If you're planning to start a new store, upgrade from a free theme to a premium theme, or just change up your current theme, there are a few key questions you should ask yourself to make sure you're making the best choice for your consumers as well as your business.

Before we continue, there are a few things you should remember:

First, your photos and other content will be the main factors in determining the success of your theme, regardless of which one you select. If the photographs are of poor quality, even the most exquisite and well-designed Shopify theme in the world won't appear decent.

Secondly, even though it could seem daunting to alter your theme, keep in mind that you can always make changes later on or in the future. True, making the correct decision from the start will save you time and money, but this is not a place where mistakes may be fatal.

Let's move on to the most crucial queries now that we have cleared things up.

Which qualities are essential to you?

As apparent as it may appear, our craving for something new and shiny frequently takes precedence over what we truly require. To help you realise what really matters and prioritise your needs, write down your must-have characteristics in tangible form. It will be useful later, we assure you.

How much money do you have?

You can spend anywhere from zero to several hundred dollars on a new Shopify theme, and some customizations can set you back much more. While selecting a free theme is perfectly acceptable, particularly for beginners, making the small additional payment for a premium theme will pay off handsomely over time.

What is currently effective?

This is intended for individuals who have prior experience managing an online store. According to a proverb, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Make a note of any features you truly enjoy about your existing theme, and make sure your replacement theme offers the same features.

Do you enjoy the navigation of your current theme? Has its connection with Instagram worked well for you? Are you happy with the way the product pages look? Excellent,

because it's likely that a recently released Shopify theme can offer comparable features while also updating your store.Asking your consumers what their favourite aspects of purchasing at your store are is a risk-free strategy. Their advice is really valuable, and when it comes to store design, they frequently steer you in the right direction.

What are your competitors doing?

This necessitates the application of traditional competition analysis. Observe what your rivals are doing and try to figure out what makes them successful. Observe what's not functioning as well, so you can learn from their errors.

Once more, it's acceptable to draw inspiration from your rivals as long as you don't go too far and commit plagiarism. As product designers, we can attest that this is standard procedure, with the understanding that collectively, we are improving our respective sectors over time.

And what happens if you come upon an internet retailer with a layout you adore? Determining the theme or platform that a store is employing is not that difficult.

What is the size of your product catalogue?

Which theme works best for you usually depends a lot on how vast your product library is. Make sure you do your study because many themes are created with particular industries and catalogue sizes in mind.

For example, enterprise-level capabilities like product filtering and live search are included in powerful themes like Superstore, Turbo, and Empire, which are designed for stores with large catalogues. Conversely, smaller catalogues and single-product stores are better suited for more straightforward themes like startup and launch.

Which products are your highlights?

The Pareto principle, which states that you will have a few things that sell better than everything else, applies to e-commerce as well.

Make the most of this to your benefit. Consider the best-selling aspects of your most popular products. How are you going to tell your clients about that?

Purchasing a Shopify theme with stunning, full-width pictures is usually a good idea, for instance, if you offer primarily visual goods. If your value proposition doesn't place as much emphasis on aesthetics, you could want to use a theme that allows you to tell an engaging story or even put a video on the homepage.

How would you like a consumer to feel?

Imagine yourself in the customer's position. What about the layout of a store makes you feel comfortable and drawn in? Is each product shown in several photos so you can view it from every angle? Does the product description include all the necessary information in a long description or in bullet points? Is it the convenience of getting in touch with store staff to inquire about a product's details?

You don't want your clients to overlook anything unique about your products. Look for a theme that will enable you to create a space that fosters that unique quality. As you look for your new theme, remember that you have the ability to give your customers an incredible shopping experience.

Who created the theme? Who is in favour of it?

You wouldn't purchase a vehicle from a dealership without carrying out your research. You want to be certain that you will have the assistance you need to resume driving in the event that your transmission fails. Even better, you want to stop those problems before they start. The purchase of a Shopify theme is equivalent. You wish to avoid a lemon.

Reviews on developers' websites and on the Shopify theme store are easily accessible. Websites with solely good reviews should be avoided. Nothing is flawless 100% of the time. In the same way, don't let one or two negative reviews stop you. Take advantage of this chance to observe the company's response to the problem.