Designing a Shopify store can seem like a puzzle with too many pieces. Whether you're setting up a store from scratch or looking to spruce up your existing one, the right tools can make a huge difference. Content builders are one such tool that can help simplify the design process, making it easier than ever to create a professional-looking store without needing to be a coding genius.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the best content builders available for Shopify. We’ll cover how these tools can help you design your store with ease, provide step-by-step instructions for using them, and share tips to make your store both beautiful and functional. Let's get started!
Why Use Content Builders for Shopify?
Before we jump into the specifics, let's talk about why you might want to use a content builder for your Shopify store. You might be wondering, "Why not just use the standard Shopify editor?" That's a fair question! The standard editor is robust, but content builders offer flexibility and customization that can take your store to the next level.
Content builders offer:
- Ease of Use: Most content builders feature drag-and-drop interfaces, making them accessible even if you're not tech-savvy.
- Customization: These tools allow you to customize your store's appearance far beyond Shopify's standard templates.
- Efficiency: With pre-designed elements and templates, you can save time while ensuring your store looks professional.
So, if you're looking to create a unique shopping experience that stands out, content builders might be your best friend.
Getting Started with Shogun
Shogun is one of the most popular content builders for Shopify, known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features. Start by installing the Shogun app from the Shopify App Store, and you'll be well on your way to creating stunning pages for your store.
Once installed, Shogun provides a drag-and-drop editor that lets you build pages without touching a single line of code. You can create landing pages, product pages, and even blog posts, all with the same intuitive interface.
To create a page:
- Open Shogun from your Shopify dashboard.
- Select "Create Page" and choose the type of page you want to build.
- Drag elements like text, images, and buttons onto your page.
- Customize each element by clicking on it and adjusting its settings in the side panel.
- Once you're happy with your design, click "Save" and publish your page.
Shogun also offers a library of pre-made templates, which can be a great starting point if you're feeling overwhelmed. Simply choose a template, tweak the elements to fit your brand, and you're good to go!
PageFly: A Flexible Alternative
If you're looking for flexibility, PageFly is another fantastic option. Like Shogun, PageFly offers a drag-and-drop editor, but it also provides more granular control over your design elements, allowing you to create truly custom layouts.
To get started with PageFly:
- Install the PageFly app from the Shopify App Store.
- Open PageFly and select "Create a Page."
- Choose from a variety of page types, including home pages, product pages, and collections.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to add elements and customize your layout.
- PageFly's unique "Sections" feature lets you save sections of your page and reuse them elsewhere, saving you time on repetitive tasks.
PageFly also integrates with other Shopify apps, allowing you to add functionalities like reviews, countdown timers, and more. The flexibility and integrations make it a powerful tool for those looking to create a highly customized store.
Understanding GemPages
For those who value creativity and want to break out of the typical Shopify mold, GemPages could be the perfect fit. This builder is known for its versatility and ease of use, making it a favorite among those who want to push the boundaries of design.
Here's how to get started with GemPages:
- Download GemPages from the Shopify App Store and install it.
- Launch the app and create a new page or edit an existing one.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to add and arrange elements on your page.
- GemPages offers a wide range of widgets, from basic text and image blocks to advanced elements like sliders and galleries.
- Each widget is highly customizable, allowing you to adjust everything from font size to animation effects.
GemPages also offers a variety of pre-designed templates, so if you're not feeling particularly creative, you can still create a stunning design with minimal effort.
Zipify Pages: Perfect for Marketers
Zipify Pages is another excellent content builder, especially if you're focused on marketing and conversions. Created by ecommerce marketers for ecommerce marketers, Zipify Pages offers tools specifically designed to boost sales.
Here's how you can use Zipify Pages:
- Install Zipify Pages from the Shopify App Store.
- Open the app and select "Create Page."
- Choose from a variety of page templates, including product pages, sales pages, and opt-in pages.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize your page layout.
- Take advantage of Zipify's built-in split testing feature to test different versions of your page and optimize for conversions.
Zipify Pages also integrates with popular email marketing services and other Shopify apps, making it a great choice for those who want to create a comprehensive marketing funnel.
Creating a Cohesive Brand Experience
One of the most important aspects of designing a Shopify store is ensuring that your brand experience is consistent across all pages. This is where content builders truly shine, as they allow you to create a unified look and feel without having to manually code each page.
To maintain a cohesive brand experience:
- Use Consistent Colors and Fonts: Most content builders let you set global styles, ensuring that your colors and fonts are consistent across all pages.
- Stick to a Template: While it's tempting to create wildly different pages, using a consistent template helps create a professional appearance.
- Leverage Reusable Sections: Many builders let you save sections to reuse on other pages, making it easy to maintain consistency.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can create a store that feels cohesive and professional, which can help build trust with your customers.
Optimizing for Mobile Devices
With more people shopping on mobile devices than ever before, it's crucial to ensure your Shopify store looks great on smaller screens. Fortunately, most content builders make this easy with responsive design features.
Here's how to optimize your store for mobile:
- Use Responsive Templates: Most content builders offer responsive templates that automatically adjust to different screen sizes.
- Preview on Mobile: Use the preview feature to see how your pages will look on mobile devices and make adjustments as needed.
- Simplify Navigation: Mobile users appreciate simple navigation, so consider using a hamburger menu or other mobile-friendly options.
By prioritizing mobile optimization, you'll ensure that all customers have a positive experience, regardless of how they visit your store.
Tips for Enhancing User Experience
While design is important, user experience (UX) should be at the forefront of your mind when creating your Shopify store. A beautiful store is great, but it needs to be functional too.
To enhance UX:
- Keep It Simple: Avoid cluttering your pages with unnecessary elements. Focus on clear calls-to-action and easy navigation.
- Speed Matters: Test your pages for loading speed. Slow pages can deter customers, so make sure your images are optimized and your code is clean.
- Accessibility: Ensure your site is accessible to all users by including alt text for images and maintaining a clear, readable font size.
By focusing on UX, you'll create a store that's not only attractive but also easy and enjoyable to use.
Integrating SEO Best Practices
Last but not least, we can't forget about SEO. A beautifully designed store is useless if no one can find it, so it's important to integrate SEO best practices into your design process.
Here’s how to make sure your store is optimized for search engines:
- Optimize Page Titles and Descriptions: Use relevant keywords in your page titles and descriptions to help search engines understand your content.
- Use Heading Tags: Use
<h1>
,<h2>
, and<h3>
tags appropriately to structure your content and improve readability. - Image Optimization: Include descriptive, keyword-rich alt text for all images.
- Internal Linking: Use internal links to guide users to other relevant pages on your site.
By taking these steps, you’ll improve your chances of ranking higher in search results, driving more traffic to your store.
Final Thoughts
To wrap things up, content builders are powerful tools that can help you create a stunning, functional Shopify store without the need for extensive technical knowledge. From Shogun to PageFly, each builder offers unique features that can simplify your design process and enhance your store’s overall look and feel.
Speaking of simplifying complex tasks, if you're looking to grow your ecommerce brand, Pattern could be the partner you need. At Pattern, we focus on driving results—not just traffic. Our expertise in creating programmatic landing pages and conversion-focused content means we can help you turn visitors into paying customers. We look at SEO through a performance marketing lens, ensuring every dollar you invest delivers real ROI. So, if you're ready to make SEO a growth channel, consider working with us.