protected.

So before you launch or even promote your new Shopify store, take the time to set up professional policies. They show that your business is serious, reliable, and customer-focused. In the long run, this builds trust, reduces disputes, and helps maximize the results of your upsell and cross sell strategies.

Action step: Log in to your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Policies, and create or update your policies today. It’s a small investment of time that pays off in higher conversions, stronger customer trust, and more sales for your store.

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