Are you getting the most out of the OS 2.0 update? The web is always evolving, and staying up to date with the best practices can be a real chore! Get a quick overview of the crucial do’s and don’ts for stores in 2023.
OS 2.0 is not only faster, it can also process more transactions at once and provides a wealth of new features for store owners – such as new native support for meta fields , an overhauled sections system for the theme customizer, and better integration for internationalization via Shopify markets.
Huge Updates to The Theme System
The theme is undoubtedly the most crucial part of the whole operation and beyond products – the key differentiator of all our Stores, so the great news here is that Shopify has finally revamped the way themes work; it’s the first major iteration of the Online Store system in over a decade!
The new 2.0 specification was built with performance in mind, including far stricter rules and regulations for Theme developers. Even the theme store itself was re-opened to accommodate all of this.
Now, in 2023, there’s no way to sneak huge SCSS files in anymore, and the liquid code and json schema have to run on the new, improved syntax, which reduces pre-render hugely at Shopify’s backend server-side and also at the browser for
client-side delivery too.
The warning messages that have been displayed in the code editor for the past years are now strictly enforced, and we can only assume this trend will continue.
Although all themes still work on Shopify (as they’ve ensured it’s backward compatible), continuing to run an out-of-date/vintage theme means you are not only missing out on the latest features but also means you may not be future-proof going into 2024 and beyond!
👉 There are loads of new features planned on the OS 2.0 roadmap; you can read more on the official Shopify blog here
✅ Do: Get it over and done with; speed is of the essence
You may see a screen like this, updates are not supported for themes installed via the theme store, but for older themes that are uploaded via a zip file – this is not compatible.
❌ Don’t Put it off!
👉 Putting it off has meant the client has had to cover the costs for many modifications, and rushed patches in order to continue operating on the older version, simply because they did not want to take the plunge and do an upgrade – all in an attempt to save money.
cost the client more , so I highly recommend forging ahead with an update and getting your store onto OS 2.0 as soon as possible.
Dynamic Sources and Metafields
OS 2.0 now provides developers and store owners with far superior flexibility in inserting meta fields and making dynamic changes to product pages.
In the new and improved theme editor, store owners are now able to add meta fields and properties without having to use APIs or write code!
👉 Unlike the previous 1.0 version, meta-field coding in themes or APIs is no longer necessary , as developers can now utilize dynamic sources to establish default settings by using standard meta-fields and known resource properties.
PDP (Product-details-page) specific details to that SKU and variant, for instance a size chart, tech spec sheet or ingredient list, which just simply isn’t easily available in the 1.0 store editor purely through the use of metafields – without development (which for most owners means hiring an expert!)
Portability built-in
even when changing themes!
verticals and locales .
✅ Do: Make use of meta fields and dynamic sources.
👉 To get up to speed quickly on this useful feature, follow the official meta fields tutorial here https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/custom-data/metafields/using-metafields
This client hasn’t really started using the metafields yet – just 2 fields that are part of the free Shopify review app.
❌ Don’t Use hardcoded meta fields or custom pages anymore
Unique templates for each product so you can customize the description really isn’t needed anymore!
Third-party code via App Blocks
Cutting down on local and third-party JavaScript dependencies is crucial to running a consistently fast store , and overall, reducing the required utilization for every page load is core to mobile optimization.
asset directory.
App blocks are available for the big apps now – Bold included!
✅ Do: Use App blocks wherever possible
every theme; it’s all portable as it’s modular now, and now, since manual installation of apps through editing theme code is no longer necessary, you won’t (in theory!) have to worry about breaking changes being introduced.
❌ Don’t Install Apps by hand / Modify code anymore!
your business, and odds are – you didn’t start using E-Commerce because of an interest in code and web tech! It’s just a necessary step now in the modern tech-driven world.
Ditch trying to modify code and just click the customize button to jump into the WYSIWIG graphical theme editor!
👉 Make life easy – take advantage of the new Theme Customizer GUI (Graphical User Interface); it’s a perfect way to get through these app customizations speedily and not end up with a broken store and or a headache / stranded needing assistance.
Internationalization via Markets
Markets (Found in the bottom left corner of your Store dashboard under ⚙️ Settings > Markets ) you can achieve all of the above within a short time span.
Do: Enable cross-border selling in markets you know you can succeed in!
Full support is provided. Theme code can have logical checks for what country is viewing this section and display country-specific information; it’s far smarter than just a translation.
👉 International pricing via price lists is also fully supported by Shopify markets now.
Learn more: https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/markets/catalogs/getting-started
Don’t Rush in without research or rely on guesswork and hearsay
The laws of each country vary, and unless you are familiar, you could end up with tax issues and even more serious legal ramifications.
Onwards and Upwards!
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