How to Create an Apple Product Import Store on Shopify

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If you’re a fan of Apple products, you’ve probably noticed that prices in Brazil are considerably higher compared to those in the United States. With high taxes and logistics costs, buying an iPhone or MacBook here can be a real pain in the wallet. But what if you could offer these products at more competitive prices to your customers? Creating an Apple import store on Shopify could be the ideal solution. In this article, we’ll show you how to do this, highlighting the advantages of Shopify and providing a step-by-step guide to creating your store.

Why are Apple Products so Expensive in Brazil?

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, it’s important to understand why Apple products are so expensive in Brazil. High tax burden is one of the main factors responsible for this. Taxes such as ICMS (Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services), IPI (Tax on Industrialized Products), Import Tax, PIS and Cofins significantly increase the cost of products. In addition to taxes, logistics costs, including shipping and insurance, also contribute to the increase in final prices.

Advantages of Importing Apple Products

Even with import taxes, importing Apple products can be cheaper than buying them directly in Brazil. In addition, you can offer products that are often not available in the Brazilian market, attracting an audience eager for technological innovations. Here are some of the main advantages:

• More Competitive Prices : Even with taxes, products can be cheaper.
• Exclusivity: Offer exclusive launches and products that have not yet arrived in Brazil.
• Variety: Expand your store's portfolio with accessories and gadgets that are hard to find here.

Advantages of Using Shopify

Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world, and for good reason. It offers a number of advantages for those who want to create an online store, especially for importing Apple products. Here are some of them:

• Ease of Use: Shopify is intuitive and easy to use, even for those with no programming experience.
• Integrations: Offers a variety of integrations with payment, shipping, and marketing applications.
• Security: End-to-end security to protect customer transactions and data.
• Support: 24/7 customer support to resolve any issue you may face.

Step by Step Guide to Creating Your Apple Product Import Store on Shopify

1. Create your Shopify Account

The first step is to create a Shopify account. Go to the Shopify website and click “Start your free trial.” Follow the instructions to set up your account. It’s easy!

2. Choose a Theme

Shopify offers a variety of free and paid themes that you can use to customize your store. Choose a theme that matches your brand's visual identity and the purpose of your store.

3. Set up the Store

Click “Settings” at the bottom of the page and enter your store’s basic information, such as your name, address, and contact information. Then, set up your payment and shipping methods. Offering multiple payment options is essential to making checkout easier and improving your customers’ experience.

4. Add Products

Add the products you want to import, ensuring detailed descriptions, high-quality photos (we recommend 2400 x 2400 pixels), and competitive pricing. Make sure to calculate the final price correctly, including all import costs and profit margin. Don't forget to specify product variations such as color, size, and storage options, and organize tags well for easy search.

While you can use Apple’s official images to list your products, it’s best to mix them with custom photos of the products in your store, including your logo or business card. This will help differentiate your business from competitors. We’ll talk more about this strategy in the branding section.

Finally, don’t forget to optimize your product title and description for search engines, ensuring they are engaging and relevant.

5. Create Collections

Organizing your products into collections is an effective strategy for making your site easier to navigate and improving the user experience. Create categories like MacBook, iPhone, Accessories, and iPad, for example, so that customers can quickly find what they’re looking for.

To get started, go to "Products" , click on "Collections" , and then "Create Collections" . Make sure to use good product images and descriptions.

You can add products to collections manually or automatically. To add products automatically, it is important to use specific tags when registering products. For example, when registering an iPhone, include a tag called "iphone" . It is recommended to use lowercase letters and no accents in the tags to make the process easier. When you create a collection for "iPhone", all products with the tag "iphone" will be automatically included in that collection.

6. Choose a Forwarder

A forwarding company is a company that receives your purchases made in the United States and sends them to Brazil, acting as your address in the United States. There are several forwarding companies available on the market, so it is important to do your research before choosing yours. Some of the best known are US Closer and Zip4Me.

7. Shipping Configuration

Set up shipping options. At this point, it is essential to make it clear that Apple products will never go directly from the forwarder to the end customer. The process should be as follows: the product will be sent from the forwarder (e.g. US Closer) to your home or business. Only after the product arrives in Brazil and its quality has been verified will you ship the product to the end customer. This ensures greater control over the quality and condition of the delivered product.

8. Branding in the technology market

Starting an Apple import store on Shopify can seem daunting, especially in a market where many people do the same. However, with the right branding strategy, you can stand out and attract a loyal following. Here’s how to do it effectively.

1. Define Your Brand Identity

First of all, it’s crucial to define what your brand stands for. In the technology market, where products often stand out for their innovation and design, your brand also needs to have a clear and distinct personality. Ask yourself:

• What is your store's mission?
• What values ​​does it promote?
• What is the unique value proposition you offer?

Think about how your store can offer a unique shopping experience that goes beyond the products themselves.

2. Know Your Target Audience

Understanding who your target audience is is essential to any successful branding strategy. In the context of Apple products, consider:

• Who are your ideal customers?
• What do they value in a shopping experience?
• What are your needs and desires regarding technological products?

By answering these questions, you can tailor your communication to resonate directly with them.

3. Create a Strong Visual Identity

In the world of technology, aesthetics are just as important as functionality. Develop a visual identity that communicates the essence of your brand. This includes:

Logo and color palette: Choose colors and designs that convey modernity and innovation.

Website design: Your Shopify website should be intuitive, attractive, and in line with Apple's image, without being a copycat. Aim for simplicity and sophistication. You can use apps like LUCA , which allow you to make advanced changes to your store's layout without any programming knowledge.

4. Produce Valuable Content

Differentiate your brand by creating relevant content that positions your store as an authority in the market. This could include:

• Technology Blog Posts: Discuss the latest trends and how Apple products fit into the mix.
• Tutorials and user guides: Help your customers get the most out of your products.
• Case Studies and Reviews: Provide insights into how your products can improve your customers’ lives.

5. Cultivate a Relationship with Customers

In the technology market, customer loyalty is key. Invest in:

Excellent customer service: Respond quickly and efficiently to all questions and concerns.

Social Media Engagement: Maintain an active presence where your customers are, sharing news and interacting directly with them.

Loyalty programs: Reward customers who keep coming back to your store.

6. Highlight Exclusivity

Since you’re dealing with Apple products, exclusivity can be a big differentiator. Consider:

Limited offers or special editions: This can create a sense of urgency and increase the perception of value.

Personalized experiences: From the moment you unbox your product to after-sales, create experiences that make your customers feel special.

7. Utilize Strategic Partnerships

Consider partnerships that can add value to your brand, such as:

• Tech influencers: They can help increase your store's visibility.
• Launch Events: Create events that build anticipation and excitement around new releases.

You don’t have to implement all of these strategies at once. Just pick three or four to start with. The effort will definitely pay off in the beginning, and over time, you’ll start to reap the rewards.

9. Security and Protection Against Defaults

To protect yourself from defaults and ensure transaction security, it is recommended to implement a two-step payment system or even require full payment for the product upfront. If you are just starting out and are not yet well-known, it may be difficult for customers to trust you to pay in full for a product that is not cheap. Therefore, splitting the payment into two steps can be a viable alternative until you have yet to establish your store's reputation.

Request a portion of the product value as an advance payment, with the remainder to be paid once the product arrives in Brazil, at your company's address. The product will only be shipped to the customer after full payment has been made.

Additionally, draw up a clear and detailed contract to formalize this transaction, specifying all the conditions and responsibilities of both parties.

10. Marketing and SEO

Now that your store is set up, it’s time to attract customers. Take advantage of Shopify’s marketing tools, like email campaigns and promotions, to reach and engage your target audience.

Structure your store’s SEO well. Consider taking courses to learn how to optimize SEO effectively, but don’t forget to also invest in paid traffic to achieve faster results.

11. Take care of Customer Service

Good customer service is essential to the success of your store. Respond quickly to queries and complaints and offer quality after-sales service.

Use apps that make customer service easier, such as Shopify Inbox and Tidio . But if you want more personal service, use WhatsApp. Be careful with over-optimized apps. Good customer service is not provided by robots, but by people. Be aware of this!

12. Monitor and Adjust

Track your store’s metrics, such as sales, conversion rates, and customer behavior. Use this information to adjust your strategy and continually improve the shopping experience. At first, you won’t need to spend money on additional monitoring apps, as the Shopify dashboard is already very comprehensive for those who are just starting to sell online.

Conclusion

This guide is just a starting point, but it already provides a path for those who want to get started. Plan ahead and gradually delve into the topics that you consider most important for your store. Here at PlayEcom , we offer several courses on Shopify and e-commerce, with straight-to-the-point and easy-to-understand content.

Our courses are ideal for both beginners and those who have already taken their first steps in e-commerce. All courses are taught by professionals with practical experience in the market, ensuring that you learn from those who truly understand the subject. Invest in yourself and your business! Success!