Accelerated checkout buttons - Include [accelerated checkout buttons on product pages](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/templates/product#accelerated-checkout-buttons) and [cart pages](/docs/storefronts/themes/pricing-payments/accelerated-checkout#implementing-accelerated-checkout-buttons-in-your-theme) so that customers can checkout quickly.
Accelerated checkout buttons must be supported on the following pages:
The branded dynamic and accelerator checkout button colors must not be modified.
Learn more about accelerated checkout .
Faceted search filtering - Use [search filtering](/docs/storefronts/themes/navigation-search/filtering) so that customers can filter on collection and search pages based on product availability, price, type, vendor, and variant options. You need to support faceted search filtering on collection pages and search pages.
Gift cards - Include a [gift card template](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/templates/gift-card-liquid) that renders the gift card page, which displays the gift card that's issued to a customer upon purchase.
Learn more about gift cards .
Image focal points - Make sure that your theme supports the [focal point](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings#image-focal-points) of an image. Focal points can be set in the theme editor `image_picker` setting, or from the **Files** page in the Shopify admin.
Images for social sharing - Add a [`page_image` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/page#page-image) for social sharing so that merchants can display a thumbnail image in their post when they share a link to their online store on social media, such as on Facebook or Pinterest.
Learn more about social media images .
Country selection - When merchants sell to other countries and regions [in their local currency](/docs/storefronts/themes/markets/multiple-currencies-languages#the-country-selector) customers must be able to select their currency and their country or region on the storefront. Selectors must follow the [UX guidelines](/docs/storefronts/themes/markets/country-language-ux).
Learn more about selling in multiple currencies .
Language selection - When merchants sell [in multiple languages](/docs/storefronts/themes/markets/multiple-currencies-languages#the-language-selector), customers must be able to select their preferred language on the storefront. Selectors must follow the [UX guidelines](/docs/storefronts/themes/markets/country-language-ux).
Learn more about selling in multiple languages .
Multi-level menus - Add [nested menus](/docs/storefronts/themes/navigation-search/navigation) so that merchants can create multi-level drop down menus.
Learn more about setting up drop down menus .
Newsletter forms - Add a [newsletter signup](/docs/storefronts/themes/customer-engagement/email-consent#newsletter-sign-up-form) so that merchants can collect customer email addresses to use in email marketing campaigns.
Learn more about newsletter signups .
Pickup availability - [Add pickup availability to product pages](/docs/storefronts/themes/delivery-fulfillment/pickup-availability) so that merchants can display whether a product is available for local pickup without having to add the product to cart. Pickup availability must be supported on the Product page.
Learn more about pickup availability .
Related product recommendations - Add a section to your product pages that displays an automatically generated list of [related product recommendations](/docs/storefronts/themes/product-merchandising/recommendations/related-products). Displaying related products to customers makes it easier for them to discover new products, and can help to increase online store sales.
Learn more about related product recommendations .
Complementary product recommendations - Add [complementary products](/docs/storefronts/themes/product-merchandising/recommendations/complementary-products) to product pages so that merchants can display other products that pair well with a product.
Learn more about complementary product recommendations .
Rich product media - [Add rich product media](/docs/storefronts/themes/product-merchandising/media) such as 3D models, embedded videos, and Vimeo or YouTube videos. Include rich product media in the product template, featured product section, and product forms such as quick view features.
Search box or a link to search - The search box or a link to search must include the following:
Selling plans - Merchants are able to create selling plans to offer subscriptions. Selected selling plans need to be [shown to customers in the cart and on customer order pages](/docs/storefronts/themes/pricing-payments/subscriptions/add-subscriptions-to-your-theme#customer-order-selling-plan-display).
Selling plans must be supported on the following pages:
Learn more about subscriptions .
Shop Pay Installments - Add a [Shop Pay Installments banner](/docs/storefronts/themes/pricing-payments/installments) on `product.liquid` to let customers know that they have the option to pay for their order using installments. Shop Pay Installments must be supported on the Product page.
Learn more about Shop Pay Installments .
Unit pricing - Merchants in some areas are required to [show unit prices](/docs/storefronts/themes/pricing-payments/unit-pricing).
Unit pricing must be supported on the following pages:
Collection page
Product page
Cart page
Customer page
Learn more about how merchants can add unit prices to products in the European Union (EU) and in Switzerland .
Variant images - [Enable themes to use variant images](/docs/storefronts/themes/product-merchandising/variants) so that merchants can associate an image with a product variant.
Learn more about adding images to product variants .
Follow on Shop - Add a Follow on Shop button using the [login_button](/docs/api/liquid/filters/login_button) Liquid filter to enable a customer to follow a store in the Shop app.
The branded Follow on Shop button colors must not be modified.
Learn more about Follow on Shop .
`theme.liquid` (layout file)
`404.json`
`article.json`
`blog.json`
`cart.json`
`collection.json`
`index.json`
`list-collections.json`
`page.json`
`page.contact.json`
`password.json`
`product.json`
`search.json`
`gift_card.liquid`
`settings_schema.json` (config file)
### Section support requirements
All templates must support sections (JSON templates), with the exception of Customer Account pages, Gift Card pages, and Checkout, which don't need to support sections.
Themes must include a **Custom Liquid** section. The section needs to include a setting of type [`liquid`](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings#liquid), and should be available on all templates that support sections. The **Custom Liquid** section can act as an insertion point for certain types of apps.
Header and footer sections must be rendered within [section groups](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/section-groups). Section groups allow merchants to dynamically add, remove, and reorder sections in the header and footer areas of the layout.
### Block and app block support requirements
Themes must support blocks for all or most elements on the main section of the product page. For example, elements such as product price, product vendor, and product description should each be individual blocks within the main product section. Refer to [Dawn's main product section](https://github.com/Shopify/dawn/blob/main/sections/main-product.liquid) for an example of how these blocks should be implemented.
Themes must support [app blocks](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/blocks/app-blocks) (blocks of type `@app`) in the main product section and featured product section.
Introduce **Custom Liquid** blocks into certain sections. Add a **Custom Liquid** block anywhere you'd consider adding an [app block](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/templates-sections-blocks#considerations-for-app-blocks), because the **Custom Liquid** block can act as an insertion point for certain types of apps. This block should include a setting of type [`liquid`](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings#liquid).
Learn more about [best practices for sections and blocks](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/templates-sections-blocks).
Themes must have a minimum average Lighthouse performance score of 60 across the theme's product, collection, and home page, for both desktop and mobile. Tests are run using a benchmark dataset .
Themes must have a minimum average Lighthouse accessibility score of 90 across the theme's product, collection, and home page, for both desktop and mobile. Tests are run using a benchmark dataset .
When verifying performance and accessibility scores, sections must contain actual images and content. The sections can't be empty.
### Testing the performance of your theme
You can quickly test the [performance](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/performance) of your theme before you submit it to the Shopify Theme Store by running performance tests against a benchmark shop. If you want to test your theme before you submit it, then refer to these [performance best practices](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/performance#testing-for-performance).
### Testing the accessibility of your theme
You can quickly test the [accessibility](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/accessibility) of your theme before you submit it to the Shopify Theme Store by running accessibility tests against a benchmark shop. If you want to test your theme before you submit it, then refer to these [accessibility best practices](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/accessibility#accessibility-testing).
If payment method logos are output, then use the `enabled_payment_types` property of the [`shop` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/shop), and the [`payment_type_img_url`](/docs/api/liquid/filters/payment_type_img_url) or [`payment_type_svg_tag`](/docs/api/liquid/filters/payment_type_svg_tag) filter, to output payment icons. The icons must be in full color.
The `` element must specify a `lang` attribute. The `lang` attribute value can be populated with the `locale` property of the [`request` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/request#request-locale).
```liquid
```
You must use the [`routes` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/routes) for generating dynamic URLs to your storefront. Instead of `href=/` to link to the homepage, you can now use `href="{{ routes.root_url }}"`. This ensures that your theme supports any changes that Shopify makes to the URL format, such as allowing a page to be available in multiple languages.
Don't modify or parse the `content_for_header` object. If `content_for_header` changes, then your Liquid's behavior changes.
### Product page requirements
The product page must contain the following product information:
`product.title` (not truncated)
`variant.price`
`variant.unit_price`
variant's compare-at price
`product.description`
option names and option values
All product images must be displayed and viewable. Different image ratios shouldn't break the layout.
Variant images must be shown when the associated variant is selected.
The product page must use `cart.taxes_included` to display an indication that taxes are included in the price when a store is using tax-inclusive prices.
The product page must contain the following buying functions:
Variants that are split up into separate options for users to select.
The ability to select a quantity.
An **Add to cart** button (often disabled or replaced when an unavailable variant combination, or sold-out variant, is selected).
A callback function to update the price, compare-at-price, and sold-out messages for the currently selected variant.
The [first available variant](/docs/api/liquid/objects/product#product-selected_or_first_available_variant) loads on a page.
The product page must support the following features:
Product recommendations
Rich product media
Accelerated checkout buttons (must be enabled by default)
Pickup availability
Shop Pay Installments
Gift card products must have the option to send the card to a recipient .
The following attributes of the form object
form.emailform.nameform.message
The following attribute of the gift_card object
For product options, swatches must be supported to visually display either a hex or an image of the given product option. Use the following attributes of the `swatch` [object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/swatch) output:
`swatch.image`
`swatch.color`
### Collection page requirements
Attributes of the [`collection` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/collection) that must be outputted:
`collection.title` (not truncated)
`collection.description`
`collection.image`
Products must be listed in a grid or list, with the following attributes of the [`product` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/product) output:
`product.title` (not truncated and links to product.url)
`product.price`
`product.images`
`variant.unit_price`
At least one piece of media for a product
Product grid must not break because of product images of varying aspect ratios.
The **Sale** badge or `product.compare_at_price_max` is shown when appropriate.
Must provide the ability to sort the products inside [collections](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/templates/collection).
Must display a message if a collection has no products in it.
If a product has variants with different prices, then use `product.price_varies` to show the price variation. For example, show the range between `product.price_min` and `product.price_max`.
Must use [pagination or lazy loading](/docs/api/liquid/tags/paginate).
### Collection List page requirements
Attributes of the [`collection` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/collection) that must be outputted:
`collection.title` (not truncated)
Must use `collection.featured_image`. If a [collection image](/docs/api/liquid/objects/collection#collection-image) doesn't exist, this property loads the featured image of the first product in that collection instead.
Must use [pagination or lazy loading](/docs/api/liquid/tags/paginate).
### Cart page requirements
Must display details of the [`line_item` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/line_item), including:
`title`
`unit_price`
`image`
`final_price`
`quantity`
`options_with_values`
The [`cart.total_price`](/docs/api/liquid/objects/cart#cart-total_price) must be visible.
The cart page must use `cart.taxes_included` to display an indication that taxes are included in the price when a store is using tax-inclusive prices.
Must include a checkout button that submits the cart form.
Must refresh all line items when the quantity is updated to ensure the total updates correctly.
Must provide the ability to change the quantity of each line item.
The cart page must support the following features:
Cart notes
Selling plans
Automatic discount codes
Accelerated checkout buttons
### Page requirements
Must include:
`page.title`
`page.content`
Must include an alternate template for a contact form.
### Blog page requirements
Attributes of the [`blog` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/blog) must output the [blog.title](/docs/api/liquid/objects/blog#blog-title).
Each [article](/docs/api/liquid/objects/article) must display the following information:
`article.title` (not truncated, links to `article.url`)
`article.image`
`article.excerpt_or_content` not `article.content`
Must use [pagination or lazy loading](/docs/api/liquid/tags/paginate).
### Article page requirements
An [article](/docs/api/liquid/objects/article) must display the following information:
`article.title` (not truncated)
`article.comments`
`article.published_at` (but not `article.created_at`)
Comments must be [paginated](/docs/api/liquid/tags/paginate).
Comments workflow must function without moderation, and all success or error messages must be properly output.
### Search page requirements
Must return a message if there are no search results.
Must have the ability to return different object types (products, blogs, pages). The `object_type` must be used when displaying [search results](/docs/api/liquid/objects/search).
[Pagination or lazy loading](/docs/api/liquid/tags/paginate).
### 404 page requirements
Must have a clear message stating that the page wasn't found.
Must have options for how to proceed, such as a search bar or a link to the homepage.
### Gift Card page requirements
Must support [Apple Wallet](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/templates/gift-card-liquid#apple-wallet-passes).
Must show a gift card code.
Must show a QR code. The minimum size required is 120px x 120px.
Must include the logo or `shop.name`.
### Customer page requirements
Must display details of the [`line_item` object](/docs/api/liquid/objects/line_item), including:
The customer page must support the following features:
Selling plans
Unit pricing
### Password page requirements
Must include the following information:
the logo or `shop.name`
`shop.password_message`
a way to enter the [storefront’s password](/docs/api/liquid/tags/from#form-storefront_password)
All RTE-generated content must be consistent (such as `h1`-`h6`, `blockquotes`, `ul`, `ol`) across all templates. Styling of RTE content is consistent with those of blog articles, product descriptions, and collection descriptions.
Scripts included in theme code must be hosted on Shopify's servers, with the exception of approved third-party libraries.
Themes must not include any Javascript or code that interferes with, or augments, any native Shopify feature within the theme editor or Shopify admin.
Any link in the code that points to one of Shopify's domains can take multiple attributes, but must include a `rel="nofollow"` attribute.
You must link assets using protocol-relative URLs. Hard-defining http or https isn't permitted.
The appropriate licenses must be obtained for all third party plugins and images.
Themes must not include functionality that's dependent on an app.
Themes must not incorporate app-like functionalities that require API access for full functionality. Examples include wishlists, appointment scheduling, cart-level discount codes, or an Instagram feed. Incomplete features resembling those found in apps will not be accepted.
## 8. Browser compatibility
Ensure that your theme lets merchants access the same information and experience across different browsers.
### Desktop browser requirements
A theme's layout, browsing experience, and purchasing actions must support the following desktop browsers and releases:
Safari - latest two releases for Mac
Chrome - latest three releases for Mac and PC
Firefox - latest three releases for Mac and PC
Edge - latest two releases for PC
### Mobile browser requirements
A theme's layout must meet the following mobile browser layout requirements:
Themes must be mobile responsive.
A theme's layout, browsing experience, and purchasing actions must support the following mobile browsers and releases:
Mobile Safari - latest two releases for iOS
Chrome Mobile - latest three releases for Android and iOS
Samsung Internet - latest two releases for Android
### Webviews and other application requirements
Themes must support browsing and purchasing actions when rendered in webviews for the following applications:
Instagram - latest release for Android and iOS
Facebook - latest release for Android and iOS
Pinterest - latest release for Android and iOS
Themes must not use Sass, or include `.scss` or `.scss.liquid` files. Instead, use only native CSS, and write or compile your stylesheets into `.css` or `.css.liquid` files.
Themes must not include minified `.css` or `.js` files, with the exception of ES6 and third-party libraries. Shopify automatically minifies CSS files, as well as JavaScript files that use ES5 syntax or lower, when they're requested by the storefront.
Themes must contain the [theme SEO metadata](/docs/storefronts/themes/seo/metadata) code snippet with the title, meta description, and canonical URL.
Themes must include Google's rich product snippets. To test your structured data, use [Google's Structured Data Testing Tool](https://developers.google.com/structured-data/testing-tool).
Themes must not include a `robots.txt.liquid` template.
Learn more about [SEO best practices](/docs/storefronts/themes/seo).
All parts of a page must be keyboard accessible, including dropdown navigation.
When navigating with the keyboard, focusable elements must feature a visible focus state.
All images require the `alt` attribute. Themes must use [`image.alt`](/docs/api/liquid/objects/image#image-alt) or [`image_url | image_tag: alt: string`](/docs/api/liquid/filters/image_tag#image_tag-alt) for product images.
Form inputs must have a unique ID, and labels with `for` attributes that match the input ID.
Themes must be built with valid HTML.
Text color contrast ratio must be 4.5:1 for main body content. For text larger than 18pt, and non-text elements such as borders and icons, the color contrast ratio must be 3:1.
Keyboard focus order must match the DOM order. Focus is expected to move top-bottom, left-right.
The size of the touch target for pointer inputs must be at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels. The minimum size doesn't apply to inline body text, or elements that meet [other exception criteria](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/target-size-minimum.html).
Headings `h1`-`h6` must be visually different from each other.
Learn more about [accessibility best practices](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/accessibility).
Must have a set of social media icons to choose from.
Must contain [Open Graph](https://ogp.me/) and [Twitter card tags](https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/twitter-for-websites/cards/overview/markup).
Social media placeholder text must be left empty.
All theme settings must adhere to the [style](#style-requirements) and [terminology](#terminology-requirements) requirements.
The setting labels and informational text for the theme must be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.
Default setting values for section and block content should indicate how to use the setting. Don't use Lorem Ipsum text or demo store content as a placeholder.
Must have a favicon setting.
Logo upload must work with images of different aspect ratios (for example, landscape or portrait).
All [settings](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/config/settings-schema-json) must have a `label`.
All settings of type `link_list` in the Header or Footer must have a `default` value of `main-menu` or `footer`, depending on the location of the setting.
When you supply a default value for resource-based settings such as product, the referenced resource must exist.
For [`metaobject`](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings#metaobject) and [`metaobject_list`](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings#metaobject_list) settings, only standard definitions can be used as `metaobject_type`. Custom or app-owned definitions cannot be used.
Must have a [`theme_info`](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/config/settings-schema-json) section.
### Theme editor event requirements
Changes made in the theme editor must be reflected in the editor preview. Refer to [`request.design_mode`](/docs/api/liquid/objects/request#request-design_mode) for troubleshooting.
### Style requirements
Write section, preset, and category names in sentence case. Only capitalize the first word and proper nouns (like 'Facebook').
Use descriptive setting names for multi-option settings or sections of different variations. Avoid using numbered options or section titles, with the exception of colors and color schemes.
Use this
Don't use this
Logo position on large screens
Middle left
Top left
Top center
Logo position on large screens
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Theme sections
Collage
Image banner
Image with text
Theme sections
Use language that's intuitive and easy to understand for all merchants. For example:
Use "Horizontal position" or "Vertical position" instead of "X position" or "Y position".
Use "Button label" instead of "CTA label".
Use American English.
Use this
Don't use this
canceled cancelled
catalog catalogue
center, centered centre, centred
color colour
customize customise
dialog dialogue
gray grey
organize organise
Don't use ampersands ( **&** ).
Use declarative statements instead of questions.
Use this
Don't use this
Use a custom logo Use a custom logo?
The subject of each section (like 'slideshow') is stated only once in the heading. Avoid subject repetition, such as 'slideshow', 'slideshow color', and 'slideshow image'.
Use active voice.
All buttons and actions must start with a verb.
All technical specifications follow these formats:
Technical specification
Format
Example
Image size
[numeral] x [numeral]px (required/recommended)
64 x 64px required
Image size with format
[numeral] x [numeral]px [.format] (required/recommended)
1200 x 300px .jpg recommended
Word / character count
[numeral] words (max)
32 words max
Text format
Use basic HTML to format text
Use the following Shopify terminology throughout your theme:
Use this
Don’t use this
home page homepage
top bar meta-nav, search bar
bottom bar below footer, legal
slideshow slider
checkout check out
heading title
subheading sub-heading
body text main text
signup sign-up, sign up
favicon shortcut icon, website icon
sidebar side bar
button label button name
social media social, social sharing
social media icons social media buttons
navigation menus, menu
main menu navigation, menu
secondary menu navigation, menu
footer menu navigation, menu
cart type Ajax, Ajaxify, Ajax cart
.png PNG, png, .PNG
use show, enable
show use, enable
enable use, show
### Section name guidelines
Each section in a theme needs a name. Section names appear in the section picker and in the sidebar listing the sections in a template.
Section names should relate to the section's function, for example `Header`, `Product list`, `Slideshow`, or `Image gallery`.
Refer to [Shopify's theme terminology list](/docs/storefronts/themes/store/requirements#terminology-requirements) to make sure that you name sections using the right Shopify terms.
#### Suggested section names
- Header
- Featured products
- Featured collections
- Slideshow
- Image gallery
- Logo list
- Newsletter
- Map
- Blog posts
- Testimonials
- Footer
### Preset name guidelines
Section presets are predefined configurations of sections that merchants start with when adding content.
Preset names should relate to the type of content in the preset, for example `Image and text`, `Map`, `Columns`, or `Blog articles`.
Refer to [Shopify's theme terminology list](/docs/storefronts/themes/store/requirements#terminology-requirements) to make sure that you name presets using the right Shopify terms.
#### Content placeholders
If your preset features images, videos, or icons, then you should display [placeholder content](https://www.shopify.com/ca/partners/blog/placeholder-images) so that the merchant can get a better idea of how the content looks before they add their own media.
In your presets, use the following content placeholders:
Type of content
Placeholder
Images that aren't products or collections
Image icon
Lists of logos
Logo icon
Slideshows
Lifestyle image
Videos
Default YouTube video ID
Score
Description
Meets requirements
The design is intentional, well thought out, and follows a logical pattern.
Icon sets are consistent and well designed.
Logo is well designed and scales effectively to multiple sizes.
Color system is robust and easy to customize without harming the aesthetic or legibility of isolated components. There is a good level of flexibility for merchants to customize their color palette without the task being overly complex.
Improvement needed
Instances of inconsistency.
Images aren't as high quality as they could be.
Logo resolution isn't up to preferred standards.
Icons lack consistency or don't match the overall design of the theme.
The theme's color system could be simplified further.
Critical improvement needed
Several inconsistencies make the design decisions seem unintentional.
Poor image quality.
Logo resolution isn't up to preferred standards.
Icons aren't consistent or don't match the overall design of the theme.
The theme's color system is too complex, rigid, or difficult to customize without harming the legibility and visual balance.
### Layout
Your theme should have a good flow of content, hierarchy, balance, contrast, white space, responsiveness, grid, and alignment.
Score
Description
Meets requirements
Provides a clear path for navigation between pages and emphasizes the most important elements of the store.
Balanced and well-defined grid.
White space is thoughtfully applied.
All elements adhere to a grid.
All unrelated elements are easily distinguished from each other.
Clear hierarchy for how primary and secondary information is displayed.
Design patterns scale in a way that makes sense across small and large screens.
Improvement needed
Unbalanced grid.
Too much or too little white space is used.
Only some elements adhere to a grid.
Elements are easily confused with each other.
Unclear hierarchy for displaying primary and secondary information.
Design patterns don't scale correctly across small and large screens.
Critical improvement needed
Elements are placed outside the grid in a way that affects scaling to smaller screen formats.
Content is unbalanced and disproportionate.
Whitespace is used in excess or is lacking to a degree that disrupts flow.
### Consistency
Your theme design elements should be consistent across all pages.
Score
Description
Meets requirements
Consistency across spacing, icon style, image quality, typography, and color.
Improvement needed
Inconsistency across one or more sections, spacing, icon style, image quality, typography, or color.
Critical improvement needed
Critical inconsistency across one or more sections, spacing, icon style, image quality, typography, or color.
### Accessibility
Accessibility encompasses the inclusion of implementations such as (but not limited to) keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, high contrast coloration, and thoughtful font selection to provide users with alternative means of navigating a system with comprehensive ease.
Score
Description
Meets requirements
Color contrast between elements is clearly defined.
Touch targets are clearly defined and not in conflict with each other.
Inputs are easily identifiable.
Excludes the use of justified text as default.
Improvement needed
Purchase flow is unclear or complex.
Product options aren't very obvious or visible.
Inputs aren't easily identifiable.
Some friction within the customer experience when shopping for a product/service.
Critical improvement needed
Purchase flow is very unclear or overly complex.
Product options aren't obvious or visible.
Inputs aren't identifiable.
High friction within the customer experience when shopping for a product/service.
### Customer UX
Your theme should provide a clear purchase flow through the collection, product, and cart pages.
Score
Description
Meets requirements
Purchase flow is clear and unobstructed.
Product options are obvious and visible.
Inputs are easily identifiable.
A frictionless customer experience when shopping for a product/service.
Products are recommend for customers.
Theme provides brand awareness (Blogs, etc.).
Customers can:
Navigate the merchant's site with ease.
Search meaningfully for desired products (Discovery).
Interact with products/services (Featured content/collections/product pages).
Add/change/remove products with a comprehensive cart system (cart modal/page).
Proceed to checkout in a clear path.
Improvement needed
The theme settings are too complex.
Risk of the merchant becoming confused or frustrated.
Critical improvement needed
Overly complex theme settings.
High risk of the merchant becoming confused or frustrated.
### Merchant UX
Your theme should have clear and simple options for merchants to customize the look and feel of their shop.
Score
Description
Meets requirements
A good balance between opinionated theme settings and flexibility.
Designed with the merchant experience in mind.
Improvement needed
Little balance between opinionated theme settings and flexibility.
Rarely designed with the merchant experience in mind.
Critical improvement needed
No balance between opinionated theme settings and flexibility.
Not designed with the merchant experience in mind.
All fonts must use the setting type [font_picker](/docs/themes/architecture/settings/input-settings#font_picker).
A default font is loaded. For example, `default: work_sans_n6`.
Fonts used in defaults and presets must use a currently [available font](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/fonts#available-fonts).
The CSS file loads bold, italic, and bold-italic variants for each font using the `font_modify` filter.
Custom fonts aren't accepted.
Learn more about [setting fonts](/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/settings/fonts).
A minimum of 4 colors are required.
All background color settings must include a corresponding foreground color setting.
Color settings must use a `type` of `color`.
Learn more about [color system best practices](/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/design/color-system).
Images must adopt a responsive image strategy. Small images such as icons are an exception.
Images must load only as they are needed to minimize the number of images loaded initially per page.
Theme and theme style names must be distinct from Shopify products. You can't use the same name as, or similar to, Shopify products, events, or branded content. For example, don't name your theme Shopify, Unite, or Polaris.
Theme and theme style names must be distinct from company names. You can’t include the name of your company or Shopify Partner account in your theme name. Your Partner account name is displayed automatically on the theme listing page.
Theme and theme style names must be distinct from websites, ecommerce platforms, and SEO-related benefits. For example, don't name your theme Performance, Mobile, or Sales.
Theme and theme style names must be distinct from industries and collections in the Theme Store. For example, don't name your theme Fashion, Electronics, or Jewelry.
Theme and theme style names must contain 14 characters or fewer.
Theme names must be unique and distinct from existing themes in the Shopify Theme Store to avoid confusion or conflicts.
### Theme name guidelines
Use the following guidelines to help you choose the right name for your theme:
- Summarize, or allude to, the purpose of the theme.
- Give the merchant an idea of what to expect when using the theme, the core ideas behind the theme, and the theme's target demographic.
- Use a noun for the name. Nouns are more suitable for creating product names that stick, have identity, and create a lasting impression. A noun can better define the focus of the theme, and offer a better understanding of the shopping experience being offered.
- Use a name that's easy to spell and pronounce. This will help merchants with recall and search.
- Work across different dialects. Since some words and phrases can have different meanings in different regions, you should consult with an idiom dictionary.
- Use a name that's different from theme names on different platforms.
### Theme style name guidelines
Use the following guidelines to help you choose the right name for your theme style:
- Reflect the design and aesthetics of the theme style.
- Use an adjective for the theme style name. Adjectives are great for describing colours, fonts, and design.
- Compliment the theme name, not compete against it. Merchants often mistake theme styles for theme names, which causes confusion when they contact support to request help with their themes.
- Use a common thread to connect multiple style names for one theme.
### Increasing clarity and discoverability
For clarity and discoverability, consider the following guidelines when naming your theme and theme style:
- Don't use trendy names. Trends fade, and theme names should transcend trends.
- Don't use unusual spellings. Not only are unusual spellings more difficult to remember, but they’re also more susceptible to autocorrect errors, and they limit discoverability by merchants.
- Don't use lengthy names. Even if you’re trying to be descriptive, creating a long name can hurt a merchant’s ability to remember what your theme is called.
- Don't use the same name as a theme on a different platform.
- Don't use the same name for both the theme and the theme style.
- Don't use multiple style names that are identical to existing theme names.
All themes must include at least one demo store.
Each preset requires a demo store. You can use up to 5 demo stores for each theme.
Each demo store has the [Bogus Gateway](https://help.shopify.com/manual/checkout-settings/test-orders#place-a-test-order-by-simulating-a-transaction) or Shopify Payments [test mode](https://help.shopify.com/manual/payments/shopify-payments/testing-shopify-payments#test-mode) enabled, and all other checkout options disabled.
All demo store pages must use authentic text content. Don't use Lorem Ipsum or onboarding text. Don't include profanities.
The [`powered_by_link`](/docs/api/liquid/objects/powered_by_link) link can't be altered and must contain only `powered_by_link`.
Affiliate linking isn't allowed.
Any link in the code that points to one of Shopify's domains must include a `rel="nofollow"` attribute.
To avoid potential merchant confusion, demo stores can only showcase elements and functionality that are built into the theme. For example:
Don't use embedded text or buttons in images, except for the text on physical products, infographics, badges, or instagram images.
Don't use animated gif images in places where they can be mistaken for theme functionality.
Don't use apps. In some cases, special consideration applies to free product review apps and [free translation apps](https://apps.shopify.com/categories/store-design-internationalization). If you're showcasing multi-language options using translation apps, then all content must be translated.
You must obtain the appropriate rights for all demo store assets in accordance with the [Shopify Partner Agreement](https://www.shopify.com/ca/partners/terms#:~:text=Each%20Theme%20Developer,any%20third%20party.). Before using any brand names, images, or content, permission must be directly granted by the brand owners. Shopify Burst .
### Demo store recommendations
When designing your demo store, consider the following recommendations to help you showcase the full potential of your theme. The following recommendations aren't mandatory requirements that need to be met for submission.
- Identify the source of any product images used in the product description.
- Use the latest version of your theme in your demo store.
- Incorporate built-in Shopify features to showcase the power and capabilities of your theme.
- Illustrate the versatility and variability of your theme, by including examples such as a product that's on sale, a sold-out product or variant, a product with multiple variants, and a gift card product.
You must provide theme documentation and a public support contact form.
You must have your theme documentation and contact form ready before launching your theme.
You must link your documentation and contact form to your theme listing page in the Shopify Theme Store.
### Merchant-facing theme documentation
The copy for all theme documentation must be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.
The theme documentation must be consistent with the copy in the theme settings.
You need to keep your documentation up to date as changes occur within Shopify and you update your theme. As you support merchants using your theme, be sure to identify any gaps in your theme documentation and make updates as necessary.
Your theme documentation should include an FAQ section and any other relevant information that you feel could help address potential support questions that merchants might have.
#### Clear support policy
Consider specifying your support policy in your theme documentation. As a Theme Partner, you must [support bug fixes and answer any merchant questions regarding your theme](/docs/storefronts/themes/store/requirements#merchant-support-requirements). You might want to provide additional services to merchants such as customizations, app-integrations, and help with theme updates, but you can't include these services in the cost of your theme.
#### Clarity on custom two-column MDX tutorials
If you offer custom coding tutorials in your documentation, then specify whether the custom tutorials are supported. Also, include a warning to merchants in your tutorials that they should duplicate their theme before editing their code, and include a suggestion that merchants hire a [Shopify Partner](https://www.shopify.com/partners/directory) for help.
### Contact forms
Your contact form lets merchants contact you. You should include your contact form in your theme documentation. If you use a modal for your contact form, then make sure that it's mobile friendly and linkable from the Theme Store. Try to avoid fields that ask merchants about budget, phone numbers, project type, or other unnecessary questions. You can have a form outlining your agency work on a separate page, but the contact form that you link to from the Theme Store should comply with the following guidelines.
Field
Guideline
(First and Last) Name Field
Email Address Field
Store URL Field
Include an example URL for clarity, such as http://www.storename.myshopify.com.
Description of Problem Field
This should be a text-area field.
File Upload Function
Allow merchants to highlight their issues with images.
Auto-responder Function
The auto-responder is triggered when the contact form is submitted to reduce the amount of merchants contacting Shopify and Theme Partners asking if their support requests have been received.
Theme Name
Provide the theme name if you offer multiple themes.
Subject
If you include this field, then it should auto populate the email subject line.
You must assist merchants with their theme-related questions.
You must reply to support requests from merchants within two business days.
If there is a technical issue with your theme, such as a broken layout, a dead link, or a logical error, then you're responsible for fixing the issue in a timely manner.
You must fix critical bugs immediately or your theme may be temporarily removed from the Theme Store.
### Estimating the support workload
Being a Theme Partner is a full-time job, and supporting merchants who use your theme is a large part of that. All of our current Theme Partner have dedicated support teams working for them. If you become a Theme Partner, then you’ll need to consider how to balance Theme Partner work with any other jobs that you're currently doing. New Theme Partners typically underestimate the amount of time that they'll need to allocate to support.
"Merchant support is by far the most challenging part of being a Theme Partner"
-- Archetype themes
To understand how much effort is required to support a theme, Shopify merchants currently generate thousands of support tickets each month for the paid themes in the Shopify Theme Store, and support requests continue to grow as more merchants join the platform.