Customizing and Developing a Shopify Store

How to modify the code of a Shopify theme?

To edit the code for a Shopify theme, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Shopify dashboard .
  2. Go to “Sales Channels”, then “Online Store”, and finally “Themes” .
  3. Click “…” to the left of the “Personalize” button, then “Edit code” .
  4. Explore your theme files : CSS, JavaScript, and Liquid files.
  5. Edit the files to make the desired changes.
  6. Save changes and preview them before publishing.

PS: It is recommended to duplicate your latest version of the theme before making changes to the code.

What is Liquid and how to use it in Shopify?

Liquid is the templating language used by Shopify to load dynamic content. Here's how to use it:

  1. Liquid Syntax : Use tags ( {% %} ), objects ( {{ }} ), and filters ( {{ product.title | upcase }} ) to manipulate content.
  2. Variables : Show dynamic data like {{ product.title }} for a product title.
  3. Loops : Use {% for product in collection.products %} to iterate over products in a collection.
  4. Conditions : Implement conditional logic with {% if %} , {% elsif %} , and {% else %} .

PS: what is mentioned here is really summary. We invite you to follow real training in order to learn how to properly use the Liquid templating language.

How to create a 100% tailor-made theme for your Shopify store?

To create a custom theme for Shopify:

  1. Download Shopify Theme Kit : a tool to develop Shopify themes locally.
  2. Configure Theme Kit : Follow the instructions to configure your development environment.
  3. Create a theme folder : Structure your theme with folders for templates, sections, snippets, assets, locales, and configurations.
  4. Develop your theme : Use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Liquid to create your theme.
  5. Deploy the theme : Use Theme Kit to deploy your theme to your Shopify store.

Can I add specific features to my store?

Yes, you can add specific features to your Shopify store using third-party apps or developing custom features:

  1. Shopify apps : Browse the Shopify App Store to find apps that add specific features.
  2. Custom Scripts : Integrate custom JavaScript and CSS for unique front-end functionality.
  3. Shopify API : Use the Shopify API to develop advanced integrations and features.

How to integrate custom scripts (JavaScript, CSS)?

To integrate custom scripts into Shopify:

  1. Go to "Online Store", then "Themes" .
  2. Click "..." (to the left of “Customize”), then “Edit code” .
  3. Add your scripts to the theme.liquid file or create new files in the "assets" folder.
  4. Include scripts : Use <script> and <link> tags in your Liquid file to include your scripts.

PS: it is also possible to add CSS manually from your customizer (by going to “Online Store”, then “Themes”, and finally “Personalize”. In each section of your template, in the menu to the left of your screen, you can add custom CSS.

How to use the Shopify API for advanced integrations?

The Shopify API allows advanced integrations with external services and custom features:

  1. Create an app in your Shopify Partners dashboard.
  2. Generate API keys to access the Shopify API.
  3. Use endpoints : make API calls to manage products, orders, customers, etc.
  4. Authentication : Use OAuth to secure API calls.
  5. Documentation : We recommend that you refer to the Shopify API documentation for detailed examples and guides.

What programming languages ​​are used in Shopify?

Shopify uses several programming languages ​​for theme and app development:

  • Liquid : the templating language for Shopify themes.
  • HTML/CSS which are used to build the structure and define the style of the pages.
  • JavaScript : for dynamic interactions and front-end functionality.
  • Ruby on Rails : the framework used by Shopify for its backend.
  • GraphQL/REST : for integrations with the Shopify API.

How to create and use custom apps in Shopify?

To create custom apps in Shopify:

  1. Sign up for the Shopify Partners program .
  2. Create a new app from the Partner Dashboard.
  3. Choose the type of application : public or private.
  4. Develop the application using a framework like Node.js or Ruby on Rails.
  5. Use the Shopify API to integrate specific features.
  6. Deploy and install the app on your Shopify store.

How do I test and deploy changes to my store?

To test and deploy changes to your Shopify store:

  1. Use a local development environment with Shopify Theme Kit.
  2. Test the changes in preview mode on your store.
  3. Use Git to manage versions of your code.
  4. Deploy changes using Shopify Theme Kit or manually via the Shopify dashboard.
  5. Check performance and make sure all features are working as expected.

Does Shopify offer developer tools?

Yes, Shopify offers several tools for developers:

  • Shopify Partners : a program with resources and a dashboard for managing apps and themes.
  • Shopify CLI : A command-line tool for developing Shopify apps and themes.
  • Theme Kit : a tool for developing themes locally.
  • Shopify API : for advanced integrations and features.
  • Documentation and guides : Comprehensive documentation for Shopify developers, including guides, examples, and API references.