In e-commerce, the impression a store's design makes has a major impact on sales. With Shopify, you can easily launch a stylish store using a template. And by customizing your template rather than using it as-is, you can build a site that stands out from the rest.
This article explains Shopify design customization in detail with images — customization methods and steps depending on whether or not you edit code, points to note when customizing, and points for choosing a highly design-oriented theme.
We've put this together clearly for those who wonder, "How do I customize a theme?" or "Can I edit it even if I can't touch code?"
How to Customize Shopify Design
Shopify's design is built from templates called "themes." Themes come pre-built with the basic elements and features needed to run an e-commerce site, and each theme has a different design and characteristics.
Themes can be freely customized to match your store's operating goals and brand image. There are broadly two ways to customize:
- Editing without code
- Editing code directly
You can also design while adding features using apps as needed. By using these methods appropriately, you can build an original store design that suits your business.
Skills Needed for Customization
The skill level required differs depending on which method you use to customize. We recommend a step-by-step approach: first get comfortable customizing with the theme editor, then move on to code editing once you need more flexible expression.
No-Code Editing (Using the Theme Editor)
This is the recommended method for Shopify beginners. You can operate intuitively in the admin, easily adjusting things like color changes and section placement.
Code Editing (Liquid and CSS)
This is a more advanced method that allows for finer design adjustments and added features. It requires knowledge of Shopify's own template language, "Liquid," which is similar to HTML, as well as CSS.
Difference Between Paid and Free Themes
Shopify's design is heavily influenced by which theme you choose. The official theme store offers over 100 free and paid themes combined, and even free themes are sufficient for running a basic e-commerce site.
Paid themes allow for more advanced expression, such as industry-specific layouts and designs, video and animation effects, and flexible section management features. Consider adopting a paid theme to match the brand world you want to express and your store's operating policy.
Points to Note Before Customizing Your Shopify Design
When editing your Shopify design, it's important to take a backup beforehand. Regardless of whether you're doing no-code or code editing, always take a backup. This is especially important when doing code editing, since there's a risk you won't be able to revert if something goes wrong.
You can easily create a backup by duplicating your theme. From the admin, simply choose Online Store > Themes > Duplicate to save the state before editing.
Steps for Design Customization Without Code
When editing your Shopify theme without code, you can customize it using the theme editor (the editing screen).
From the admin, select Online Store > Themes > Customize to go to the theme editor.
In the theme editor, you can customize items such as the following:
- Adding, removing, and reordering sections
- Changing colors and fonts
- Adjusting the display style of the product list and blog, and more
We'll explain each in detail.
Adding, Removing, and Reordering Sections
You can add, remove, and reorder the various sections built into your theme by default.
For example, on your homepage you can flexibly arrange featured collections, image-with-text, slideshows, and more. How you configure your sections can dramatically change the impression of your store.
Sections can sometimes be further edited in finer detail as "blocks," letting you freely combine text, images, buttons, and more to achieve a layout unique to your store.
Reordering is also easy with drag-and-drop, so even those who aren't used to it can operate intuitively.
Changing Colors and Fonts
In "Theme settings" within the theme editor, you can change the overall color scheme and font style. To change fonts, select the font you want to use from "Typography." You can choose different fonts for headings and body text, and also adjust font size.
The color and font variations you can choose from differ by theme, but some themes integrate with Google Fonts.
Adjusting the Display Style of Product Lists and More
In the theme editor, you can also customize the layout of pages such as the product list page and blog posts.
For example, you can adjust the aspect ratio of product images and the number of products shown per row. Some themes also allow fine control over the display position of the product title and price, letting you adjust both design and functionality.
In October 2026, "Shopify Canvas," which lets you change your theme's design by telling Sidekick what you want to do, was also announced. The next article explains the differences from the theme editor and its limitations.
Steps for Advanced Design Customization via Code Editing
On Shopify, using the theme's "Edit code" feature enables more advanced design customization. You can access theme code editing from the admin > Edit code.
Code editing allows for design, expression, and customizations such as the following:
- Applying different layouts for each page
- Changing the structure of the header and footer
- Adjusting menu display
- Effects such as scroll animations and sliders
- Optimizing title tags, descriptions, and structured data for SEO, and more
Editing code directly carries a risk of not being able to revert. Before starting to edit, always duplicate your theme to take a backup and proceed with your work in a safe state.
(Reference: code editing screen)
Points to Note About Shopify Design Customization
As you customize your Shopify design, you may encounter issues such as things not turning out as intended, or the display appearing differently between mobile and desktop.
Here are some common issues and how to resolve them.
Layout Breakage May Occur Depending on the Device
Shopify themes are basically responsive by design, optimizing the layout for each device such as mobile, tablet, and desktop. However, if customization throws off the balance of image ratios or spacing, the layout may break on mobile display.
Countermeasures include the following:
- Check the mobile display in the theme editor
- Write custom CSS separately as needed
The Scope of Customization Differs by Theme
The items you can customize in Shopify's theme editor differ by theme.
Free themes often have limitations on editable sections and font settings, and you may not be able to achieve the layout you intended. If you want a highly flexible design, consider using a paid theme or code editing.
Before purchasing a theme, we recommend trying out the demo in the theme store to check in advance how far you can customize it.
Points for Choosing a Highly Design-Oriented Theme
You can choose from over 100 Shopify themes, but each theme suits certain products or genres better than others. Here are points to look at when selecting a theme, from both a design and ease-of-editing perspective.
Compare Free and Paid Themes
Shopify themes are divided into free and paid versions.
Free Themes (e.g., Dawn, Craft, Refresh)
These are simple themes officially provided by Shopify. They come with the minimum features necessary for running an e-commerce site, and the advantage is that they are easy to use even for people using Shopify for the first time. Recommended for those who want to launch a store without spending money.
Paid Themes (e.g., Prestige, Impulse, Flow)
These are rich in effects, advanced layout designs, and industry-specific templates. They suit businesses that need high design quality for their brand, or that want to build a store matching their operating structure. Prices are roughly $200–$350. (As of May 2025)
For beginners, we recommend a flow of getting used to building with a free theme first, and considering a paid theme once your required design and features become clear.
Choose a Theme That Fits Your Industry and Purpose
When choosing a theme, compatibility with your actual sales style matters just as much as design. Check the following points:
- Is it suited to your number of products and category structure?
- Is your product category more image-focused or description-focused?
- Can section-type pages be built like a landing page?
For example, a theme like "Impact" or "Prestige" suits products such as apparel or jewelry where brand world matters, while a warm theme like "Craft" suits handmade goods. Choosing a theme specialized for your industry minimizes customization effort and enables trouble-free store operations.
The blog article below explains the types of Shopify themes and how to choose them in detail. Please use it as a reference.
Take a Step-by-Step Approach to Shopify Design Customization
Your Shopify design isn't something you build once and finish — it's important to keep revisiting it continuously based on user reactions and data. First, clarify what kind of design you want and what your operating structure looks like, and confirm the direction of your customization. Choosing a theme that can express the design you envision is also important.
If you're building a Shopify store for the first time, the article below explains how to build a Shopify store in detail, so please use it as a reference.
