How to choose and install a free Shopify theme?
The theme decides how your store looks. Shopify offers free themes, designed and maintained by Shopify: they are the best place to start.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Open the Theme Store
- Filter by your business
- Add the theme to your store
- Preview and customize
- Publish it
Avoid: Buying a paid theme right away: free themes are enough for a first store.
See the details with screenshots ↓Step by step
Screenshots show the interface used in the original guide (Shopify in French, Leadpages in English). In your account, buttons appear in your language.
- 1
Open the Theme Store
Go to themes.shopify.com or, in the admin, to « Online Store » then « Themes ». In the « Price » filter, check « Free » to see only free themes.
- 2
Filter by your business
Use the « Industry » filter (clothing, beauty, home, food…) and look mostly at how the theme shows products, not at the demo photos.
- 3
Add the theme to your store
Open the theme page and click « Add ». It goes into your theme library without replacing the one that is live.
- 4
Preview and customize
Click « Customize »: add your logo, colors, fonts and the home page sections. Also check the mobile preview.
- 5
Publish it
When everything looks right, click « Publish ». Only one theme is live at a time; the old one stays in the library and you can switch back.
Try it yourself
Shopify starts free, then has a discounted launch offer. You can set everything up before paying.
Try Shopify ↗Affiliate link: it does not change the price for you.
Common mistakes
- Buying a paid theme right away: free themes are enough for a first store.
- Publishing without checking the phone view, when most visits come from mobile.
Official sources
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