What Not To Sell On Shopify (7 Types Of Items To Avoid)
Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform that allows people to start and run their own online stores.
However, there are certain items that should not be sold on Shopify, for a number of reasons.
Selling such restricted items may get your shop shut down by Shopify so you need to be careful while choosing items to sell on Shopify.
In this article, we will discuss about the items that you can’t sell on Shopify and a few Shopify alternatives where you can sell these restricted items.
What Not To Sell On Shopify (7 Items)
While Shopify is great for businesses of all sizes, there are some items that should not be sold on the platform. Here is a list of seven items that should not be sold on Shopify:
Alcohol
If you’re selling alcohol-related items on Shopify, you’ll need to be aware of the restrictions in place. Alcohol is banned from being sold on Shopify, and any shop that violates this rule will end up getting banned.
There are also other restrictions in place when it comes to selling alcohol-related items. For example, you can’t sell items that are designed to promote or encourage drinking alcohol.
These restrictions are outlined in Shopify’s terms and conditions, so it’s important to be familiar with them before starting your store. If you have any questions, you can contact Shopify’s support team for more information.
Also Read: How To Find Products To Sell On Shopify (Secret Sources!!)
Tobacco and E-Cigarettes
Shopify has terms and conditions that restrict the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other smoking-related items. This means that these items are not allowed in Shopify stores.
Tobacco products are restricted due to Shopify’s policy against promoting the use of tobacco products. E-cigarettes are restricted because they have not been fully studied yet, and it is not clear how safe they are.
Shopify’s terms and conditions apply to all stores on the platform, regardless of country or location. This means that store owners who sell tobacco or e-cigarette-related items must find another platform to sell their products.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals are a type of item that is restricted from being sold on Shopify even if you are a legal entity or you are authorized by your government.
This means that medicines, drug supplements, and other similar items cannot be bought or sold through this platform. There are a few reasons for this restriction.
First, Shopify does not want to be seen as a pharmacy or an entity that facilitates the sale of these items. Second, there are different laws in different countries regarding selling pharmaceuticals items.
That’s why Shopify drafted this universal rule for all the shops restricting the sale of Pharmaceutical items.
Also Read: How To Change Shopify Domain Name (Full Guide With Pics!!)
Firearms and Weapons
In an effort to maintain a safe and trusted platform for all of its users, Shopify has announced that firearms and weapons-related items cannot be sold by sellers on the platform.
This policy extends to items such as knives, blades, and other dangerous items. In addition, Shopify will not allow the sale of nutraceuticals, peptides, research chemicals, and pseudo-pharmaceuticals.
These products often pose a risk to the safety of both buyers and sellers. By implementing this policy, Shopify aims to create a safe and trustworthy eCommerce experience for all of its users.
Fireworks
Shopify, an online store platform, has rules in place that do not allow the sale of fireworks-related items. This is due to the fact that fireworks are illegal in many countries and cities.
Shopify wants to ensure that their sellers are following the law, as well as protecting their customers from any potential harm. Sellers who violate this policy may have their shops suspended or closed.
Gaming Restrictions
Shopify, an online store builder, does not allow the sale of any items that are related to Internet gaming, video game currency, or online game credits.
This includes in-game money used in games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. Shopify’s policy is that these types of items can be considered gambling and are thus not allowed to be sold on the platform.
Certain High-Demand Items
As the world deals with the pandemic, many people are looking to shop online for personal protective gear like masks, sanitizers, isopropyl alcohol, and disinfecting sprays. However, sellers on Shopify are unable to sell these items.
Shopify’s policy is that any item that is in high demand due to a public health emergency cannot be sold on its platform.
While this policy may be frustrating for sellers, it is important to remember that Shopify is doing what it can to help keep people safe.
Also Read: How To Change Shopify Store Name (Easy Steps!!)
Shopify Alternatives To Sell Restricted Items
There are a few different eCommerce platforms that you can use to sell restricted items.
There is no doubt that Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms on the market. It offers users a wide range of features, including the ability to create and manage an online store, process payments, and track orders. However, Shopify does not allow users to sell restricted items.
Here are some Shopify alternatives that allow you to sell restricted items.
Shift4Shop
If you are looking for an eCommerce platform that is both user-friendly and highly customizable, Shift4Shop may be the right solution for you.
Shift4Shop is a feature-packed eCommerce platform that provides you with everything that you need in order to run a successful e-commerce store. It offers users a high degree of flexibility and control over the look and feel of their online store.
Additionally, because Shift4Shop comes with high-risk payment processors, users can now sell high-risk items like vapes, cigarettes, wine, alcohol, etc that you can’t sell with Shopify
Woocommerce
If you are looking for a platform to sell highly-regulated items such as CBD or wine, tobacco, gaming, fireworks, etc, Woocommerce is a great alternative to Shopify.
Woocommerce is a WordPress plugin that makes it easy to set up an online store. It is also very customizable and has many features that are not available in Shopify.
You can use WooCommerce to accept payments via PayPal, Stripe, or Cass On Delivery as well. You can also sell digital products such as e-books or software.
Woocommerce is a plugin and it works along with WordPress and we all know WordPress offers a wide range of plugins that allow you to add features to your online stores such as gift cards, product catalogs, and customer loyalty programs.
And the main thing is you are your own boss nobody can ban you for any reason like in the case of Shopify.
You can sell anything you want until it is legal and allowed by your Payment service provider
Wix
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use website builder, Wix is a great option. The platform is headquartered in Israel and offers a range of features that are required in any online e-commerce store.
One of the best features of Wix is the drag and drop interface, which makes it easy to create a website without any coding experience.
When it comes to selling restricted items, such as alcohol and vapes, Wix is the best alternative to Shopify.
Wix offers a wide range of features that are perfect for businesses looking to sell these products. For example, with Wix you can create a custom store that is tailored to your specific needs.
You can also add a shopping cart to your website, making it easy for customers to purchase your products.
Additionally, Wix provides a secure checkout process, ensuring that your customers’ information is protected. Finally, Wix offers excellent customer support, so you can always get help when you need it.
If you’re looking for a platform to sell restricted items such as alcohol and vapes, Wix is the best option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are many great items to sell on Shopify, there are also a few types of items to avoid. These items may be restricted by Shopify or may not be the ideal products to sell online.
Alternative platforms like Woocommerce or Wix may be better suited for selling these restricted items.
Always be sure to check the restrictions and guidelines of each platform before starting your online store. Thanks for reading!