Should You Use a Free or Premium Shopify Theme?

Should Free or Premium Shopify Theme?

This is a common question and something we get asked frequently. Is investing in a premium Shopify theme worth the extra features, or will a free theme be sufficient? Let's explore the options to help you make the best choice for you.

Shopify Platform
Shopify offers an extensive range of pre-built themes designed to match various business needs. Currently, there are 13 free themes and over 200 premium themes available, providing excellent scope for customisation. A significant advantage for using a Shopify theme, is you can preview them on your Shopify store with your content and branding before deciding to purchase. This ensures it's the right fit for your business.

However, it's crucial to remember that all pre built themes, whether free or premium, have limitations. They come with predefined layouts and functionalities which can be customised only within specific boundaries. Therefore, selecting the right theme initially is vital as it lays the foundation for your store's future development.

According to research, it takes only 5 seconds for visitors to decide whether they'll stay on your website or leave (source: Sweor).

Shopify Free Theme
Free Shopify themes are ideal if you're starting out or have a limited budget. They offer straightforward setup processes, easy management, and essential features. You can utilise them as an initial step, transitioning to a more complex theme as your business expands.

However, the downside is that free themes offer limited customisation, leading to similarities between your store and others using the same theme. This can reduce your brand's distinctiveness.

Shopify Premium Theme
Premium themes provide much greater control and flexibility over your store's appearance and functionality. You can customise specific areas and access advanced features such as mega menus, image sliders, custom review widgets, unique page templates, lookbooks, and more. These elements enhance your professional image and help to capture customer attention effectively.

If your website has numerous products, a premium theme becomes essential, making navigation and customer experience more seamless.

However, premium themes can be costly and overwhelming for new Shopify users due to their extensive features.

Theme Comparison
To highlight the differences clearly, let's compare the popular free Shopify theme, Dawn, with the premium theme, Impact:

• Dawn (Free): Clean and minimal, great for beginners or small-scale stores. Basic customisation options with essential features only.
• Impact (Premium): Highly customisable with advanced functionalities like advanced search, detailed product filtering, multiple layout options, and built-in promotional tools.

What Should I Choose?
If you're new to Shopify or have a small inventory, starting with a free theme is advisable. It allows you to familiarise yourself with Shopify’s platform and essential features without any financial commitment. When your store grows or you require advanced features, upgrading to a premium theme would be beneficial.

For established businesses with extensive product ranges and ambitious growth plans, investing in a premium theme is recommended. The advanced customisation and additional features help set your store apart and boost your brand identity significantly.

Should I Use a Shopify Theme or a Third-party Theme?
We strongly recommend choosing themes from the official Shopify theme store. These themes undergo rigorous quality checks by Shopify ensuring reliability and you also benefit from ongoing support with regular updates.

Can I Purchase a Shopify Theme Once and Use It on Multiple Stores?
Each Premium Shopify theme is licensed per account, to use on another Shopify account you would need to purchase it again. Although you can upload the same theme to multiple stores, this would violate the license terms and could lead to your account being suspended.

Can I Transfer a Paid Theme from One Shopify Store to Another?
Yes, transferring a theme is possible but not straightforward. You must first need to purchase the theme again on your new store, then request Shopify to transfer the licence and refund the cost difference from your original store. However, refunds are based on the original purchase price, not the current theme price.

Overall
Both free and premium Shopify themes have their advantages and disadvantages. If you're just getting started and only have a handful of products, a free theme could be practical. If you're an established business, seeking extensive features and robust customisation, a premium theme would be beneficial.

If brand distinctiveness and enhanced functionality are crucial to your business, investing in a premium theme is highly worthwhile.

Why not chat with us at Digi Creative? We’ll guide you through Shopify’s platform, helping you make the optimal decision for your business. We can't wait to hear from you!