Whether you're currently launching your first Shopify store or it's already your fifth, there are some questions that come up again and again when creating a new Shopify online store. For this reason, we would like to offer you a collection in this post to answer all these regularly occurring questions for you at a glance.
Table of contents
You want to optimize your Shopify store and could use professional support? Then feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you with words and deeds.
1. Connect Shopify Domain
In the first Shopify Hack we would like to look at how to connect a domain to Shopify. Note: You don't have to deal with this issue if you have purchased your domain from Shopify itself. In this case, your domain will be automatically configured as the web address that will be displayed to customers. If you are already using another Shopify domain for your store, the new domain will be automatically redirected to your primary URL.
However, if you didn't purchase your domain from Shopify and instead want to connect a third-party domain to your Shopify store, you have the following two options:
Connect Shopify Domain: Automatically connecting a third-party domain to Shopify
If you have purchased your domain from IONOS (1&1), GoDaddy or Google providers, you can usually have it automatically connected to Shopify. To do this, proceed as follows:
In the admin area under "Onlineshop" click on "Domains" and then on "Connect existing domain".
In the next window, you can simply enter your domain and click "Next".
On the next page, select "Connect automatically".
After you have entered your host's credentials, just follow the instructions.
Your domain will then be automatically connected to your Shopify store within seconds.
Reading tip: Shopify API - we show you everything you need to know about the Shopify interfaces.
Connection via A record and CNAME of a third-party domain with Shopify
Connecting a third-party domain becomes more difficult if your hosting provider doesn't support automatic connection or even refuses it. In these cases, you will be left with only a manual connection. And this is how it works:
Go to your Shopify admin panel and click "Online Store" > "Domains" > "Connect Existing Domain" > "Connect Manually".
Now log in to your external domain provider in a new tab and go to the DNS settings of your domain.
Then click on the respective button that allows you to add a new entry and select "A-entry".
Then enter @ or your domain in the "Hostname" field.
For "Points to", enter this Shopify IP address: "23.227.38.6".
Save your changes and agree to disable the other A entries.
Now you need to add a new entry (CNAME entry), selecting "CNAME".
Here you enter "www" for "Hostname". The hostname must point to the Shopify domain (stores.myshopify.com).
Save your changes again and agree to disable the other entries.
Finally, check the connection in your Shopify admin panel. Click "Check your connection" in the domain settings.
Once a success message appears, you have successfully connected your domain to Shopify. However, in exceptional cases, this may take several hours.
Reading tip: Do you already know these e-commerce trends?
2. perform Shopify test order
The second Shopify hack is about how merchants can do a test order with Shopify. This is especially needed if you are launching a brand new store and want to test it extensively beforehand. You have three options for this.
First, you can place a Shopify test order by simulating a transaction through Shopify's Bogus gateway. Second, you can use Shopify Payments test mode to place a test order if you use this payment gateway. Third, of course, you also have the option to use a real payment processor, then cancel the order and get a refund. However, since there may be fees involved, we recommend one of the first two options. The Shopify test order via Bogus Gateway works like this:
In your Shopify admin, start > "Settings" > "Payments" > "Other providers".
Now a new window will open where you can see some payment providers.
Now select "(for testing) Bogus Gateway" from the list and activate the payment method.
Reading tip: Brand Building: Why you should build your own brand.
3. Perfect Shopify image size
In the third Shopify hack, we'll look at Shopify image sizes in your online store. Basically, product images are used to present your items neatly on all sales channels. The best file types for this are JPEG and PNG.
JPEG images are particularly suitable for product photos, banners, slides, blog posts and websites due to their wide range of colors and compression. With this image format, the loading times of web pages remain short without the image quality having to suffer noticeably for this. PNG images, on the other hand, are more recommended for logos, graphics, icons and frames, as the colors in this format tend to be low-contrast, but transparency is supported. Besides these two file types, you can also use the progressive JPEG, GIF, HEIC, WebP and AVIF.
In addition to the file type, the format also plays a decisive role. Shopify allows product and category images up to 4472 x 4472 pixels or 20 megapixels in size. While high-resolution photos may look more professional to your customers, you should also make sure that the load time does not suffer too much as a result. As a rule, the recommended image format for a good load time in Shopify is 2048 x 2048 pixels.
If you want to reduce the file size of your images, you can send them through a compression tool like tinypng.com. You can find out whether this is necessary at all for the loading speed in your store by using online tools such as Google PageSpeed. There you will see how the page's loading time behaves overall and you will get tips on how to optimize it.
Reading tip: Here's how you can test your website speed with Shopify.
4. Shopify Landing Page Code - 3 ways to create a landing page on Shopify.
In this chapter, we'll reveal the ways you can create effective landing pages on Shopify.
a) Create Shopify landing page from scratch
If you want to create a Shopify landing page entirely on your own, you can do so using Liquid, an open-source programming language developed by Shopify. However, keep in mind that this is a very time-consuming method. Detailed instructions are provided by Shopify, so we'll just show you a basic breakdown:
Create a unique Liquid template file.
Add content to it.
Place a signup form on your Shopify landing page.
Include your CTA button.
Merge everything together on your custom page template.
b) Create Shopify landing page with apps
However, if you are not experienced with e-commerce website templates, you can find many helpful landing page creation tools in Shopify's app store.
In addition, you can also use a third-party landing page builder to create effective Shopify landing pages. These landing page builders allow you to export your pages as HTML and publish them as page templates in Shopify. Besides Leadpages, Unbounce or Instapage are also useful third-party tools.
c) Create Shopify landing page together with a professional
Another option is to work with a professional landing page designer or agency. Companies like Latori get to know your business, your customers, and your goals in order to create effective and optimized landing pages. Feel free to contact us for this.
Reading tip: Do you already know these 12 subpages that every e-commerce website needs?
5. Remove "Powered by Shopify"
How can you remove the "Powered by Shopify" watermark from the footer of an online store? You have two options for this, which we will present to you below:
Remove "Powered by Shopify": Option 1
The first way to remove the "Powered by Shopify" branding is the simpler of the two. To do this, proceed as follows: Start in the backend > "Onlineshop" > "Themes." Click on "Edit languages" > look for "Powered by" > remove the watermark here. Save and check in the frontend (preview function) if the branding is really removed.
Remove "Powered by Shopify": Option 2
The second variant is a bit more complicated, because you have to go into the code. Here you also start in the main menu of the themes and then proceed as follows:
Under Actions, click Edit Code.
Locate the footer file by typing "footer". You will now see the code.
Now use Ctrl + F (Windows) or Cmd + F (Mac) to find "Powered by" and remove this section.
Save and check in the preview if the branding is really removed.
Reading tip: How to create successful newsletters with Shopify email marketing app Klaviyo.
6. Shopify-QR-Code
If you don't plan on using QR codes for your marketing strategy in the future, it could prove to be a problem sooner or later. These two-dimensional codes are becoming increasingly important in retail, linking both physical consumers with the digital space and various websites with each other. In this way, they simplify online shopping and generate more sales.
Shopify offers its own QR code generator, which can be used by anyone for free. By using these Shopify QR codes, merchants can increase customer engagement and traffic, as well as boost sales across all sales channels.
Using Shopify's QR code generator is very simple: With just one click, the tool creates a Shopify QR code that you can use anywhere and for a wide variety of purposes. These codes are often used e.g. B. used to
Enable customers to learn more information about a product.
To be able to check out at different locations (e.g., via social media platforms).
Display other variants of a product in the store that are only available online, for example.
To be able to place repeat orders directly via product packaging.
Offer discounts or competitions to encourage purchases.
By the way, if you want to use Shopify QR codes in your online store, you don't have to worry about them making any changes to your store or affecting your customers or orders. QR codes hold a huge potential, especially in e-commerce. They can simplify your customers' shopping experience and streamline the way marketing, sales, and customer service work. To create a Shopify QR code from a product page, follow these steps:
Start on the desired product page > select "More actions" > "Create store code".
Enter a title for your QR code and select a link to which you want customers to be directed using the code.
Click Create.
Select PNG or SVG as the file type and click ''Download Shopcodes''.
Note: PNG files are more suitable for online sharing and SVG files for printing.
Conclusion
We hope these 5 Shopify hacks will cover some of your questions and help you improve your store step by step.
If we can support you in any of the above themed points or any other issues in your Shopify or Shopify Plus store, don't hesitate and contact us!
Frequently asked questions about Shopify Hacks
Is Shopify free of charge?
You have the option to try Shopify for free. After that, you can choose one of three pricing plans: Basic ($27/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced ($289/month). There is also Shopify Lite and the enterprise commerce solution Shopify Plus.
When is Shopify worthwhile?
Shopify is generally suitable for businesses of all types and sizes. However, when you should switch from the Basic to the Shopify plan depends on various factors. In general, merchants with sales of around €18,000 per month are recommended to switch to the Shopify plan, and from monthly sales of around €50,000, an upgrade to the Advanced plan might be in order.
Which programming language for Shopify?
The programming language used to program Shopify is Ruby on Rails. So if you want to change something in the code of your Shopify store (for example, the Shopify landing page code), you should either be familiar with this programming language, consult a Shopify expert or contact a Shopify agency like Latori.
How do I edit my Shopify checkout?
If you want to make changes to your Shopify checkout, you can do so using various form options. For example, you can edit some fields on your checkout pages to be required, optional, or hidden. If you want to edit your Shopify checkout, follow these steps:
In your admin panel, click "Settings" > "Checkout."
Make the desired changes in the "Form Options" section.
Finally, don't forget to save.
