Things to Know Before Choosing a Shopify Theme
So, you’ve decided to set up a Shopify store for your business—congrats! The next big step is picking the right theme for your store. But hold up! Before diving into that, it’s a good idea to get familiar with some basics about Shopify themes so you can make a well-informed decision.
By the way, if you want to learn more about Shopify as an e-commerce platform, check out my earlier videos on LinkedIn or YouTube where I compare Shopify and WordPress, breaking down the pros and cons of each.
Alright, let’s dive into it!
What is a Shopify Theme?
A theme controls how your store looks and feels—its overall design and layout. Shopify offers different themes, each with its own unique style.
Do You Need a Theme?
Yes, you do! To build an online store with Shopify, you’ll need a theme. There’s no getting around that.
Where Can You Buy a Theme?
You’ve got two main options: you can either head to the Shopify Theme Store, or you can purchase one from external sites like ThemeForest. Both have their benefits. The Shopify Theme Store offers a mix of free and paid themes, while ThemeForest provides a wide variety of paid options.
What’s the Price Difference?
On ThemeForest, you’ll find themes ranging from $20 to $85, which is generally cheaper than Shopify’s paid themes. Over in the Shopify Theme Store, themes are priced between $140 to $400.
Now, while Shopify’s themes are pricier, they come with a few advantages—and I’ll explain why.
Why Choose a Shopify Theme Over Other Options?
When you buy from ThemeForest, you get to preview the theme and read through the documentation, but there are some limitations. You won’t be able to fully explore how the theme functions visually before purchasing. Plus, support is limited—once the support period ends, you’ll need to pay extra if you run into issues. And since developers on ThemeForest can be random, there’s no guarantee on how quickly you’ll get help.
In contrast, Shopify themes are more expensive but come with perks that justify the cost:
- Shopify themes tend to be higher quality than many on ThemeForest.
- You can actually install the theme in your store before buying, test out all its features, and customize it.
- If you’re not satisfied with a theme, you can simply try another before making a final decision.
- Shopify themes come with lifetime support. If there’s a delay from the theme’s support team, Shopify itself will step in to help speed things up.
- Shopify carefully vets its developers, so you know you’re getting a well-built theme and working with top-tier professionals. Basically, you’re paying for peace of mind.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Both options have their pros and cons. It really comes down to what suits your business needs and how much peace of mind is worth to you.
I hope this helps you make a better decision when picking the perfect Shopify theme for your store!