References
The basics
You can add a theme in a few ways:
- You can add a free theme from your Shopify admin.
- You can try a paid theme from the Shopify Theme Store. You can preview any theme and customize it using the theme editor. You need to purchase a theme before you can publish it to your online store.
- If you already have a theme in a ZIP file on your computer, then you can upload it.
Of note
When you buy a theme from the Shopify Theme Store, that theme is licensed only to the store that you originally bought it for. Unlicensed themes aren’t eligible for support or updates when new features are released.
You can add multiple themes to your account to try out any new themes, keep seasonal versions of your published theme, or test changes to a copy of your published theme. You can preview any of these themes, but only one theme can be published at any time. When you switch to a new theme, you can still access your old theme on the Themes page in Shopify.
The number of themes that you can add depends on your plan. You can add up to 20 themes on your Shopify account. For theme limits on Shopify Plus, see Shopify Plus. If you reach your plan's theme limit, then you need to remove a theme before you can add a new one.
After you add a theme, you can create a link so that you can share a preview of your theme with others. This can be helpful if you are looking for feedback before you publish a new theme or launch your online store.
Try before you buy
Before you make the commitment to buy a paid theme, you can try it by previewing the theme in your Shopify admin. While you preview a theme, you can use your theme editor to customize it, such as by changing it to use your brand colors, brand style, and products. Any changes that you make are saved when you purchase the theme.
You can preview up to 19 paid themes at the same time, which lets you to compare different themes before buying one. Paid themes that you're trying have a Theme trial label.
Buy a theme from the Shopify Theme Store
Of note
Only staff with the following permissions can buy a theme from the Shopify Theme Store: Themes, Manage and install apps and channels, and Approve app charges. Learn more about staff permissions.
After you've tried a paid theme in your online store, you can choose to purchase it. You can only publish themes to your online store that you've purchased.
Paid themes are created by third-party theme developers. General support and updates for third-party themes are provided by the theme developer. If you need advanced customizations, but don't have experience developing websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then consider hiring a Shopify Partner.
Also worth noting!
When purchasing a third-party theme from the Shopify Theme Store, these transactions are considered final sale. As a result, refunds cannot be provided by the theme developer.
Steps:
- From your Shopify admin, click Settings > Apps and sales channels.
- From the Apps and sales channels page, click Online store.
- Click Open sales channel.
- Click Themes.
- Click Add themes > Visit Theme Store.
- Search for a theme that you want to purchase, and then click Try theme.
- In the Theme library section, click Buy on the theme that you want to purchase to begin the transaction.