When it comes to adding themes onto your Shopify store, everyone knows that there is a Shopify theme store. This has all the themes that Shopify granted permission to be sold on the store. The developer and Shopify split the price for the theme, with most themes costing about the same amount in a one-off fee.

Getting started with Shopify themes is an important step in setting up your online store. The Shopify theme store offers a wide variety of options, however, the Shopify theme store isn’t the only place where you can get a theme for your store.

There are plenty of third-party places where you can get a theme. Monster Templates is another online store that sells themes for Shopify. Or you can buy the excellent Booster theme that can save you $2000 a year on subscriptions from other apps.

But many people don’t know whether it is a good idea or how to use a third party theme on their Shopify store.

Key Takeaways
1
Choosing the right third-party theme is crucial for your Shopify store’s branding and functionality.
2
Ensure the theme is compatible with Shopify and offers the features and customization you need.
3
Regularly update and maintain your third-party theme for optimal performance and security.

The Benefits of Third Party Themes on Shopify

There are some benefits to using a third-party theme on Shopify. The first is cost. Some themes that aren’t on the Shopify theme store can be considerably cheaper in the short-term, and sometimes the long term. You might also get developers who add more features into their Shopify theme than those that work on Shopify.

This can save you money on your subscriptions. For instance, Booster has countdown timers, advanced SEO features and is super-fast. Therefore, you can often save on these apps which would be good for boosting your conversions.

A third party theme might be a good idea with development. Many themes on Shopify are slow to develop. This isn’t always a bad thing, but those that are off the Shopify theme store might add new features and implement fixes more quickly.

The Disadvantages of Third-Party Themes

There are a few disadvantages to third party themes. However, many of them are very minor. One to look out for is the support that is given to your website. Shopify won’t support any problems with the theme that has not been bought through the Shopify theme store. If you’re not technically minded and don’t have good support from the developer, this can cause a problem.

While third-party themes can offer unique benefits, they may come with some risks. According to Shopify theme statistics, only 0.97% of Shopify users have a custom theme. This low percentage might be due to the fact that themes not sold on Shopify require more trust in the developers to maintain security and can be more challenging to install. However, these third-party themes often come with more features, which can potentially save store owners thousands of dollars per month on apps.

Adding a Third-Party Theme on your Shopify Store

Adding a third party theme to your Shopify store is relatively easy. Here are the instructions.

Step 1 - Log In

Log into your Shopify store using your credentials.

Step 2 - Themes

From your admin area, go to the ‘Online Store’ option and then click on the ‘Themes’ option. This is also where you can check what Shopify theme you’re currently using, which can be helpful if you’re considering a change.

Step 3 - Upload

In the ‘Theme Library’ section, you need to find and click on the ‘Upload Theme’ option. This will allow you to select the ‘Choose File’ and then you need to find the .zip file of the theme on your computer or another storage device. When found, click on the ‘Upload’ button and it will be saved onto your store and added to the ‘Themes’ page.

After uploading, you’ll have the option to preview the new theme before making it live. This is an important step in the process to change a Shopify theme, allowing you to ensure everything looks and functions as expected before applying it to your live store.