Add Sections to Templates in Shopify: Step-by-step Guide

Adding sections to templates in Shopify is a crucial aspect of theme customization. Sections are reusable, modular components that allow store owners to easily manage content and design elements through the Shopify theme editor. 

Our expert Shopify developers recommend using sections, to create dynamic, customizable themes that enhance both the user experience and the store’s functionality. Whether you’re working on a homepage, product page, or any other part of a Shopify store, sections provide the flexibility to structure content efficiently.

This guide outlines the steps to create and add sections to templates in Shopify, providing clear instructions and examples. Let’s dive in.

What are Sections in Shopify?

Sections in Shopify are modular, reusable components that can be used to organize and display content dynamically. They are defined using Liquid, Shopify’s templating language, and can include settings that allow merchants to customize their appearance and behavior directly in the admin panel.

Sections are stored in the sections folder of a theme and can be added to any template, such as the homepage, product pages, or custom pages. Their flexibility makes them a key feature for creating responsive and interactive store designs.

How to Add Sections to Templates in Shopify

If you want to add a custom section to your Shopify store, such as a banner or special announcement, you can easily do this by creating a new section file.

Creating a Section File

Start by creating a section file.

Navigate to the Shopify Admin:

• Go to Online Store > Themes
• Click on Actions > Edit Code

Add a new section:

• In the left-hand menu, locate the Sections folder.
• Click Add a new section.
• Provide a name for your section (e.g., custom-banner)

This creates a new file named custom-banner.liquid in the sections folder.

Defining the Section Content

Open the newly created custom-banner.liquid file and add the following:

{% schema %}
{
 "name": "Custom Banner",
 "settings": [
   {
     "type": "text",
     "id": "heading",
     "label": "Banner Heading",
     "default": "Welcome to Our Store!"
   },
   {
     "type": "image_picker",
     "id": "background_image",
     "label": "Background Image"
   },
   {
     "type": "text",
     "id": "subheading",
     "label": "Subheading Text",
     "default": "Shop the latest trends"
   }
 ]
}
{% endschema %}

<div class="custom-banner" style="background-image: url('{{ section.settings.background_image | file_url }}');">
 <h1>{{ section.settings.heading }}</h1>
 <h3>{{ section.settings.subheading }}</h3>
</div>
<style>
 .custom-banner {
   text-align: center;
   padding: 50px;
   color: white;
   background-size: cover;
   background-position: center;
 }
</style>

Now that you’ve defined the section, the next step is to add the section to a JSON template.

Adding the Section to a JSON Template

Templates in Shopify are JSON files that define the structure of a page. To add the section to a template:

Locate the relevant JSON template:

• Go to the Templates folder.
• Open the desired JSON file, such as index.json for the home page.

Insert the section in the sections array:

{
     "type": "custom-banner",
     "settings": {
       "heading": "Welcome to Our Store!",
       "background_image": "",
       "subheading": "Shop the latest trends"
     }
}

Example JSON structure:

{
   "sections": {
       "custom-banner": {
           "type": "custom-banner",
           "settings": {
                "heading": "Welcome to Our Store!",
                "background_image": "",
                "subheading": "Shop the latest trends"
           }
        }
    },
    "order": [
       "custom-banner"
     ]
}

Customizing the Section in the Shopify Admin

Follow these steps to customize the section:

1. Go to Online Store > Themes
2. Click Customize on your active theme
3. Navigate to the page where the section is added
4. Use the sidebar to adjust the section settings (e.g., text, image)

Testing Your Section

After adding and customizing the section:

• Preview the changes in the Shopify editor.
• Test on multiple devices to ensure responsiveness.
• Check for potential styling conflicts.

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to easily add and customize sections in your Shopify templates, helping you create a more personalized and engaging shopping experience for your customers.

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Advanced Tips For Adding Sections to Templates in Shopify

If you’re looking to take your Shopify store customization to the next level, adding advanced features to your sections can make a big difference. Here are some advanced tips for doing it:

• Use conditional logic in the section schema to show or hide settings based on user input.
• Incorporate dynamic sources to fetch product or collection data.
• Use Liquid loops and filters for more advanced customization.

Example:

<ul>
 {% for product in collections.frontpage.products %}
   <li>{{ product.title }}</li>
 {% endfor %}
</ul>

By using these advanced techniques, you can unlock even more possibilities for customizing your Shopify store. 

FAQs on Adding Sections to Templates in Shopify

Let’s Summarize

Adding sections to templates in Shopify helps streamline the design and customization process, empowering merchants to take full control over their store’s appearance. Creating reusable, dynamic sections tailored to meet your needs or enhance your own store’s functionality can be a great option. 

With the right customization, you can create an appealing Shopify store. Don’t forget to test your changes so that your visitors don’t face any issues accessing your store. For a wider range of customizations, use conditional logic and dynamic data.

If you need expert assistance on your Shopify store, contact us today.