How Coffee Community's founder built a custom Shopify theme
See how one brand founder created an entire Shopify theme from scratch (homepage, PDP template, collection page, navigation, footer, pop-up, and more).
When Ramona Gherghel set out to build Coffee Community's online store, she wasn't interested in looking like everyone else. She had a clear vision: create something that felt authentically hers, not just another Shopify site running the same template as a dozen competitors.
Ramona turned to Instant Page Builder to design her entire store from the ground up. Rather than settling for pre-built theme limitations, she used Instant to customize every critical touchpoint in the customer journey:
- Homepage with subtle animations and moving ticker elements
- Product page templates optimized for conversion
- Collection page templates for easy browsing
- Custom header navigation menu and footer
- Pop-up form with a discount incentive to capture leads
A fully mobile-optimized store with sophisticated design elements typically reserved for brands with dedicated development teams.
Building with ease on the Grid
What stands out most about Coffee Community's implementation is the balance of professional design elements with practical functionality. The site features smooth, subtle animations that add polish without overwhelming visitors, strategic video placement to showcase products and brand story, social proof elements including customer logos, an intuitive navigation structure, and a mobile-first responsive design.
To implement these designs, she used Instant’s Grid layout feature, which makes building for Shopify feel like you’re using other familiar design tools.
Having a team in your corner
For founders without technical backgrounds, the intimidation factor of building a custom store can be significant. Ramona found the Instant team's support crucial to her success.
This combination of powerful design tools and accessible support creates what Ramona describes as "an exciting time to build with them," particularly as the platform continues to evolve rapidly.
The results: Custom design, founder control
Coffee Community launched with a store that looks custom-built, because it is: just without the typical custom development timeline or budget. The founder maintained complete creative control while leveraging professional-grade design tools.
This summarizes an experience that many Shopify merchants struggle to achieve: professional design execution that doesn't require outside help or breaking the bank.
What other founders can learn
Coffee Community's success with Instant highlights several important considerations for brands looking to elevate their store design:
- For early-stage brands: You don't need to choose between unique design and speed to market. Instant allows you to customize extensively while moving quickly.
- For non-technical founders: Powerful design tools don't have to come with a steep learning curve. The platform's intuitive interface, combined with responsive support, means you can execute your vision without a technical background.
- For growing brands: A custom look doesn't require custom development budgets. By using Instant to build key pages and templates, you can achieve differentiation at a fraction of traditional costs.
As Ramona's advice to other brands considering the platform puts it:
Her store stands as proof that with the right tools, Shopify merchants can break free from template limitations and build something truly distinctive.
