The Ultimate Guide On How To Choose A Shopify Theme!

You need to list the features you might need when choosing a theme. And eliminate those that don't meet your criteria.

But first, what are some features you need to consider?

1. Search capabilities
2. Navigation
3. Loading speed
4. Responsiveness
5. Aesthetics that fit your brand

If you know what you're looking for, you don't need to go through hundreds of themes anymore. Just pick what you think works well based on your criteria.

But before you hit that "Install" button, why don't we go on to the next step first?

Did you know what nearly 70% of consumers read reviews before purchasing?

As a business owner, you should give importance to reviews. Just like how your customers value them.

Let me ask you something.

What if you see an aesthetically pleasing theme? Would you install it immediately? Or you'll read reviews first to make sure the theme is trustworthy?

If you'll read reviews first, that's great! That's why some Shopify themes include proof that they're trustworthy.

Let's look at one of Shopify's third-party themes, Debutify.

Debutify is an ecommerce theme that you can try for free. As you can see, 378,491+ ecommerce brands trust the Debutify theme. And this number proves that it's one of the best-paid themes for Shopify.

So, do these numbers intrigue you? That's the power of reviews. You want to see why a massive number of business owners use this theme.

Would you use a theme with hundreds of thousands of users or the one with no reviews? You choose.

But question is, how and where can you find Shopify theme reviews?

Blogs

Several ecommerce and marketing blogs are reviewing Shopify themes.

These will help you choose a Shopify theme easier.

And you get to see a more in-depth review from different perspectives.

You can also read reviews from...

Online Community

If you're wondering what is the best Shopify free theme... well, Shopify online community might help.

Shopify users use this platform to discuss different topics surrounding the platform. From technical jazz to design, this got you covered!

Another place is...

Shopify Themes

Yep, you can read reviews when you go to Shopify themes.

Here's how:

1. Go to Shopify Themes.
2. Choose the theme you might like based on the category.
3. Select the theme, and scroll down a little bit.

You can find the "Reviews" between "Features" and "Support and documentation" tabs.

So easy, right? But reading these reviews will surely help you choose the best Shopify theme.

Once you've read reviews of the themes you have an eye on, ask yourself...

Remember what I said earlier?

If not, let me remind you again.

Not all the time, there's a one size fits all theme that works best for your business. So, one way to narrow down your Shopify theme choices is by defining your niche.

Here's how to choose a theme by industry:

1. Go to Shopify Themes.
2. At the navigation bar, then select Industries.
3. Choose your niche.

After selecting your niche, you can see that you have fewer options.

Shopify themes are usually customizable. But choosing a theme based on your niche can save you time and give you more ideas.

My next tip is...

As they say, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

How much are you willing to spend on a theme? When choosing a Shopify theme, don't put all your budget into one you liked at first sight.

That's why the budget should be one of the things you need to consider.

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

1. Features. Does the Shopify theme have all the features you need based on your criteria?
2. Support. If you choose a less expensive theme, will you still get great support from the developers?
3. Functionality. Are you sure that a cheaper theme is functional enough?
4. SEO-friendly. Does this theme help you rank higher on search engines?
5. Mobile-responsiveness. Is this theme compatible with mobile devices?

Remember, don't put all your money in a theme that can't fully support your business.

Fortunately, Shopify themes have different prices that might fit your budget. It usually depends on its features. To give you an idea, Shopify themes typically range from $150 to $350.

So, if you have no budget to hire a designer, you can choose from these. Just sort them based on your budget, and bang! Fewer but more curated theme options have hit you.

But that's not your only choice. You can also check Shopify's third-party themes for more options, which I will talk about later.

Pro Tip: Include choosing high converting themes for Shopify in your checklist. This is to make sure your theme is cost-effective even if you pay a sum. 😉

Last for this step is...

Do you want your store to look the same as your competitors?

If not, this is why it's an essential factor when you're choosing a Shopify theme. You need to include customization in your criteria.

Let me tell you why:

1. You need a theme that allows you to incorporate your brand identity into it.
2. A highly-customizable theme lets you design your website according to your style.
3. You should be able to add features that you think would enhance your customer experience.

These are just some of the reasons why you should choose a highly customizable theme. If not, take them off your list.

The fewer choices you have, the easier it is to choose what is the best Shopify free theme.

So, now that you've narrowed down your choices... let's get this show down the road.

It's time to...

Shopify has pre-made templates for your store that you can customize. A lot of them.

That's why the first two steps are crucial before choosing the theme — to make this process easier.

Since you're running a Shopify store... I understand that Shopify themes are your first option. There are free and paid themes, depending on your budget. You can also sort the themes based on your industry.

So, you're probably thinking... how on earth can you install the theme you like?

If you're planning to start with a free Shopify theme before committing to a premium one, here's how.

How to Install a Free Shopify Theme?

Shopify has a wide range of free high-converting Shopify themes to choose from. And to start, you need to...

1. Go to your Shopify Admin dashboard.
2. Under Sales Channel and Online Store, choose Themes.
3. Select Explore Free Themes to see the free themes available.
4. Select the theme you wish to preview.
5. Click Add if you want to install the theme.
6. The theme is now added to your page.
7. Customize the theme.

Do you want to go all out and pay for a premium theme? It's also easy to install!

Let me show you how.

How to Install a Premium Shopify Theme?

If the free Shopify themes aren't enough for you, there are also a lot of premium Shopify themes you can choose from.

Once you find the theme you fancy...

1. Go to your Shopify Admin dashboard.
2. Under Sales Channel and Online Store, choose Themes.
3. Select Visit Theme Store.
4. Choose the theme you like to purchase.
5. Select Buy Theme.
6. Approve the payment.
7. Customize and Publish the theme.

Hold up! Most paid themes are non-refundable. That's why you need to check out the best-paid themes for Shopify that will cater to your needs.

Oh, and by the way!

Did I ever tell you that you can also choose themes from a third-party source?

Yep, you read that right. You can also purchase Shopify themes from third-party developers.

But wait, what does it mean?

Themes from third-party developers are Shopify themes that aren't from Shopify directly. So, this gives you more options.

By options, here are some:

1. Themeforest. It's part of Envato Market, and it allows developers to sell their Shopify themes.
2. Creativemarket. This is where you can buy a whole lot of digital goodies. Yes, even Shopify themes.
3. Straight from Debutify. Unlike the previous two, Debutify is a third-party theme that you can't buy from other websites.

See? There are so many other options to choose from.

But wait! Here's the catch.

Remember Step 2? Narrow down your choices.

Since you are again presented with many options, you have to stick with what's best for your business—the theme that suits your needs—not because a theme is visually appealing.

So, let's talk about...

Ask yourself first: What's best for my needs?

Because not all themes are the same. You need to know how to pick a theme that's best for your store.

Then consider these when choosing where to source your Shopify theme:

1. Developer support. What if you encounter a problem with your Shopify theme? You have to make sure that you can get support from developers anytime you need help.
2. Ease of use. If you're not planning to hire a web developer to do the work, you need to test its usability. Check if you can quickly set up the theme and customize it.
3. Mobile-responsiveness. To save more time, it's best to choose a theme that's already mobile-responsive. This way, you wouldn't have to make it mobile-friendly yourself.
4. Free trial. Would you purchase a $$$ theme for at least two weeks without trying it out? This is why you need to test if you're made for each other.
5. Your niche. Shopify themes are customizable. But isn't it better to use a theme that feels like it's made for your store? This will save you some time, and you're confident that the features are perfect for your brand.

Anyway, let me make things easier for you.

Read on because I will show you the best Shopify themes for your niche!

Best Shopify Theme For Clothing

As a clothing store, you need a theme that can showcase your editorial photos. And, of course, your theme needs to be stylish, too! Just like your clothes. 👌

You need a theme that can bring out the best in your visuals, like this:

Prestige by Maestroo

Prestige is perhaps one of the best high-converting Shopify themes. Why? Because this theme is perfect for high-volume stores.

Not only that, there are also a variety of features you can use. It allows you to maximize your product discovery through the mega menu, recommended products, infinite scroll, product sorting, and more.

Here's another one.

Best Free Shopify Theme For Pet Store

Are you wondering which theme would match the cuteness of your products? 🐶

Then this is perfect for your Shopify store.

Marten by Theme-4Web team

Marten is a theme that's perfect for your pet products. So, if you're looking for a responsive pet store theme, why not check it out?

It's a quick install Shopify theme. It has a mega menu, newsletter popup, collection sorting, and more.

Let me show you another theme that might work well with your niche.

Best Shopify Theme For Boutique

Are you selling various boutique items? You need a theme that helps make your products more visually appealing.

Atlantic by Pixel Union

This Shopify theme is stunning. You can also use this if you have a physical store. This is theme perfect, especially for high-volume Shopify stores.

The best part? Product discovery is superb! There's a product sorting and filtering option, enhanced search, mega menu, recommended products, and more that will help you boost conversions.

But wait, what if you're not a product-based business?

Best Shopify Theme For Services

Who said Shopify themes only work best with products? Surprise, because there are themes for services, too!

Let me show you one.

Editorial by Switch

Editorial is one of the fast-loading Shopify themes. This is great for companies that offer services, such as branding studios.

Despite its ability to support multiple blogs and large images... it's still a fast-loading theme. But wait... the flexibility of this theme also allows you to use it for product-based stores.

The next theme I have here is...

Best Shopify Theme for Skincare Products

Some people are sensitive when it comes to putting products on their faces. But you know what one way to gain their trust is? Having a sleek website.

Broadcast by Invisible Themes

Broadcast is a paid Shopify theme. It ables you to show color swatches, image galleries, product tabs, shopping/delivery information, size chart, and more.

It also looks elegant, which is perfect for your skincare store.

Speaking of elegance...

Best Shopify Theme for Jewelry

Every piece of jewelry tells a story. And you need a theme that helps you tell that story.

So, check this out:

Maker by Troop Themes

Maker is a Shopify theme made for ANY catalog size. It doesn't matter if you're a small catalog or a high-volume store. This theme is perfect for your jewelry business.

It has excellent conversion features. For example, back-in-stock alerts, promo banners and popups, stock counter, and more. It also has a collection page navigation you can customize.

The next theme is...

Best Shopify Theme for Restaurant

Do you believe that the meals you share are mouth-watering? Well, you need a theme to support your claim.

Emerge by Troop Themes

If you have a physical store for your food and beverage products, Emerge theme is your gal. This theme is also perfect if you have a physical store and you want to invite more customers.

This is also great for any catalog size—even high-volume stores.

Think that's all? Here's the last one!

Best Shopify Theme for General Store

Did I mention your industry above? 🤔

If not, no worries! Because I have the best theme for general store Shopify. This means this theme is ideal if you're selling a variety of goods.

So, what is the best Shopify free theme?

Debutify Theme by Debutify

Debutify is an all-around theme. Whether you are a fashion, pet, jewelry, digital products, or a general store... this is the answer.

It's a multifaceted theme that works well with ANY kind of store.

Wanna know a few reasons why Debutify is a high-converting ecommerce theme?

It's a fast-loading and mobile-responsive theme. There are also 50+ Add-Ons you can use to convert your traffic into customers.

Best part? You can try the paid plans FREE for 14 days. Yup, you don't need to commit immediately.

So, if you're already curious about this masterpiece, why don't you let me show you how to install this theme?

I know how excited you are to try this goldmine of a theme and take note... it's EASY.

Step 1: Go to the Debutify website and click "Try Debutify Free"

Step 2: Enter your name and email address. Then click the Try Debutify Free button.

Step 3: Once you're on your Shopify account, click "Install unlisted app"

Step 4: Select your desired plan.

For this step, you can select the Pro or Enterprise plan to fully maximize the features of Debutify.

You can have access to 1-click integrations, over 50+ Add-Ons, 24/7 live support, and more! These will help your website turn into a conversion-magnet store.

So easy, right?

After choosing and installing the theme, it's time to...

How are you going to stand out if there are more than a million other brand owners?

By making your store distinctive.

Remember, if you're using a pre-made theme, chances are there are hundreds, if not thousands, of others using it too. That's why you need to brand your ecommerce store.

Even if you think you're using the best Shopify theme for mobile, you still have some customization to do.

To give you a few tips, let's start with one of the most important things.

A. Determine Your Brand Mission and Values

As an ecommerce brand, you need to have your brand values. Why? Because your customers want to know if your values align with theirs.

Ask yourself these when thinking of how to craft your brand values:

• What changes am I trying to advocate for?
• What are my values as a brand owner?
• How do I want to change other people's lives through my ecommerce brand? (Sustainability, donating partial profits, diversity, etc.)

If your brand mission and values align with your customers... they'd like to contribute to the changes you make. And they're most likely to be your loyal customers.

Next up...

B. Think Of A Catchy Tagline

When you hear the words "Just do it," what does it remind you of?

Does it remind you to do whatever it is you're scared of? Or does it remind you that you need a new pair of shoes? 🤔

That's the power of branding. And that includes having a catchy tagline, like Nike, amongst many brands.

So, how can you start creating your catchy tagline? Here are some tips.

• Consider your market. Are you targeting a younger demographic? Use a fun and witty tagline. If your target market can't understand your tagline, it's useless. No matter how comical it is.
• Keep it short and sweet. A tagline helps your customers remember you. And it's easier to achieve if you keep your tagline short AND catchy.
• Use your tone of voice. Like I said... it's important to incorporate your brand identity when customizing your theme. So, you need to use your tone of voice when crafting a tagline.

Another tip is...

C. Be Consistent With Your Style

Being consistent with your style is one way to establish a brand identity on your website.

That's why I have a few tips on how you can be consistent with your design.

• Use up to three fonts. Nothing more. This also makes your website look easy on the eye. Not confusing and overwhelming.
• Use similar designs. If you're using particular shapes or elements, don't go overboard. Use similar designs as much as possible, not different sets of elements per page. Again, don't make your website an eyesore.
• Create a color palette. Another way to be consistent with your website theme is to use a color palette. That's why it's essential to check the customization of the theme you're installing.

Now that you know how to incorporate your brand identity with your theme let's get into the next step.

Once you find what is the best Shopify free theme for your business, it's time to add the products.

I mean, what are you going to sell without this, right? 🤔

Kidding aside, here's how to add product listings on your Shopify store.

1. Go to your Shopify dashboard.
2. Select Products.
3. Click the Add Your Products button.
4. Fill in the form with your product details.

Easy-peasy, right?

I suggest you write an epic product description for each listing to make your customers trust you. And eventually, buy from you.

But wait, what goes well with a great product description?

Did you know that humans like visuals? Yep, that's right.

Humans process information more easily through visuals. That's why it's crucial to make your website visually attractive. And one way to do this is by using a theme that helps in visual storytelling.

But aside from that, there are still other ways. And you're lucky because I'm sharing them with you here in this guide. 😏

Wait, let me ask you first... Would you buy a pair of shoes that aren't from a brand with three stripes? Hmm...

If not, that's what I'm talking about here—the power of logos.

And you need one for your brand, which leads to our first tip.

A. Create A Logo

Before I tell you how to create a logo, I will give you some starter advice.

• Represent your brand. Are you a "fun" brand? Make your logo pop with colors. Logos should show what your brand is about.
• Avoid trademark infringement. This can get your brand into trouble, so make sure to check if your logo is similar to other brands with trademarks.
• Make your logo distinctive. This is one of the goals of your logo: to set you apart from the competition. Be remarkable.

But... if you're not planning to hire a professional designer for your brand, you can create your logo through Shopify's logo maker, Hatchful.

• Go to the Hatchful website and click Get Started.
• Select your industry.
• Choose your style.
• Enter your business name and slogan.
• Click Next
• Choose Online Store or Website
• Pick a logo!

Also, note that you can edit the logos and customize them according to your brand identity.

Very simple, right? Now, you have a logo for your ecommerce store that would go well with your best-paid theme for Shopify!

Since I said that humans fancy visual information, do you see where we’re going with this?

B. Add Great Product Photos

That's right! Having excellent product photography entices your website and visitors.

Your Shopify theme won't reach its best potential if you don't use great photos.

Let me ask you this...

Would you buy from a website that doesn't exhibit the features of its products properly?

If not, think of your customers. They probably feel the same way. And you need great product photos. Lucky for you, because I have a few tips!

• Make sure they're color-accurate. What if your customers think a product is pink when it's actually more on the red side? Don't wait for your customers to leave bad reviews if you disappoint them.
• Show details. Take close-up photos of your products. This will help your customers feel your product even online... by seeing its texture.
• Show product in use. Show how to use your products. This might help them decide if they're purchasing from your ecommerce store.

In addition to that...

C. Use Stock Photos (If Possible)

I'm not telling you to deceive your customers by using products and models' stock photos. That's why I mention if possible. Stock photos can't be an alternative for product photos.

You can use it for backgrounds, headers, social media graphics, etc. These will help your website look more visually appealing.

So, where can you find stock photos?

• Unsplash
• Pexels
• Canva

These sites have millions of photos to choose from. Make sure to check out the commercial license and use the ones that will enhance your website.

Another important thing you need when customizing your theme is...

Don't you just hate it when you're looking for a page on a website... and there's nothing?

Yup, nothing. Nada. No information about it.

This is why it's essential to set up the pages that matter when customizing your theme.

Here's how:

1. Go to your Shopify dashboard.
2. Under Sales Channel, select Online Store.
3. Then choose Pages.
4. On the top right of the page, click the Add page button.
5. Write and save your page.

So, what pages should you add?

A. About Us

Write about your brand. Show your customers what you do as a company. Your customers want to know about you.

Here are some things to talk about when writing your About Us page.

• Show your brand values.
• Tell your brand mission.
• Share your brand story.

Another vital page you must have is...

B. Privacy Policy

Writing this kind of policy might not be your favorite thing, especially if there's a need for a lawyer.

But this is a MUST for every website. Luckily, you can use Shopify's Policy Generator, that's also EU General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR compliance.

So convenient, right?

Oh, and you also need a...

C. Return and Refund Policy

What if your customers aren't satisfied with your products? Or there's a problem? Your customers need to know how you handle this kind of problem even before they place an order.

That's why you need a Return and Refund Policy page. But what should you put on the page?

• What products are allowed for return?
• What are your refund conditions?
• How long will it take to refund your customers' money?
• How long will it take to have the new products?
• Who are eligible for refunds?

It would help if you made sure that this is clear to them. This will prevent your brand from having negative feedback, especially on social media.

If you don't like writing your Refund Policy, you can try Shopify's Refund Policy Generator for free.

But you know what else?

Think you've already downloaded a high-converting Shopify theme? Wait until we talk about its functionality.

Your website needs to be functional, not just pretty. Because you can't convert your website visitors into paying customers if they can't even press the 'Check Out' buttons properly.

But wait, what features or Add-Ons am I talking about?

A. Functional Add-To-Cart Buttons

As an ecommerce store, of course, this is a need.

How will your customers purchase your products if they can't even add your products to their cart? That's why you need to make sure that your buttons are working correctly.

If you're using the Debutify theme, you can also add an animated add-to-cart button. Here's how:

Add-To-Cart Animation

Another feature your website needs is...

B. Collection Filters

Would you like to browse through hundreds of products before finding the one you want? If not, your customers don't like it, too.

So, why not add sorting options to your ecommerce store? This will help your customers find what they like in your ecommerce store and help you make sales.

The good news? When you install the Debutify theme, you can easily customize your filtering options. Let me show you how:

Collection Filters Add-On

And last but not least...

C. Conversion Triggers

If you're not the type to implement those sleazy sales techniques... you might want to add conversion triggers.

These will help your customers purchase your products, especially if you add a powerful call to action. Here are some conversion triggers you can add:

• Sales Countdown
• Inventory Quantity
• Cart Countdown
• Discount Saved
• Cart Goal

Isn't this your lucky day?

Because if you purchase one of the fast-loading ecommerce themes, Debutify, you can get these Add-Ons to boost more sales.

Let me show you an example of how to add a conversion trigger:

Cart Countdown Add-On

There are 50+ Add-Ons to choose from, by the way. Amazing, right?

So, after customizing your theme... what are you going to do?