I had a terrible nightmare last night!
I was sound asleep, but then I woke up drenched in sweat and panting hard.
Do you want to know what I dreamt about?
I dreamt that I had to create an online store for my friend from scratch by code.
I gulped and started doing it, anyway. Endless tags, long and complex codes, and a throbbing headache…
When I woke up, the first thing I said was, Thank You Shopify!
Shopify has changed the eCommerce game. It enables all types of business owners to launch and run their own online businesses.
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine… all the code that we’d have to do in the absence of Shopify to create a store. (Gives me shudders, to be honest.)
Creating your own store can be as easy as counting 1, 2, 3. Especially when you use a Shopify theme.
Using Shopify themes is one reason why creating your own store is easier...
So, let’s talk about Shopify themes in today’s article.
I will cover the following topics today:
- What Are Shopify Themes?
- Benefits Of Using Shopify Theme
- Types of Shopify Themes
- How To Pick The Best Shopify Theme For Your Business?
Let’s start…
What Are Shopify Themes?
Shopify themes are templates that include modules, styles, and other features. They determine the appearance and feel of your Shopify store.
Themes combine HTML, CSS, JS, Liquid, and picture files to display what the users see on the screen. Or, in technical terms, we can say these files create the front end of the store.
Shopify has many themes to choose from. Their prices start from FREE and go up to $180.
Once you select the theme, you need to install it by clicking on "Add to theme library".
(Source)
The installation takes a few minutes, and then you can start editing your theme.
The theme editor has a theme preview and toolbar. It enables you to add, edit, or remove content and change the settings of your store.
You can also add pages to your website, create and publish blogs, set your website’s navigation, and much more...
Now, let’s talk about how these themes are helpful for business owners.
Benefits Of Using Shopify Theme
Themes cut down the work for you. In a matter of a few minutes and clicks, you can design your dream eCommerce website.
1. Cost-Effective
Do you know the cost of creating a website from scratch? It costs around $12,000 to $150,000.
Whereas, with Shopify themes, you can design your store for FREE! Shopify offers many themes that cost nothing and help design a beautiful store.
If you have a wide product range or want extra features on your website, you can select a premium theme. Sure, it will cost you a few hundred dollars. But it’s still more cost-effective than building your website from scratch.
Moreover, a website needs proper maintenance to function well. Again, the maintenance cost of a conventional website is $400 to $60,000 per year.
Do you think it’s easy for small businesses and nonprofit organizations to pay this amount? Not at all.
In this case, Shopify is the best option for them to launch their stores.
And Shopify themes easily let you design your store the way you want it to be.
2. Customizable
Don't worry, your store won't look and feel "meh" when you use a Shopify theme.
Nor will your Shopify store look like other online stores. You can have your own unique store by customizing the theme.
Most of the Shopify themes allow customization. You can tweak changes in colors, font, layout, navigation, etc., to your liking.
If you need help with customization, a developer can help you with that. It's cheaper to have a developer tweak the website than to build it from scratch.
The next advantage of using a Shopify theme is that it is...
3. Easy To Use
Creating a website from scratch is a tiring job. It requires many files of codes, numerous tests, and removing errors. But I am glad that it’s not the case anymore, every person can now create a website. Thanks to Shopify!
You don’t need to have a technical background to install and customize a Shopify theme.
The next advantage is the most important one...
4. Mobile Responsive
Website designing has come a long way. In the past few decades, it wasn’t as easy to create websites as it is now.
Developers had to create 2 versions of the website. One for desktop users and one for mobile users. It meant developing and maintaining 2 websites.
Then came responsive web designing. It freed the developers from creating separate versions of the same website.
With responsive web design, developers can adjust the website according to screen sizes. But, it meant higher charges for the developer.
With Shopify themes, mobile responsiveness is a total no-brainer. Most of the themes are compatible with various screen sizes. So, you don’t have to break a sweat to make your website mobile responsive.
Choose Debutify as your theme. It’s 100% mobile responsive and adjusts to any screen size. Without distorting, the website’s appearance and functionality.
Let’s check out the last benefit on the list…
5. Quick To Market
How long does it take to install a Shopify theme? A few clicks and minutes!
That’s the time you need to set up your store. Once your store is set, you can market it and start selling your products.
No need to wait for days or weeks to market your brand and attract traffic to your website.
It’s time to talk about different Shopify themes available to choose from.
Types of Shopify Themes
1. Free Shopify Themes
Shopify allows business owners like you to install a theme without charging a dime. Free Shopify themes are great for startups, small-scale brands, and NGOs.
Free themes offer you a lot. Such as responsive design, filters for products, swatches for displaying product colors, etc.
They also allow you to customize the store as per your needs and liking. So, if you select a free theme, don’t worry!
You can still change its typography, colors, and even the layout of your web pages. Since free themes cost nothing, it’s an excellent choice for people new to the eCommerce world.
Trouble finding the perfect free theme for your Shopify store?
You can filter themes based on catalog size, layout style, product page designs, and even the industry.
All you have to do is select the category and check the things you need in your theme.
If you like a theme, click on it and view its demo. Check the images, features, and feel of the theme.
Sounds easy, right?
However, free Shopify themes have drawbacks too. The design is limited and they don't offer advanced features. Also, it would be nice if they offered more free themes.
Let’s move on to the next.
2. Custom Shopify Themes
Custom themes are designed from scratch according to the business’s needs.
The advantage of custom themes over other themes is that it makes your store look unique from the rest. Custom themes aren’t available in the market. A business has to build them.
Businesses develop custom themes in-house. But, a business can also hire a developer for it. Custom themes require complete wireframes, design, and coding (lots of it…).
It is expensive to get a custom Shopify theme as it’s built from scratch by the developer.
But if you can take care of the coding department yourself, then create one for your business.
Also, remember that custom Shopify themes take time to develop. So, if you are eager to launch your Shopify store, custom themes aren’t a good choice.
Next is...
3. Premium Shopify Themes
Premium themes are also called paid themes. To install a premium theme, you need to spend your hard-earned money. But, it’s worth it for your Shopify store.
Free themes are great. Especially if you’re starting out or don’t want to spend a lot on themes.
But, when your business grows or your catalog size increases, you need a powerful theme. Premium themes offer more support to run a smooth website.
Paid themes also have built-in features. Such as live chat support, newsletter pop-up option, page speed booster, up-selling features, and a lot more!
These features help you avoid installing separate apps for your store. As a result...it improves your website speed; as installing the apps adds load to the website.
One example of a feature-rich premium Shopify theme is Debutify. It is super fast, easy to use, and offers over 50+ add-ons to boost conversions.
The best part about premium themes? You can easily install them in a few steps. You don’t have to write a single line of code. Also, premium themes offer endless possibilities to design your store according to your business’s needs.
Now, it’s time to address the question that is brewing in your mind...
How To Pick The Best Shopify Theme For Your Business?
‘Which Shopify theme is best for my business?’
This is the most common question that I get from new business owners. They expect me to give them a one-word answer to it: free, custom, or premium.
The truth is, that deciding which theme to use for your business depends upon many factors. Every business has its own unique needs. The size of the product catalog, the types of products, and even the industry.
Hence, I cannot ask you to select a free or premium theme without understanding your business. But, what I can do is present you with a few critical factors. These will help you decide which type of theme is better for your store.
1. Time
Do you want to set up your store and start selling quickly? If yes, then you have 2 choices: free or paid themes.
If you have the time and want to have a different store's look, you can create a custom theme.
Another critical factor for selecting the Shopify theme is your budget. Let’s discuss more about it.
2. Budget
Are you tight on budget or have a few hundred dollars to spare?
In case you cannot spare any money, free themes will work for your store. However, if you can spend a little, I would suggest installing a premium theme. It will offer you a lot of unique features.
Do you want to get your hands on a premium theme and still save money?
No, I am not bluffing with you! With Debutify Theme, you can have a premium theme and still save more than $3,000 each year…
After considering the budget, you need to consider your catalog size to pick the best Shopify theme for your store.
3. Catalog Size
Are you planning to sell a few products on your website? Or do you have an extensive range of products?
Free themes allow you to upload a small catalog. But, it might not work well with a large catalog.
In that case, premium themes will help you display your products beautifully. We've written a guide to help you choose the best Shopify theme for your niche. You can check it out here.
Your Shopify Theme Matters…
So, which theme are you planning to use?
Free, custom, or premium?
Free themes are good, but premium themes are better. They can offer much more than a free theme.
Do you want to try your hands on a premium theme without paying for it?
Debutify offers a 14-day FREE trial to check how it performs on your Shopify store. You can run it in your store, test different features, and then make it permanent for your store.
So, what are you waiting for?
Scale Up Your Business And Sales With Debutify Today!
14-Day Free Trial. No Code. No Credit Card Required.
