Should You Use Pre-Made Shopify Themes or Build a Custom Theme From Scratch?
This is a guest post from Sandra Brooke.
As a new online store owner, you’ll need to make a lot of decisions, from what products to sell to how to market your store.
One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use a pre-made Shopify theme or build a Shopify theme from scratch – both have their pros and cons.
We’re about to look at the benefits and drawbacks of each method to help you make a smart choice about what is best for your business.
Here’s what’s in store:
- The Difference Between Pre-Made & Custom Themes
- Pre-Made Shopify Themes
- Building a Shopify Theme From Scratch
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Now, let’s get the ball rolling!
The Difference Between Pre-Made & Custom Themes
The main difference between a pre-made custom theme and building a custom theme from scratch is the level of control you have over the design and functionality of your online store.
A pre-made custom theme is a ready-made design that you can purchase or download from a third-party theme provider, such as the Shopify theme store. These themes are usually created by professional designers and developers and come with a range of built-in features and functionality, such as responsive design, mobile optimization, and customizable layouts.
On the other hand, building a custom theme gives you complete control over every aspect of your online store’s design and functionality. This means you can create a truly unique and tailored experience for your customers that reflects your brand’s personality and values.
Let’s take a closer look at each, including who would benefit most from each.
Pre-Made Shopify Themes
Let’s start by talking about pre-made themes. These are like pre-made cake mixes – they’re quick and easy to set up, saving you time and money. They have the instructions right on the back of the box. Plus, they’re usually less expensive than building a store from scratch, which is great if you’re working with a tight budget.
Think of pre-made themes as cake mixes that come with frosting and decorations already included – you just need to add your own personal touch.
Benefits of Pre-Made Shopify Themes
One of the biggest benefits of pre-made themes is that they often have built-in features and functionality, such as responsive design and mobile optimization. This is like having a cake mix that already includes the eggs and oil – it saves you from having to buy extra ingredients and makes the baking process smoother.
And, with a large selection of high-quality themes to choose from, it’s easy to find a design that suits your needs. Think of it as browsing through a bakery’s catalog of cakes – you can find the perfect one for your taste buds.
Using a pre-made theme is also user-friendly, with no coding required. This makes it accessible to those without technical skills – think of it as having a cake mix with instructions on the back that even a beginner baker can follow. However, like pre-made cake mixes, pre-made themes also have their downsides.
Downsides of Pre-Made Shopify Themes
One of the biggest cons of pre-made themes is that they lack uniqueness, as many other stores may be using the same theme. It’s like showing up to a party wearing the same outfit as someone else – it’s awkward and takes away from your individuality.
And, while pre-made themes are designed to be easily modified, there may be restrictions to certain elements. This can limit your creativity and make it difficult to fully align with your branding and design preferences, which can impact the overall customer experience.
Who are Pre-Made Shopify Themes Best for?
A pre-made Shopify theme is best suited for new online store owners who are just starting out and have limited time and budget to invest in designing and developing a custom website.
Pre-made Shopify themes are a great option for those who want to get their store up and running quickly and easily without the need for technical expertise or development skills. They offer a user-friendly interface with no coding required, making it accessible to those without technical skills.
So, pre-made Shopify themes are best for new online store owners who are looking for a quick, easy, wallet-friendly solution to get their store up and running without the need for technical skills or a large budget.
Recommended: How to Make Money on Shopify: 42 Unique Business Ideas
Building a Shopify Theme From Scratch
Now, let’s talk about building a store from scratch. This is like baking a cake from scratch – it takes time, effort, and skill, but the end result is unique and tailored to your specific taste. Like baking a cake from scratch, building a store from scratch gives you full control over every aspect of the design, functionality, and user experience.
This is like baking a cake from scratch with all your favorite ingredients – it’s exactly the way you want it.
Recommended: Custom Shopify Themes: Make Your Online Store Stand Out
Benefits of a Custom Shopify Theme
Building a store from scratch also has no limitations to customization options, allowing for a fully bespoke website. This is like having free reign to add any ingredients and decorate your cake however you want – the possibilities are endless. And with a unique and tailored website, you’ll stand out from the competition and make a lasting impression on your customers.
Downsides of a Custom Shopify Theme
However, building a store from scratch also has its downsides. It’s time-consuming and expensive, requiring technical expertise and development skills. This is like baking a cake from scratch that requires special equipment and ingredients – it’s not for everyone.
Any issues that arise during development must be resolved by the development team, which can lead to delays and additional costs. It’s like encountering a baking problem halfway through and having to call in a professional baker to help you out.
Who are Custom Shopify Themes Best for?
A custom Shopify theme is best suited for established businesses with specific branding and design requirements who want to stand out from their competition and offer a unique online shopping experience for their customers.
Custom Shopify themes are best for businesses that have a clear brand identity and design preferences that cannot be achieved with a pre-made theme. Custom themes offer full control over every aspect of the design, functionality, and user experience, allowing businesses to create bespoke websites tailored to their specific needs.
Additionally, businesses with complex or unique requirements that cannot be achieved with a pre-made theme may benefit from a custom theme. This may include custom features, integrations, or functionality that are unique to the business’s needs.
In a nutshell, a custom Shopify theme is best for established businesses with specific branding and design requirements and complex or unique needs that cannot be achieved with a pre-made theme. It requires a larger budget and technical expertise, but offers full control over every aspect of the design and user experience, resulting in a unique and tailored online shopping experience for customers.
Why Choose Shopify?
The reason why Shopify is so popular is because it’s easy to use and offers a wide range of benefits for online store owners:
- One of the biggest advantages of using Shopify is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easier than most platforms to set up and manage an online store without much technical expertise.
- It offers a variety of built-in tools and thousands of apps that enable you to customize your site quickly and easily.
- Shopify provides a secure and reliable platform for transactions, ensuring that customers can shop with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Shopify Theme without losing content?
Yes, you can change your Shopify theme without losing your content. Shopify provides a content management system that allows you to store all of your store’s content, such as product images, descriptions, collections, pages, and blog posts, in a database separate from the theme. This means that when you switch to a new theme, your content will still be available in the database and can be displayed using the new theme’s templates.
Why are Shopify themes so expensive?
Not all Shopify themes are expensive. In fact, many of them are free. the cost of a Shopify theme reflects the value that it provides to your business. A high-quality, feature-rich theme can help you create a professional-looking online store and provide a great user experience for your customers, which can lead to increased sales and revenue over time.
How much does the average Shopify theme cost?
Costs can vary widely, but the average price of a premium Shopify theme falls in the range of $150 to $300 USD. There are also many free Shopify themes available in the Shopify theme store, as well as third-party theme marketplaces like TemplateMonster, which offer a wide range of premium themes at varying price points.
What are the disadvantages of Shopify’s free themes?
Free themes may be suitable for small businesses or those just starting out, but premium themes typically offer more features, customization options, and support — They may have limited customization options, features, and functionality compared to premium themes, and may not come with the same level of support and updates. They may also have a less professional appearance and may not be fully compatible with third-party apps and integrations.
Does a Shopify theme affect SEO?
Yes, a Shopify theme can impact your store’s SEO through its code structure, design, and built-in SEO features. A well-organized code structure and clean design can improve indexing and user engagement, while built-in SEO features can help optimize your content for search engines.
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to use a pre-made Shopify theme or build a custom theme from scratch, Shopify offers a user-friendly interface, built-in tools, and a secure platform for transactions.
Pre-made themes are quick and easy to set up and budget-friendly, while custom themes offer full control over design and functionality. If you’re a new online store owner with limited time and budget, pre-made themes from Template Monster might be the best option for you.
However, if you want a unique and tailored experience for your customers, building a custom theme from scratch is the way to go.
If a pre-made theme sounds like the right choice for you, check out some of Templatemonster’s awesome themes and start building your dream online store today!
Sandra Brooke
Sandra Brooke is a TemplateMonster writer and fantasy lover. She adores everything connected with the newest technologies, French music, and Harry Potter.
