Shopify Online Store 2.0: What It Is and Why You Should Upgrade Today

Overview 

 

As it has been observed today that e-commerce is moving into a new dimension, familiarization is of paramount importance. Online Store 2.0 is a major upgrade to Shopify’s e-commerce solutions that has been recently announced by the platform. This new version is loaded with features and improvements that would be of huge benefit to both the merchant and the customer. In this blog, you will discover what Shopify Online Store 2.0 is, its main benefits, and why upgrade your store now. 

 

What does it mean when one is using Shopify Online Store 2.0? 

 

Shopify Online Store 2.0 is a major redesign of the Shopify platform designed to offer greater customization and a new level of performance improvements specifically for the online stores. This update, starting in June of 2021, brings new architecture to enable you to have more control over your store’s design and features. Shopify, also known as Online Store 2.0, has enabled merchants to create, modify, and design their stores without necessarily being professional coders. 

 

New updates include the following features of the Shopify Online Store 2.0: 

 

Sections on Every Page—another revolutionary aspect of Online Store 2.0 is that now you can add sections to every page except products themselves. This means you can now create custom layouts for product pages, collection pages, and many more, with features such as banners, videos, and text. It makes it easier for you to optimize every little space that you have as you try to meet your customers’ needs. 

 

The new structure of themes on the Online Store 2.0 platform allows the customer to better develop the store compared to previous versions. Themes are now built using JSON template files, which contain a list of the sections of each page as well as other settings data regarding any added or modified section by the merchant. It makes it easier to develop and apply several templates for various pages on the website. 

 

A more streamlined integration system comes to App Integration Online Store 2.0. It is now possible to add apps to the theme from within the theme editor without having to use theme code. This means that you can easily decide which pages and where on these pages the apps block appear, which is a much more optimized approach to improving the functionalities of your store. 

 

Metafields has been enhanced dramatically in the newly launched version of Online Store 2.0. Metafields and properties can now be added without APIs, apps, and custom code. This means that you can add value-adding content to the product pages, such as a size chart, list of ingredients, or user guides. Metafields have now incorporated common file formats, such as images or even PDF, that make it simpler to upload and use more media on the products displayed on the site. 

 

Site speed performance is an essential aspect of any e-commerce website, and Shopify Online Store 2.0 brings massive enhancements in terms of site speed. According to the update, the new default theme, Dawn, is 35% faster than the earlier standard theme, Debut. When a webpage takes longer to load, it results in slow page speed, which hampers the loading time, decreases conversions, and has atrocious impacts on SEO rankings. 

 

Enhanced Developer Tools For developers, Online Store 2.0 offers a suite of new tools to create amazing experiences for merchants and shoppers. These tools include a new set of APIs, a more powerful theme editor, and better debugging capabilities. This makes it easier for developers to build and customize themes and apps that meet the specific needs of merchants. 

 

Why You Should Upgrade to Shopify Online Store 2.0 
 

More Advanced Customization The new option to add sections to each of the pages and the new improved architecture of the themes make the process of customization far superior to before. An individual can also enable customers to develop a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, something that could probably set a store apart from the rest. 

 

Higher Conversion Rates The increase in site speed and performance, hence, can increase site conversion rates, easier navigation and good SEO positions. A fast-reacting store can keep the customer busy and minimize the probability of him/her bouncing back to the previous page. 

 

New App Integration Some of the new options that will enable you to work with apps within the store are more user-friendly. This can enable you to improve on your store features in ways that are language and programming language do not require a lot of coding hence giving you ample time to grow your business. 

 

Metafields The metafields option has been made even better, enabling store owners to include more content for their products and hence more value for the buyers. It can assist in enhancing the shopping experience as well as enhance client satisfaction levels. 

 

Preparing for the Future Converting to Online Store 2.0 means your store uses the latest foundations and has the potential to leverage new future updates on Shopify. This feature means that you can be always in touch with new features in the platform that make your contest a lot more competitive within the ever-growing digital marketplace. 

 

Developer For corporate stores or store owners who are involved in or rely upon developers, there are many new tools and APIs introduced in the Online Store 2.0 framework. This can in turn mean that there are more unique and specific solutions that are beneficial to your business. 

 

How to Upgrade to Shopify Online Store 2.0 

 

Upgrading to Shopify Online Store 2.0 is a straightforward process, but it does require some planning and preparation. Here are the steps to get started: 

 

Review Your Current Store Before upgrading, take a close look at your current store and identify any customizations, apps, or features that you want to retain. Make a list of these elements so you can ensure they are carried over to the new version. 

 

Choose a Compatible Theme Shopify has introduced new themes specifically designed for Online Store 2.0. These themes take full advantage of the new features and improvements. Consider switching to one of these themes to get the most out of the upgrade. 

 

Backup Your Store Before making any major changes, it's always a good idea to back up your store. This ensures that you have a copy of your current setup in case anything goes wrong during the upgrade process. 

 

Update Your Apps Check if the apps you are using are compatible with Online Store 2.0. Many app developers have already updated their apps to work with the new version, but it's important to verify this before upgrading. 

 

Test the New Setup Once you have upgraded to Online Store 2.0, thoroughly test your store to ensure everything is working as expected. Check all pages, features, and apps to make sure they are functioning correctly. 

 

Launch the Upgraded Store After testing and making any necessary adjustments, you can launch your upgraded store. Monitor the performance and gather feedback from customers to ensure a smooth transition. 

 

Conclusion 

 

Shopify Online Store 2.0 represents a significant step forward for the Shopify platform, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and a more seamless integration with apps. By upgrading to Online Store 2.0, you can create a more engaging and efficient shopping experience for your customers, helping you stay competitive in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce. Whether you're a seasoned Shopify merchant or just starting out, the benefits of Online Store 2.0 make it a worthwhile investment for your online business.