Starting Shopify in the Netherlands: complete guide 2025

Start your Shopify webshop in the Netherlands

Shopify is one of the fastest growing e-commerce platforms worldwide and is also increasingly popular in the Netherlands. In this complete guide, we explain step by step how to start your Shopify webshop, what it costs and what you need to know.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform from Canada. "Hosted" means you do not need your own server or technical knowledge - Shopify takes care of everything. You pay a monthly fee and can immediately start building your webshop.

Shopify in numbers

• Founded: 2006 in Canada
• Active shops worldwide: 4+ million
• Total GMV: $500+ billion/year
• Available in: 175+ countries

Why Shopify for Dutch webshops?

Advantages for Dutch entrepreneurs

• iDEAL support - Via Shopify Payments or Mollie
• Dutch language - Admin and themes in Dutch available
• EU compliance - GDPR, VAT rules supported
• Local apps - Bol.com, PostNL, AfterPay integrations
• Euro pricing - No currency conversion needed

Disadvantages

• Transaction fees (0.5-2%) with external payment providers
• Monthly costs add up
• Limited checkout customization
• Vendor lock-in (migration difficult)

Shopify pricing in the Netherlands

Subscriptions

*Transaction fees only apply when using external payment providers (not Shopify Payments)

Payment costs

With Shopify Payments (via Stripe):

• European cards: 1.5% + €0.25
• International cards: 2.4% + €0.25
• iDEAL: 0% + €0.29
• Bancontact: 1.1% + €0.25

Step-by-step: start your Shopify shop

Step 1: Create account

1. Go to shopify.com
2. Enter your email address
3. Create a password
4. Enter your shop name
5. Fill in your details

You automatically get 3 days free trial (previously 14 days).

Step 2: Choose a theme

Shopify offers 100+ themes:

• Free themes: 12 professional options
• Premium themes: €180-380 one-time

Recommended free themes: Dawn (default), Craft, Sense

Step 3: Add products

For each product enter:

• Title and description
• Photos (multiple angles)
• Price and compare-at price
• SKU and barcode
• Inventory quantity
• Variants (size, color)

Step 4: Set up payments

For Dutch customers:

1. Activate Shopify Payments
2. Add iDEAL via Shopify Payments
3. Optional: add Klarna, AfterPay
4. Or use Mollie for all Dutch methods

Step 5: Configure shipping

Shipping options:

• PostNL - Via app integration
• DHL - Direct integration available
• Sendcloud - Multiple carriers combined
• MyParcel - Affordable shipping labels

Create zones: Netherlands, Belgium, EU, Worldwide

Step 6: Configure domain

Options:

• Buy domain via Shopify (~€14/year)
• Connect existing domain (free)
• Use .myshopify.com subdomain (free)

Step 7: Legal pages

Create these pages (Shopify provides templates):

• Privacy policy (required for GDPR)
• Terms and conditions
• Return policy
• Cookie statement

Step 8: Test and launch

1. Place test orders
2. Test all payment methods
3. Check emails (order confirmation, shipping)
4. Test on mobile
5. Remove password protection
6. Your shop is live!

Essential Shopify apps for Dutch shops

Payment & Checkout

• Mollie Payments - Dutch payment methods (free)
• Klarna - Buy now, pay later

Shipping

• Sendcloud - Label printing, returns
• PostNL - Official PostNL integration
• Parcelforce - Track & trace

Marketing

• Klaviyo - Email marketing
• Privy - Pop-ups and email capture
• Judge.me - Product reviews

Marketplaces

• Channable - Bol.com, Amazon, Google Shopping
• Koongo - Marketplace integration

Accounting

• Exact Online - Dutch accounting
• Moneybird - Invoicing integration
• e-Boekhouden - Bookkeeping sync

Shopify SEO tips for Dutch market

1. Dutch keywords - Research what Dutch customers search for
2. Product titles - Include brand + product type + key feature
3. Meta descriptions - Unique for each page
4. Alt tags - Describe images in Dutch
5. Blog - Write content about your niche
6. Google Shopping - Connect via Shopify channel

Legal requirements in the Netherlands

KvK registration

You need Chamber of Commerce registration to sell online in the Netherlands.

VAT

• Register for BTW with the Belastingdienst
• Charge 21% VAT on most products
• 9% on specific categories (food, books)
• Configure correct rates in Shopify

Consumer rights

• 14-day return period (distance selling)
• Clear pricing including VAT
• Contact information visible
• Terms and conditions accessible

Cost example: monthly Shopify budget

Starting shop

• Shopify Basic: €36
• Domain: €1 (€14/year)
• 1-2 apps: €0-20
• Payment fees (€5,000 revenue): ~€85
• Total: ~€140/month

Growing shop

• Shopify: €105
• Premium theme (amortized): €10
• Apps (5-10): €100
• Payment fees (€25,000 revenue): ~€425
• Total: ~€640/month

Shopify alternatives for Dutch market

Summary

Shopify is an excellent choice for Dutch entrepreneurs who want to start quickly with a professional webshop. The ease of use, reliability and extensive app ecosystem make up for the monthly costs. With iDEAL support via Shopify Payments and integrations with Dutch shipping and accounting providers, you can build a fully Dutch-ready webshop within days.

Our advice: Start with Shopify Basic and upgrade as you grow. Use the free trial to test if the platform suits your needs before committing.