Theme editing tips for Shopify 2.0 & Theme Blocks

Theme editing tips for Shopify 2.0 & Theme Blocks

InfoThe following advice sheet is for newer OS2.0 and Theme Block Shopify Themes. If you're unsure check out Shopify Help Center | Theme architecture versions and sources or your Theme's documentation.

First, familiarise yourself with editing basics: 
Understand level of theme support available:
  1. Shopify for everything Shopify Admin
  2. Then, Theme developer for guides on specific theme features
  3. Finally, Tower for customisations added to your theme or new development requests.

Add content to launch later

Simply add new content such as homepage promotions through sections or banners. Then, hide the block or section & hit Save. When ready, make visible & publish!
In contrast, when looking for a complete overhaul, work on an unpublished copy, then publish when you're ready to share. 
TIP: Working off one theme is a great way to keep changes in one place. Content is not carried across themes unless available in the backend (see Advanced tips)

Backing up is your friend

TIPS: 
  1. It’s a good idea to make a copy or backup the theme before making major changes. 
    Keep your themes labelled with a date and/or small description of change.
  2. Instead of duplicating themes, download your live theme periodically - keeps content in one place and avoids confusion & saves space within your theme list

Can't edit text within your theme? It may be default text!

In addition to customising your theme, you can also change the default text for theme or Shopify labels. For example, you can change "Cart" to "Shopping bag", or "Sold out" to "Unavailable". Each copy of a theme includes a language editor where you can edit this text for your theme. Checkout page included.

Keep Product Filters Up-to-date

Product data can be enabled as website filters making it easier for customers navigate your product ranges. So, if you add any products with new Variants or Classifications (Metafields), don't forget to enable it within your site. 
TIP:  If you have many choices, consider grouping options for a better customer experience.
Learn more about Product Filters & Recommended Products
And related TWC sync preferences 

Create & assign different layouts with templates

Included in your theme are templates (default layouts) for the homepage, pages, collections, products and more. You can create your own layouts and assign as needed.
Editing a template applies the changes to every page that uses that template and so recommended for unique layouts. 
Examples:
  1. Instead of using a default layout for pages. Create one per page & assign within Admin. e.g. Default Template, About Us Template, Contact Us Template
  2. Create a collection layout for one department. Then apply to all related Category collections. e.g. Dog Template with extra Dog related content. Apply to all Dog collections.
Tip: If you wish to keep many layouts similar or easy to update across many pages,  connect custom data instead (See Dynamic Sources)
More on templates:

Working with Dynamic Sources 

Metafields are the best way to use one template to display standard or custom data, saving time managing different layouts for the one update. This is the current direction for latest Horizon themes.
Standard content includes but is not limited to the fields you find throughout the admin.
e.g. a Collection has Title, Description and a Featured image. 
Custom content can be created to create a better customer experience. This can be done by creating additional fields.
Examples:
  1. Add list of logos for within a collection or page
  2. Display custom info for products such as specs
  3. Change a promotion on certain pages but not all
TIP: Pin Metafields to make them easier to update within Shopify admin 

Displaying metafields on your online store

To connect custom or standard information, look for the Dynamic Sources icon (a stack of coins)


Feature custom content with Metaobjects

Take Metafields a step further and organise them into Metaobjects to fit your theme or business need. 
e.g. Your theme has a specific Promotion block with the options for Heading, Text field, Button and Feature image. You wish to show these on the home page and select collections
  1. First, create a Metaobject with the relevant fields
  2. Add at least one entry
  3. Then connect the Metaobject to the section or block within your theme

Group menu items without a collection or page link

Headings can be created within a menu by adding an empty link. 
Use it as a 1st or 2nd level menu item. Add link collections underneath. Especially helpful when exploring megamenu theme features. 
  1. Enter “#”, wait for link to load and select “#” again to confirm.
    {This is the current behaviour when pasting an external link anywhere within Shopify)
  2. Add a menu label relevant to the product ranges.
  3. Drag & Drop or add links underneath, as necessary.
More on menus:

Idea
If you would like advice on website development or moving to faceted filtering, get in touch via webdesign@towersystems.com.au 






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