How to Customise Your Shopify Website?

Customisation is essential to building and managing a successful online store on Shopify. As a platform, Shopify offers a range of features and tools to help businesses create an attractive and functional website. However, the ability to customise these features allows businesses to stand out from competitors and provide a unique experience for their customers.

Without customisation, your Shopify website may look generic and fail to capture the attention of potential customers. Customising your Shopify website allows you to tailor it to your brand’s specific needs and create a cohesive online presence that reflects your unique identity.

Summary

1. What Shopify theme do you have?
2. Where can you find new Shopify themes?
3. Why Customization is So Important for Online Stores
4. Preparing Your Shopify Website for Customisation
5. How to customise Shopify template sections?
6. Changing your Shopify theme settings

What Shopify theme do you have?

First and foremost, your Shopify theme determines your website’s overall look and feel. The platform offers a wide selection of free and paid themes, each with its own design, layout, and features. Choosing a theme that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and provides the functionality you need is crucial. When exploring themes, you can install any free or paid theme to try it out. The payment only comes in when you are publishing the site with a premium theme.

If you’re just starting, opting for a free theme may be the way to go. While ‘free’ is often associated with being inferior, this is not the case for Shopify. Shopify’s free themes are all variations of the ‘Dawn’ theme which is the safest, most reliable option. We will discuss the difference between themes in the next section.

Where can you find new Shopify themes?

There are two main places to find new Shopify themes: the Shopify Theme Store and third-party marketplaces. Here are some things to consider when browsing for new themes:

Shopify Theme Store

One of the best places to start looking for new Shopify themes is the Shopify Theme Store. It offers a wide selection of free and paid themes optimised for the platform and regularly updated. Each theme might come with several styles which are simply different colour schemes and aesthetics of the same theme. When purchasing a Shopify theme, you do not have to choose a specific style as all the features will be included. You can filter themes by industry, layout, features, and other criteria to find the perfect fit for your business. It’s a great way to discover new themes and get a sense of what’s available on the market.

Shopify Free Themes

Free themes are built by Shopify, meaning they are always updated with the latest Shopify features. Whenever a new version of Shopify is launched, the changes will be reflected on the free themes within 24 hours. As mentioned earlier, all free Shopify themes are variations of the Dawn theme with different presets. The Dawn theme is used as the benchmark when Shopify educates other theme developers to build a theme that meets the gold standard for performance, safety and reliability.

The downside of the Dawn theme is that it is limited in the types of sections available. It might miss certain features like a countdown timer and customisable pop-ups. A quick workaround is to get the relevant app from the Shopify App ecosystem to add to the free theme.

Shopify Premium Themes

Shopify Premium themes are often created by theme developers. Due to Shopify’s strict standards on technical requirements, compatibility, user-friendliness, accessibility and more, you can be assured that all themes on the Shopify site are of robust quality. Apart from getting quality themes, all themes on the official site have to assist merchants with theme-related questions within 2 business days and fix critical bugs in a timely manner.

While they might be more expensive, the premium themes can give you more features and peace of mind that your website will have close to no disruptions even during peak seasons.

Third-party marketplaces

Third-party marketplaces like Themeforest and Template Monster are also worth exploring if you’re looking for a specific design that isn’t available on the Shopify Theme Store. These websites offer a variety of independent themes created by developers and designers outside of Shopify’s official marketplace. Since they are not on the official site, they tend to offer additional features to make them more attractive. These themes might be more experimental and less user-friendly than official Shopify themes. If you are equipped with technical knowledge and have a very specific design theme in mind, then using third-party themes can be useful.

It is best to browse only the top-selling themes as they will be more reliable and be built by a stable company that can offer after-sales support. Make sure to read reviews, check the theme’s ratings, and preview the live demo before purchasing.

Why Customization is So Important for Online Stores

1. Brand identity and recognition: Your business is unique, and your website should reflect that. Customising your theme allows you to incorporate your brand’s colours, fonts, and visual elements for a cohesive and recognisable look.

2. Differentiation from competitors: Being able to stand out from other online stores in your industry is crucial for success. Customisation allows you to create a one-of-a-kind website that sets you apart from the competition.

3. Tailoring user experience: User experience refers to a customer’s overall experience while browsing and interacting with your website. Customisation allows you to optimise the user experience by tailoring it to fit your target audience’s needs and preferences.

4. Showcasing products effectively: The more effective your product display is, the more likely customers are to make a purchase. With customisation, you can design your website to highlight your products and make them more appealing to potential buyers.

5. Building trust and credibility: Customers will most likely purchase from a professional and trustworthy website. Customisation allows you to create a polished and credible online presence for your brand and instil confidence in your customers.

6. Optimising conversion rates: Ultimately, the goal of your online store is to convert browsers into buyers. Customisation can help optimise your conversion rates by creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website that encourages customers to make a purchase.

7. Adapting to trends and changes: Trends come and go, and consumer preferences can change quickly. With customisation, you have the flexibility to adapt your website to current trends and make changes as needed to keep up with the ever-evolving digital landscape.

8. Customer engagement and loyalty: Loyal customers are the backbone of any successful business. Customisation allows you to create a personalised and engaging experience for your customers, making them more likely to return and become repeat buyers.

Preparing Your Shopify Website for Customisation

Now that you understand the benefits of customisation, it’s time to prepare your Shopify website for the process. Here are some key steps to take:

Reviewing Your Brand Identity

Your brand identity is a crucial aspect of your business and should be reflected in your website design. Before customising your website, take the time to review and refine your brand identity. But what are the things that make up your brand identity? Here are some key elements to consider:

• Logo and visual elements: These are the visual representations of your brand, such as your logo and colour scheme.

• Colour palette: Like your logo, your colour palette is an important visual element that helps create a cohesive and recognisable brand identity.

• Typography: The fonts and typography you use on your website can also contribute to your brand identity.

• Brand story and values: Your brand story and values are what make your business unique and help connect with your target audience.

• Target audience alignment: Your brand identity should align with the demographics and interests of your target audience.

• Brand voice and messaging: The tone and messaging you use in your branding can also shape your brand identity.

• Brand guidelines: Once you have established your brand identity, consider creating brand guidelines to ensure consistency across all aspects of your business.

Evaluating Your Target Audience

Taking the time to understand your target audience is crucial for customising your website effectively. Here are some key things to consider when evaluating your target audience:

• Demographics: Understand the age, gender, location, and other demographic factors of your target audience.

• Psychographics: Study how your target audience thinks, behaves, and their lifestyle to better tailor your website design.

• Behaviour and buying habits: The behaviour and buying patterns of your target audience can help inform decisions about website layout, navigation, and calls to action. Their online behaviour and buying patterns can also influence design elements such as colour, typography, and imagery.

• Purchase motivations: Buyers’ motivations and pain points can also inform your website design. Understanding what drives them to make a purchase or what challenges they may face in the buying process can help you create a user-friendly and effective website.

• Feedback and surveys: Many consumers are willing to provide feedback and take surveys, which can offer valuable insights into their preferences and needs. Consider using these tools to gather data on your target audience.

Setting Clear Customisation Goals

When you plan to customise your website, it’s important to have clear goals in mind. Here are a few examples of customisation goals you may want to consider:

• Functionality enhancement, design, and aesthetics: In most cases, the primary objective of customisation is to enhance your website’s functionality and visual appeal. Think about how you can make your website more user-friendly, visually attractive, and appealing to your target audience.

• User experience improvements, engagement, and interaction: Customisation can also help improve user experience by making your website more interactive and engaging. Consider implementing features like live chat or social media integration to encourage user interaction and increase engagement.

• Conversion rate optimisation and measurable metrics: The ultimate goal of a website is to convert visitors into customers. By customising your website, you can optimise it for better conversion rates and track the performance through measurable metrics like click-through rates, bounce rates, and time spent on page.

• Brand consistency: Customising your website can also help maintain consistency with your brand’s overall aesthetic and messaging. By incorporating your brand’s colours, fonts, and tone into the design and content of your website, you can create a cohesive and recognisable online presence.

• Mobile-friendly experience: The majority of website traffic now comes from mobile devices, so it’s crucial to customise your website for a seamless and user-friendly mobile experience. This includes optimising for smaller screens, touch-based navigation, and quick loading times.

• Personalisation for target audience: Customising your website can also help personalise the user experience for your target audience. By understanding their needs and preferences, you can tailor your content and design to cater to their specific interests and create a more personalised browsing experience.

How to customise Shopify template sections?

So, the question is, how can you customise your website to incorporate these features and improve the overall user experience? Here are some steps you can follow to customise Shopify template sections:

Customising the Header

The header is the top section of your website that typically includes your logo, navigation menu, and contact information.

To customise this section:

1. Log in to your Shopify account and go to “Online Store” > “Themes.”

2. Click on the “Customise” button for the ones you want to edit.

3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Header.”

4. Here, you can edit various elements such as logos, dropdowns and the menu bar colours

5. You can also add new elements like a search bar or announcement bar by clicking on the “+” button at the bottom of the sidebar.

Customising the footer

Like the header, the footer appears on every page of your website and typically includes links to important pages, contact information, and copyright information.

To customise this section:

1. Follow the same steps as customising the header.

2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Footer.”

3. Here, you can add or remove links, payment, and social media icons.

Editing individual sections

There are several sections on your website, such as the homepage, product page, and collection page. You can customise each section to fit the specific needs of that page.

Here’s how:

1. From the “Online Store” > “Themes” menu, click on “Customise.”

2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on the section you want to edit.

3. You can then make changes to elements such as text, images, and layout using the options in the sidebar or by clicking directly on the element you want to edit.

Adding a section

If you want to add a new section to your website, such as a featured product or customer testimonials, you can do so by following these steps:

1. In the left-hand sidebar of the “Customise” menu, click on the “+” button.

2. Select the type of section you want to add from the list of options.

3. Customise and rearrange elements within the new section using the options in the sidebar or by clicking directly on the element.

Moving a section

You can also rearrange the order of sections on your website by following these steps:

1. In the “Customise” menu, click on the section you want to move.

2. Click and hold on to the six-dot icon that appears in the top left corner of the section.

3. Drag and drop the section to its desired location.

Changing your Shopify theme settings

Apart from customising individual sections, you can also change the overall settings of your Shopify theme. This includes things like fonts, colours, and overall layout. Here’s how:

Colours

From the “Customise” menu, click on “Theme settings” in the left-hand sidebar. Here, you can select from various colour presets or create your own custom colour scheme. You can choose from a range of colours for different elements, such as text, buttons, and backgrounds.

Typography

Similar to the colour settings, you can also adjust your theme’s typography from the “Theme settings” menu. You can choose from a variety of font options for headings and body text, as well as adjust the font size and style.

Styles

You can also change the overall style of your website, such as the layout and button styles. You can choose from premade style presets or customise your own. When choosing a style, it’s important to keep your brand aesthetic and target audience in mind.

Social media integration

Your Shopify theme also allows you to integrate your social media accounts easily. This will allow customers to quickly access and engage with your brand on various platforms. You can add links to your social media profiles in the footer or header of your website, as well as share buttons on product pages.

Favicon

Favicon is the small icon that appears in the website tab. You can easily upload your own custom favicon under “Theme settings” to make your online store more visually appealing and professional.

Checkout

In the “Checkout” section of your Shopify theme, you can customise the checkout process to fit your branding and customer needs. You can add a custom logo, change the colours and fonts, and even include a personalised message or discount code for customers.

Enhance Your Shopify Online Store with Verz Design

As you can see, there are many customisation options available for your Shopify theme. However, if you want to take your online store to the next level, consider partnering with a professional web design agency.

At Verz Design, our team of experienced designers and developers can help create a custom Shopify theme that not only reflects your brand, but also enhances user experience and drives conversions. Contact us at +65 6841 1680 or email at enquiry@verzdesign.com for a free consultation today. Create an unforgettable online shopping experience for your customers with Verz Design and Shopify.