Top 12 Reasons Why Startups Should Use A Shopify Template Versus A Custom Web Design

Edwin Anthony

Founder & Business Strategist


Since its establishment in 2006, Shopify has become the go-to platform for businesses looking to set up an online store. With over 3.9 millionwebsites and 2 million merchants, Shopify is undoubtedly a decent, reliable, and trusted e-commerce solution, powering more stores than any other ecommerce solution.

But even with such a massive market share, startups must make one major decision that can make all the difference in their success: whether to use a Shopify template or opt for a custom web design.

Using a pre-made Shopify template means you’ll use a pre-built design that can be easily and quickly customized to your liking. On the other hand, hiring a web designer for a custom design means you’ll have a unique design tailored to your specific needs, but you may have to wait for weeks or even months to have everything all set. While both options have their advantages, using a pre-made Shopify template can be a more cost-effective and time-saving option for startups.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the top 12 reasons why startups should choose a Shopify template for their online store. So buckle up and get ready for some insightful information that will make your online store stand out from the crowd! We will explore:

1. Cost savings

One of the most compelling reasons to use a pre-made Shopify template is the cost savings. Startups are always looking for ways to save money, and using a pre-made Shopify template can be a great way to do that.

Custom web design can be expensive, especially for startups on a tight budget, as it requires hiring a web designer to create a unique design from scratch. In contrast, using a pre-made template is much more cost-effective, as you only need to pay for the template and any customization you may require. This is especially important for startups that are often working with limited budgets.

Pro tip: While using a pre-made Shopify template can save you money, it is important to invest in premium templates to ensure that you get the best quality design and features.

2. Quick turnaround time

Startups need to launch their online store as quickly as possible to start generating revenue. Using a pre-made Shopify template can help you achieve that, as it saves time that would otherwise be spent on custom web design.

With a pre-made template, you can have your online store up and running in no time, which is especially important for startups that need to move fast. Custom web design can take weeks or even months to complete, which is a luxury that startups may not have.

Pro tip: To make the most of your time, have all your product information and images ready to go before starting the website design process. This will help ensure a faster turnaround time.

3. Reliable functionality

Shopify templates have been rigorously tested and optimized for performance, ensuring that your online store is reliable and functions smoothly. On the other hand, custom designs may have unknown bugs or errors that can impact custome experience and ultimately slow your business success.

Pro tip: Choose a template that is highly reviewed for its reliability and compatibility with the Shopify platform.

4. Mobile responsiveness

Mobile commerce is on the rise, which is why startups must have a mobile-friendly online store. Pre-made Shopify templates are designed to be mobile responsive, meaning that they adapt to different screen sizes and devices. This ensures that your online store looks great and functions well on both desktop and mobile devices. This is critical for businesses, as more and more customers are shopping on mobile devices.

Pro tip: Test your website on multiple devices to ensure it looks and functions properly on all screen sizes.

Mobile responsiveness

5. SEO-friendly

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for online visibility and attracting customers to your online store. Shopify templates are built with SEO in mind, incorporating features such as clean code, fast loading speeds, and optimized metadata. This helps your online store rank higher in search engine results, which is vital for startups looking to attract new customers.

Pro tip: Use relevant keywords in your website content, meta descriptions, and image alt tags to help boost your search engine rankings. 

6. Security features

Security is a top concern for online businesses, and Shopify takes it seriously. Shopify templates have built-in security features such as secure payment processing, fraud detection, and SSL encryption that protect your online store from malicious attacks and data breaches.

Security features

Shopify also regularly releases security patches to address any vulnerabilities that may arise. This gives startups peace of mind knowing that their online store is secure and their customers’ data is protected.

Pro tip: Choose a template with built-in security features like SSL certificates, and ensure that your website is regularly updated with the latest security patches.

7. Support and updates

Shopify templates come with 24 hrs support, forums, documentation, and live chats, allowing you to access expert help on the fly. You will also access regular updates to improve the platform’s functionality and performance, ensuring that your online store is always up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

This saves startups the hassle of having to update their online store manually and provides them with the peace of mind that their online store is always running smoothly. This saves you time and money compared to having to maintain a custom web design.

Pro tip: Take advantage of Shopify’s customer support and resources, and stay on top of template updates to ensure optimal website performance.

8. E-commerce features

Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform, and its templates come with a wide range of built-in e-commerce features such as product listings, shopping carts, and payment processing. This saves startups the time and hassle of building these features from scratch and provides them with a powerful e-commerce platform that can help them grow their business.

Pro tip: Choose a template with all the necessary e-commerce features you need, such as multiple payment and shipping options, to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

9. User-friendly interface

Managing your online store shouldn’t be a headache. Shopify templates are designed with the user in mind, providing an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and use. This makes it easier for startups to manage their online store, add products, and process orders, without the need for technical knowledge.

Pro tip: Opt for a template with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to manage your website and product catalog.

10. Competitive advantage

Using a pre-made Shopify template can give your startup a competitive advantage, as it helps you to launch your online store quickly and efficiently. This can be especially important in crowded markets, where you must move fast to stand out from the competition.

Pro tip: Use customization options like color schemes, fonts, and branding to create a unique and memorable website that sets you apart from your competition.

11. Flexibility and customization

While pre-made Shopify templates may have a set design, they can still be customized to fit your brand and style. This gives you the flexibility to make your online store unique without the high cost of custom web design.

Pro tip: Take advantage of Shopify’s customization options to tailor your website to your brand’s unique style and needs. Consider working with a professional agency for more advanced customizations.

12. Integration with third-party apps

Shopify templates integrate seamlessly with a wide range of third-party apps, such as email marketing tools, social media integrations, and shipping management solutions. This allows you to expand your online store capabilities and reach new customers.

Pro tip: Only use apps that add additional functionality to your Shopify Store.

Accelerate Your Startup Success With An Intuitively Customized Shopify Template

Using a Shopify template can be a smart choice for startups looking to get their online store up and running quickly without breaking the bank. With reliable functionality, mobile responsiveness, SEO-friendly features, and a user-friendly interface, Shopify templates offer everything you need to create a successful online store.

If you want to take your startup to the next level and create a truly unique and customized experience for your customers, our highly experienced team at Rezolutions Design can help. We’ve worked with multiple startups just like yours to customize their Shopify stores and curate them to match their brand’s unique style and needs perfectly.

Don’t settle for a generic, cookie-cutter online store. Let Rezolutions Design help you set up and customize a pre-made template for your Shopify store and create a stunning and memorable online presence that sets your startup apart from the competition. Contact us today to learn more and get started!

Edwin Anthony

Founder & Business Strategist

Presently, Edwin is the Founder and Lead Design and Development Director of Rezolutions Design, a full-service digital agency based on Aventura Florida which works with fortune 500 companies.

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