A step-by-step guide on how to delete page templates Shopify

Shopify web design is like shaping a storefront window. You want to put your best foot forward, but sometimes, what you thought was a good fit becomes more of a nuisance. You may have a page template you no longer need or one that isn't working. It's understandable. You want your store to be as user-friendly and efficient as possible for yourself and your customers. This tutorial will guide you through removing unwanted page templates, allowing you to streamline your site's design and functionality.

Use Instant to gain even more control over your Shopify product page builder. It’ll give you the flexibility to create and edit pages without knowing any code.

Table of Contents

• Understanding how page templates work in Shopify

• What to know before deleting any page template in Shopify

• How to delete page templates from Shopify

• How to create your Shopify page template

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

Understanding how page templates work in Shopify

Themes and templates are your allies when setting up a store on Shopify. They dictate the look and feel of your storefront, creating a cohesive visual identity. Think of them as the architecture behind your store’s appearance. You’re not just choosing colors and fonts. You're selecting a design framework that includes layouts for various pages, from your homepage to product listings. 

Understanding Shopify page templates: From structure to style

Shopify page templates are preset layouts that come with your chosen theme. They determine where text, images, and buttons go on each page, ensuring your store maintains a consistent look across different sections. When you select a theme like “Dawn” or “Crave,” you pick a collection of templates tailored for specific pages, including product and collection pages.

How Shopify templates keep your store organized

1. Creating pages with default templates  

When you add a new page in Shopify, it automatically uses the default template from your theme. Each theme has its own set of default templates, so if you’re using “Dawn,” your new pages will adopt that theme’s style, fonts, and layout. These templates handle headers, footers, and text styles, ensuring consistency.

2. Selecting and switching templates  

Want a different look for a certain page? Shopify makes it easy to switch templates within your theme. Let’s say you want your homepage to have a different layout than your product pages, or maybe you want one product to showcase extra images or details. 

Simply enter your page settings and select another template from a dropdown menu. This feature is perfect for focusing on certain collections or high-profile products.

3. Theme-specific templates  

Every theme in Shopify has a unique set of templates, so switching themes can give your store a complete design makeover. For example, if you start with the “Dawn” theme and later try “Crave,” all your page templates will change to match the new theme’s style. This can give your store a fresh new look across all pages in just a few clicks.

4. Adding custom content  

Once you’ve selected a template for a page, you can add specific content like:

• Product descriptions

• Images

• Videos

Without changing the template itself, Shopify’s editor lets you customize the text and images for each page within the template’s structure, making it easy to manage your content without touching any code.

5. Consistent customizations across pages  

One of the best things about templates is that they keep your design consistent across similar pages. If you add a “Featured Products” section to your product page template, that section will appear on every product page using that template. This makes it easy to maintain a consistent style across your store, though it also means you’ll need a custom template if you want something unique on a specific page.

What to know before deleting any page template in Shopify

Back-up your theme first

Back up your theme before you even think about deleting a page template in Shopify. This is crucial. Within Shopify's admin, you can duplicate your theme easily. Head to the Themes section, click Actions and choose Duplicate. This way, you’ll have a safety net if things go sideways.

Know what happens when you delete

Deleting a page template does more than just tidy up your files. It can change how your pages look and behave. Pages using the deleted template will automatically switch to a default template, which can mess up their layout. Double-check if any pages currently use the template and reassign them as needed.

Verify template usage

Before you delete the template, ensure it isn’t active on any live pages. Navigate to Online Store > Pages in Shopify and check each page’s assigned template. This quick step can prevent layout disasters and unexpected design changes.

Test your site thoroughly

Once the template is gone, visit any pages that used it to ensure they still look right. Watch for broken layouts or missing features. This final test ensures your customers enjoy a seamless experience.

Keep your templates organized

Review and remove unused templates regularly to keep your theme manageable. This reduces clutter and makes future updates easier.

Elevate your Shopify store with Instant

Are you looking to enhance your Shopify store with advanced, customizable pages? Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder for eCommerce teams and agencies. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly design high-converting pages without coding. 

Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

How to delete page templates from Shopify

Clean up your Shopify theme

Could your Shopify theme use a little tidying up? You’re not alone. Removing outdated or unused templates can spruce things up. But tread cautiously. You don’t want to mess up your store’s layout. Let’s break it down, step by step, to ensure you delete a page template without a hitch.

Log into Shopify

Get yourself logged into Shopify. Head to the login page and enter your details. Once you’re in, you’ll land on the admin dashboard, the heart of all your customization efforts.

Navigate to themes

Find your themes section. Look to the left sidebar, select Online Store, and click Themes. Here, you’ll see your current theme. Make sure you pick the right one, especially if juggling multiple themes.

Access the code editor

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Click the Actions button next to your theme and choose Edit code from the dropdown. This takes you to Shopify’s code editor, where you can access all the files shaping your theme’s look and feel.

Find the templates folder

In the code editor, check the left sidebar for the Templates folder. Click to expand it, revealing all the template files in your theme, each ending in .liquid.

Pick the template to delete

Scroll through to find the template you want to remove. It could be like page.custom.liquid or another custom file. Click on it to open it in the editor.

Delete the template

You'll see a trash can icon in the top-right corner of the code editor. Click it to delete the template. Shopify will ask you to confirm, so no worries about accidental deletions. Click Delete file to proceed.

Default templates stay put

You might run into a roadblock if you’re trying to delete a default template. Shopify doesn’t let you remove core templates essential for your theme’s functionality, like the main product or collection pages. You can restore them to their original state if needed. Just find the template in the Templates folder and hit Restore.

Automatic changes

Shopify saves your changes automatically; hunting for a save button is unnecessary. Once you delete the template, it’s gone for good, so double-check your decision before hitting confirm.

Refresh and preview

Head back to your theme editor and refresh it. This ensures the deleted template disappears from your list. Check any pages that use the template to confirm they display correctly. If needed, assign them a different template to keep things looking sharp.

How to create your Shopify page template

Shopify theme editor: Your creative playground

Open up Shopify’s theme editor by heading to your Shopify admin. Navigate to Online Store > Themes, then click Customize on your current theme. If you want direct access to your theme files, go to Actions > Edit Code. This is where you’ll start shaping your store’s unique look.

Adding a new template: Your custom canvas

In the code editor, look for the Templates section. Click on Add a new template and decide which page you want to customize. Name your new template file, like “custom-about” for a specialized About page. Shopify will create a .liquid file for you, such as page.custom-about.liquid.

Crafting your template code

Open your new .liquid file in the Templates section. Include or tweak HTML, Liquid (Shopify’s templating language), and CSS to achieve the ideal layout. You could use Liquid tags like {% section 'custom-section' %} for dynamic content. When satisfied, save the changes and check out your creation.

Assigning the template: Putting it to work

Head to Online Store > Pages in your Shopify admin and pick the page you want to customize. Under Template, select your new template from the dropdown menu. Click Save to make it official.

Adding and customizing sections: Enhancing your design

If your theme supports Online Store 2.0, add dynamic sections to your new template through the editor. Open the Customize section in your theme. Choose the page with your custom template and add sections from the Add section menu. Personalize each section to craft a rich, engaging page.

6. Testing and refining: Perfecting your creation

Preview your new template on different devices. Ensure all elements look and function as intended. If something’s off, return to the Edit Code section to make adjustments.

7. Alternative: Using a page builder app

For a drag-and-drop approach, consider using a page builder app. Apps like Instant offer pre-made templates you can tweak for your store. These apps typically have user-friendly editors that let you design pages without coding. They’re ideal for quick customization, flexible design, and built-in SEO features.

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

Struggling to craft the perfect Shopify page without coding? Instant is a user-friendly product page builder that lets you easily design advanced pages. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface puts you in control. Create high-converting landing pages, captivating blog posts, and irresistible product pages. Plus, you can seamlessly integrate Instant with Figma and other eCommerce tools. It’s time to elevate your online store performance and boost conversions.

Building Shopify pages: No coding required

Are you tired of wrestling with code to create Shopify pages? Instant changes the game. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can design and publish advanced pages without any coding knowledge. Customize your store's design and create high-converting landing pages, blog posts, and product pages in minutes. It's a game-changer for eCommerce teams and agencies.

Elevating your Shopify store's design

Want to enhance your Shopify store's design? Instant makes it possible. With its seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, you can create fully customizable pages that align with your brand's vision. This user-friendly page builder lets you completely control your store's design without sacrificing creativity. It's the perfect solution for enhancing your online store performance and increasing conversions.