How to Change the Default Page in Shopify (Step-by-Step Guide)

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Understanding Shopify’s Default Homepage
• Why Change Your Default Shopify Homepage?
• Methods to Change Your Shopify Homepage
  • 4.1 Changing Homepage via Online Store Preferences
  • 4.2 Setting a Custom Page as Homepage
  • 4.3 Using Shopify Theme Editor
  • 4.4 Editing Code in Default Shopify Theme
• How to Change Homepage Sections in Shopify
• How to Change Default Page Template in Shopify
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing the Homepage
• Best Practices for Optimizing Your New Homepage
• FAQs
• Final Takeaways

1. Introduction

Your Shopify homepage is the digital storefront of your business. It’s the first thing potential customers see when they land on your site. Shopify automatically assigns a default homepage based on your chosen theme, but most merchants want to customize it to reflect their branding, highlight products, and create a better shopping experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to change the homepage in Shopify, customize the default Shopify theme, and optimize your storefront for better conversions.

2. Understanding Shopify’s Default Homepage

When you install a theme in Shopify (whether a free or premium theme), the platform automatically generates a default homepage.

This usually includes:

• A hero image or banner
• A featured product or collection
• Some placeholder text
• A footer section

While it’s a good starting point, it rarely aligns with your brand identity. That’s why learning how to change homepage in Shopify is crucial.

3. Why Change Your Default Shopify Homepage?

Here are the most common reasons merchants update their default homepage:

• Brand Identity → Add custom logos, brand colors, and fonts.
• Conversion Optimization → Highlight bestsellers, discounts, or new arrivals.
• User Experience → Improve navigation and product discovery.
• SEO → Optimize homepage titles, meta descriptions, and headings.
• Storytelling → Share your brand story or mission to connect with visitors.

A customized homepage can increase engagement, reduce bounce rates, and boost sales.

4. Methods to Change Your Shopify Homepage

4.1 Changing Homepage via Online Store Preferences

Shopify allows you to set your homepage through store preferences:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Preferences.
2. Scroll to the Homepage title and meta description section.
3. Customize homepage SEO details and save.

While this doesn’t replace the homepage entirely, it ensures your homepage is optimized for search engines.

4.2 Setting a Custom Page as Homepage

Want a landing page, blog, or specific product collection as your homepage?

1. Go to Online Store > Pages.
2. Create a new page (e.g., “Welcome” or “Shop Now”).
3. Add custom content, banners, or featured products.
4. Go to Online Store > Navigation > Domains.
5. Under Set as Homepage, select your newly created page.

This method is useful for merchants running seasonal campaigns or special promotions.

4.3 Using Shopify Theme Editor

The most common way to change your homepage is via the theme editor:

1. In Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Find your active theme and click Customize.
3. In the left-hand sidebar, you’ll see sections like:
   • Header
   • Slideshow
   • Featured products
   • Footer
4. Rearrange, remove, or add new sections.
5. Click Save.

The theme editor is user-friendly, requiring no coding knowledge.

4.4 Editing Code in Default Shopify Theme

For advanced merchants or developers:

1. From Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit Code.
2. Open index.liquid (this is your homepage template).
3. Replace default sections with your custom Liquid, HTML, or CSS code.
4. Save changes.

Always duplicate your theme before editing code to avoid breaking your live store.

5. How to Change Homepage Sections in Shopify

If you don’t want to replace the homepage but just want to tweak sections:

• Use the theme customizer to drag & drop sections.
• Add new elements like:
  • Image banners
  • Testimonials
  • Countdown timers
  • Newsletter forms
• Hide or delete sections you don’t need.

Most themes now support Shopify 2.0 sections everywhere, giving you full control over layouts.

6. How to Change Default Page Template in Shopify

Sometimes you may want different templates for homepage variations.

Steps:

1. Go to Online Store > Pages.
2. Create or edit a page.
3. On the right sidebar, look for Theme template dropdown.
4. Select from available templates (default, custom, JSON templates).

For example, you could create a “holiday homepage template” and activate it only during promotions.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing the Homepage

• Forgetting to optimize for mobile → 70%+ of Shopify traffic is mobile.
• Using too many images/videos → Increases load time.
• No clear call-to-action (CTA) → Visitors leave without shopping.
• Not testing homepage variations → Different layouts can impact conversion rates.
• Editing theme code without backup → Can break your store.

8. Best Practices for Optimizing Your New Homepage

Once you change your Shopify homepage, follow these best practices:

• Keep it simple → Less clutter, more focus on products.
• Highlight your value proposition → Why should customers buy from you?
• Use high-quality visuals → First impressions matter.
• Add trust signals → Reviews, testimonials, and guarantees.
• Focus on speed → Use compressed images and lightweight themes.
• Strong SEO → Include primary keywords like Change homepage Shopify and default Shopify theme naturally.

9. FAQs

Q1. Can I change my Shopify homepage to a product page?
Yes! Create a product page and assign it as your homepage under navigation/domain settings.

Q2. Do I need coding knowledge to change the homepage?
No. The theme editor allows drag-and-drop customization without coding.

Q3. Can I use different homepages for different campaigns?
Yes, by creating multiple templates and switching them when needed.

Q4. What happens if I mess up while editing my default theme?
Always duplicate your theme before editing. You can restore your backup if needed.

Q5. Does changing homepage affect SEO?
Yes, but in a positive way if done correctly. Optimized homepages help rank better for brand and product keywords.

10. Final Takeaways

Changing the default homepage in Shopify is one of the most effective ways to improve customer experience and sales. Whether you want to customize sections, assign a new default page, or edit your theme code, Shopify gives you multiple options.

If you’re a beginner, stick to the theme editor for drag-and-drop changes. For advanced customization, dive into theme code and templates.