Shopify Theme Development: How to Create a Custom Shopify Theme

This store offers thousands of themes for online businesses. All of them look good and are created to meet the expectations of their target audience and market, therefore helping boost sales. However, when you use a premade team, chances are one of your competitors is using it, too, and it can be hard for customers to distinguish you two. So, you might want to customize your theme to stand out. 

That's where Shopify theme development comes in. 

What is Shopify Theme Development?

This is the process of modifying or creating new themes for your store. You can either customize your existing theme using Shopify's tools or build a completely new one from scratch if you need something different.

Read further to learn how to create a Shopify theme and the pros and cons of doing that. 

Pros And Cons of Creating Shopify Themes

Fewer than one in a hundred Shopify users have a custom theme these days. So, by simply offering your customers a custom design, you already stand out among competitors. However, this approach has benefits and drawbacks that you should take into account.

The pros are:

• You stay up-to-date: You decide when to update your theme so it won't mess with Shopify's own updates. Updating is easier and safer.
• You control the look: You get to decide how everything on your website looks, from colors to icons.
• It fits your audience: Making your theme from scratch allows you to make it more relevant to your target audience, which can lead to a sales increase. 
• You can add what you need: Customize your theme to have the features your business needs without installing extra apps.
• It's faster: Your site will load quicker because you only use the code you need, which keeps things clean and speedy.

The cons are:

• It costs more: Getting a custom website is pricier than buying and installing a premade theme. If you're not a developer, you'll have to hire professionals to make your custom theme, which can add up to the total cost.
• It takes time: Building a theme from scratch takes longer than just installing a ready-made one. It could take a few weeks to several months, depending on what you want.

While making a custom Shopify theme can require more time and money initially, it pays off in the long run. You won't have to worry about how your site looks and can focus on growing your business instead.

So, if you're interested, continue reading to discover how to create a Shopify theme. 

Planning For a Custom Shopify Theme

It all starts with a plan. When we're talking about Shopify custom theme development, this plan shouldn't include only the choice of fonts and logo placement. Your development team will create a whole new experience for your customers, starting from zero. Here's how to achieve it.

Creating a website template

When setting up your store, you need to think about how customers will move through it from the moment they arrive to when they check out. One of the easiest ways to do this is by thinking of your store as a funnel that should guide the customers toward making a purchase. 

To make this even more efficient for your audience, think about: 

• Where customers start (like which page they land on).
• What they're looking for and how quickly they can find it.
• The first action you want them to take, whether it's searching or clicking on a special offer.
• How they move from one step to the next.
• Keeping the number of steps to a minimum.
• Where other things like blogs or return policies are placed.

Your Shopify custom theme template should focus on making it easy for customers to buy things while making the shopping experience enjoyable. It doesn't have to be complicated—just a sketch of how your website will look before adding any decorations. It helps you figure out how everything fits together.

Creating a Custom Shopify Theme: Tools And Basics

Before you start to build a Shopify theme from scratch, you need to figure out some essential details related to the process. These are the basics and the tools developers need to create such a theme. 

Most likely, you’ll entrust the development process to an outsourcing company or individual developers. However, learning about the tools and basics is still crucial. The more you know about the development, the easier it will be for you to find the right contractors and verify their expertise. 

Below, we’ll cover the essential things you need to keep in mind. 

Understanding the basics of building a Shopify theme

Let's figure out the basics of how to build a Shopify theme. First, consider the architecture of an average theme. It consists of four main parts:

• Layout. It is the foundation of your theme that looks the same across the whole website. A layout includes additional components — headers (which are the top area, where the name of your store and the menu are placed) and footers (the bottom area of your team that includes other important information, such as contacts and social media links).
• Templates. Each page on your online store has its own template that defines its look. For instance, a product page template would differ from a blog article template.
• Sections. They are the building blocks for your webpage — reusable parts of content, like an "image with text" section. You can customize them with different colors and fonts and set their position on a page.
• Blocks. They can contain text, images, and videos. You can add, remove, and change the order of blocks within a section and each section can have up to 16 blocks.

Now that you understand a typical Shopify theme design architecture let's move on to the tools developers normally use to create such a theme.

Liquid

Liquid is a code language made by Shopify. It’s essential to master for anyone who wants to make a Shopify theme. This language is responsible for the functioning of each theme and is used for every Shopify website. Liquid makes the process of custom Shopify theme development much easier, allowing you to create dynamic templates hassle-free. Using it helps you save time and make your online store look great without extensive effort.

Shopify CLI 

Shopify CLI is a helpful tool that automates many development tasks, simplifying the custom Shopify themes creation process. This makes things easier and does a bunch of tasks for you automatically. Shopify CLI involves using Ruby, Git, or Ruby+Devkit.

Using CLI for the Shopify theme development is essential for several reasons:

• With CLI, developers manage the development process efficiently using powerful tools and automated scripts.
• CLI enables quick creation, testing, and deployment of all the necessary changes. That, in turn, speeds up the development process and reduces the error risk.

Dawn theme

Dawn is a popular free theme on Shopify. You can change how it looks, add sections to suggest other products, and make your product pages better-looking and more SEO-friendly. If you strive to build your own theme, you can use Dawn as a base for it or simply explore its architecture for inspiration.

Using Dawn when developing a Shopify theme from scratch has the following benefits:

• Shopify has many themes you can use for customization. But to build a store from scratch, it’s better to use the basic theme. It is well-optimized and has all the blocks that Shopify recommends. What’s more, the Dawn theme has the latest technology stack built. With its help, launching your shop requires minimal time and effort. Keep this in mind if you work with a contractor.
• Dawn's code is structured and organized, making it easy to understand and modify the theme in the future. As a result, it’s easy to update and scale for further business development.

GitHub

Shopify GitHub integration means connecting your Shopify store to your GitHub repository. This allows you to edit your theme code and keep track of any changes you make. It's also useful if you need to fix any mistakes: the tool grants you access to the history of the changes.

Here’s why working with GitHub is worth it:

• Git is the standard for managing code versions and collaborating on projects.
• It provides reliable and secure code storage and a history of changes you can access and edit. If something goes wrong, it’s possible to roll back to previous versions.
• It also grants the client complete control over the code and changes made to the project.

Remember that you should have your repository if you hire a contractor for the Shopify theme development. This way, you will store all the information on your side, and it’ll be easier to collaborate with other contractors if necessary. 

Considering these aspects, we recommend working with a professional contractor. They should know how to use the CLI effectively, have experience with the Dawn theme, and actively use Git for code version control. It ensures successful and efficient Shopify theme development, reduces development time, and contributes to high-quality results.

How to Create a Shopify Theme

Now, let's move to building a Shopify theme. An average theme creation process consists of several core steps. Here’s a detailed step-by-step instruction you can share with the developers to ensure they’ll cover all the essentials of theme development. 

Step 1. Install Shopify CLI

Start by getting Shopify CLI on your device. Here's what’s necessary depending on the operating system:

• For Windows: Node.js 14.17.0 or newer, Ruby+Devkit 3.0, Git, and Bundler 2.3.8 or newer.
• For Linux: Node.js 14.17.0 or newer, Ruby 3.0, and a few other things, such as Git and cURL.
• For MacOS: Homebrew (note that If you use Homebrew to install Shopify CLI, it'll also automatically set up Node.js, Ruby, and Git for you).

Next, it’s vital to install the latest version of Shopify CLI. Here are the steps one should take to do the job:

• Type "Shopify version" into your terminal. It'll show you which version you're using.
• Connect the CLI to your Shopify store. To do that, type the following into your terminal: shopify login --store <DOMAIN>
• Replace "<DOMAIN>" with the name of your store. Running this command will open a new window that allows you to log in to your store. Use the same email you used to sign up for your Shopify store, not your Partners account.
• All set! The CLI is connected to your Shopify store.

Step 2. Clone the Dawn theme

The next step of this Shopify theme development tutorial is cloning the Dawn theme GitHub repository to the device. As mentioned earlier, the Dawn theme is one of the best basic options that you can later customize in a theme of your choice. This repository contains all the source code and other details necessary to understand how the Dawn theme works and adjust it as you want.

The key thing here is to focus on the pages that matter most to your customers. Think about the path they take from the main page to checking out, and do your best to ensure that all of these pages will be both appealing and efficient for navigation and sales.

Some important pages to focus on include:

• The main page
• Pages for each product
• The page where customers check out
• An "About Us" page

It's also important to remember that Shopify has strict rules for building on Dawn. Therefore, your final website should be different enough from the Dawn theme.

Step 3. Synchronize the Git repository

The next crucial step is to create a Git repository and link it to the cloned theme directory. This way, any changes will be saved in the Git Repository, making it much easier to apply those changes to your online store.

Next, it’s time to open your store and select "Add a Theme." It’s possible to add a theme directly from GitHub with the help of Git+Shopify integration.

Once done, the new theme will be added to your Theme Library, available for preview and customization.

Step 4. Test

The next step of this Shopify theme development guide is previewing and testing. The "Shopify theme dev" command automatically updates any changes made to the CSS and sections of the theme. Also, it allows viewing the theme in Google Chrome.

Once you're happy with the result, don't forget about testing. This step allows you to ensure that everything works as it should and the theme meets both your requirements and Shopify's testing ones, such as accessibility criteria.

Step 5. Make the team go live

Once your hired professionals finished changing and customizing your theme, it's time to make it live on your Shopify store. To achieve this, push your changes to the Github repository. They will sync with the theme in the library in just a few seconds.

Previewing the theme from your library will allow you to see that it reflects the changes implemented on a computer and any adjustments made in the customizer.

Changes in Shopify Online Store 2.0

In June 2021, Shopify introduced new tools and features called Online Store 2.0. This is one of the biggest Shopify updates so far, made to help developers and online merchants customize their themes more easily. And, although you might not be the one who needs to keep these things in mind, sharing them with developers can help you maximize the efficiency of their work. 

The main changes implemented in the Store 2.0 are the following:

• Sections. Before Online Store 2.0, it was only possible to use sections on the homepage or certain templates. Now, they are available all over your site, including product pages, custom pages, collection pages, and blog posts.
• App integration. Now, adding app extensions, widgets, and integration is very simple. Most app integrations are manageable through theme settings. Thus, one can easily move them around on the page with drag and drop.
• Improved user interface. It became easier to understand how your website is structured. You can navigate between pages faster and make edits quicker. Plus, all the features and options are in one place, making it easier to manage your site.
• Dynamic content. You can connect dynamic data sources to your theme sections, allowing it to change depending on the product or collection a customer is looking at. Also, it’s now possible to use meta fields and metaobjects to create dynamic content that updates automatically.
• Liquid input setting. Liquid objects are now available through the theme editor. This gives you more customization options and lets you fine-tune your theme to fit your needs better.

Shopify Theme Development Outsourcing: Things to Keep in Mind

When working with a contractor to develop a Shopify theme from scratch, pay special attention to the following aspects:

• Strategic planning and concept. Ensure the contractor understands your business goals, target audience, and unique product offering. They need a clear vision of how your Shopify theme will help you achieve these goals and support your growth in new markets.
• Design and user experience. The chosen contractor should be skilled in designing eye-catching and easy-to-navigate user interfaces. User experience is the key to attracting and retaining customers on your website.
• Mobile compatibility. Since you operate an online business, ensure your website is responsive and well-suited for mobile devices. The contractor should develop your theme, focusing on these requirements.
• Loading speed and performance optimization. Optimize the Shopify theme for loading speed. A slow website can affect your business's ability to attract and retain customers.
• SEO optimization. Check whether the contractor considers SEO factors during the theme development process. Your site should rank high in search engines and drive more organic traffic.
• Support and maintenance. Last but not least, check whether the contractor provides after-sales support and the option to quickly fix any technical issues arising after your site goes live.

How MakeBeCool Will Help You With Creating a Custom Shopify Theme

Now you know how to make a Shopify theme. Still, even if you are equipped with that knowledge, you might struggle without an experienced Shopify theme developer on your team. 

Truly, theme design is not something to take lightly. It has the power to transform and boost your business, helping you communicate your values, build a strong online presence, and become more visible to potential customers. That's why it's always better to have professionals to help you.

MakeBeCool can become your reliable partner in Shopify theme development and deployment. We've been working with the Shopify platform over five years already and successfully delivered numerous projects for the eCommerce industry. If you're looking for professionals, who are familiar with Shopify and can offer you great time- and budget-friendly solutions, fill in the form, and we'll contact you for a free consultation. 

Shopify Theme Development FAQ

Can I create my own Shopify theme from scratch?

Yes, you can. However, you need an experienced tech partner with a relevant background to do that. Theme creation requires working with Liquid, the template language for Shopify, and other languages for front-end development — for instance, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

Is it possible to switch from my existing theme to a custom one?

Yes, it's possible. Shopify allows you to upload and activate custom themes through your admin panel.

Are there downsides to using custom Shopify themes?

Custom teams are definitely more unique and also more flexible. However, they require more time and resources to develop compared to premade themes. They might also need ongoing maintenance and updates.

How much does it cost to build a Shopify theme?

This largely depends on lots of factors — the theme's complexity, design requirements, and developer rates. The average cost ranges from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Should I customize my Shopify theme?

Customizing your Shopify theme is a good idea if you want your online store to stand out from your competitors. This solution will let you control the look and feel of your websites. With an experienced Shopify development partner like MakeBeCool, you can tailor your store’s design to the audience’s specifics, current market trends, and your individual objectives. Besides, it’s possible to optimize your website’s loading speed and boost SEO.

How do I upload a custom Shopify theme to my store?

You can do it directly from your Shopify admin panel. Just navigate to the "Themes" section, click on "Upload theme," select your theme file, and activate it once uploaded.

Conclusion

It might take lots of time and effort to create a custom Shopify theme. Still, the result is totally worth it. A custom theme can help your business distinguish itself from competitors and even boost sales if the layout is user-friendly and SEO-optimized. However, building such a theme usually requires professional assistance, which we at MakeBeCool are always willing to grant you. Turn to us to take your Shopify store to a new level!