A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Change Text in Shopify: Elevate Your Online Store Today

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why Customize Text in Your Shopify Store?
  3. Getting Started: Accessing Theme Language Settings
  4. Dive Deeper: Theme Code Editing
  5. Utilizing Apps and Extensions
  6. Customizations Beyond Text: Creating a Unified Store Experience
  7. Conclusion: Making Your Mark
  8. FAQ

Starting an online store on Shopify is an exciting journey. It’s your slice of the digital market, a space entirely your own. But to truly make it yours, customization is key. Whether it’s tweaking the terminology to better match your brand voice or altering instructions to be more user-friendly for your customers, the devil is, as they say, in the details. Today, we will delve into how to change text in Shopify, ensuring your online store perfectly reflects your brand's personality and resonates with your audience.

Introduction

Imagine this: You've meticulously set up your Shopify store, curated your products, and are ready to welcome the digital world into your virtual storefront. Yet, there's something quite not right. The default text does not align with your brand's voice, or maybe it doesn't cater to your international audience. You think to yourself, "There must be a way to change this text to better suit my brand."

You're in luck! Altering text in your Shopify store is not only possible, but it's also quite straightforward. This blog post will guide you through the process, ensuring you have all the knowledge needed to customize your online store's text, from the 'Add to Cart' button to more complex Checkout instructions. By the end of this post, you'll have a seamless method to ensure every word on your Shopify store mirrors your brand's tone and message.

Why Customize Text in Your Shopify Store?

Customization goes beyond aesthetics; it's about making your store intuitively yours and accessible to your target audience. It can be as simple as changing "Cart" to "Shopping Bag" or as detailed as adjusting checkout labels for an international audience. This resonates with your customers, making their shopping experience more personal and user-friendly.

Getting Started: Accessing Theme Language Settings

The first step in customizing your text is to access the theme language settings in your Shopify admin. Here's how:

  1. Navigate to the Online Store > Themes.
  2. Find the theme you'd like to edit, and click on the Actions button.
  3. Select Edit languages from the dropdown menu.

This section allows you to modify any default text in your theme. You can either browse through the various tabs to find the piece of text you wish to change or use the "Filter translations" bar to search directly.

Dive Deeper: Theme Code Editing

For text that's not editable through the theme language settings—like certain buttons or system messages—you might need to dive into the code. Here’s a simplified process:

  1. Go to Online Store > Themes.
  2. Click on Actions > Edit code for your current theme.
  3. Use the file navigation to locate relevant files (often within the Sections, Snippets, or Locales folders). Editing the code directly is a powerful way to change text, but it requires caution. Always back up your theme before making changes and consider consulting a Shopify Expert if you're unsure.

Utilizing Apps and Extensions

Sometimes, the text you want to change might be controlled by an app or a particular Shopify feature (like Shop Pay instructions). In these cases, exploring Shopify's App Store for language or translation apps can offer solutions. Apps like "Translate & Adapt" can help you manage multi-language content, including any hard-coded text that might not be immediately accessible through the Shopify admin.

Customizations Beyond Text: Creating a Unified Store Experience

Changing text is just the beginning. You can further personalize your Shopify store by exploring other customization options like:

  • Updating the typography and font sizes to match your brand's style.
  • Adjusting button sizes, colors, and layouts to improve usability.
  • Customizing notifications, email templates, and other communication to maintain consistency across all customer touchpoints.

Conclusion: Making Your Mark

Customizing the text in your Shopify store is more than a cosmetic change; it's an opportunity to enhance usability, ensure accessibility, and reinforce your brand's identity. By taking the time to adjust the default text to your liking, you create a more cohesive and engaging shopping experience for your customers. Remember, the goal is to make your online store a direct extension of your brand, where every word and every click feel uniquely yours.

FAQ

  1. Can I change the default language of my Shopify store? Yes, by accessing the "Edit languages" section under your theme's settings, you can select and customize a default store language.

  2. What if I accidentally break something while editing the theme code? Always back up your theme before making any changes. If something goes wrong, you can revert to the unaltered version or contact Shopify support for help.

  3. Is it possible to have texts in multiple languages? Yes, Shopify supports multiple languages. You can use translation apps or Shopify's multilingual capabilities to offer your content in several languages.

  4. Can I change text within Shopify apps? Many Shopify apps offer their own customization settings, including text changes. Check the app's settings or contact the app developer for support.

  5. How do I ensure my text changes are mobile-friendly? When customizing text, especially when altering sizes and layouts, always preview changes on mobile devices. Most themes and editors offer mobile previews to ensure compatibility.

App Stack