4 easy steps to create & implement Shopify page templates

Crafting a standout online store is about more than just selling products. It's about creating a seamless and engaging shopping experience for your visitors. This is where Shopify web design comes into play, with page templates as a cornerstone for your store's layout and functionality. These templates are not just about aesthetics but are essential tools for creating a cohesive user experience. Understanding Shopify page templates is crucial for elevating your store's performance, whether you're just starting or seeking to optimize your site. With this blog post, we'll guide you through the steps to create and implement these templates so you can take full advantage of what Shopify offers.

Consider simplifying this process by using tools like Instant’s Shopify product page builder. It can help you achieve your design goals more efficiently, so you can spend your time where it matters most growing your business.

What are Shopify page templates, and how do they work?

Shopify page templates are pre-designed layouts that control the:

• Structure

• Styling 

• Content presentation

For different types of pages on your Shopify store, such as product pages, homepages, and about pages. These templates are part of your chosen Shopify theme and help ensure consistency in your site’s look and feel, giving it a professional and cohesive brand presentation.

How Shopify templates work: Behind the scenes

When setting up your Shopify store, each new page automatically adopts the default template included with your theme. Templates provide a basic layout that includes:

• Fonts

• Colors

• Headers

• Footers

• Formatting

All of which reflect the design style of your selected theme. For example, if you use the Dawn theme, its product page template will have a particular arrangement of images, product descriptions, and add-to-cart buttons that might differ from what you’d find on the Crave theme.

Here’s how templates operate in Shopify:

Creating new pages with default templates

When you add a new page, such as an FAQ or product page, Shopify applies the default template from your theme. This template includes all the layout details and design elements that define your store's look without requiring you to do any coding.

Selecting and switching templates

If you want a different look for a specific page, Shopify allows you to choose from other templates within your theme. This is especially useful for customizing pages like product collections or blogs, where different layouts can help highlight the content better. Select your preferred template from a dropdown menu when setting up or editing the page.

Theme-specific templates

Every Shopify theme comes with templates, which means changing the theme and the default templates available. Switching from the Dawn theme to a new one, for example, will bring in new layout designs, enabling a fresh approach to how your content is presented.

Adding custom content

After choosing a template, you can add specific content for each page without altering the underlying code. You can upload images, write descriptions, and embed media within the existing structure without disrupting the rest of the store’s layout or functionality.

Consistent customizations across pages

Templates are fixed, so any changes you make within a template apply to all pages using that template. If you add a new section to your default product page template, this section will appear on all product pages using that template. This helps maintain a unified design, but it also means that you might need to create and assign custom templates to apply unique changes to specific pages.

Customizing templates without coding: DIY design made easy

Shopify’s templates are designed to be user-friendly, allowing merchants to personalize their pages without needing to know HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. With the drag-and-drop editor and customization settings, you can adjust color schemes, update fonts, add sections, or hide elements to fit your brand identity.

How to get more Shopify page templates: Options galore

If you want more page templates that are already available in Shopify, you have a few options:

Create your alternate template pages from scratch

This option gives you complete control over how your pages look and function. However, it requires technical expertise in HTML, CSS, and Liquid (Shopify’s template language).

Purchase a theme that includes more page templates

Many premium themes come with a wider variety of pre-designed templates. This can be a quick and easy way to get more options without building them yourself.

Use a page builder app like Instant with pre-loaded page templates

These apps often have drag-and-drop interfaces that make it easy to create custom page layouts without coding. They can be a great way to get more templates and add functionality to your store. Your resources and priorities will help determine the best option for your eCommerce store.

Why are Shopify templates beneficial?

Cost-effective start

Creating a website from scratch isn’t cheap; the cost ranges from $12,000 to $150,000. That's a big chunk of change for small businesses and startups. Luckily, Shopify templates offer a far more affordable alternative. Shopify provides free themes that help companies to launch their stores without a price tag. Even the premium themes are budget-friendly compared to custom builds. This makes Shopify templates a smart option for businesses on a budget.

User-friendly design

Shopify templates are built with the user in mind. They’re simple to set up, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Installing a theme and adding products can be done in just a few clicks. This means entrepreneurs can focus on running their businesses instead of dealing with complex coding. So, if you’re looking for a hassle-free way to get your store online, Shopify templates are the way to go.

Tailored to your brand

A Shopify template gives you a solid starting point, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a cookie-cutter design. You can tweak colors, fonts, layouts, and navigation to fit your brand identity. This flexibility ensures your store stands out, even if other shops use the same template. So, you get the best of both worlds: a professional design that’s also uniquely yours.

Mobile-first approach

More people are shopping on their phones than ever before. That’s why mobile responsiveness is crucial. Most Shopify templates are built to adapt to any screen size. This ensures your site looks great and functions well, whether customers are on:

• Tablet

• Smartphone

• Desktop

Google rewards mobile-friendly sites with higher search rankings, so it’s a win-win.

Fast-track to market

Time is money, especially when you’re starting. Shopify templates let you get your store up and running quickly so you can start selling sooner. This rapid deployment is especially beneficial for startups and small businesses that need to make a splash without a long wait.

SEO ready

Shopify templates come packed with SEO features to help your store get noticed. This includes customizable meta tags, alt text for images, and structured data support. Use these tools wisely, and you’ll improve your visibility in search results, driving more organic traffic to your store.

Elevate your Shopify store with Instant

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!

What pages does every Shopify store need?

Crafting a compelling homepage

Your homepage is your storefront. It’s where visitors land and decide if they want to stick around. Make it count. Highlight your key products and promotions. Showcase your brand’s unique identity. Guide your visitors to explore further with clear calls to action. A well-designed homepage sets the stage for everything else.

Sharing your story: The About Us page

People want to know who they’re buying from. The About Us page is your chance to connect. Share your brand’s story, values, and mission. Let your customers in on what makes you tick. This is how you build trust and foster a connection.

Keeping communication open: The contact page

Don’t leave your customers hanging. A contact page is essential for customer communication. Provide various ways for customers to reach you:

• Email

• Phone number

• Social media links

A contact form is also a nice touch. Make it easy for your customers to get in touch.

Answering questions upfront: The FAQ page

An FAQ page is a lifesaver. Address common questions and concerns right off the bat. This reduces the volume of customer service inquiries and keeps your customers informed. Cover topics like shipping, returns, sizing, and more.

Showcasing your products: Product pages

Each product needs its spotlight. Use high-quality images, detailed descriptions, pricing, and variants. Give potential buyers all the information they need to make a decision. A well-crafted product page can make all the difference.

Organizing for easy navigation: Collection pages

Don’t make your customers dig for what they want. Collection pages group related products into categories like Men’s Clothing or Women’s Accessories. This organization helps customers navigate your store easily and find what they’re looking for.

Laying out the rules: Policies pages

Every store needs clear policies, including return, shipping, privacy, and terms of service. These pages are not just legal necessities; they set expectations and build trust. Make sure they’re easy to find and understand.

Reviewing before checkout: The cart page

Customers review their selected items on the cart page before proceeding to checkout. It should be user-friendly, enabling easy adjustments like modifying quantities or removing items. This is where you smooth out any wrinkles before the purchase.

Confirming the purchase: Order confirmation page

After a purchase, the order confirmation page is there to reassure your customers. It details their order, including an order number and a summary of items purchased. This page is about ensuring your customers feel good about their transactions.

building authority and engagement: blog or resource page (optional)

A blog or resource page is unnecessary but a nice touch. This space allows you to share valuable content related to your industry or products. It can help establish your brand as an authority and engage your customers. It’s good for SEO.

Four easy steps to create Shopify page templates

1. Access the Shopify theme code editor

Navigate to your Shopify admin dashboard. Click on the "Online Store" section and select "Themes." Choose the theme you want to customize. Click "Actions" and select "Edit code." This will open the theme code editor, where you can create and edit your templates.

2. Create a new template file

Click "Add a new template" in the code editor to create your custom page template. Name something descriptive in your file, like "template-skincare," so you can easily find and modify it later. Use a naming convention that reflects the purpose of the template to keep things organized.

3. Customize your new template

It's time to get creative. Use Shopify's Liquid, HTML, and CSS languages to tailor your template to fit your brand's design and functional needs. Plan your layout, colors, and overall look before starting to streamline the process. Experiment with dynamic elements like product info and interactive features. Test your template on different devices to ensure it looks great everywhere.

4. Assign pages to your new template

Once your template is ready, assign pages to it. Head back to the Shopify admin and click "Pages." Choose or create the page you want to apply the new template to. Select your new template using the dropdown menu in the "Online store" section. Save your changes.

Elevate your Shopify store with Instant

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!

Five tips for designing & implementing effective Shopify page templates

1. Nail the first impression: Fonts and colors matter

Typography, color choices, and layout are crucial to the first impression of your Shopify store. Fonts should be readable and fit your brand’s tone, whether professional, playful, or luxurious. A tech store might choose clean, modern fonts, while a boutique could opt for more decorative ones. Color choices also play an emotional role. Bright, bold colors can energize visitors, while soft tones might evoke calm. 

Ensure your color scheme is consistent across your pages to reinforce brand identity and create a seamless visual flow. Layout is the backbone of a well-designed page. A structured, intuitive layout helps customers easily find information and products. Position headers, images, and CTAs in a way that naturally guides users through the page. A well-thought-out layout can lead visitors toward key actions, like purchasing or signing up for a newsletter.

2. Learn from mistakes others have made

One of the biggest pitfalls in designing page templates is overcrowding. While including every piece of information on a single page is tempting, too much content can overwhelm visitors and dilute your core message. Focus on a clean design with enough white space to make important elements stand out. 

Another area to improve is making sure your template is mobile-responsive. With a growing number of customers shopping on mobile, ensuring that your pages look and function well across all screen sizes is essential. Test your template on various devices to identify layout issues and adjust your design to ensure smooth, responsive performance.

3. Use visuals wisely: images, videos, and more

Visual elements such as:

• High-quality images

• Videos

• Illustration

Can greatly enhance your page’s appeal and help communicate your brand story. For product pages, include detailed photos or videos to give shoppers a better understanding of the product. Be mindful of loading times, as too many visuals can slow your page. 

Shopify’s platform allows you to optimize images and videos for faster loading but always balances visual appeal and page performance. Choose visuals that serve a clear purpose, like showcasing product details or conveying your brand’s personality, rather than adding elements that might clutter the page.

4. Test and preview your template

After designing your new template, the next step is testing it in Shopify’s theme editor. Use the preview option to see how the page looks and functions, making adjustments as needed. This preview allows you to confirm that layout, typography, and visual elements are well-aligned and working together smoothly.

Once you’re satisfied with the design, apply the template to a page in your live store. Then, check how it appears on various devices and browsers to ensure a consistent user experience. By testing thoroughly before a full rollout, you can catch any issues that might disrupt the customer experience.

5. Boost conversions and SEO

An effective Shopify template can increase conversions by making the customer journey intuitive and engaging. Design elements like CTAs should be easy to find and persuasive, leading customers naturally toward completing a purchase. Optimize each page template for search engines by including unique, descriptive meta titles and descriptions. 

These SEO details help your store appear in relevant search results, attracting more potential customers. A well-crafted meta description boosts visibility and entices searchers to click through to your site, leading to higher traffic and conversions.

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

Instant is a game-changer for Shopify store owners. This tool can turn the complex into the simple. No coding expertise is required. It allows users to create fully customizable and advanced pages like:

• Landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Its seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools makes Instant versatile. You maintain complete control over your store's design while boosting conversions. Want to create high-converting pages quickly? Instant has you covered.