The Shopify platform is one of the easiest E-Commerce platforms to maneuver around and make changes to. But we find it to be easier if you have a quick overview of the basics. We are going to show you how to jump into your new theme and make changes to your hero banners and theme settings. Shopify has a live theme editor that will allow you to make changes. If you like the changes then click Save, if not then refresh your page to cancel any changes you've made. Additionally, you can duplicate your theme from the Actions drop-down and make changes, save them, and then publish that duplicates theme so it is the Live Theme when the time is right. This is a useful way to stage your theme changes.

Customizing Your Theme

First, login to the Shopify store admin > Online Store > Themes > select "customize" next to the proper theme on your right-hand side where your "Live Theme" is published.

customize theme shopify button example

Once the theme editor has loaded you are going to see many options on your left-hand side. These options are for the selected page type (Home Page opens by default). Look towards the top of the page where you will find a drop-down that says "Home Page" and click to see the various page types. This is where you will first select if you want to edit Home, Product, Blog, and various other page types. Once selected, you'll see the editor change the blocks on the left-hand side, where you can then modify the selected page.

selecting theme edit page example

Theme Global Settings

In your theme settings you will find areas that touch all page types like fonts and other system settings related to the themes controls. Here are some of the common areas you will find in the theme settings area found in the lower left-hand corner of the theme editor area.

  • Colors
  • Typography
  • Favicon
  • Currency
  • 410 Selection
  • Checkout
edit shopify theme global settings example

Home Page Slideshow

The most common question we're asked is "How can I change the graphics on the home page". This is a very simple task. Once you're in the theme editor you will select "Home Page" at the dropdown at the top of the editor. Once you have selected Home Page you will see various sections on the left-hand side. Select "Slideshow" and then you will see in the "Content" area the various Slideshows. You can add many slideshows graphics and change the duration settings within this area.

If you have any further questions about how to edit your theme then reach out to your project manager today.

Shopify has one of the most simplistic interfaces in the E-Commerce space to manage your products, customers, and orders. But with simplistic interfaces comes less functionality. But Shopify has been able to strike a balance between simplistic and robust with their Metafields database. This database functionality is hidden behind the scenes of your store and requires the use of the Shopify API to add data to is. But luckily, many app developers have created both free and paid apps that give you the interface to manage right within each area of your store and also with bulk importing abilities.

What Are Shopify Metafields?

Shopify Metafields are custom fields for Products & Variants, Collections, Pages, Blogs & Posts, Customers, and Orders.

Lets say you have a grid of product attributes/features in your product descriptions. You can always create one of those by hand in HTML using the Shopify description editor. But some stores process large imports of product data and need a way to place those attributes dynamically. That is where Metafields is useful. You can upload those attributes to your Shopify store and display them dynamically in your descriptions or anywhere you want on the product detail page. The design of how they look, where they are placed, etc can be completely controlled.

What's The Catch?

The catch is that although the app is easy to use and easy to import bulk data into. The dynamic code must be added to your theme and styled the first time for each area on your store. Meaning if you want product attributes on your product detail pages. You will need to grab the key code from the app and then place that and style it in your themes code and then after that you will see it auto display. It's not hard but in many cases requires a developer to place the code properly.

Is my store using Metafields?

If you've migrated your website and used Pelican Commerce, then there is a chance we used Metafields to populate data on your stores pages. Not all products need this so it is decided by your project manager if it is necessary. To check and or manage Metafields, follow the steps below.

Install Metafields Guru App

Step 1: Install a Metafields app. We like "Metafields Guru" because it is simple and free.

Install Metafields App

Step 2: Go to Products > Select A Product > when you get to the product editing page you will see "More Actions", click on this dropdown > Select "Edit Metafields".

Go to Product and Edit Metafields

Step 3: You will see various fields of data if they were used. If you see data in this area, then that data is for this very specific product you are editing. Keep in mind that if the code to display this data is not added to your theme then you will not see it on the live website.

Review Metafields To See if there are some

Areas You Can Use Metafields

These custom database fields can be used on your Products & Variants, Collections, Pages, Blogs & Posts, Customers, and Orders are of Shopify. This means that you can add custom data fields to your product pages, to your customer accounts area, to your collection pages, etc.

Areas You Can Use Shopify Metafields

If you need help bulk uploading custom fields to Shopify and mapping the data to your Shopify theme then reach out to us.

This year has been the busiest year for us to migrate Volusion stores to Shopify. Our clients have all had their reasons for wanting to leave Volusion, but the bottom line is they don't trust the direction the platform is headed. So we have spent a lot of time working with these established businesses to get their robust setups migrated to the Shopify platform, the right way!

Getting moved to Shopify is a big task because of the simplistic interface and the robust app selection allowing you to expand the functionality of the store. A lot of the built-in functions in Volusion require an app on the Shopify side. But most of the time you just need a few key apps to get back to where you were and any other apps you may want is merely to grow your store on the platform.

Common Things To Consider

The first thing you will need to do is to compare your current Volusion functionality to the built-in native functionality that Shopify offers. This is necessary to see if you need any apps to keep your store functioning the same on the other side. Here are some things to consider:

  • Do your products have more than 3 Drop-Downs and/or over 100 total variation options? Remember you calculate this by multiplying the total variations against each other in each drop-down. e.g. 5 x 10 x 8 = 400
  • Do you have custom field attributes? Shopify's system allows you to create custom fields but a free app is required. These are called Metafields in Shopify. Once the data is in place they have to be coded to your theme.
  • Do you offer quantity discounts? You will need an app for quantity discounts.
  • Do you offer wholesale? You will need an app for Wholesale and there are plenty of them.

These are the big structural decisions that need to be considered because they do require an app. We commonly see that people have many of these options on the Volusion side and the apps you select are critical because you will be using them anytime you need to update your products. So making the best decision possible for these apps are important in the long term.

Moving Transactional Data

If you want to move your customers and orders to Shopify then you will need to first get the total customer and order count from Volusion. (check out our blog post here that explains how to see how many products, customers, and orders you have in your Volusion admin). Once you have these numbers, then it is easier to get a quote to transfer the transactional data. Shopify requires transactions to be imported via API. This is something we can help you achieve when you're migrating your customer and order data.

Keep Your Existing SEO

If you have an established website with high ranking authority, rank, and existing traffic, then you're going to want to follow Google's strict process to get moved to another platform. The secret sauce for retaining your SEO traffic is to match page for page 1:1 on all product detail pages, collection landing pages, blog pages, content pages, and your home page. Matching the metadata on-page and putting the canonical URL into a 301-redirect to the new Shopify handle. We have an extensive process for our clients that also includes custom crawlers, and hopping through all URLs on-site to be sure there are no 404 errors which is what overall is bad for your site.

How To Get Started

We help small businesses get migrated to the Shopify platform. Volusion is a platform we spend a lot of time moving people off of and our well thought-out process is a must for businesses that rely on their organic search traffic and that require full-service to get moved, setup, and launched. Reach out to us today for more information about moving your business to the Shopify platform.

A common problem with many of the themes on Shopify is that they free flow images height to 100%. The width of the image is limited to the container on the page. This method can create uneven image heights on your category landing pages, search results pages, and even a way too tall product image on the product detail page.

How To Fix Aspect Ratio

You have many options, some more desirable than others. But it is going to ultimately depend on your technical skills if you are trying to edit an extensive catalog of images in bulk. Here are some methods we commonly use at Pelican Commerce to fix the Shopify image aspect ratio in bulk.

1. We use a method to bulk download all images into a single folder from the Shopify store. We resize the aspect ratio in a local program in bulk to have square 1:1 ratio images (where the blank space on the longest side is filled in with white space). Then we add all the images to a temporary image server to create a hosted URL. We then use those URLs to map the images to the bulk export file from Shopify to replace the existing images with the new images. The first time we upload the file with the external server URL, Shopify uploads them to the Shopify CDN, and then that URL is never needed again.

This method is a more technical method to work with images in bulk and requires a fair amount of excel experience.

2. You can edit the theme code, which can proportionally resize the aspect ratio to display square images. You can have the code of your theme modified to force all images to 1:1 ratio on Search Pages, Collection Pages, and the Product Detail Page. Also, don't forget about items displayed in sections on the home page. All these areas need to be coded to force the aspect ratio. The key is a "Proportional Resize" of the aspect ratio to make the images square.

3. You can crop each image to be square in a local or online program. The most popular tool would be Photoshop, or if you have a lower volume of images, then you can even use your phone to edit pictures and crop them to a perfect square.

If you are looking for help bulk editing your images, then we can take care of it for you. We offer custom code options to auto-correct the aspect ratio or image asset modifications in bulk to adjust the original images. Contact us anytime for more information.

If your existing theme is from the Shopify theme store, then there are some benefits included in that one-time fee you paid. Shopify themes come with unlimited free updates to the latest version of the theme. This is useful because most of the theme developers are adding new functionality to their themes, and overtime; this can be useful. However, updating the theme to the latest version can be a time-consuming task. When you receive the latest theme version, you're receiving a brand new file with the theme, not set up the way your existing copy of the theme file is setup.

Out of the Sandbox and Pixel Union Themes

One of the benefits of selecting an Out of the Sandbox theme or Pixel Union theme is these two companies have an app that transfers all the settings from your existing theme to the latest version of the theme automatically. If you have custom code added to the theme, the app will recognize that and transfer that over as well. There is a free and paid version of the app. The paid version is for store owners that have custom code added into the theme, and they want that auto moved to the new version. Otherwise, the app is free to use and update your theme anytime.

Theme Updater by Out of the Sandbox

Updating all other Shopify themes

If your updating other Shopify themes both from the Shopify theme store and different themes on the internet through companies like Theme Forest, then it is a manual process to update. You will need to set up the theme 100% from the ground up. This means all the graphics, category banners on the home page, sections, settings, layouts, content, fonts, colors, and more. You're essentially starting over, except since you already have all the settings in place, it is a bit faster to copy-paste and match the settings if you have the old and new side by side on your screen. That is how we do it if you're looking to update, and you want Pelican Commerce to do it for you.

If you need help updating your theme then reach out to us anytime.

During your Shopify project with Pelican Commerce, you'll be picking a theme, most likely from the Shopify theme store. Shopify allows us to build your theme - (graphics, settings, layouts, fonts, colors, and other options) before you buy the theme. So that means once you go onto billing with Shopify when we Transfer Shopify Ownership to you, you'll need to go and "Buy" the theme. This is a simple task you can accomplish by doing the following:

Buying Your Shopify Theme

  1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
  2. On the left side under the Online Store section, click on "Themes."
  3. You will now see in the Theme library section the Theme we have been setting up, and it will say "Theme Trial" next to the name. Click the "Actions" drop-down and then click "Buy."
  4. You'll now need to approve the one time charge for the cost of the theme by clicking on the button "Approve charge."
how to buy a shopify theme admin

Approving the billing for the on-time fee for your theme.

buy shopify theme approve charge

You're all set, and you now own the theme. Shopify themes are a one time charge, and they come with unlimited updates and support at no extra cost. Suppose you need help updating your theme in the future then check out our blog post How to update your Shopify theme to the latest version for support. If you have any questions, then please reach out to your project manager.

If you're making the switch to Shopify and have been tasked with picking the perfect theme for your business, then you've found the right place. I am going to outline many factors to consider when choosing the best theme for your new Shopify store. We have set up hundreds of Shopify themes, and often all the factors are precisely the same when considering the differences between theme vs. apps and Shopify functionality.

What Is A Shopify Theme?

A Shopify theme is the layout, look and feel, and the aesthetics of your website. This means the layout and design of your header, footer, buttons, the way your categories look, how your product detail pages look, and even some functionality like an Instagram Feed on your home page. The theme is a bunch of code wrapped up in a single file that works only with the Shopify platform. All Shopify themes can be edited with the Shopify theme editor that all stores come up. However, not all theme developers have added many ways to edit the layouts, colors, fonts, and extra section areas. While other developers have added a lot of functionality for you to edit and change many aspects of the theme on your own without a developer.

Common Factors To Think About When Selecting A Shopify Theme

  • Do I need a Mega Menu, and does the theme have one built-in?
  • Is the developer of the theme well known, and do they have responsive support?
  • Do I need a video hero-banner on my home page?
  • Does the theme have native Instagram functionality?
  • Does the theme have tabs on the product detail page for additional sizing, shipping, and description to be organized?
  • Does the theme have the ability to left and center align my logo?
  • How do my variations (product sizing, colors, etc.) look on the product detail page? Can I use swatch images?
  • Is the search bar as visible as I want it?
  • How does the blog design look on this theme?
  • Do I want my additional product images displayed vertically or horizontally on the product detail pages?
  • Does the theme have built-in filter functionality (left navigation landing pages), or will I need an app?
  • Does the theme have a quick check-out button, quick shop button, sold out badges, new product badges, on the category landing pages, and the product section grid on the home page?

There are many factors to consider, but don't overthink all of these. Many people don't need most of these things above, but if your product is reliant on any of them like Filters, or Swatches for example, then it is essential to think about those factors. Some companies want to center align their logo in the header, but the theme just doesn't have that simple option in the editor. So carefully pick what's important to your brand and don't get lost in all the factors.

All Themes Are Responsive (Mobile Friendly)

You may be wondering how the Shopify themes look on mobile. Just to clear up a straightforward question, "Is this theme mobile-friendly," and the answer is YES! If the theme is in the Shopify theme store, then it is "Responsive," which is the terminology used for Mobile-Friendly. You can also demo the mobile version by merely making your browser window smaller, and you will see the responsive design automatically resize as you make your browser screen more narrow. Or if you're in the Shopify Themes demo, then you can click the icons at the top to see Desktop vs. Mobile.

responsive size change shopify themes

Look for these icons in the top section of the demo to resize and see mobile.

The Demo Theme Is Just A Demo

Many people think because they see a shoe company or electronics company in the demo of the theme, they have to pick a different theme. Keep in mind that you're looking at the layout, styling, not the content. For example, we commonly have apparel companies that think because the theme shows bicycles, they need to pick a different theme that shows apparel. It's just a layout, all the colors, content, banners, and many layouts can be changed to make the theme match your brand.

Theme Setup Graphics 75

Shopify Theme Sections

All themes now have sections. Which means on the home page you can rearrange the order or each section, add new sections, hide sections while your working on them, and more. So when you're looking at the demo, just keep in mind that you're not stuck with the order of each section, you can add, remove, and rearrange anytime you like. It's very easy!

Most Important Areas Of A Theme

When you're selecting a theme, you will find there are only a handful of areas to consider. You're looking for the layout and possibilities of the theme. Meaning each theme has many options to change around the common pages. But there are only a few common pages. Those pages are your home page, product detail page, category landing page, and your cart page. When looking at the demo of one of the Shopify Themes, you will want to click through to each of these 4-page types to see what the desktop and mobile versions look like.

shopify themes most important areas

You Get All Styles

When you are looking at a theme, you will see a style selection. Usually, there are 3-4 styles on the demo page in Shopify Theme Store. What most people don't know is, you're not buying a style, meaning it is not 3-4 different themes. The styles are simply the different ways you can mix and match all the settings in the theme to make it look that way. The theme has many options, settings, layouts, fonts, colors, section options, etc. So the style is just a single example of what you could do. You get all styles when purchasing that specific theme.

shopify themes style

Shopify Theme Store

Visit the Shopify theme store today to check out 70+ of the best themes in the industry that Shopify has curated from the best developers servicing Shopify store owners.

shopify theme store pelican commerce

Setup Services

Selecting your theme is a more straightforward process than it appears. But factoring all of your requirements before you get started will save a lot of time in your project and will keep your setup smooth.

If you are looking for a company to set up your theme in full, set up and map your navigation, collections, and get your store launched, then reach out to us today and we can help get you fully set up.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
arrow-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram