Fact 1: The Happy Accident - The Origin of Shopify
Did you know Shopify was a happy accident? It was born out of dissatisfaction after Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake realized there weren’t good enough eCommerce platforms while launching their online snowboarding equipment store in 2004. Having no suitable existing platform, they built their own, and Shopify was born in 2006.
Fact 2: Made by a Band of Three
Another interesting fact about Shopify is that it was created by just three people - Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake. This troika combined their expertise in computer programming and design to create a versatile eCommerce platform aimed at power and simplicity.
Fact 3: Has One of The Most Extensive App Stores
Shopify boasts one of the most extensive app stores in the eCommerce sector. With over 4,100 apps available, this platform offers solutions that can optimize any part of an online business, ranging from dropshipping, SEO, inventory management to social media integrations.
Fact 4: Hosts More Than a Million Businesses
Today, Shopify hosts over a million merchants globally. These range from small business operations to multinational corporations, all of whom have found value in the platform's easy-to-use interface and multitude of integrations.
Fact 5: International Support
Shopify's strength lies in its commitment to international support. Its platform supports over 50 languages, over 100 payment gateways, and shipping to almost every country in the world, making it an absolute jewel for businesses aiming to grow beyond borders.
Fact 6: One of Canada's Biggest Companies
Shopify is not just any company, but it is one of Canada's largest companies by market capitalization. Valued at about $143 billion as of 2020, Shopify surpassed The Royal Bank of Canada to claim this prestigious status.
Fact 7: Popular Among Celebrities
Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Adele have used Shopify to sell their merchandise and albums, boosting its popularity amongst the masses.
Fact 8: Emerged as The Best Performing Stock
In 2015, Shopify went public on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Subsequently, in 2019, it was the best performing stock on the S&P/TSX Composite Index with a stunning return of 178%.
Fact 9: Stellar Customer Support
Shopify’s customer service is available 24/7, helping thousands of businesses run smoothly. They provide support via email, live chat, and phone, ensuring that help is always at hand.
Fact 10: Comprehensive Educational Resources
Shopify has a comprehensive educational program called Shopify Academy. The platform provides free training resources for entrepreneurs, ranging from business courses to in-depth webinars and tutorials.
Fact 11: A True Warrior of Black Friday
Come Black Friday, Shopify’s infrastructure doesn’t buckle under pressure, unlike many platforms. In 2019, it supported a peak of $1.5 million sales per minute without any significant technical glitches.
Fact 12: Tremendous Sales Volume
The platform has processed over $200 billion in sales since its inception, making it a significant player in the eCommerce landscape globally.
Fact 13: From Garage to Global
Shopify is a testament to humble beginnings. It started off in a coffee shop and then moved to Tobias's garage before becoming the powerful platform it is today, with over 5000 employees worldwide.
Fact 14: eCommerce for All
Shopify has democratized eCommerce like no other platform, making it possible for anyone to start an online store with minimal investment and technical knowledge.
Fact 15: Shopify Employs AI-Powered Assistant
Shopify keeps innovating. It launched an artificial intelligence-powered assistant named ‘Kit’ in 2016 that helps businesses with marketing automation tasks.
Fact 16: Eco-Friendly Endeavors
Shopify is committed to the environment. They pledged to spend $5 Million annually on reducing carbon emissions and launched an app that offsets carbon emissions produced by delivery vehicles.
Fact 17: Impressive User Retention
Shopify has an impressive customer retention rate. More than 99% of its users continue to use the platform after a year of signing up, demonstrating the platform’s reliability and effectiveness.
Fact 18: Well-loved by Users
Shopify has been recognized as the best eCommerce software on TrustRadius, a trusted review site for business technology, based on user reviews.
Fact 19: Encouraging Physical Stores as Well
Considered a champion of online retail, Shopify also encourages physical stores. It provides hardware and features needed for businesses to sell in a storefront, a pop-up shop, or even at events.
Fact 20: Expanding into New Realms
Not just confined to facilitating buying and selling products, Shopify has expanded into offering Shopify email, Shopify Capital (loans and cash advances for businesses), and even its own TV and film content production house, Shopify Studios.