What Are Pre-Built Shopify Stores?
A pre-built Shopify store is a ready-to-launch online shop that has already been created by a third-party provider.
Instead of building your store from the ground up, you purchase one that’s fully designed, stocked with products, and equipped with essential features, allowing you to hit the ground running.
These stores typically include essentials like:
A selection of pre-loaded products, often sourced through dropshipping platforms like AliExpress or Spocket
Product descriptions, pricing, and categories are also already set up, saving you hours of manual work.
In many cases, useful Shopify apps—like those for customer reviews, email marketing, or abandoned cart recovery—are also installed in advance.
NOTE that some providers may even go a step further and offer you custom branding elements such as a logo, matching color scheme, and even social media handles.
The store usually comes with payment gateways already integrated (like Shopify Payments or PayPal), so you're ready to accept customer transactions right away.
Basic marketing tools may also be included, such as SEO setup, pop-ups for email capture, or links to social channels.
And for those new to e-commerce, certain sellers may provide you with tutorials or onboarding support to help you understand how to run and grow your store effectively.
While the exact features can vary depending on who you buy from, the core idea is the same:
To provide you with a functional, professional-looking online business that you can start operating immediately, without having to build everything from scratch.
We Help You Buy / Build, Manage and Scale E-commerce Brands for an EXIT
E-commerce Simplified for Busy Individuals – We handle the buying, building, and scaling, so you can focus on what matters.
Growth-Focused Strategies – From sourcing to marketing, we drive growth and prepare you for a profitable exit.
Expertly Managed Exits – We build a high-value brand designed for a Lucrative exit.
Where To Find Pre-Built Shopify Stores
If you're looking to buy a pre-built Shopify store, there are several places where these ready-made businesses are actively sold. However, not all sources are equal—so knowing where to look (and what to look out for) is key.
One of the most popular platforms is Flippa, a well-known online marketplace for buying and selling websites, apps, and online businesses. Flippa allows sellers to list detailed information about their stores, including traffic stats, revenue history, and customer reviews.
Many listings include performance metrics, screenshots, and verified financial data, giving potential buyers greater transparency before making a purchase.
Beyond Flippa, there are also private broker websites that specialize in e-commerce stores, including pre-built and turnkey Shopify businesses.
These brokers often offer more curated listings and sometimes even vet the sellers in advance, but prices can be higher due to “added assurance” and support they provide.
You’ll also find many independent sellers promoting pre-built stores through social media ads, YouTube channels, and freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Some even run their own websites offering various Shopify store packages.
While these options can sometimes be more affordable, the level of quality and credibility varies significantly. Unlike platforms like Flippa, these sellers may not always offer verified proof of performance or third-party reviews.
Because of this, it’s crucial to research the seller thoroughly before making any payment. Look for things like:
Past customer feedback or testimonials
Screenshots or video walkthroughs of the store
Proof of traffic or sales, if claimed
Whether they offer post-purchase support or guidance
If the deal feels rushed, lacks transparency, or seems “too good to be true,” it might be. Always trust your gut—and when in doubt, ask questions. A legitimate seller will be happy to walk you through the details.
Pros of Buying Pre-Built Stores
One of the biggest advantages of buying a pre-built Shopify store is that it saves you time.
Instead of spending weeks—or even months—figuring out how to design your website, source products, and install essential apps, everything is already set up for you.
This allows you to skip the technical learning curve and jump straight into running the business.
With a store ready to go, you can immediately focus on what matters most: marketing, driving traffic, and fulfilling orders.
For beginners, this can be especially helpful because it reduces the chances of making common early mistakes, such as poor site design, weak product descriptions, or faulty app configurations.
Some pre-built stores even come with initial traffic or a few early sales, which can be a great confidence booster. Seeing real activity on your site right from the start can motivate you to keep going and scale faster.
Overall, a pre-built store offers a shortcut for those who want to get started quickly without the stress of building everything from scratch.
It’s a practical option if you’re short on time or not confident with the technical side of e-commerce.
Cons and Risks of Buying Pre-Built Stores
While pre-built Shopify stores can offer convenience, they also come with serious risks that you should be aware of.
For instance, some providers exaggerate the performance of their stores, inflating traffic numbers or revenue claims to lure in buyers.
In fact, in October 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took legal action against several online business sellers for misleading claims of guaranteed six-figure earnings from pre-built stores.
Another common tactic is to advertise stores at very low prices, only to upsell essential services—like branding, app integrations, or support—at unexpectedly high fees after purchase. What appears to you like a bargain can quickly become a costly and frustrating experience.
Dropshipping scams are another issue in this space. Some sellers work with fake or unreliable suppliers who charge upfront fees but never deliver products. This not only results in lost money but can also damage your reputation with customers.
You also run the risk of ending up with a poorly built store that’s difficult to update, or locked into restrictive platforms and contracts. And as you probably already know, If you can’t scale or customize your store, your ability to grow your business is severely limited.
Expert's Tip: While pre-built stores offer you a solid head start in the e-commerce world, they also require careful vetting so you don’t fall into costly traps.
How To Evaluate A Pre-Built Store
Before buying a pre-built Shopify store, we strongly advise you to do your due diligence to ensure you don’t fall for scams.
How exactly to do so?
Here are quick expert tips on how to evaluate a pre-made store like a pro:
Start by requesting verified reports of traffic and profit—look for a healthy mix of organic and paid traffic sources, not just inflated ad spend.
Next, analyze the products and suppliers. Reach out to the listed suppliers directly to confirm pricing, delivery times, and reliability.
You should also ask the seller for a live demo of the store’s backend. This lets you test the theme, explore installed apps, and ensure the store is easy to manage.
Don’t forget to check independent user reviews or ask the seller for referrals from past buyers to verify their credibility.
Finally, clarify what kind of post-sale support is included. Some sellers offer onboarding, tutorials, or technical assistance—others leave you on your own.
Knowing exactly what you’re getting can make the difference between a smooth launch and a costly learning curve.
We Help You Buy / Build, Manage and Scale E-commerce Brands for an EXIT
E-commerce Simplified for Busy Individuals – We handle the buying, building, and scaling, so you can focus on what matters.
Growth-Focused Strategies – From sourcing to marketing, we drive growth and prepare you for a profitable exit.
Expertly Managed Exits – We build a high-value brand designed for a Lucrative exit.
Legal and Buyer Protections
When buying a pre-made Shopify store, it's also important to understand the protections available to you, as well as their limits.
Shopify itself offers you some safeguards through Shopify Protect, which applies to eligible transactions made using Shop Pay. This will come in handy if you buy a Shopify store listed on their official marketplace.
This feature can cover certain chargebacks and fraud-related fees, giving you some peace of mind when it comes to payment security.
Additionally, third-party payment processors like PayPal and Stripe offer their own forms of buyer protection, allowing you to dispute unauthorized charges or unfulfilled transactions.
However, it’s critical to note that these protections typically do not extend to issues like exaggerated revenue claims, misleading advertising, or poor-quality store builds.
If you’re misled about the store’s performance or value, payment platforms may not be able to help.
That’s where legal oversight comes in;
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ramped up enforcement against deceptive e-commerce schemes. In 2024, the agency successfully recovered millions in refunds for customers who were misled by fake store performance promises. (Source).
To protect yourself, we always advise you to document seller claims in writing, keep copies of receipts and agreements, and don’t hesitate to seek legal recourse if a transaction goes sideways.
FAQs: Are Pre-built Shopify Stores Legit?
Below, we answer some of the frequently asked questions about pre-built Shopify stores:
Is it worth it to buy a pre-built Shopify store?
Buying a pre-built store can be worth it if the seller shows clear profit data, steady traffic, and good supplier ties. You save setup time, but must vet performance and support to avoid overpaying for a low-value site.
How do I know if a Shopify store is real?
Ask for verified revenue and traffic reports. Test the admin panel yourself. Contact suppliers listed in the store. Read honest buyer reviews. A real store will share proof and allow you to inspect details before purchase.
How trustworthy are Shopify stores?
Shopify stores vary in trustworthiness. Shopify provides secure infrastructure, but each store is independently operated. Check for reviews, contact info, return policies, and HTTPS security. Reputable stores are trustworthy, but always research before purchasing, especially from lesser-known sellers.
What is the best pre-built Shopify store?
The best store matches your niche interests, shows consistent profit, and includes post-sale training. Look for sellers with proven track records and positive reviews. A store that aligns with your skills and market demand offers the highest chance of success.
Conclusion
Pre-built Shopify stores can offer you an easy entry in the e-commerce world, but they also carry real risks. A store’s legitimacy hinges on provider reputation, transparent data, and post-sale support. Thankfully, you can protect yourself by verifying the performance metrics, testing the store yourself, and using Shopify’s buyer protections. Always stay cautious of low-cost offers that sound too good to be true. With careful vetting, you can find a legit pre-built store that gives you a great head start as an e-commerce store owner.
Need help finding a pre-built Shopify store that actually works? Our Acquisition Program is designed to help you find real, revenue-ready Shopify stores—with zero guesswork. We handle the entire buying process for you, from vetting listings to negotiating the deal. Once you’ve acquired your store, we don’t leave you hanging. Our team helps you scale post-purchase, with strategies proven to grow stores by 2x–10x.
If you're serious about owning a profitable e-commerce business, let’s talk. Check out our Acquisition Program to get started today.
A Done-For-You E-commerce Business
Discover how we Build, Launch, and Scale a 6-figure/month Business for You
Learn more
