Shopify has undergone a major update, bringing us Shopify 2.0. This revamped platform offers significant advantages over its predecessor, Shopify 1.0. Our article “Shopify 1.0 vs 2.0” breaks down the key differences between the two versions, explaining what’s new and improved in 2.0. We’ll also guide you through the upgrade process so you can make an informed decision about migrating your store to the latest and greatest Shopify experience.
Shopify 2.0 Vs 1.0: Quick Overview
Launched in 2006, Shopify 1.0 was the original version of the popular eCommerce platform. It is designed to be user-friendly for anyone to create an online store. It offered a selection of themes you could choose from and customize to a certain extent. However, customization was mostly limited to the homepage, and adding new features often required coding knowledge or hiring a developer.
Launched in June 2021, Shopify 2.0 is a significant upgrade that offers more flexibility, speed, and functionality for online stores. It introduces a new theme architecture and a powerful theme editor, making it easier to create a unique and engaging shopping experience for your customers.
In short, Shopify 2.0 offers a significant leap forward in terms of customization, performance, and functionality compared to Shopify 1.0.
_Read more: _What Is Shopify and How Does It Work
What Are The Differences Between Shopify 2.0 Vs 1.0
Shopify 1.0 and 2.0 aren’t actually different versions of Shopify, but rather two ways of referring to Shopify’s architecture. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
| Features | Shopify 2.0 | Shopify 1.0 |
| Language | Shopify JSON | Shopify Liquid |
| Default Theme | Dawn | Debut |
| Default Sections | All Pages | Only on Home Page |
| Development Tool | Shopify CLI | Theme Editor |
| Shopify App Assets | Shopify CDN will host the assets submitted through the theme app extension. | Developers require to host the assets |
| Coding Structure | Usage of dynamic sources to add meta fields and resource properties for setting defaults. | Usage of hardcode meta fields in the theme. Or rely on APIs to make changes in product pages. |
| Theme Updates | Effortless methods to update the hierarchy of the page. | Merchants require visitors to visit different sections to update the hierarchy of the page. |
| Theme Performance | Additionally, Lighthouse CI GitHub Action | Theme Check and Shopify Theme Inspector for Chrome |
| App Integration | Theme App extensions via app block | Build integration logic for each theme |
| File Picker | All features of Shopify 1.0 + PDF files and images | Color data and time, JSON, measurement, rating, number, text true or false, reference, URL. |
Speed and Performance
Shopify 2.0 significantly enhances speed and performance compared to its predecessor. One of the key improvements is the optimization of the codebase, which results in faster load times for storefronts. This not only improves the user experience but also positively impacts SEO, as search engines favor faster-loading websites.
On the other hand, Shopify 1.0 had a more basic infrastructure, which could result in slower performance, especially for stores with extensive product catalogs or high traffic volumes. Shopify 2.0 addresses these issues by providing a more robust and scalable architecture that can handle large amounts of data and traffic more efficiently.
Customization
Customization capabilities have seen a substantial upgrade in Shopify 2.0. The introduction of Sections Everywhere allows users to add, remove, and rearrange sections on every page, not just the homepage. This provides greater flexibility in designing unique and engaging storefronts without needing extensive coding knowledge.
In contrast, Shopify 1.0 offered limited customization options. The sections feature was restricted to the homepage, and making significant changes often required knowledge of Liquid, Shopify’s templating language, or hiring a developer. Shopify 2.0 democratizes customization, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
Marketing Tools
Shopify 2.0 comes with enhanced marketing tools that are designed to help merchants grow their businesses more effectively. One notable addition is the Shopify Email feature, which allows users to create and send branded email campaigns directly from the Shopify admin. The new version also integrates better with various marketing platforms, making it easier to manage campaigns across different channels.
Shopify 1.0 had basic marketing tools that often required third-party apps to achieve similar functionality. With the built-in tools in Shopify 2.0, users can streamline their marketing efforts, saving time and potentially reducing costs associated with third-party services.
Mobile Optimization
In today’s mobile-centric world, mobile optimization is crucial. Shopify 2.0 significantly improves mobile responsiveness and ensures that stores look great and perform well on all devices. The platform’s new themes are built with mobile-first design principles, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers using smartphones and tablets.
Shopify 1.0, while functional on mobile devices, did not emphasize mobile optimization to the same extent. Many themes required additional tweaks to be fully mobile-friendly, which could be a hassle for store owners. Shopify 2.0 eliminates these issues, offering a more consistent and user-friendly mobile experience out of the box.
App Integrations
Shopify 2.0 offers improved integration capabilities, with a new app extension framework that makes it easier for developers to create and integrate apps into the Shopify ecosystem. This framework allows apps to be more seamlessly integrated into the admin interface, providing a more cohesive user experience.
Shopify 1.0 had a robust app ecosystem, but the integration process could sometimes be cumbersome, with apps operating as standalone entities rather than being fully integrated into the Shopify admin. Shopify 2.0’s new framework addresses this by allowing for deeper and more intuitive integrations.
Learn more: Discover Shopify App Store – A Comprehensive Handbook 2024
New Opportunities with Metafield
One of the standout features of Shopify 2.0 is the enhanced metafield capabilities. Metafields allow merchants to add custom fields to various parts of their store, such as products, customers, and orders. Shopify 2.0 introduces a user-friendly Metafields Editor, making it easier to manage these custom fields without needing to rely on third-party apps or custom code.
In Shopify 1.0, metafields were available but required the use of third-party apps or manual coding to implement and manage. This often limited their use to more technically savvy users or those who could afford to hire developers. Shopify 2.0 makes metafields more accessible, allowing all merchants to take advantage of this powerful customization tool.
The Advantages Of Updating To Shopify 2.0 For Merchants
The aim of Shopify 2.0 Features is to enhance the Performance of your online store and provide improved infrastructure for customers. This is achieved by offering merchants extensive customization and flexibility. The following are a few elements that enhanced the experience:
- Better Theme Architecture: Before, merchants had restrictions in customizing their online store. This is due to the default Shopify theme and limited customization options. Yet, the storefront has been altered by Shopify 2.0. The shop front can be personalized in every way possible.
- Seamless Integration: This function permits you to incorporate your theme. You can do this without making changes to your theme’s code. Apps are separated into sections for improved personalization.
- Easy Meta Field Management: Users can include meta fields using the new theme editor. Users can do this without APIs, custom code, or applications. Include original content, like pictures or PDFs, on product pages and media.
- Faster loading speed: This is a key advantage that contributes to user experience, conversions, and SEO.
- Editing and customization: The components are arranged in a basic tree structure, which eliminates the need to navigate through unnecessary codes.
- Improved app control: Users can enhance the appearance and the feel. They can do this by utilizing appropriate shopping applications for excellent customization.
- Improved payment procedure: Developers can incorporate Shopify apps into the checkout procedure while ensuring security. This will offer a new interface for the brand and a quicker payment option.
Best Practices for Switching To Shopify 2.0
Now, before stepping into the world of Shopify 2.0, let’s take a look at some of the must-known tips:
How To Know What Version You Are On?
There are several methods to determine the version of Shopify you are utilizing. The most reliable method to determine your Shopify version is by exploring your code editor. The following are the procedures:
- Sign in to your account
- Visit the Online Store > Themes
- Click on Actions > Edit Code
- Access Config, locate “settings_schema.json”, and find the “theme_version” in the file.
If you are not at ease with the code editor, you can also verify your Shopify version through different methods.
- If your theme was made before June 2021 and you haven’t installed updates, it’s likely you are still utilizing Shopify 1.0.
- In your theme customizer interface, select the Add Section (+) option and check for the presence of an App section. If you can add App sections, you are using Shopify 2.0.
Steps To Upgrade Shopify 1.0 to Shopify 2.0
There isn’t a direct upgrade path from Shopify 1.0 to Shopify 2.0 because they’re fundamentally different versions. However, you can achieve a similar result by migrating your store to Shopify 2.0. Here are the main approaches:
Method 1: Manually migrate (For the technically savvy)
This method involves manually transferring your store data, products, content, and settings to Shopify 2.0. It’s the most time-consuming and technical approach, recommended for users with experience in coding and data management.
Here’s a breakdown of the manual migration process:
- Data export: Begin by exporting your product data (including descriptions, images, variants, and pricing) from Shopify 1.0. You can also export customer data (names, addresses, order history) and blog content (posts, pages, and comments).
- Theme development: Shopify 1.0 themes won’t work on Shopify 2.0. You’ll need to build a new theme from scratch or hire a developer to adapt your existing theme.
- Data import: Once you have a new theme and your data exported, import the data into your new Shopify 2.0 store. This might involve using CSV files or Shopify’s bulk import tools.
- Customization and testing: After the import, customize your new Shopify 2.0 theme to match your brand and e
