How to Add a New Section in Shopify Theme: A Comprehensive Guide for Ecommerce Brands

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify Themes and Sections
3. Preparing to Add a New Section in Shopify
4. How to Add a New Section in Shopify
5. Advanced Techniques for Customizing Sections
6. Testing Your Changes
7. Conclusion
8. FAQ

Introduction

Did you know that 79% of online shoppers abandon their carts because of poor user experience? In today’s fiercely competitive ecommerce landscape, creating a seamless and engaging shopping experience is paramount. One of the most effective ways to enhance your Shopify store's user experience is by customizing your theme, specifically by adding new sections that can showcase your products, promotions, and brand story effectively.

In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of how to add a new section in Shopify theme, providing actionable insights to empower you to elevate your online store. By the end of this post, you will not only understand the step-by-step process of adding sections but also appreciate the strategic significance of each component in driving conversions and optimizing performance.

We will cover everything from the basics of Shopify's theme structure to advanced customization techniques, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of how to leverage sections effectively. So, let’s embark on this journey to transform your Shopify store into a powerful sales machine.

Understanding Shopify Themes and Sections

What are Shopify Themes?

Shopify themes are pre-designed templates that dictate the look and feel of your online store. Each theme offers a unique design and functionality, allowing merchants to present their products in visually appealing ways. With the introduction of Shopify 2.0, themes now support a more modular approach through sections, enabling greater customization without the need for extensive coding.

The Role of Sections in Shopify

In Shopify, sections are modular components that can be added to pages to create a tailored layout. Each section can contain various blocks—individual units of content that serve specific functions, such as text, images, buttons, or videos. This structure allows for a flexible and dynamic storefront, enabling merchants to easily customize their store's appearance and functionality.

Why Adding New Sections Matters

Adding new sections to your Shopify theme not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your store but also improves the user experience by allowing you to present relevant information in a structured manner. This can lead to increased engagement, reduced bounce rates, and ultimately, higher conversion rates. By customizing your storefront with strategically placed sections, you can guide shoppers through their buying journey, making it easier for them to find what they need.

Preparing to Add a New Section in Shopify

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Theme

Before diving into adding new sections, it's crucial to evaluate your current Shopify theme. Determine whether your theme supports sections and blocks, as this will affect how you can customize your store. You can check this by navigating to your Shopify admin panel and selecting Online Store > Themes. Click on Customize to see if sections are available for the page you want to edit.

Step 2: Identify the Purpose of the New Section

What do you want to achieve with the new section? Whether it's to showcase a product collection, promote a sale, or highlight customer testimonials, having a clear goal will guide your design and content choices. Reflect on how this section fits into your overall ecommerce strategy and how it can enhance the customer experience.

How to Add a New Section in Shopify

Step 3: Access the Theme Editor

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Find the theme you want to edit and click on Customize. This will take you to the theme editor, where you can see a live preview of your store.

Step 4: Select the Page for Customization

In the theme editor, you can customize various pages, including the home page, product pages, and collection pages. Use the dropdown menu at the top to select the page where you want to add the new section.

Step 5: Add a New Section

1. In the sidebar of the theme editor, click on + Add section.
2. A list of available sections will appear. Depending on your theme, you might see options like Image with text, Slideshow, Newsletter signup, and more.

Step 6: Customize the New Section

Once you've selected a section type, you can start customizing it:

• Content: Add relevant text, images, or videos that align with the purpose of the section.
• Settings: Adjust the settings for layout, alignment, and styles using the options provided in the sidebar.
• Blocks: If the section allows it, you can add blocks for additional content, such as buttons or additional text fields.

Step 7: Rearranging Sections

After adding a new section, you might want to rearrange its order on the page. Simply hover over the section name in the sidebar, and drag it to your desired position. This flexibility allows you to create a logical flow of information that guides customers through their shopping experience.

Step 8: Save Your Changes

Don't forget to click Save after making your changes! This ensures that all your customizations will be live on your site.

Advanced Techniques for Customizing Sections

Creating Custom Sections

For those who feel comfortable with coding, you can create entirely custom sections by editing the theme code. This allows for more advanced customization and functionality tailored to your specific needs.

1. From the Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Click Actions > Edit code next to the theme you want to customize.
3. In the Sections directory, you can create a new file (e.g., custom-section.liquid).
4. Use Liquid, HTML, and CSS to define the structure and style of your new section.

Example of a Custom Section Code

Here's a basic example of how a custom section could look:

<div class="custom-section">
  <h2>{{ section.settings.title }}</h2>
  <p>{{ section.settings.description }}</p>
  <a href="{{ section.settings.button_link }}">{{ section.settings.button_text }}</a>
</div>

{% schema %}
{
  "name": "Custom Section",
  "settings": [
    {
      "type": "text",
      "id": "title",
      "label": "Section Title"
    },
    {
      "type": "textarea",
      "id": "description",
      "label": "Description"
    },
    {
      "type": "url",
      "id": "button_link",
      "label": "Button Link"
    },
    {
      "type": "text",
      "id": "button_text",
      "label": "Button Text"
    }
  ]
}
{% endschema %}

Utilizing Dynamic Sources

Shopify now allows the use of dynamic sources within sections, enabling you to pull in data from your store automatically. This feature can be particularly useful for displaying product details, collections, or customer testimonials dynamically.

1. When editing a section, look for the Connect dynamic source button.
2. Select the relevant metafield or data source you want to display.

Incorporating Metafields and Metaobjects

Metafields are a powerful way to store additional information about your products or collections. You can connect these metafields to your sections for a more personalized approach. For instance, if you sell candles, you can display the burn time for each product by linking a metafield to the relevant section.

Testing Your Changes

Once you've added and customized your new section, it's crucial to test its functionality. Navigate through your store as a customer would, checking for any issues with layout, content, or links.

A/B Testing for Optimization

Consider conducting A/B testing with different section designs or content to determine which version performs better in terms of engagement and conversion rates. This data-driven approach allows you to make informed decisions about your store’s layout and content strategy.

Conclusion

By understanding how to add a new section in Shopify theme, you can dramatically improve your store's user experience and drive conversions. Each section you add should serve a purpose, guiding your customers through their shopping journey while showcasing your brand's unique offerings.

As you implement these strategies, we encourage you to explore the PowerCommerce eStore Suite for even more robust tools designed to optimize your ecommerce operations. Whether you're looking for advanced storefront optimization, seamless Shopify migrations, or AI-driven insights, we are here to help your brand thrive in the competitive digital marketplace.

To learn more about how we can support your ecommerce goals, explore the PowerCommerce eStore Suite today!

FAQ

What types of sections can I add to my Shopify theme?

You can add various types of sections, including slideshows, image galleries, text blocks, product showcases, and more. The options available depend on the theme you are using.

Can I customize section layouts without coding?

Yes, the Shopify theme editor allows you to customize the layout and content of sections using a user-friendly interface without any coding knowledge.

What if I want to create a completely custom section?

If you have coding knowledge, you can create custom sections by editing the theme code in the Sections directory. This allows for tailored designs and functionality.

How do I know if my theme supports sections?

You can check if your theme supports sections by navigating to Online Store > Themes and clicking on Customize. If sections are available, you will see the option to add them while editing the page.

What should I do if I encounter issues while adding sections?

If you face any difficulties, consider reaching out to your theme developer or consult the Shopify community forums for troubleshooting tips and advice.

By integrating these techniques into your Shopify store, you can create a dynamic and engaging shopping experience that resonates with your customers. Happy customizing!