Choosing A Shopify Theme

How to Choose the Perfect Shopify Theme for Your Store: A Fun and Entertaining Guide

Alright, so you've decided to launch (or revamp) your Shopify store. Congrats! Now comes the hard part—choosing the perfect theme. And let's face it, picking a Shopify theme isn't just about slapping some pretty colors on a page and calling it a day. No, no. It's like picking out the perfect outfit for a first date—it needs to look good, feel right, and leave a lasting impression. So, how do you go about choosing a theme that will make your store shine brighter than a diamond? Here are the most important things to consider (with a sprinkle of fun).

1. Think About Your Brand Personality: The Outfit Analogy

Choosing a theme is like choosing an outfit that represents your brand's personality. Are you the sleek, minimalist type who loves clean lines and lots of white space? Or maybe you're all about those bright, bold colors that scream "LOOK AT ME!" Whatever your vibe, make sure your theme matches it. Your store should look and feel like you. A minimalist brand should avoid themes that feel cluttered or chaotic, while a playful brand should steer clear of themes that look like they’re ready for a business conference.

Pro Tip: Browse through your competitors' sites to see what kind of themes they're using. Not to copy, but to get a feel for what’s popular in your niche. Then, pick a theme that stands out but still fits your brand's style.

2. Mobile-Friendliness: Don’t Be That Guy

Let’s get one thing straight—if your theme isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s like wearing socks with sandals. Just… don’t. With more than half of all internet traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s critical that your theme looks and functions beautifully on smartphones and tablets. Check that the theme you’re considering is fully responsive, which means it adapts smoothly to any screen size. Remember, a clunky mobile experience can be a deal-breaker for customers.

Fun Fact: According to Google, 61% of users are unlikely to return to a site that isn’t mobile-friendly. Yikes!

3. Speed Matters: Nobody Likes a Slowpoke

Picture this: You’re in line at a coffee shop, and the person in front of you takes forever to order. Frustrating, right? The same goes for online shopping. If your website takes ages to load, potential customers are likely to bounce faster than a kid on a sugar high. When selecting a theme, opt for one that’s optimized for speed. Avoid themes loaded with unnecessary features that can slow things down. A fast theme keeps customers happy, and happy customers stick around (and buy stuff!).

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check the loading speed of any demo theme before you commit.

4. Customization Options: Your Store, Your Rules

You want a theme that allows you to express yourself! Some themes are super flexible and allow you to move things around, change colors, fonts, and layouts, while others are more rigid. Think of it like ordering a pizza—you want to be able to add or remove toppings to get exactly what you want. Choose a theme that offers enough customization to make your store unique, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming.

Pro Tip: Look for themes with drag-and-drop builders or sections that can be easily customized without needing to know how to code. Your inner designer will thank you.

5. Features and Functionality: The Spice of Life

If your store were a cake, features would be the sprinkles on top. Sure, the basics are essential, but a few extra features can make your store stand out. Do you need a mega menu for a complex product range? A quick view option? An Instagram feed? Make a list of the must-have features for your store and ensure the theme you choose supports them. However, don’t go overboard—too many bells and whistles can overwhelm your customers.

Pro Tip: Some themes come with built-in features that you'd otherwise have to pay for as apps. There is a large part of why some themes are so expensive and others are $50. Consider this when calculating your budget.

6. Keep Your Theme Up to Date: The Hidden Secret to a Healthy Store

Updating your Shopify theme is like going in for a yearly health check-up—it’s essential. Updating your theme should be done at least once a year to keep up with new features, performance improvements, and crucial security updates. But, beware--- updating isn’t always easy, especially if you have customizations. Those precious tweaks to your theme do not always transfer seamlessly. That’s why it’s important to be prepared.

Don't Skip This Step:  Always back up your theme before making any changes and keep a copy of your theme fresh with no code changes. This way, if things go south, you’ve got a safety net. Important: back up all Shopify data. Also, consider using a child theme for customizations to avoid losing your work during updates.

7. Support and Updates: Don’t Get Stuck in the Past

Imagine buying a car and never getting any updates or support when things go wrong. A nightmare, right? The same goes for themes. It’s crucial to choose a theme that’s well-supported by the developers, with regular updates and reliable customer support. We've used an Out of the Sandbox theme for year; and their support is second to none.This ensures that your store is secure, up-to-date, and always running smoothly.

Fun Fact: Check out the reviews for the theme to see what other users have to say about support and updates. If the support team responds like a superhero, you’re on the right track.

8. SEO-Friendliness: Get Found, Get Traffic

Your store could look like a million bucks, but if no one can find it, what’s the point? Make sure the theme is optimized for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Look for clean code, fast loading times, mobile optimization, and support for meta tags and headers. A theme that’s SEO-friendly makes it easier for search engines like Google to find your store, which means more traffic and more sales.

Pro Tip: Themes with good SEO practices baked in can save you time and help you climb the search engine rankings faster.

9. Test Drive Before You Buy: Try Before You Commit

Just like you wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive, don’t commit to a theme without trying it out first. Most themes in the Shopify Theme Store offer demos, and some even allow you to preview your own store with the theme before buying. Make use of these options to see how the theme works with your content and products.

Fun Fact: Some premium themes come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. So, if you’re not happy, you can always switch.

Your Theme, Your Store’s Soul

Choosing the right Shopify theme is more than just a design decision—it’s about setting the stage for your store’s success. Consider your brand’s personality, prioritize speed and mobile-friendliness, make sure you have the right customization options and features, and don’t forget about SEO and support. And most importantly, keep your theme updated to ensure your store is secure and up-to-date. Have fun with it. Your theme is the soul of your store, and it should reflect the unique vibe that makes your brand special. So, take your time, explore your options, and pick a theme that will make your Shopify store not just look good, but feel good too.

Happy theme hunting!