How to change Shopify theme (3 ways to change your theme)

Choosing a Shopify theme is like picking the perfect outfit for your store. It’s the first thing your customers see, setting the tone for their shopping experience. Changing your theme can freshen up your brand’s look or fix a clunky design. But if you’re not a Shopify pro, this can feel tricky. Don’t worry, though. This article will guide you through changing your Shopify theme so you can give your store a new look and take your Shopify web design to the next level.

As you gear up to change your Shopify theme, Instant’s Shopify product page builder is a game-changer. It lets you make your product pages look amazing without needing a design degree.

Table of Content

• What is a Shopify theme?

• Why change your Shopify theme?

• Steps to take before changing your Shopify theme

• How to change Shopify theme (3 ways to change your theme)

• Can you change a Shopify theme without losing content?

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

What is a Shopify theme?

Shopify themes are templates that dictate how your Shopify store looks and functions. They are essential in creating an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly online store, whether running a small boutique or a large e-commerce site. These themes include pre-built layouts for your homepage, product pages, collections, and other vital store sections.

How Shopify themes work: The mechanics behind the magic

Shopify themes apply the structure and design elements to your entire online store. Selecting a theme from the Shopify theme store automatically applies a cohesive design to your store’s pages, ensuring a consistent brand experience.

These themes are built using HTML, CSS, and Shopify’s Liquid templating language, allowing for extensive customization through the Shopify admin panel.

Where to hunt for Shopify themes: Find the perfect match

You can find Shopify themes in the Shopify Theme Store, which offers a wide range of free and premium Shopify themes. The Shopify Theme store provides themes designed by Shopify and third-party developers like Pixel Union, ensuring a variety of options to suit different industries and business sizes. For more specialized themes, you can explore third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest, where you can find responsive premium Shopify themes designed for various niches.

Why change your Shopify theme?

First impressions matter

People make snap judgments about your store in milliseconds, and your theme is a big part. A sleek, modern design can Instantly convey professionalism and trustworthiness, which keeps visitors around. 

Potential customers might bounce before purchasing if your store needs to be updated or clunky. A fresh theme keeps your storefront looking credible and up-to-date, giving you a better chance to engage visitors from the start.

Site speed can make or break you

Site speed is crucial for both user experience and SEO. Google started using site speed as a ranking factor in 2010, so if your store is slow, it might rank lower in search results. Shoppers expect fast-loading sites, and 53% will abandon a site that takes more than three seconds to load. If your current theme is sluggish, switching to a lightweight, speed-optimized one can boost customer satisfaction and improve your search engine visibility.

Enhanced functionality and features

Shopify themes have different features and capabilities. Changing your theme can unlock new functionality and design elements that meet your store’s needs better. 

Some themes support advanced Shopify features or integrate seamlessly with certain apps and plugins. Upgrading your theme can also ensure compatibility with Shopify’s latest updates, keeping your store running smoothly. 

Mobile responsiveness is non-negotiable

With over 40% of online transactions happening on mobile devices, you can’t afford to ignore mobile responsiveness. Shoppers want a seamless experience across devices, so if your theme isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re likely losing sales. A responsive theme ensures your store looks good and works well on all screen sizes, making it easy for mobile users to navigate and buy from you.

Aligning with your brand identity

As your business evolves, your brand identity might too. Whether you’ve rebranded, adjusted your color palette, or updated your logo, your theme should reflect these changes. Keeping your store’s design in line with your current brand identity helps customers recognize and connect with your brand, building trust and loyalty.

Boosting your Shopify store: Customize product pages easily with Instant's drag-and-drop builder

Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can quickly design and publish high-converting:

• Landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions. Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

Steps to take before changing your Shopify theme

1. Make a backup of your current theme

Before making any changes, create a backup of your existing theme. This isn’t just a safety net; it’s peace of mind. 

• Go to Online Store > Themes

• Click Actions next to your current theme, and select Duplicate. 

If something goes wrong, you can easily restore your original setup without skipping a beat.

2. Assess what’s working and what’s not

Before you get swept away by a new theme’s shiny features, take a moment to assess your current setup. What’s working well? What’s a total flop? Use customer:

• Feedback

• Performance metrics

• User experience data 

To pinpoint areas for improvement. This insight will be your navigation guide as you move forward.

3. Define your needs and goals

You wouldn’t head on a road trip without a map, right? The same goes for changing your Shopify theme. Think about what you want the new theme to do for your store. 

Do you need better mobile responsiveness, specific integrations, or a design that better reflects your brand? Clear goals will help you choose the right theme and ensure it aligns with your business objectives.

4. Pick the perfect new theme

Choosing a new theme. Head to Shopify’s Theme Store or explore third-party vendors to find options that fit your aesthetic and functional needs. Don’t rush this step. Check reviews and ratings to make sure the theme is reliable and will deliver the results you’re after.

5. Preview the new theme before committing

Before you switch, preview the new theme with your current content. This is your chance to catch any issues or surprises before they go live. In the Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes, find your selected theme, click Actions, and select Preview. Browse through different pages and make sure everything looks and functions as expected.

6. Keep SEO in mind during the transition

Switching themes can mess with your SEO if you’re not careful. Watch for URL changes and design alterations that could affect your rankings. Set up URL redirects for any pages that might change, and double-check that meta tags and alt text are still intact after the switch.

7. Communicate changes to your customers

Let your customers know about the change once you're set on a new theme. Use newsletters, social media posts, or announcements on your website to keep them in the loop. This helps maintain engagement and reduces confusion, ensuring a smooth transition for everyone involved.

How to change Shopify theme (3 ways to change your theme)

1. Explore Shopify's theme store

Changing your Shopify theme using the platform’s theme store is as straightforward as it gets. 

Locate your current theme  

Navigate to "Online Store" and "Themes" in your Shopify admin. Your existing theme will be right at the top. By default, for brand-new stores, it’s either Debut or Dawn.

Preview the new theme  

Once you’ve made changes, your updated theme moves to the top of your theme collection. Preview it to ensure everything looks right. Hit the “Actions” button, then “Preview.” This lets you explore your site and see the new design in action.

Publish the new theme  

When satisfied, publish the theme by clicking “Actions” again, then “Publish.” A window will pop up to confirm your choice. Select “Publish,” and your old theme returns to the library while the new one goes live. Premium themes generally cost between $200 and $300 as a one-time fee, but you can test them for free as long as you want before going live.

2. Go for a third-party theme

Using a third-party theme offers you variety and often lower costs. It’s easy to upload and customize these themes. They may include add-ons like sticky add-to-carts or countdown clocks. For example, Debutify offers over 50 add-ons and industry-specific designs that can boost conversions. These capabilities can replace multiple Shopify apps, giving you more control over your site.

3. Craft your customized theme

Hiring developers to create a custom theme is the most expensive and time-consuming approach. Consider this if you need something unique with advanced functionality, like custom animations. If you’re new to Shopify, you can build a high-quality site with free themes and a page builder like Instant.

Can you change a Shopify theme without losing content?

Switching your Shopify theme can seem daunting, but the good news is that your store’s essential elements remain intact. The core content is stored separately from theme files, ensuring a smooth transition. 

Navigation, pages, collections, blog posts, and products are safe and sound. They won’t change with a theme swap since they’re tied to Shopify’s central system rather than any specific theme.

What might be affected by a theme change?

Not everything is immune to a theme switch. Customizations made in the theme editor, modifications to theme code, or apps that alter your theme’s functionality won’t automatically transfer. 

A new theme will bring its settings and options, so you must reconfigure colors, fonts, and layouts. If you’ve added custom code, plan to move it or consult a developer for assistance manually. Apps that modify your theme may need a reinstallation or reconfiguration.

How to prepare for the change.

Before diving into a new theme, it’s wise to back up your current one. Duplicate it to keep a safe copy, preserving your customizations and settings.

Document any changes you’ve made, whether taking screenshots of specific settings or saving code snippets in a text editor. Preview your new theme to see how your content looks and make adjustments. This will help you identify any issues before you go live.

What to do after switching themes.

Once you’ve switched themes, it’s time to test. Check any apps or integrations to ensure they’re functioning correctly. For those that inject code into your theme, you may need to re-enable or reinstall them. 

Review your store’s pages, collections, and features to confirm everything displays properly. Make any necessary adjustments to keep your store running smoothly.

Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

Instant is reshaping Shopify web design with a product page builder that's as intuitive as it is powerful. Forget the tech headaches—this tool lets you create advanced, customizable pages without touching a line of code. Drag and drop your way to a high-converting online presence with ease. This isn’t just about product pages; you can design landing pages, blog posts, and sections while keeping the aesthetic seamless and professional. 

Creative Control Like Never Before

With Instant, you're not just building pages—you're crafting experiences. Your Shopify theme doesn't have to be a limitation. Adjust and tweak every detail until it matches your vision. This kind of control means a smoother user experience and, ultimately, more sales.

Seamless Integrations

Instant plays well with others. It integrates effortlessly with Figma and other eCommerce tools, so your workflow isn't interrupted. You can design in Figma and see those designs come to life in your Shopify store. It’s like having a creative partner that makes the whole process smoother and more efficient.

Boost Your Store’s Performance

Instant isn't just about making your store look good. It's designed to enhance performance and increase conversions. With advanced customization options, you can create pages that guide your customers to take action. Whether you want them to:

• Buy

• Subscribe

• Share

Instant helps you design pages that achieve your goals.