What Is a Shopify Development Store?

The Shopify Development Store is a free (but limited) account that you can use to test custom themes, set up and display demo stores, and install and test apps that you've created.

While the free version also gives you an unlimited number of test transactions and holds no time restrictions, you can't remove the password page, create more than ten custom apps, or install paid apps until you upgrade to the premium version.

Benefits of a Shopify Development Store

There are multiple benefits to using a Shopify Development Store, including:

• Being easy to set up and use.
• Seamless app integration (you are limited to ten apps unless you upgrade to the premium version).
• Easy and secure payment network.

How to Use the Shopify Development Store

Before you can do anything remotely related to Shopify's Development Store, you have to set it up. Shopify prides itself on being easy enough for anybody to use, so creating your Development Store should be quick and hassle-free.

The first step is to have an active Shopify Partner Account. It's free and allows you to experiment with various Shopify store functions.

Once the partner account has been created, you only have to follow a few simple steps to set up your development store:

1. Log in to your Partner Dashboard.
2. Choose the Stores button.
3. Click on the Add Stores button.
4. In the Store Type area, choose the Development Store option.
5. Put the store name and password you'll use to access your Development Store in the Login Information screen next (the email address associated with your account will automatically be used, but you can change that if you'd prefer).
6. Enter the desired address (yours or your client's) in the Store Address section.
7. Choose why you're setting up the Development Store.
8. Click Save.

Once you're done working on your Development Store, you can archive it or transfer ownership of it to a client.