With over 70+ themes available on Shopifys Theme Store and the rest of the themes available on other marketplaces it becomes almost a chore to pick a theme PLUS you haven’t even opened your online store yet! What makes this even harder you want too make sure the money you spend on this theme is worth it but at the same time you don’t want to waste a load of time on this process as you have a load of other shit to do. Here are four top tips over my experience working with clients that can really help you get a head start by choosing the right theme and make a quick decision about it.
This isn’t even Top Tip 1, but I want to make sure I say it – don’t over think it and use this a pretty good guideline.
1. Brand over technology
So I see a lot of start-ups and Shopify clients really drill into every single theme available for Shopify on the internet and checking if one has a filter and if it also has the right layout as well as custom slideshows available but also want a drawer checkout… just stop there. Yes, you want a theme that is going to have the functionality to match your business whatever that might be BUT I promise you what is really going to help you sell (specially for start-ups) is choosing a theme that really matches your brand and your core business values. Because there is always going to be a solution to your functionality problems for your site but what is hard to establish for E-commerce businesses is a BRAND that stands out in a very crowded online marketplace. Only you know what your brand is and what you stand for and the values of the business and this is why you should choose the theme that really emphasises that, even before you start editing and customising it.
Shopify can help you with this as you can filter the Shopify themes to try find the right fit a bit easier but honestly ask for feedback, friends and family, Shopify community and Shopify partners/experts I’m sure would be more than willing to offer there advice on your choice of theme.
Just remember, never sacrifice brand in the e-commerce world.
2. Shopify themes
There are many places you can choose to purchase your theme from but if I’m honest, even though there’s some great marketplaces, stick too Shopify’s marketplace of themes.
Shopify has some strict guidelines for any Theme Developers must follow if they wished for there developed theme to be published on there marketplace. This for you guarantees that the likely hood the theme you buy has any errors or coding mistakes is very very unlikely, plus Shopify has a review system in place which you can check out and will help make your decision if the theme is good enough for you, as well Shopify requires all themes to come with Theme support for clients; this means if you have a problem you know that the Theme Developer will be onboard to help you out with a problem that has stemmed from the theme.
3.Marketing is key
Different themes will come with different features. What is usually comes down to is which features you’d prefer over another… What I would suggest is pick the features that help you market your business; help create a story and at the same time incentives the customer to stay on the site longer. Key for any e-commerce site!
For example, theme that has a pop-up banner to help catch audiences’ emails by offering a discount – that’s a winner, you can then deploy marketing materials to this potential customer and maybe make it easier to recover abandoned carts?
Another one, Instagram feed feature, perfect to show off your brand, if that be a clothing line or lifestyle brand, keep them within your circle, keep them connected – chances of them coming back is much higher than if you didn’t!
4. Who cares if you like it, will your customers like it?!
It’s pretty normal to look at a pre-made theme and before making your mind up gravitate towards the theme that appeals more looks wise to yourself and is easier on the eye, and to be honest you just prefer it. BUT remember your not the one buying your product, well I hope not because that’s not how it works, your target audience will be. Whatever your target audience is, there going to have to use your site, navigate around it, add a product to the cart and then proceed to checkout – try and put yourself in their shoes and see if it the process of everything flows nicely and makes for an easy user experience; trust me this is what is going to convert your traffic to sales, we’ve all been on a terrible site and left within seconds because it bugs us so much!
