Starting Out with BigCommerce? 6 Tips for Beginners
April 19, 2025
Unlocking the full potential of an online store requires more than just aesthetic appeal; it demands functionality that resonates with users. This article distills wisdom from seasoned industry professionals on optimizing Shopify themes to enhance user experience. Expect practical strategies and concrete examples to transform your site's engagement and conversion rates.
One impactful customization I made to a Shopify theme was implementing a dynamic product recommendation section using Shopify's Liquid code and third-party APIs. The goal was to provide personalized product suggestions based on user browsing behavior and purchase history. I used Shopify's native customer data and integrated it with a recommendation engine to generate real-time, relevant suggestions. The customization involved adding a custom Liquid snippet to the product and cart pages, displaying "You May Also Like" or "Frequently Bought Together" sections.
To ensure a seamless experience, I optimized the design for mobile responsiveness and ensured fast loading times by using lazy loading techniques. Additionally, I implemented A/B testing to analyze user engagement and adjusted the recommendation algorithms based on the results. This customization led to a 20% increase in average order value (AOV) and a noticeable boost in customer satisfaction. It highlighted the importance of personalized shopping experiences and how minor, thoughtful tweaks can significantly enhance the user journey.
Priyanka Prajapati
Digital Marketer, BrainSpate
One of the most effective changes I made to a Shopify theme was building a custom sticky "Add to Cart" bar that follows users as they scroll. This was for a store selling fitness gear, and the product pages were long - lots of specifications, reviews, and user videos.
I noticed in session recordings that people were engaging with the content but not adding to cart. They'd scroll all the way down, get distracted, and bounce. The main CTA was stuck at the top, completely out of view. We were losing people who clearly showed buying intent.
So I added a sticky bar that appears once the user scrolls past the product image. It includes the product name, price, a quick variant selector, and a bold "Add to Cart" button.
I didn't use an app - I added it directly into the product template using Liquid, and handled visibility with JavaScript and IntersectionObserver. Styling was done with custom CSS to keep it lightweight and on-brand. On mobile, I kept it clean and collapsible so it doesn't block content.
After launching it, the client's product page conversion rate went up by around 12%. It also helped reduce bounce rates on mobile. Sometimes small UX fixes like this have the biggest payoff, especially when they remove friction during the buying process.
Nirmal Gyanwali
Founder & CMO, WP Creative
To enhance customer experience for our Shopify store, we integrated a real-time live chat. This ensures that visitors can quickly get answers about product compatibility, bulk ordering, shipping details, and technical specifications without leaving the page they are currently on. This is also visible on both desktop and mobile devices and shows on every page of the site, making it accessible for any user.
Some benefits of this include:
It was super easy to add to the website too! We were able to customize the chat box to mimic our branding, and we just had to add a piece of code to the website.
In terms of impact, it has helped by reducing abandoned carts and improving conversion rates. Since customers received immediate answers to their product questions, they have more confidence in making purchases from us. Additionally, this real-time support also improved overall customer satisfaction, leading to more repeat orders.
Lisa Frank
Marketing Specialist, AM Industrial Group
Many Shopify themes look great, but they're not built with SEO in mind. One of the best improvements I've made was reworking product pages to target long-tail keywords more effectively.
I started by using Ahrefs to find search terms our customers were actually typing--phrases like "organic cotton baby blanket" instead of just "baby blanket." Then I rewrote meta titles and descriptions to match that intent without sounding forced.
I also cleaned up the header structure. The product title sits in the H1, and I added clear H2s for things like features, sizing, care instructions, and FAQs. It helped both search engines and users scan the page more easily.
We made sure all key information was visible in the source code - not hidden in JavaScript tabs, so Google could index it properly.
After pushing the changes live, organic traffic started climbing, especially for longer searches. It wasn't a huge redesign, just smart content tweaks that made the pages easier to find and use.
Shankar Subba
Head of SEO, WP Creative
One of the most impactful customizations we made to our Shopify theme was implementing an AI-powered predictive search bar to enhance product discovery and boost conversions.
Our customers often struggled to find specific products due to broad category structures and inconsistent search queries. Many users abandoned their searches when they couldn't locate what they needed quickly, leading to higher bounce rates and lower sales.
We integrated an AI-driven search and autocomplete feature using Liquid, Shopify's native coding language, and a third-party app. Here's how we did it:
Synonyms & Fuzzy Matching - The AI-driven search corrected spelling mistakes and recognized synonyms, ensuring that customers could find products even with minor typos.
Smart Filtering & Recommendations - The search results dynamically updated based on user behavior, highlighting best-selling items, new arrivals, and trending products within the search box.
Mobile Optimization - We ensured that the search feature worked seamlessly across devices, making it easy for mobile shoppers to find what they needed quickly.
Search-driven sales increased by 35% in the first three months. Bounce rates dropped by 25%, as customers found relevant products faster.
This simple yet powerful customization transformed our Shopify store's user experience, making product discovery faster and more intuitive.
Viraj Lele
Industrial Engineer & Business Unit Advisor, DHL Supply Chain
One customization I made to my Shopify theme that significantly improved user experience was adding a dynamic product recommendation feature on the product detail pages. I implemented this by integrating an app that uses customer browsing and purchase history to suggest related products in real-time. This feature was placed below the product description but above the checkout button, ensuring it's visible without being intrusive.
The impact of this customization was noticeable almost immediately. It increased the average order value (AOV) by prompting customers to add complementary items to their cart. Additionally, it enhanced the overall shopping experience by making it easier for customers to find products they might be interested in, reducing the time spent searching. This customization also improved the conversion rate, as customers felt more guided throughout their shopping journey. Overall, this simple yet effective tweak helped create a more personalized experience, encouraging repeat purchases and boosting sales.
Georgi Petrov
CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER
One major customization I made to our Shopify theme was adding a sticky navigation bar. This change improves user experience by keeping essential navigation options visible at all times, no matter how far down the page users scroll. Implementing this required modifying the CSS and JavaScript to make the header bar fixed at the top of the page.
The result was a noticeable decrease in bounce rates, as users were able to easily access key pages without needing to scroll back to the top. It also increased conversions, as it made navigating the store quicker and smoother. With this simple yet effective customization, the overall usability of the site improved, leading to a better experience and increased sales. This change highlighted how a small adjustment can significantly enhance the user journey.
Mike Khorev
Managing Director, Nine Peaks Media
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