Shopify website design is made easy thanks to its simple layout and the tools that are available from the start. But there are a number of other things to think about before creating your new store and we explain some of the important things to consider.
Ensure the Shopify website is designed for mobile
Shopify will automatically make your website look good for mobile usage, but there are some things you can do to improve mobile performance even further. This includes reducing the number of pop-ups that appear on-screen, lowering text content, putting an emphasis on images (correct size, resolution etc.), enlarging call-to-action buttons and ensuring your Shopify website works for different screen ratios.
Use Shopify hosting
Even with the very best design and layout, your website will underperform if not hosted correctly. Shopify use a content distribution network (CDN), which relies on servers around the world to maintain the same responsiveness and speed no matter where the site is accessed from. Slow loading times will lose you customers and Shopify’s hosting service offers good levels of support.
Use Shopify plugins
While you can’t customise using code, there are tons of plugins on Shopify you can use to improve the functionality and design of the website. For example, HubSpot Shopify plugin automates marketing so things like customised emails can be sent if a customer leaves a shopping cart. Another good one is Oxi Social Login, which simplifies authentication for the customer to make their transaction much easier to complete.
Avoid Shopify’s free domain
You’ll be given a free domain by Shopify but as it’s a subdomain – Webshape.myshopify.com. for example – it doesn’t help your own brand. And any SEO you put into the site will then benefit Shopify rather than your own website. Domain ownership is very cheap, costing anywhere from £2 to £30 a year, while also letting you strengthen your brand and web presence.
Contact us if you would like to register a domain name from just £11.99 per year.
Use SEO in your website
SEO can become complex, but there are some easy-to-learn basics you can use that can really make a difference. Shopify give you most of the tools you need to do this, including optimising images, creating a sitemap, adding relevant keywords and including meta titles and tags for pages. Once you have this in place you can start learning about link building and how that can take you to the next level.
Need help with Shopfiy Website Design?
Take a look through our service page about our Shopify design service. We can also help with your products and creating everything for you. Contact us to find out more.