Should You Upgrade To Shopify Online Store 2.0?
You have probably heard of Shopify Online Store 2.0 - most Shopify themes have been re-coded to work with this newer, better version of Shopify now.
So, should you consider upgrading your own site to OS 2.0? With a bunch of new features and upgrades, it's definitely worth considering an update in the near future to ensure you are making the most of your website on the Shopify platform.
Let’s explore what OS 2.0 could offer you...
Should You Upgrade To Shopify Online Store 2.0?
What Is Shopify Online Store 2.0?
According to Shopify itself, “Online Store 2.0'' is a set of features and feature improvements that make themes and theme apps easier to build, more flexible, and easier to maintain.”
Some of the features of 2.0 are the possibility to add sections on every page, the capability to connect dynamic sources to settings in your theme, and the ability to add an app to a theme or update an app without altering the theme code. All of these features give greater control and flexibility, while making your theme easier to update and troubleshoot.
It is important to note that while Online Store 2.0 might add functionality and support, upgrading is not mandatory. Merchants can continue to use a vintage theme if it still meets their needs.
What Are The Benefits
Shopify 2.0 is an updated version of the Shopify platform, which offers several benefits to NZ eCommerce businesses, including:
Improved customisation
Shopify 2.0 offers improved customisation options, allowing you to create more unique storefronts and personalised experiences for your customers. This feature means your brand can stand out and it helps to improve the customer experience, which can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.
Faster page loading speeds
Page loading speeds are an important factor in eCommerce. Slow loading times can lead to increased bounce rates and lost sales. Shopify 2.0 offers improved page loading speeds which can help to improve the overall user experience and boost conversion rates for your website.
Enhanced mobile responsiveness
Mobile shopping is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, a whopping 61% of online sales are expected to come from mobile by 2024. So, it's important for eCommerce businesses to have a mobile-friendly website. Shopify 2.0 offers enhanced mobile responsiveness, which can help to improve the mobile shopping experience and increase sales from mobile users.
Improved checkout process
The checkout process is a critical part of the eCommerce customer journey. If your web visitors experience any difficulty or too much complexity, it can lead to cart abandonment. Shopify 2.0 offers an improved checkout process with a streamlined design and faster checkout times. This can help to reduce the risk of those pesky cart abandonments and actually increase sales.
Increased security
Security is always a major concern for eCommerce businesses and their customers. Shopify 2.0 offers increased security features, such as multi-factor authentication and SSL encryption. These two things not only help to protect customer data, but they can also improve trust in your brand.
Online Store Upgrades
As you can see, Shopify has some great site-wide benefits, but it also offers some Online Store specific updates. These are the ways that Shopify 2.0 will help upgrade your online store:
Sections, sections everywhere
This has been a highly anticipated feature! Shopify is now giving you the flexibility to reuse sections on any and all of your webpages. You don’t have to use separate landing page builders or have multiple templates for your pages any more. Sections give you greater flexibility for optimising your content, modifying your layout and keeping your website fresh.
Easy app integration
Along with all the new content sections you can create, you can also now easily integrate apps into those sections and place them where you want on your website. The sections and blocks can be modified right there in the theme editor, including making changes to an app’s settings.
Better performance
The new architecture of the Online Store means that 2.0 layouts (and checkouts) will load faster than ever before! In fact, specific clients have been known to see a 47% improvement in their average page load times on a new 2.0 theme. This is all great news for user experience, conversion rates and SEO.
Product info
The introduction of in-theme metafields allows you to add dynamic or unique info to individual products. Previously an app would be needed to do this and the fields were not able to be edited within the Customiser. Now, simple metafields can be added and edited within the Theme Editor creating much better efficiency for you.
Improved theme editor
The Theme Editor has also had an overhaul in 2.0 making it easier to navigate. There is now a tree-style view of all the content on a page in the sidebar, where you can move or hide display blocks. There has also been the introduction of an inspect tool that helps to identify which sections are responsible for certain elements for easier editing.
Time To Switch?
So, should you consider the switch to OS 2.0? Yes! Make sure are able to access all Shopify's latest features and benefits of improved user experience, site conversion rates and boosted SEO.
If you are considering upgrading, the best thing is to speak with a Shopify expert to get advice on your individual website. We’d love to hear from you at Creative Web Designs. As Shopify experts, we can recommend the best solution for your website.
Book a time to chat to our team now.