Building Online Stores On Shopify – How To Build Custom Shopify Theme From Scratch

So you’re planning to start an online store on Shopify and are in a dilemma whether to choose a pre-designed theme or make a new one from scratch. Well! Getting your store on the Shopify platform isn’t a cakewalk. While the platform provides you with everything for successful selling, some tricks help you make your store outshine in the crowd. One of them is to set up a store theme design from scratch that is unique to you. Completely different from in-built themes, a custom Shopify theme carries all the elements and functionalities well matched with the needs of a merchant. In this post, we’ll discuss how to build Shopify theme from scratch based on particular requirements. Let’s start from the basics:

Custom Shopify Theme & How It Differs From Premade Theme

A custom Shopify theme is the one that allows Shopify experts to build the store design from scratch, helping build a unique store. Whereas pre-made themes will enable you to start running your store in minutes without much coding knowledge. These themes are available in both; free and paid themes.

Below is a quick guide to differences between a pre-made Shopify theme and a custom Shopify theme:

Big Reasons To Go With Setting Up A Custom Shopify Theme

Unique & unparalleled store design

A customized Shopify theme is built from scratch, which completely differs from premade themes. If you go with the option of custom Shopify theme, it means you will build a store that matches your and your customer needs well.

Carries built-in functionalities

If you are moving with the option of advanced shopify theme development, you can aim for unique functionalities for your store rather than depending upon third-party apps. A custom Shopify theme development provides you with a customized shopping experience that is hard to achieve with premade Shopify themes.

Delivers smooth user flow

Premade Shopify themes aren’t fully optimized for any purpose. This makes shoppers face difficulty navigating through the store or might have to go through multiple unnecessary steps to complete the checkout.

Interactive design support

In custom Shopify theme development, you can reach out to the experts to support you in fixing issues or making updates. An expert will work with you closely and help you to meet every single requirement.

Crafted for long-term growth

Not like ready-made Shopify themes. Custom themes are designed especially for long-term growth. Since the theme is best to set up with expert help, you can still enhance the custom theme and work with experts to expand your store design by adding additional features. A custom Shopify theme can be easily enhanced over time, helpful in scaling your Shopify store.

Step-by-Step Guide To Build Shopify Theme From Scratch In 2021

Setting up an eCommerce store is highly time-consuming and involves extensive processes, and that’s where Shopify makes things easier. Although creating a Shopify theme is a better option than picking the pre-made themes, the process is lengthy. So here is how you can go with setting up your first store theme.

Planning & Analyzing Is The Initial Step

To build shopify theme from scratch, there is a need for both technical and non-technical knowledge. One needs to come up with unique ideas and creativity to ensure the custom theme differs from available Shopify themes. Go with analyzing the existing Shopify theme options and find out what is lacking and which theme may include the specific needs of a targeted niche market. As it is expensive to make a custom Shopify theme, it’s not good to start the process without defining the final outcome.

Familiarize You With High-Level Frameworks

There are plenty of additional frameworks that would be of great help in building Shopify themes. It is important to get familiar with open source frameworks like Timber that helps simplify the process of building themes from scratch. It is quite a valuable tool for designers of any level. With this high-level framework, there is no need to pay attention to backend integration. There is no need to spend time repeating steps again and again and come with things that users actually see on screen and interact with.

Get Started With Liquid Code For Custom Theme

If we talk about the open-source template language that is used in Shopify, Liquid is the one. Is it an unheard term for you? Don’t be surprised about it – there is nothing complicated, and one can master it quickly. Although it is not the only tool that helps design a Shopify theme, it can make the process less difficult. Based on Ruby, Liquid powers all the themes available on Shopify, access the data of the specific store, and further outputs it into the relevant directory. Simply means, it works as a bridge between the merchant data and the code stored in a user browser.

Theme Review Process Is The Next Step To Follow

Among hundreds and thousands of new themes available, only some are used for Shopify theme stores. To ensure the theme is good enough for your own store, it is essential than ever to check for the rules and regulations. Following the theme review process is the way to make sure that there are no faults in it.

Matching CSS and template structures

Development and maintenance are different things. To make the theme more efficient, it is necessary to pay attention to matching CSS and template structures. There is some polishing required before getting the new theme to go live. Shopify is one of those platforms that keeps the mistakes and bugs at bay. You make sure to name all the files correctly to make amendments later on if required.

The final cost to build a shopify theme from scratch!

Now that you are much aware of what you need to keep in focus when it’s about Shopify theme development, the next step is to calculate the cost. The final cost totally depends on the complexity of the future theme as well as the rates of the developers. If we talk about the hourly rate of a Shopify theme development, it heavily depends upon the location. Developing a Shopify theme locally can cost you less, whereas if you choose an overseas location, then the cost might go higher depending upon the team traits

Does Low Price Mean Low Quality?

No, In fact, developers’ rates depend entirely on their local salaries; therefore, you can go with a skilled programmer while saving your budget and time. Also, it is recommended to carefully analyze the development agency portfolio plus experience and then only make the final choice.

Shopify Theme Development From Scratch- What’s Next?

Building a custom Shopify theme from scratch is a big commitment for entrepreneurs that pays off in the long run. It is an ultimate solution for establishing brands and growing businesses aiming to scale. Meanwhile, small stores will benefit more from the premade Shopify theme that requires almost no time to start your business online.

If you already have an idea to modify your pre-built theme or finally decided to create a shopify theme from scratch, have an open discussion with experts from the best Shopify web development company. By following this simple guide, you will quickly answer the question “ how to build a Shopify theme?” Whether you want to build a Shopify theme for selling your own products or for the client looking for an original Shopify store design, there are a lot of opportunities you enjoy with this platform.