How to Find Stores on Shopify

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Finding Shopify Stores

1.1 Learn About Common Shopify Store Structures

Shopify stores often follow a predictable URL structure. While custom domains are common (e.g., yourbrand.com), many stores, especially newer or smaller ones, might still use their .myshopify.com subdomain for certain backend functions or even as their primary URL. For example, a store might be accessible directly via mystorename.myshopify.com, or this subdomain might be referenced in their site’s code even if the main URL is a custom one. Knowing this helps you recognize potential Shopify sites even before deeper investigation.

1.2 Identify Key Indicators of a Shopify Store

Beyond the URL, several visual and functional cues can hint at a Shopify store. These include:

Consistent Theme Design: Many stores use popular Shopify themes (e.g., Dawn, Supply, Debut). While customizable, underlying structural elements often remain.
Checkout Process: The standard Shopify checkout flow has a distinct appearance, often with “Powered by Shopify” or a similar note at the bottom of the checkout page.
App Integrations: Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem means stores often use popular apps for reviews, pop-ups, or loyalty programs, which might have recognizable branding or code snippets.
Blog Structure: Shopify’s built-in blogging platform often uses a /blogs/ slug in its URLs (e.g., yourbrand.com/blogs/news/article-title).

Step 2: Utilize Search Engines and Directories

2.1 Leverage Google Search Operators for Targeted Results

Google search operators are powerful tools for finding specific types of websites. To find Shopify stores, you can use combinations like:

site:.myshopify.com "keyword": This will search for sites hosted on the .myshopify.com domain that contain your specified keyword. For example, site:.myshopify.com "handmade jewelry".
inurl:shopify "product category": This searches for pages where “shopify” appears in the URL and the page content contains your product category.
"Powered by Shopify" "product niche": This looks for pages that explicitly state “Powered by Shopify” and are related to a specific product niche.
"Shopify store" "your city": Useful for finding local Shopify businesses.

Combine these with specific product types, brands, or industries to refine your search.

2.2 Explore Shopify Store Directories and Lists

Several websites compile lists or directories of Shopify stores, often categorized by niche, popularity, or revenue. Examples include:

BuiltWith: While not exclusively a Shopify directory, BuiltWith allows you to search for websites using specific technologies, including Shopify. You can often filter by industry or country.
Shopify Exchange Marketplace: This platform lists Shopify stores for sale, providing insights into various niches and their typical setups. While not for browsing active stores, it can give you an idea of what’s out there.
Curated Niche Lists: Many blogs or business publications create “top X Shopify stores” lists for specific industries (e.g., “Top 10 Shopify Fashion Stores”). A quick Google search for “[niche] Shopify stores list” can yield valuable results.

These directories often provide direct links and sometimes additional information about the stores.

Step 3: Analyze Websites for Shopify Clues

3.1 Inspect Website Footers and About Pages

The simplest method to identify a Shopify store is often to look at the very bottom of the website. Many Shopify themes, by default, include a “Powered by Shopify” or “Shopify” credit in the footer. While some store owners remove this, many do not. Additionally, check the “About Us,” “Contact Us,” or “Privacy Policy” pages. These pages sometimes contain references to Shopify, its terms of service, or links to Shopify-related resources.

3.2 Examine Website Source Code for Shopify Identifiers

If visual cues are absent, the website’s source code is a definitive indicator.

Right-click and “View Page Source” (or “Inspect Element”): Open the website in your browser, right-click anywhere on the page, and select “View Page Source” or “Inspect Element” (the exact wording may vary by browser).
Search for Keywords: In the source code (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F), search for terms like:
- shopify
- cdn.shopify.com (Shopify’s Content Delivery Network)
- myshopify.com
- data-shopify
- Shopify.theme
The presence of these terms, especially within script tags, link tags, or meta tags, strongly indicates the site is built on Shopify. Look for URLs pointing to cdn.shopify.com for stylesheets, JavaScript files, or images.

Step 4: Use Specialized Tools and Browser Extensions

4.1 Employ Shopify Store Detectors and Analyzers

Several online tools are specifically designed to detect the e-commerce platform a website uses. Websites like BuiltWith, Wappalyzer (their website tool), or WhatRuns are excellent for this. You simply paste the URL of the website into their search bar, and they will analyze the site’s technology stack, often explicitly stating if it’s a Shopify store. These tools delve into the underlying code and server configurations to provide accurate results.

4.2 Utilize Browser Extensions for Quick Identification

For frequent identification, browser extensions offer a convenient one-click solution. Popular extensions include:

Wappalyzer (Browser Extension): Available for Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers, Wappalyzer adds an icon to your browser toolbar. When you visit a website, click the icon, and it will list all detected technologies, including the e-commerce platform.
Shopify Detector by Fera.ai (Chrome Extension): This is a more specialized extension that specifically looks for Shopify. It often provides a clear “Yes, this is a Shopify store!” message if detected.
BuiltWith Technology Profiler (Browser Extension): Similar to Wappalyzer, this extension provides a detailed breakdown of all technologies used on a website, including the e-commerce platform.

Install one of these extensions, and when you browse the web, simply click its icon to instantly see if the site is powered by Shopify.

FAQs

Q1: Can a Shopify store completely hide its Shopify identity?

A1: While store owners can remove the “Powered by Shopify” footer credit and use a custom domain, it’s very difficult to completely hide all traces. Elements like .myshopify.com URLs in the source code, specific Shopify cookie patterns, or unique CDN links (like cdn.shopify.com) often remain, which specialized tools and browser extensions can still detect.

Q2: Why would someone want to find other Shopify stores?

A2: There are several reasons:

Market Research: To analyze competitors, identify popular products, or study successful design and marketing strategies within a niche.
Supplier Identification: If you’re a dropshipper or supplier, you might want to find potential clients.
Learning and Inspiration: To see how others are building and managing their stores, getting ideas for your own.
App/Service Providers: To identify potential customers for Shopify apps or services.

Q3: Are all stores found via `.myshopify.com` subdomains active and legitimate?

A3: Not necessarily. Some .myshopify.com subdomains might point to development stores, abandoned stores, or test sites that are not fully active or legitimate businesses. While many are active, always exercise caution and verify legitimacy if you plan to engage with the business.

Q4: Do these methods work for finding stores on other e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce or BigCommerce?

A4: Yes, the general principles apply. Tools like BuiltWith and Wappalyzer are designed to detect a wide range of e-commerce platforms (and other web technologies). While the specific search operators or code snippets would differ, the approach of inspecting footers, source code, and using specialized detection tools remains effective for identifying other platforms.