What Shopify Online Store 2.0 Means for Shopify Merchants?
In June 2021, Shopify announced Online store 2.0, an upgraded platform version which includes the long-awaited 'Sections' everywhere and a new base theme. This blog post will provide you with a guide on the benefits of using Shopify Online store 2.0.
- New Base Theme
- Shopify Theme Store Reopened on July 15th, 2021
- Sections Everywhere
- Metafields
Meet Dawn. The new base theme
Dawn is Shopifys latest theme and the fastest theme yet. According to Shopify, it's 35% faster than the long-standing original theme - Debut. Debut is the default theme on which many stores have been built on since Shopify first launched its theme architecture. Now when you sign up for Shopify, you'll see the Dawn theme as the default-free theme. Or base theme Shopify theme as it's commonly referred to.
For Dawn, the team at Shopify have have created a cleverer user experience that is mobile-first. Given that over 80% of your visitors will be on mobile, it makes perfect sense to focus on improving the mobile version.
Shopifys improved speed claim has been achieved by using a 'JavaScript-only-as-needed' approach. Here Shopify used the browser experience as often as possible instead of excess javascript which slows down the page.
The Shopify Theme Store is now open
Along with the new Dawn theme, Shopify also announced the re-opening of the theme store on July 15th, 2021. Since 2018 new theme submissions had been closed as Shopify undertook the internal project to deliver Online Store 2.0.
Now, new Online Store 2.0 compatible themes are being added weekly allowing Shopify store owners to take advantage of the features and benefits of the upgraded platform.
Sections Everywhere
It was 3 years ago when Shopify announced the ability to add multiple sections to pages all around the store. It has finally been released. The new theme editor includes flexible template section allowing users to add various content 'sections' across the store. For example, if you have 2 sets of FAQ's on your site, you can now add one to the homepage and a different more detailed list to your product page. Need to add a blog section to your best selling product but not to the rest? That's easily done with Online Store 2.0.
This enables new opportunities for Shopify users. Custom pages can now be built without code and users can deliver a custom look and feel to any store with little development needed.
Flexible Content with metafields
The theme editor now allows users to add metafields and properties without the use of APIs or code. Prior to this, to add additional meta or microdata to a product page, an app was required which would host the data off-site and present it on the front end of the store.
Here are the 2 core updates to meta fields:
- Metafields now easier to add and this will improve over time
- Standard meta fields are included in the Shopify admin
Shopify Online store 2.0 is a welcome update for Shopify merchants. The new Base Theme is fully responsive and optimized for all devices, with a focus on simplicity. It includes Sections Everywhere to help you create unique layouts in seconds, metafields so your design can be more dynamic without changing the code, and Extend Shopify Checkout which lets you add apps from third-party providers to meet any checkout need.
We’ve spent months carefully analysing and re-creating current client stores on Online Store 2.0. If you're interested in learning more about how to upgrade or indeed migrate to Online store 2.0, feel free to reach out here.
Keith Matthews
