By Max Milano (Tech Writer)
When Carla left California for Spain, she wasn’t chasing an IPO. She was chasing something simpler and sweeter: a slower life, a sunnier morning, and the dream of selling her handmade dog bandanas from her little apartment in Valencia.
She put in a lot of hard work. She designed and created her dog bandanas, came up with a logo, and built an online Shopify store. The products were adorable, and the packaging was thoughtful. Her mom even said her website was muy bonita.
But the sales? Nada. One lonely order. From her cousin’s friend in Barcelona.
Sound familiar?
Carla is not alone. Hundreds of English-speaking expats in Spain are launching Shopify stores every day. Some sell jewelry inspired by the Alhambra. Others ship eco-friendly soaps from Asturias. They have the vision. They have the product. But most hit the same wall. No traffic. No conversions. Nada.
That’s where CalienteContent comes in. We’re a team of expat marketers and storytellers who help other expats launching Shopify stores in Spain actually sell. We don’t do guesswork. We do strategy. We do the hard stuff, the geeky stuff, the stuff that turns your lonely little website into a sales engine.
Since we are also expats in Spain, we understand a lot of the pain points other English-speaking expats go through. That’s why we’ve put together this survival guide to launching a successful Shopify store in Spain. Feel free to use it as a roadmap, a flamethrower, if you will, for the foggy jungle that is digital marketing today.
Let’s explore the ten essential moves you need to make to launch and run a successful Shopify store as an English-speaking expat in Spain. These have been tested. And most importantly, they work.
Get a Domain
Buy a real domain and start branding from day one. If you’re still using myshopify.com/handmade-by-lisa-2023, please stop. That’s not a brand. That’s a placeholder. Buy a domain. Make it short. Make it easy to say and remember. If you can’t imagine your domain name on a billboard, it doesn’t belong on your store.
Your domain name is the front door to your shop. Make sure people feel welcome and confident when they walk through it.
Practical Tip: Use GoDaddy or Hostinger to buy your domain. Hostinger is great if you also want to run a WordPress site alongside your Shopify store.
Hook Up Your Etsy to Shopify
Most Shopify newbies started out on Etsy before deciding they were serious enough to open their own store. Good news: Shopify offers a native Etsy integration.
Connect Etsy using the Etsy Marketplace Integration app. Etsy gave you traction, but now it’s time to grow on your own terms. Etsy takes a big cut, and you don’t control the customer experience. Sync your listings and orders, then gently steer your loyal Etsy shoppers to your Shopify site with offers or special product drops.
You’re building a brand. Own it.
Update Your Shopify Store’s Design
Your store can’t look like it was last designed during the Clinton era. Choose a modern, mobile-first theme. It should load fast and look clean. Avoid clutter. Use big, clear buttons and high-quality images.
If you wouldn’t shop on your own site, no one else will either.
Use persuasive calls-to-action like “Shop Now,” “See the Collection,” or “Snag Yours,” never just “Submit.”
Write Content That Drives Search and Sales
Your blog isn’t for decoration. It’s your SEO engine. Write helpful, keyword-rich posts that answer your customers’ real questions.
Selling eco candles? Write about how to choose scents for small spaces. Selling handmade earrings? Share tips on how to match them with outfits.
Search engines reward freshness. Customers reward personality. Content should connect, not just exist.
Work On Your Technical SEO
Google doesn’t read minds. It reads your code.
Rename your images. Not IMG_9823 but “valencian-ceramic-tea-set.” Clean URLs. Clear H1 tags. Relevant meta descriptions. Fast load speeds. No broken links.
Pro Tip: CalienteContent offers technical SEO audits. Because invisible errors are conversion killers.
Get Your Google Business Profile
Even if you don’t have a physical store, claim your Google Business Profile. Link your website, upload product photos, and collect reviews.
This builds credibility and boosts visibility in local and general searches. It shows you mean business, even if you’re running it from your living room in Denia.
Embrace Social Media
Social media is your storefront. Instagram and Facebook aren’t just for memes and holiday photos. They’re tools to connect, build trust, and sell.
Share your process. Highlight customers. Show the human side. And if you’re an English-speaking expat, speak like one. People buy from people, not logos.
Use Stories, Reels, and pinned posts. Be active and answer every comment.
Run Meta Ads
Meta ads (Facebook and Instagram) still work…if you know what you’re doing.
Don’t try to reach all of Spain. Reach your people. Define your audience. Then speak directly to them.
CalienteContent helps expats build and run Meta ad campaigns that actually convert. From visuals and copy to tracking and audience testing, we handle the hard part so you can focus on making great products.
Track and Then Track Some More
Analytics are your best friend.
Set up Google Analytics and Meta Pixel. Learn where your traffic is coming from, what people are doing on your site, and what’s causing them to leave.
This is how you fix weak spots and double down on what works. CalienteContent can handle your full analytics setup and even teach you how to interpret the data.
Smart decisions lead to profitable results.
Content Is King, But Regular Content Wins the Game of Thrones
Create a content calendar and stick to it. Winging it is great for a weekend in Ibiza, but not for your business.
Plan your blog posts, email campaigns, product launches, and social media ahead of time. Feature customer reviews. Collaborate with influencers who actually care about your niche.
Consistency builds momentum. That’s how Carla went from zero sales to backorders.
At CalienteContent, we’re expats like you. We live in Spain. We market in Spain. And we help Shopify entrepreneurs succeed in Spain.
Ready to Win the Shopify Game? Let’s get your brand fired up. Book your free consulting call.
