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Shopify

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Oct 16, 2024

How to build a high-converting Shopify home page with Instant

how to design a shopify home page
how to design a shopify home page
how to design a shopify home page

Rebecca Anderson

How to build a high-converting Shopify home page with Instant

Your Shopify home page is your storefront's first impression—and first impressions matter. It’s where visitors decide whether to explore further or click away. A well-designed home page not only captures attention but encourages visitors to stay and shop. Whether you're creating a brand-new page or improving your current one, Instant gives you the tools to build a home page that reflects your brand and drives sales—no coding required.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build or customize a Shopify home page using Instant, with practical tips to help you maximize your store’s potential.

Why your Shopify home page matters

Your home page is the face of your business. It’s the first page most visitors see, and it sets the tone for your entire store. A strong home page does more than just look good—it guides visitors toward making a purchase.

Here’s why a great home page matters:

  • Engages your audience: A well-structured home page shows visitors what you offer right away, making it easier for them to connect with your brand.

  • Builds trust: Including elements like customer testimonials and clean design can make your store feel credible and professional.

  • Drives sales: A clear, easy-to-navigate layout makes it simple for visitors to take the next step, whether that’s learning more about your products or making a purchase.

A home page designed with purpose is an essential tool for increasing engagement and conversions.

Let’s take a look at a real-world example from Spacegoods, a wellness brand known for its mushroom-based products, to illustrate how a custom home page can elevate the shopping experience and drive conversions.

Case study: How Spacegoods customized their Shopify home page

Spacegoods leveraged custom sections—like hero banners, product showcases, and review sliders—to create a visually stunning and functional home page.

Here's a look at what they built:

spacegoods homepage hero banner

This hero banner introduces their key product, Rainbow Dust, with bold imagery, star ratings for social proof, and a CTA to guide visitors through their shopping journey.

spacegoods home page reviews section

They also added a reviews section to build trust by showcasing customer feedback, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

spacegoods home page how to use section

This product section provides a straightforward guide on how to use the product, which can remove uncertainty from shoppers and help them make their purchasing decisions.

With Instant, Spacegoods customized every section of their page without writing a single line of code.

This case illustrates the power of a thoughtfully designed home page in boosting conversions and delivering a strong first impression.

Now that you’ve seen how Spacegoods used Instant to enhance their home page, here’s how you can do the same for your Shopify store:

Two ways to build or customize your Shopify home page with Instant

Instant gives you two flexible options for your Shopify home page:

  1. Build a new home page from scratch:
    Want to start fresh? With Instant’s "Set as home page" feature, you can design a completely new home page tailored to your brand’s unique style and products. Whether you're launching a new line or giving your store a refresh, this option is perfect for creating a bold, clean design that grabs attention.


  2. Enhance your existing home page:
    If you like your current home page but want more flexibility, Instant allows you to add custom sections—like product displays, testimonials, and banners—to enhance what you already have. It’s a great way to keep your design but give it new life with fresh elements that improve user experience and conversions.

Let’s break down how these options work and how to get started.

Option 1: Building your Shopify home page from scratch

Creating a home page from scratch might sound like a big task, but with Instant’s drag-and-drop builder, it’s easier than you think. Follow these steps to build your home page:

1. Sign up and connect your Shopify Store

First, create an account with Instant and connect it to your Shopify store. The setup is quick and straightforward. Once connected, you can access Instant’s features, including professional templates and the easy-to-use builder.

2. Choose a template or start from scratch

Instant offers a range of high-converting templates that you can customize to fit your brand. These templates are designed with performance in mind, helping you guide visitors toward taking action. If you prefer to start with a blank canvas, that’s an option too—just start building from scratch with Instant’s intuitive editor.

Tips for choosing a template:

  • Keep it simple: Opt for a clean design that’s easy to navigate. A clutter-free layout helps visitors focus on your products and offers.

  • Feature what matters most: Make sure your key products, promotions, or services are front and center on your home page.

  • Use trust-building elements: Including things like customer reviews and social proof can give new visitors confidence in your store.

3. Customize the layout with drag-and-drop

Now it’s time to make the page your own. Instant’s drag-and-drop editor lets you build your home page section by section—no coding necessary. Add, remove, or rearrange elements until the page fits your brand perfectly. Consider including:

  • Hero banners: Highlight your most popular products or latest offers with bold, attention-grabbing banners.

  • Product showcases: Feature top products or new arrivals to capture interest right away.

  • Testimonials: Add customer reviews or ratings to show that your products are loved and trusted.

  • Calls to action (CTAs): Use clear, direct CTAs like "Shop Now" or "Explore Collections" to encourage visitors to take the next step.

4. Set as your Shopify home page with one click

When you’re happy with your design, you can make it live with just one click. Instant’s "Set as Home Page" feature replaces your current home page with the new one instantly, so there’s no downtime or complicated steps.

Option 2: Customizing your existing Shopify home page

Already have a Shopify home page but want more flexibility? With Instant, you can easily add new sections to your existing layout to boost engagement and sales. This is ideal for keeping your current design while adding fresh elements to make it even better.

1. Add new Sections

Instant makes it simple to add pre-designed sections to your home page. Choose from a variety of elements, including:

  • Banners: Promote current sales, new products, or special offers.

  • Product displays: Feature your best sellers or new arrivals to catch visitors’ attention.

  • Customer reviews and testimonials: Build trust by showing real customer feedback.

  • Discounts and offers: Display limited-time promotions to encourage quick purchases.

These sections are fully customizable, so you can change colors, fonts, images, and layouts to match your brand.

2. Publish directly to Shopify

Once your new sections are ready, you can publish them directly to your Shopify home page without needing to rebuild the entire thing. Instant integrates seamlessly with Shopify, so your changes go live instantly.

Best practices for optimizing your Shopify home page

Creating a good-looking home page is just the first step. To ensure your home page drives results, follow these best practices for optimizing it for conversions:

  • Keep it clean and focused: A clutter-free design with a clear message makes it easier for visitors to navigate and find what they need.

  • Use high-quality visuals: Showcase your products with professional images to make a strong impression.

  • Highlight key promotions: Place your top offers or best-selling products where visitors can’t miss them.

  • Add social proof: Incorporate testimonials, customer reviews, and trust badges to reassure visitors they’re making a good choice.

  • Make it mobile-friendly: Ensure your home page looks and works well on mobile devices. Many shoppers will be visiting from their phones, so a responsive design is crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I customize my current Shopify home page without starting from scratch?
Yes, Instant lets you enhance your existing home page by adding new sections, like banners or product displays, directly to your current layout.

2. Do I need coding skills to build my home page with Instant?
Not at all. Instant’s drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to design your home page without touching a single line of code.

3. How do I set my page as the default Shopify home page?
Once you've finished designing your page in Instant, just click "Set as home," and your new home page will be live on Shopify in seconds.

4. Is the home page feature available on all Instant plans?
Yes, both the "Set as Home Page" feature and customizable sections are available on any paid Instant plan.

5. Can I switch back to my old home page if I change my mind?
Absolutely. To restore the homepage that came with your theme, navigate to the page settings of your current homepage in Instant. Then click on the restore original home link to revert back.

Final Thoughts

Building or customizing your Shopify home page doesn’t have to be complicated. With Instant, you can create a home page that not only looks great but also helps convert visitors into customers. Whether you’re starting fresh or enhancing your existing design, Instant makes the process simple, fast, and effective.

Get started today and see how a well-designed home page can make all the difference for your Shopify store.

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