Story: Website in 2020
There are many types of websites online. People write a blog, small business/company introduces service or product. I even think every person may be better to have their own website.
Every website has some costs, hosting, paid theme, plugin or marketing/SEO. I, at least, want to cover the cost by online sales. In my case, I provide design service and it covers the costs. It’s not bad, but I cannot say it’s great. I have to work for a client each time.
I am thinking to install the shop menu on the website. I cannot turn a portfolio website to Woocommerce, but if I use a third-party platform, like Shopify, it possible.
In June 2020, I decide to develop a Shopify website for a client. I am going to develop it my own as well. It will be a good blog topic in the future regardless of success or failure.
Problem: I developed a few Shopify eCommerce site, but I need to practice more
Goal: Understand what I can do, I cannot do with a free theme
Shopify
– Free for 90 days (normally 14 days/2 weeks). Extended only now, because of coronavirus.
– US$29/mo for the basic plan. You have to sell more than US$29(net, not gross). Otherwise, your business is in deficit.
– Price range, US$29, $79 and $299/mo. It costs you forever.
– The Shopify site insists it’s easy. We may be able to develop a Shopify website easily, but sales are never easy.
– You don’t know until try.
Website: Shopify 14 days free trial
Shopify Theme – Brooklyn
Several YouTube videos mention the theme, Brooklyn. Therefore, I tested Brooklyn first.
I could reverse the image and text, left and right. I like it. If you are not sure about expression, you can learn from the other theme here. The free theme may not be able to emulate from the paid theme directly. It’s for an idea.
It looks simple and modern. Negatively say it looks template. Even the test, I had to prepare some materials below.
1. Shop name(Hello XXX, Mr. XXX, etc)
2. Product and image
3. Color palette, typeface
4. Nav Menu: Home, Product(Catalog), Blog, Media, About, Contact
5. Footer: Search(necessarily?), Shipping and Return Policy, Terms of Services, Contact(Address & Phone)
6. Contents/Section
Shopify Theme – Brooklyn(Development)
The theme is set as Debut. You can install different themes from the theme library. According to my experience, you don’t have to go paid theme first. The free theme is enough.
When you start to customize Brooklyn, please check Add Section first. You can see what you can add. If you look for a specific section design that the Brooklyn does not have, you may be better to choose another theme or need to hire a developer.
Add section
BLOG
– Blog posts
COLLECTION
– Collection list
– Featured collection
IMAGE
– Image with text
– Slideshow
PRODUCT
– Featured product
PROMOTIONAL
– Newsletter signup
STORE INFORMATION
– Map
TEXT
– Rich text
VIDEO
– Video
ADVANCED LAYOUT
– Custom HTML
I don’t see any uniqueness. Very general. It means enough?
Theme settings
– Colors
– Typography
– Cart page
– Social media
– Favicon
– Checkout
You may need some help if you are completely no graphic design background.
Very bottom, you can see the Edit Code. Shopify somehow expects you need Edit Code.
Dashboard
Home
Orders
Products
Customers
Analytics
Marketing
Discounts
Apps
SALES CHANNELS
– Online Store
– Themes
– Blog posts
– Pages
– Navigation
– Domains
– Preferences
Shopify Theme – Brooklyn(Result)
I develop above as a test. I could not customize some details. It means you don’t have to worry about a detail, or graphic designer may feel frustrated about it. Is it good or bad?
The quality of the website depends on the product image and copywriting. It quite important, but can the client prepare it? We may have to manage the project as a creative director as well as a web/graphic designer.
Overall, the Brooklyn site looks okay.
Get done is better than perfect
Tools are provided online, but many people hesitate to build an eCommerce website. You won’t be able to develop an ideal eCommerce website at first. You may be stuck several times even a company simplifies UI and enhances UX.
I think being public quickly is better than the perfect website which takes 6 months. Every company didn’t develop a great online presence. They took a market, increased sales and constantly improved it. If a consumer needs your service/product, they respond to you.
There are many platforms for eCommerce. Shopify is one way.
Reference:
Shopify: Brooklyn
*Shopify should follow Webflow. The text tutorial does not user-friendly.
YouTube: Shopify Help Center
*Robot voice makes me sleep.
Shopify: Brooklyn Image Sizes
