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A Guide to Upgrading Shopify Store to Shopify 2.0 Theme
Shopify Online 2.0 is the latest version of shopify as on May 2023 and the new theme version brings a range of enhanced features, improved performance, and a more user-friendly interface.
The upgradation process requires an understanding of JSON functionality and detailed knowledge of liquid, HTML, CSS, and javascript.
The following points are to be done :
- Check if your present theme has upgraded versions that are compatible to shopify 2 themes else you need to manually make it compatible with Shopify2.
- Check the list app and will they update the code automatically or will you need to handle that manually( An email to be sent to the app provider or their documents shall be checked )?
- Check if there are any analytics or tracking code and do we need to handle the theme manually.
Evaluate Theme Compatibility
If you are using a third-party theme, check its compatibility with Shopify 2 theme. Visit the theme developer’s website or contact their support to inquire about compatibility or any necessary theme updates. It’s important to ensure that your theme is compatible with Shopify 2 theme.
Make your Apps Work with Shopify 2
Some apps require us to manually add theme code to theme code files. We can add code to theme.liquid if needed, but if we need to add code to other files, then finding and applying changes is difficult.
Most of the applications provide its own code runners or automation tools to help streamline the process. Some app service providers have provided us with many documents. Other than we need to talk to service providers
Move Tracking/Analytics Codes Manually
Analytics and tracking code are important. If they need to be placed in the theme manually you need to do that. Or you need to make sure that the trekking events are getting fired.
From a tracking perspective, moving tracking codes like Google Analytics, Facebook pixel, and other tracking codes added in the theme liquid file is the most important part of a theme migration.
Migrate and Manage your Design Data
If your theme had a compatible Shopify 2 version then you need to make sure to migrate your design data.
shopify 1 templates are in liquid format and shopify 2 templates are in JSON format. So you need to understand and work on the JSON and follow it by handling the design impact on liquid file.
Element Property Dependency
If we added custom classes in the previous code and applied css or js with class dependency, then there are multiple chances of functionality breaking and template breaking. So we need to find them and apply them to a new theme as it is.
Create Additional Customized Sections
When migrating themes from Shopify 1 to Shopify 2, if we want to add a customized section then we must create it manually with all dependencies, such as JS and CSS, and it is complex to find where the JS and CSS were added.
Functionality Changes
It is possible if the shopify 1 theme uses a library and shopify 2 uses a different library that time the behavior or functionality of the theme section is changed.
For Example: If the shopify 1 theme uses a slick slider and the shopify 2 theme uses flickity slider then it is possible to change their behavior.
Replace Apps with Custom Coding
Due to additional features in shopify 2, it’s possible to replace the App with custom coding.
So review each app and see if using Metadata or Meta object or some advanced concept is possible to replace the app. We can also help you evaluate this as we have done this for a few of our clients and successfully reduced app dependency.
Read this Blog and Find:- Understand Shopify Metafields and Metaobjects
Test your Store
- Check for speed
- Check for console errors.
- W3 validation
- Design is responsive
- Basic Shopify functionality
- App functionality
- Site-specific important features and flows.
- Payment Gateway
- Shipping and Taxes.
After migrating your data, thoroughly test your new Shopify 2.0 store to ensure everything is working as expected. Make any necessary adjustments or fixes to ensure a smooth customer experience.
Make sure to test your store on different devices and browsers.
Overall, migrating to Shopify requires careful planning and execution, If you need clarification on the process, you can consider hiring a developer or Shopify expert to assist you with the migration.
