10 Tips to Create Stunning Shopify Blog Layouts

Want to make your Shopify blog pop? Here's how to craft layouts that catch eyes and boost sales:

  1. Pick a mobile-friendly theme
  2. Design a standout header
  3. Use sidebars effectively
  4. Highlight top posts
  5. Choose high-quality images
  6. Select clear, readable fonts
  7. Utilize white space wisely
  8. Add social share buttons
  9. Create an informative footer
  10. Speed up your blog

Why it matters:

  • 40% of users might leave if a site looks bad
  • Responsive design can boost engagement by 20%
  • 58.67% of global traffic is mobile

A well-designed blog isn't just pretty - it drives traffic, builds trust, and showcases products.

Quick comparison of key layout elements:

Element Purpose Impact
Mobile design Easy access on all devices Better user experience
Clear navigation Help users find content Reduced bounce rates
Quality images Visual appeal Increased engagement
Fast loading Keep users on site Improved SEO ranking

Remember: Your blog is more than just articles - it's a powerful marketing tool that can significantly boost your Shopify store's success.

Shopify Blog Layout Basics

Shopify

A great Shopify blog layout balances looks and function. Let's break it down.

Main Parts of a Shopify Blog Layout

Every Shopify blog has these core elements:

  • Header
  • Content area
  • Sidebar
  • Footer

Each part shapes how readers interact with your blog.

How Themes Shape Blog Look

Themes control your blog's design. They manage layout, colors, fonts, and image placement.

Here's the thing: not all themes are blog-friendly.

"All of Shopify's themes have blogging capabilities, but some themes have more built-in blog functionality than others."

When choosing a theme, look for:

  • Mobile-friendly design
  • Easy search
  • Clear categories
  • Social sharing buttons

Real-world examples:

Brand Theme Feature Impact
Dani Barbe Minimalist design Easy navigation
Love, Georgie Email signup bar More subscribers
Mafu Founder sidebar snippet Stronger brand connection
Nest Interior Design Image-focused layout Visual product highlights

Pick a theme that fits your brand and makes blogging easy.

Pick a Mobile-Friendly Theme

Most people browse on their phones. That's why your Shopify blog needs a mobile-friendly theme.

Mobile sales are booming. In 2023, they're expected to hit $523.87 billion - up 19.9% from last year. And get this: 70% of online purchases happen on mobile devices.

What makes a theme mobile-friendly?

  1. It adjusts to fit any screen size
  2. It loads fast (mobile users are impatient)
  3. It's easy to navigate

Here are some solid mobile-friendly Shopify themes:

Theme Price Key Feature
Dawn Free Great starter theme
Wokiee $79 Lots of design options
Porto $99 Highly customizable
Flow $350 Easy checkout

When shopping for themes, use Shopify's Theme Store filters. Look for "Mobile-friendly" or "Responsive" features.

Don't forget to test your theme on different devices. Is the text easy to read? Are buttons easy to tap on small screens?

"In 2023, sales from mobile devices are expected to reach $523.87 billion – a 19.9% increase from the previous year."

This trend shows why mobile-friendly design matters. It's not just about looks - it's about sales.

One last thing: speed matters. Google likes fast sites and ranks them higher. Pick a theme that loads quickly, especially on mobile networks.

2. Make a Good Header

Your blog header is your digital storefront. It's the first thing visitors see, so it needs to pop. Here's how to create a header that grabs attention and keeps readers coming back:

Brand Your Header

Put your brand front and center:

  • Slap your logo where it's easy to spot
  • Use your brand colors
  • Stick to 1-2 fonts that match your vibe

Help visitors find stuff fast:

  • Keep it simple: 5-7 main menu items, tops
  • Use clear labels
  • Add a search bar
Element Purpose Do This
Logo Brand recognition Left side, links to home
Menu Easy exploring Clear labels, few options
Search Find stuff quick Easy to spot and use
CTA Get action Stand out, clear text

Make sure your header looks good on all screens. Test it on desktop, tablet, and phone.

"Your header can make or break your blog's first impression. Nail it, and you're golden."

3. Use Sidebars Well

Sidebars can make or break your Shopify blog layout. Use them right, and they're a reader's best friend. Use them wrong, and you've got a mess.

Here's how to nail your sidebar:

1. Keep it clean

Less is more. Only add what really matters.

2. Add a search bar

Put it at the top. Readers love finding stuff fast.

3. Show off top posts

New here? Check out our greatest hits. List 3-5 crowd-pleasers.

4. Use categories

Group your posts. Let readers dive into what they love.

5. Add a brief bio

Who are you? Tell us in a sentence or two. It builds trust.

6. Include social buttons

Make it easy for folks to follow you elsewhere.

7. Promote key products

Got something to sell? Highlight it here.

Quick sidebar guide:

Element Purpose Tips
Search bar Find content Top spot
Top posts Best content 3-5 articles
Categories Organize Clear labels
Brief bio Intro yourself Keep it short
Social buttons Grow following Use icons
Product promo Boost sales One key item

Setting up your Shopify sidebar:

1. Hit Apps > Magefan Blog > Configuration

2. Find Sidebar

3. Enable and set up widgets

4. Use Sort Order (lower number = higher up)

5. Save and check your work

4. Highlight Top Posts

Want to keep readers hooked? Show off your best stuff. Here's why and how:

Why it matters:

Showcasing top posts boosts engagement and keeps visitors on your site longer. Readers find great content, and you get more eyes on your best work.

How to highlight effectively:

  1. Add a sidebar widget

Use this code for a "Most Viewed" section in your blog sidebar:

{% assign blog-handle = blog.handle %}
<div class="col col--sidebar-blog">
  <div class="sidebar-blog-wrap js-stick-parent">
    <div class="content-block content-block--small">
      <h6 class="sidebar__title">Most Viewed</h6>
      <ul>
        {%- for article in blogs[blog-handle].articles limit:5 -%}
          <li><a href="{{ article.url }}">{{ article.title }}</a></li>
        {%- endfor -%}
      </ul>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
  1. Use a related posts plugin

Try the "Related Blog Posts" app (free on Shopify). It's customizable and can help reduce bounce rates.

  1. Feature posts on your homepage

To add featured blog posts to your Shopify homepage:

  1. Go to Sales channels > Online Store

  2. Find Themes and click Customize

  3. Scroll to Apps, click Add block, and add Magefan Featured Posts

  4. Set the Title, Post Ids, and Template Type

  5. Save and check your homepage

  6. Add product recommendations

Boost sales by featuring products in your blog posts. You can:

  • Use metafields to manually select products for each post
  • Pull products from a specific collection
  • Display fixed featured products across all blogs

Consider placing these in a sticky sidebar or below the post content.

5. Use Good Images

Images can make your Shopify blog pop. Here's how to use them right:

Size matters

Too big? Slow loading. Too small? Looks bad. Aim for these:

Image Type Size (pixels) Max File Size
Blog featured image 1800 x 1000 20 MB
In-content images 1000 x 350 300 KB
Product images 2048 x 2048 300 KB

Pick the right format

  • JPEG: Photos and complex images
  • PNG: Logos and text-heavy images
  • WebP: New kid on the block - great quality, small size

Make them responsive

Your blog should look good everywhere. Use images that adjust to different screens.

Don't forget alt text

It's not just for SEO. Alt text helps everyone understand your images.

Show products in action

Got product posts? Show them being used. It helps readers picture owning them.

Keep it consistent

Stick to a style. It makes your blog look pro and builds your brand.

Speed it up

Big images = slow site. Use tools like TinyPNG or Shopify's optimizer to shrink file sizes without losing quality.

Remember: Good images grab attention, explain ideas, and make your blog look awesome. Use them wisely!

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6. Choose Clear Fonts

Picking the right fonts for your Shopify blog can make or break your readers' experience. Here's how to do it:

Keep it simple

Use 2-3 fonts max. More than that and your blog looks messy. Try these combos:

Body Text Headings
Arial Georgia
Lato Roboto
Open Sans Playfair Display

Size matters

Make your text readable:

  • Body text: 16-18px
  • Headings: 20-32px (H1 largest, H6 smallest)

Mind the gap

Give your text room to breathe:

  • Line height: 1.4 to 1.6 times your font size
  • Paragraph spacing: At least equal to your font size

Color counts

High contrast helps readers. Black text on white background? Can't go wrong.

Test on different devices

What looks good on your computer might be hard to read on a phone.

Match your brand

Selling kids' toys? Try a playful font like Nunito. Luxury goods? Go for something sleek like Montserrat.

Bottom line: Clear fonts = happy readers = potential customers.

7. Use Blank Space Wisely

Blank space isn't just empty space. It's a secret weapon for making your Shopify blog look awesome.

Here's how to use it:

  1. Give your content room: Don't cram everything together. Space things out. It makes your blog easier to read.

  2. Highlight what matters: Use extra space around important stuff, like your call-to-action buttons.

  3. Create a clear structure: More space around headings, less around body text. Helps readers scan your content quickly.

  4. Balance is key: Spread blank space evenly. It makes your blog look pro.

  5. Think mobile: What looks good on a computer might not on a phone. Always test on different devices.

Quick guide for using blank space:

Blog Part Blank Space Tips
Header Padding around logo and menu
Content Use 1.5 to 2 line spacing
Images Space around them, especially next to text
Sidebar Keep widgets apart
Footer Group elements with consistent spacing

"White space allows users to receive one 'loud and clear' message."

This quote nails it. Blank space helps your readers focus on what's important. Use it smart, and your Shopify blog will shine.

8. Add Social Share Buttons

Want more eyes on your Shopify blog? Social share buttons are your secret weapon. Here's how to add them:

1. Shopify's built-in options

Head to your admin panel, hit "Online Store" > "Themes" > "Customize" > "Theme Settings". Add your social media links there.

2. Shopify app

Search "social sharing" in the App Store. Outfy and ShareThis are popular. Install and follow the setup.

3. Manual code

For the tech-savvy: Edit your theme code. Add social share button code to "theme.liquid".

Method Pros Cons
Built-in Easy, free Basic options
App Feature-rich, simple setup Potential cost
Manual Full control Complex

Make your buttons work:

  • Put them where readers can't miss them
  • Include the big players: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
  • Ensure mobile compatibility
  • Track which posts get shared most

Did you know? Social media can drive up to 12% of your website traffic. That's huge!

"Social share is free marketing. Happy readers share your blog, potentially growing your audience."

Test your buttons:

  1. Open a blog post
  2. Find the share buttons
  3. Click each one
  4. Verify the post shares correctly on each platform

Social sharing isn't just a nice-to-have. It's a must-have for boosting your blog's reach and traffic.

Your Shopify blog's footer isn't just filler. It's a key part of your layout that can boost user experience and drive engagement. Here's how to make it work:

Keep it organized: Group related links and use clear headings. This helps readers find what they need fast. For example:

About Us Customer Service Legal
Our Story Contact Us Privacy Policy
Team FAQs Terms of Service
Careers Returns Cookie Policy

Include the essentials: Your footer needs:

  • Copyright notice
  • Contact details
  • Social media links
  • Newsletter signup form

Make it mobile-friendly: Your footer should look good on small screens. Use big tap targets for links and keep it simple.

Add a final CTA: Use your footer to push readers to act. Maybe get them to sign up for your newsletter or check out your products.

Show off trust signals: Build trust by showing certifications, awards, or customer reviews.

Stay on-brand: Match your footer to your blog design. Use the same colors, fonts, and style.

Don't overdo it: It's tempting to cram in links, but less is more. Aim for 5-10 key links.

Use white space: Give your footer elements room. It'll look better and be easier to use.

Add a search bar: Help readers find stuff quickly with a search function.

Keep it fresh: Check your footer often. Make sure all links work and info is up-to-date.

10. Speed Up Your Blog

Want your Shopify blog to zoom? Here's how:

1. Shrink images

Big images = slow blog. Use TinyPNG to slim them down. That 5MB product shot? Squish it to 500KB.

2. Pick a speedy theme

Choose a Shopify theme built for speed. Skip the fancy stuff you don't need.

3. Ditch extra apps

Apps can drag you down. Got 20? Aim for 10 or less.

4. Lazy load images

Only load images when users scroll to them. This can slash load times by 30%+.

5. Clean up code

Trim the fat from your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You could shrink files by 10-20%.

6. Use Shopify's CDN

It's free and serves content from nearby servers. Faster for everyone.

7. Fix broken links

They waste time. Use Broken Link Checker to hunt them down.

8. Compress files

Gzip compression can cut transfer times by up to 70%.

9. Limit redirects

Each one slows you down. Keep 'em minimal.

10. Check your speed

Use Google PageSpeed Insights. It scores you out of 100 and offers tips.

Speed Hack Possible Gain
Optimize images Up to 50% smaller pages
Cut unused apps 5-15% faster per app
Lazy load images 30%+ quicker initial load
Minify code 10-20% smaller files
Use Gzip Up to 70% faster transfers

A zippy blog keeps readers happy and Google smiling. Get to it!

Conclusion

A great Shopify blog layout isn't just eye candy—it's a sales booster. Here's why it matters:

  • Over 77% of internet users read blogs regularly
  • Bulletproof gets 75% of organic traffic from their blog

Key points to remember:

  1. Make it mobile-friendly
  2. Nail your headers and navigation
  3. Use sidebars smartly
  4. Pick the right images and fonts
  5. Keep it fast

Your blog isn't just articles—it's a marketing powerhouse. Check out how these elements impact your blog:

Element Impact
Mobile design Better access
Clear navigation Happy users
Quality content SEO boost
Fast loading Fewer bounces

Bottom line? A well-crafted blog can drive traffic, engage customers, and pump up your sales.

FAQs

How do I customize my blog layout on Shopify?

Want to give your Shopify blog a fresh look? Here's how:

  1. Log into Shopify
  2. Head to "Online Store" > "Themes"
  3. Hit "Action" > "Edit code"
  4. Click "Add a new template"
  5. Pick "Article" and name it
  6. Make your changes

It's that simple. You can tweak your blog's appearance without diving deep into code. Need something more complex? You'll have to get your hands dirty with Liquid, Shopify's templating language.

Which Shopify theme is best for blogging?

Picking the right Shopify theme for your blog is crucial. Here are some top contenders:

Theme Ideal for Standout Features
Taste Budget-conscious Clean, readable design
Craft Authenticity seekers Long-form content friendly
Studio Visual storytellers Minimalist, image-centric
Sense Product bloggers Bright, eye-catching layout
Dawn Modern e-commerce Sleek design, seamless integration

These themes offer solid blog layouts from the get-go. But don't forget - you can always tailor them to fit your brand like a glove.

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