The ultimate guide on how to customize Shopify website (4 ways explored)
Instant Team
The ultimate guide on how to customize Shopify website (4 ways explored)
Choosing the right Shopify theme can feel like a maze. The design sets the first impression for your customers, but it’s more than looks. The right theme also improves Shopify conversion rate optimization by ensuring a smooth and engaging shopping experience. With so many themes, how do you know which will meet your unique needs? Whether you seek Shopify theme customization tutorials or guides for personalizing your Shopify website, this article will guide you through the top options and help you find the perfect theme for your store.
Instant is here to help. This Shopify landing page builder is a tool for theme customization, allowing you to personalize your online store easily.
Table of Contents
How to customize Shopify website: 4 ways you can customize your Shopify website
Create custom Shopify web design at ease with Shopify page builders
Can you fully customize a Shopify website?
You can customize your Shopify store. Shopify makes it easy for store owners to tweak the look and feel of their online shop so it perfectly reflects their brand.
Start with themes
You can pick a Shopify theme that suits your style at the most basic level. Themes control how your store looks, from the layout to colors, fonts, and your products' display. Shopify’s theme library has plenty of options, whether for something minimalist or more feature-packed. Once you have a theme, you can use the settings to change color schemes and fonts and add your logo.
Level up with drag-and-drop tools
Want more control over your store’s design? Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor, available in Online Store 2.0 themes, lets you move sections around, hide or add new ones, and rearrange content on different pages without touching any code.
Go all out with page builders
For those who want even more flexibility, there are page builders like Shogun and PageFly that you can add to your theme. These tools allow you to create unique, custom-designed pages using a drag-and-drop interface, making it easier to build something more tailored to your brand with no coding required.
Quick tips for getting started
Whether you stick to your theme’s built-in options or use extra tools, you can customize your Shopify store in many ways.
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Why you need a custom Shopify website
Off-the-shelf themes might save you time, but they often come with a catch: a generic appearance. These themes are crafted to fit a wide variety of businesses. The problem? This broad approach strips away uniqueness. No one remembers a store that looks like every other one on the block. Your brand needs a vibe that's distinctly yours.
A tailored design doesn't just set you apart; it tells your story. It’s like walking into a boutique where every detail feels carefully chosen. You want your customers to remember their visit, not confuse your store with another. The cookie-cutter approach isn't cut if you're aiming for something memorable.
Customization limitations hold you back
A theme that offers basic tweaks is enough, but more is needed. You’ll find yourself boxed in by what you can change. Maybe you want a specific layout or font that suits your brand’s style. Perhaps you envision a unique user experience that guides your visitors effortlessly.
Off-the-shelf themes can leave you wrestling with constraints. You’re stuck with a framework that wasn’t built for your vision. You end up settling for less when you should be aiming higher. The right customization options are like a set of tools. Without them, building something unique becomes an uphill battle.
Missing the mark on functionality
Your business isn’t generic, so why should your store be? Off-the-shelf themes might not have the features you need for your specific offerings. Maybe you're selling custom products with complex variations.
A pre-built theme could fall short, leaving you with a site that doesn’t do your products justice. Consider the nuances of your business. Are there features lacking that would elevate your customer experience? When your store doesn’t function the way you want, it impacts everything, from user experience to sales. You need a theme that doesn’t just fit but enhances what you’re trying to achieve.
The benefits of Shopify store customization
Customizing your Shopify store isn't just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool for boosting conversions. Personalization can drive revenue up by 40%. Imagine walking into a store where the salesperson knows exactly what you like.
A custom store replicates that experience online. By tailoring product recommendations and offers based on behavior and history, you’re not just making sales but building relationships. Visitors feel understood, leading to more purchases and better conversion rates.
Eliminate frustration with tailored experiences
Nobody likes feeling like just another number. 76% of consumers get annoyed when there’s no personalization. A custom Shopify store allows you to meet this expectation head-on. Dynamic content and targeted product suggestions make the shopping experience engaging and satisfying.
This approach keeps people returning for more, building loyalty and driving repeat business. When 71% of consumers expect personalized suggestions, meeting that demand becomes critical to your strategy.
Build loyalty through strong branding
Brand recognition isn’t just about looking good; it’s about creating a memorable experience that resonates. A custom store gives you complete control over your branding, from design to layout. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it's strategic.
Loyal customers spend an impressive 67% more than first-time buyers. By fostering a recognizable and engaging brand experience, you encourage repeat purchases and reduce the need for expensive customer acquisition. Retaining existing customers can be up to 25 times cheaper than attracting new ones.
Boost SEO for higher traffic
A custom store isn’t just good for conversions; it’s great for SEO. You can climb the search engine ranks by optimizing on-page elements like:
Keywords
Image alt text
URLs
Customizable URLs can increase click-through rates by up to 45% compared to generic ones. Speed also plays a role. Google favors sites that load quickly; custom builds let you optimize these factors.
Enhancing Shopify store performance with customizable landing pages
Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing 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
Product detail 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 landing page builder today!
Navigating Shopify themes
Navigating Shopify themes is key to making your store stand out. Suppose you’ve set up your Shopify store recently. In that case, you might already be using Dawn, Shopify’s latest default theme built for Online Store 2.0, which allows sections on every page for greater customization. If your store is older, you may still be using Debut, a simple theme designed to get it running quickly, though it lacks some of the flexibility that Dawn offers.
Both themes are functional right out of the box; you just need to add products, personalize your store’s admin settings, and customize the content, and you're ready to launch. But if you want to go beyond these defaults and give your store a more unique feel, finding and installing a new theme can be a game-changer.
Find new Shopify themes
If you’re looking to upgrade from Debut or Dawn, there are two primary places to find new themes:
Third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest
Shopify’s Theme Store offers free and premium themes, all vetted for functionality and compatibility. Here, you can filter themes by price, industry, layout complexity, and design style to find one that fits your brand.
Third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest have a large selection of themes created by independent developers. These themes are often peer-reviewed, so you can sort them by popularity or rating. These themes can be great if you want something unavailable in the Shopify Theme Store.
Upload and customize your theme
Purchasing a theme from the Shopify theme store will automatically show up in your theme library within the Shopify dashboard. From there, you can click Customize to start personalizing it. To make it live, click Actions > Publish.
If you’re uploading a theme from a third-party marketplace, you must manually upload the theme file.
Head to Online Store > Themes
Under Theme Library, click Add Theme.
You can upload your theme as a ZIP file or connect from GitHub if you’re using version control.
Once the file uploads, it will appear in your Theme Library and be ready for customization.
How to customize Shopify website: 4 ways you can customize your Shopify website
1. Harnessing the power of the Shopify editor
The Shopify editor is your go-to tool for quick and user-friendly customization. Think of it as your digital storefront’s control panel, where you can easily move things around.
This tool lets you change pages, shift content, and add sections without needing to learn code. Thus, you can make your store look just how you want it without any technical fuss.
Best for: Those starting or wanting simple changes without hassle.
2. Tweaking the theme settings
With Shopify themes, you get a built-in style guide for your store. Each theme offers various settings, allowing you to:
Tweak fonts
Colors
Layouts
Design features
This lets you keep a consistent brand image without digging into code. It’s about making your store look just right, using the tools that come with your theme.
Best for: Store owners focused on brand consistency without getting into coding.
3. Flexing with custom code
For those who know their way around code (or have a developer handy), custom coding is the ultimate toolkit. With:
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
Liquid (Shopify’s language)
You can craft your store exactly as you envision. Want a feature that’s unique to your brand? This is your playground.
Best for: Advanced users or businesses needing specific features or a unique look.
4. Exploring page builders
Page builders like Instant offer a step up from the standard editor. With a drag-and-drop interface, they let you create custom pages using elements like:
Sliders
Videos
Countdown timers
Product grids
Beyond aesthetics, they often offer design options, A/B testing, and integrations with tools like Figma or Google Analytics. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what your store can do.
Best for: Store owners seeking more than the basic editor or theme settings without going full-code.
How to customize Shopify website in Shopify editor
Stand out with a custom Shopify theme
When you're ready to customize your Shopify theme, start by choosing a base theme that fits your brand. The Themes dashboard shows your Current theme and any themes in your Theme library. Click the “Customize” button to edit the one you want.
Editing templates and theme settings
You can customize your theme in two ways: editing page templates and changing theme settings. Editing templates gives you control over the layout of different page types, while theme settings affect global changes like color and typography.
Build a unique header
Your Shopify website's header includes elements like your business logo, navigation links, a search field, and more. These elements are often included in Shopify themes, but you can personalize them in the theme editor.
Add your business logo
Your logo gives your online store an identity. If it isn't already included from your Shopify settings, you can add it using the theme editor:
Click on the Header section in the theme editor.
Click “Edit brand” to add the default logo, or “Change” to add it directly to the theme.
Adjust the logo size and position for both desktop and mobile views.
Customize navigation menus
The default Shopify theme shows a Main menu with three links. You can add more links, change existing items, or rearrange the order.
Click on the Main menu to make changes.
Add menu items as needed.
Save the menu to apply changes.
Add announcements
Use the announcement section to promote events or offers. Here's how to add an announcement:
Click on the Announcement bar section in the Theme editor.
Click on the Announcement block.
Change the text, adjust alignment and color, and add a link if needed.
4. Design a compelling homepage
Your homepage should make a strong impression on visitors and represent your brand well. Before customizing, gather these essentials:
Rough layout
Your brand story
Value proposition
Trending products
Featured categories
Offers
High-quality images
FAQs
Contact details
Testimonials
Blogs if desired
Once you're ready, use Shopify sections and blocks to create an exceptional homepage that stands out.
5. Personalize the product page
Shopify themes come with a standard product page layout, but you may need to create custom templates for different product types. For example, if you're using the Dawn theme for a fashion store, you might have different pages for clothing, handbags, and sunglasses.
Here's how to create a new product page template:
Click on the templates drop-down menu in the theme editor.
Select Products and click on Create template.
Enter a name for your new product template.
Click Create template.
Once your product template is ready, update the theme template for your products.
6. Customize other important pages
Your homepage and product pages are crucial, but you also need to build trust with pages like:
About Us
Contact Us
Terms & Conditions
Shipping & Return Policy and more
Customize these using existing templates or create new ones as needed.
7. Improve the shopping cart
The cart page is a great place to boost sales by upselling or cross-selling. Access the cart template from your theme editor and add sections and blocks to enhance the shopping experience.
You can also use third-party apps for:
Upsells
Rewards
Coupons and more
But be mindful of potential site slowdowns. Consult Shopify experts to choose reliable apps.
8. Customize the checkout page
Shopify offers a common checkout page for all store types, but you can customize it to add your brand identity. Here's how:
Open the Checkout page template in the Theme editor.
Click on Open Checkout settings.
Customize the appearance using available options.
Save changes.
9. Set up the footer section
Like the header, the footer is a static section in Shopify themes. You can't move it, but you can customize it with various blocks. If you want, you can remove the “Powered by Shopify” text from the footer:
Go to Online store > Themes in your Shopify Admin.
Click Actions > Edit language.
Find the “Powered by Shopify” text fields and leave them blank.
Save changes.
Changing your Shopify theme settings
Changing your Shopify theme settings is like giving your store a fresh coat of paint. Head to the bottom left corner of your theme editor and click on Theme settings. Here, you're greeted with categories that let you tweak how your store looks and functions.
Colors: Paint your brand’s personality
Colors matter. They give your store its vibe, from button hues to background shades. Have brand-specific colors? Here’s your chance to make your store match them perfectly.
Typography: Speak in style
Your font choices say a lot about your store. In the Typography section, you can choose fonts for headings and body text. If you've added custom or Google fonts, you'll find them here, letting you personalize your store’s look.
Styles: Tailor special scenarios
Styles let you adjust color schemes and icons for specific situations, such as sales or out-of-stock products. These tweaks help manage customer expectations with a hint of flair.
Social media: Stay connected
Add your social media accounts to your store. It’s like rolling out the welcome mat for customers to find and follow you. With just a few clicks, you can decide which social sharing buttons to display.
Favicon: Your store’s calling card
Your favicon is that tiny image in the browser tab. Upload it here, and Shopify will resize it to 32x32 pixels. No favicon? No worries. Shopify's got free images, or you can convert your logo into one.
Checkout: Seamless transitions
Customize your checkout page to match the rest of your store. Change:
Images
Colors
Typography
For a cohesive experience, consider adding a banner image, adjusting the logo size and position, and setting background colors.
Currency format: Clarity at a glance
Enable or disable currency codes beside amounts. It’s a small tweak but can make a big difference in clarity, especially for international shoppers.
Cart: Personalize the Shopper’s journey
Find the cart template in your Shopify theme to customize your store’s shopping cart. Select the type of cart you want to show, and explore options like showing cart notes, vendor, or collection.
Search behavior: Make shopping easy
Decide if you want product suggestions to show when shoppers search. You can also show vendors and prices alongside products, making it easier for customers to find what they need.
Blog cards: Curate your content
Just like product and collection cards, blog cards let you customize the look and feel of your store’s blog. This is your chance to make your content more engaging.
Content containers: Adjust text spaces
Content containers hold your text using Shopify theme sections or blocks. You can change how these areas look to better suit your brand style.
Media: Adjust image and video display
Customize the appearance of media placeholders. These settings let you tweak how images and videos display, ensuring they align with your overall theme.
Dropdowns and pop-ups: Refine user interactions
Using dropdowns and pop-ups in your store? Customize them for a better user experience. It’s all about making navigation smooth and intuitive.
Drawers: Make them look good
Customize how the cart drawer or filter drawers look. It’s another way to ensure your store’s aesthetic is consistent throughout.
Badges: Highlight key information
Badges appear on products with different selling and cost prices. Customize these to better align with your store’s branding, making crucial info stand out.
By using these theme settings, you can fine-tune your store's look and feel. If you want to take your customizations even further, consider help from a developer or a drag-and-drop editor like Page Builder.
Create custom Shopify web design at ease with Shopify page builders
Shopify offers a robust theme editor that lets you customize your store's look. But not all themes are created equal. Some come with frustrating restrictions that limit your ability to make changes. When you're trying to create the best online shopping experience, these limitations can feel like a roadblock. Luckily, there's a solution.
Page builders: Your store’s secret weapon
Page builders are here to save the day. They offer a unique blend of simplicity and flexibility, allowing you to cut down on development costs. You no longer need to learn CSS or hire developers for every change. With tools like Instant, you can take full control of your store’s design.
Ease of use: Drag-and-drop editing
Page builders often feature drag-and-drop editors. This means you can design your store pages exactly how you want without writing a single line of code. You can create a personalized experience for your customers, which can lead to increased sales. Not only that, but these tools help ensure your store stays on brand by maintaining consistent color schemes and tones.
Versatility across all platforms
One of the standout features of page builders is their versatility. You can bulk-edit all your store pages in minutes and ensure they’re optimized for different devices. Whether it’s a landing page or an FAQ page, you can make them look great everywhere.
Skip the coding: Create unique designs
Page builders allow you to bypass the need for coding to create custom, unique designs. This is a game changer for storeowners who want to stand out in a crowded market. You can make your store look as unique as your brand without needing to be a tech wizard.
Related reading
5 Shopify store customization best practices
1. Keep it simple: Less is more
When customizing your Shopify store, simplicity should be your guiding principle. Avoid cluttering your pages with unnecessary widgets and features.
Each element should serve a clear purpose and enhance the user experience. Ask yourself, “Does this really add value, or is it just noise?” A streamlined, focused design directs users toward making a purchase without distractions.
2. Design with mobile users in mind
The mobile revolution is here. Over 50% of online traffic comes from mobile devices, so your Shopify store must look and function seamlessly on smaller screens. Opt for a responsive theme like Electro, known for its excellent mobile performance.
Use tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to identify areas for improvement. A mobile-first approach caters to mobile shoppers and boosts sales.
3. Structure your content for easy navigation
Think about how you organize information on your site. Information hierarchy is about guiding visitors smoothly through your store. To grab attention:
Place important products
Deals
Call to action (CTAs)
At the top of the page. Strategic placement of these elements improves navigation and helps users find what they’re looking for quickly, increasing the chance of conversions.
4. Make important elements pop with accent colors
Accent colors are like signals in your design. They can highlight key areas like the checkout button or special offers. By using accent colors, you create focal points that subtly guide visitors toward desired actions, such as completing a purchase. These visual cues help break up white space and draw attention to what matters most.
5. Ensure your CTAs demand attention
Your CTAs are crucial. They guide users to the next step, whether it’s adding an item to the cart or signing up for a newsletter. Use high-contrast colors and bold designs so they stand out. CTAs should immediately catch the visitor's eye and prompt them to act. Make sure every page has a clear and compelling CTA.
Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify landing page builder
Instant is a user-friendly Shopify landing 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
Product detail 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 landing page builder today!
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