I’m a Shopify developer working on a project where the client has already designed their theme. Should I create the theme from scratch or build it on top of the Dawn theme? Additionally, I have React knowledge and am considering a headless store approach, but I’m concerned about potential limitations, such as embedding Shopify apps or integrating with existing Shopify features. What do Shopify developers recommend in this scenario?
The choice of store depends on the client’s requirements. If the client has already designed the layout in Figma, the next step is to explore the Shopify Theme Store. It’s best to choose a theme that aligns with your project needs and that you’re comfortable working with, as this will help complete the project in less time — and as we know, time is money.
Once the client selects and purchases the theme, you will handle the customizations to meet their specific requirements.
@vyuba That’s a great question, and one we’ve encountered with several clients. Dawn is a solid starting point, as it includes all the essentials to get up and running. You can update or refactor its styles and functionality as needed. However, Dawn also comes with features you might not require. For a more streamlined option, there’s a stripped-down version called ‘Accelerator’ (you can search this forum to find a zip download). We’ve used Accelerator for many projects because it provides the basics without the CSS and JS bloat—essentially a ‘blank canvas.’
Unless your client specifically requests a headless setup, I’d recommend steering clear of it. Are they looking to use the theme customizer to update settings, logos, links, or rearrange sections? If so, sticking with a non-headless approach will likely save both you and the client a lot of headaches.
2 Likes
Hey! If your client’s design is similar to Dawn’s, it might be quicker and easier to build on top of it rather than starting from scratch. Dawn is fast, optimized, and integrates well with Shopify’s features, saving you time on development. However, if the design is unique and requires full flexibility, you might want to build the theme from scratch. Just keep in mind this will take more time and effort, especially when ensuring all Shopify features (like cart and checkout) are integrated properly.
As for going headless with React, it’s great for full customization, but can be tricky when it comes to integrating Shopify apps or using built-in Shopify features.
If your client needs a lot of app functionality, headless might cause more headaches. So, if app integration is important, sticking to Dawn or a custom theme would probably be more practical.
1 Like