Selecting and Personalising Wix Ecommerce Templates

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

1. Choose a Wix eCommerce template that matches your brand and business goals
2. Customise template colours, fonts, and layouts effectively
3. Maintain design consistency across all store pages
4. Edit template sections for better user experience and accessibility

Introduction

Your online store's first impression happens in seconds. The template you choose and how you customise it can make or break that crucial moment when visitors decide whether to stay or leave.

This chapter walks you through selecting the right Wix eCommerce template and making it truly yours. You'll learn practical techniques to ensure every page reflects your brand consistently and professionally.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Choosing Your Ecommerce Template

Before diving into Wix's template library, take a moment to think about your brand and what you're selling. A jewellery store needs a different approach than a tech gadget shop.

Step 1: Access the template library

• Log into your Wix account
• Click 'Create New Site' or 'Templates' from your dashboard
• Select 'Online Store' from the business type options

Step 2: Filter smartly

• Use industry filters to narrow your choices
• Look for specific features you need (product galleries, booking systems, etc.)
• Check mobile responsiveness indicators

Step 3: Preview properly

• Click 'View' on templates that catch your eye
• Navigate through different pages, not just the homepage
• Test how the product pages look and function

This is the bit most people miss: don't just fall in love with a pretty homepage. Check how the checkout process flows and whether the product pages show your items effectively.

Lesson 2: Customising Your Template

Once you've picked your template, it's time to make it yours. Here's where you transform a generic design into something that screams your brand.

Step 1: Enter the editor

• Click 'Edit This Site' on your chosen template
• Take a few minutes to explore the interface
• Locate the design panel (usually on the left side)

Step 2: Update your colour scheme

• Click on any coloured element to access colour options
• Use the colour picker to match your brand colours exactly
• Apply changes consistently across headers, buttons, and text

Step 3: Choose appropriate fonts

• Access the text settings by clicking on any text element
• Select fonts that reflect your brand personality
• Stick to 2-3 font families maximum for a clean look

Step 4: Adjust layouts

• Use the drag-and-drop editor to rearrange sections
• Remove elements you don't need
• Add new sections from the 'Add' panel when necessary

Here's the quick version: customisation works best when you have your brand guidelines ready. Know your colours, fonts, and style before you start clicking around.

Lesson 3: Maintaining Design Consistency

Nothing looks more amateur than a store where every page feels like it belongs to a different website. Consistency builds trust and makes shopping easier.

Step 1: Set up global styles

• Go to 'Site Design' in your editor
• Define your colour palette once and apply it everywhere
• Set default fonts for headings and body text

Step 2: Create a style checklist

• Use the same button styles across all pages
• Keep header and footer layouts identical
• Maintain consistent spacing between elements

Step 3: Preview across devices

• Use the mobile preview feature regularly
• Check that your design works on tablets too
• Test loading times and image quality on different screen sizes

Step 4: Review every page

• Go through each page of your store systematically
• Look for elements that don't match your style guide
• Fix inconsistencies as you find them

Roll your sleeves up for this part. Consistency requires attention to detail, but it's what separates professional-looking stores from amateur ones.

Practice

Time to put this into action. Here's what you need to do:

1. Template hunting: Browse through at least 5 different Wix eCommerce templates. Note which elements appeal to you and why.

2. Brand alignment exercise: Take one template and identify 3 specific changes you'd make to align it with a brand you know well (could be your own or a favourite company).

3. Consistency check: If you already have a Wix store, go through each page and list any design inconsistencies you spot. If you don't have a store yet, do this exercise on any eCommerce website.

FAQs

How many templates should I look at before deciding?
Browse through 8-10 options thoroughly rather than skimming through dozens. Quality over quantity helps you make better decisions.

Can I switch templates after I've started customising?
Yes, but you'll lose your customisations. It's worth getting the template choice right from the start rather than switching later.

What if I can't find a template that's perfect for my business?
No template will be perfect out of the box. Choose one with the right structure and layout, then customise it to match your needs.

How do I know if my customisations look professional?
Ask people outside your business for honest feedback. Also, compare your store to successful competitors in your industry.

Jargon Buster

Template: A pre-designed website structure that you can customise with your own content and branding.

Drag-and-drop editor: A visual website builder that lets you move elements around by clicking and dragging them.

Global styles: Design settings that apply across your entire website, ensuring consistency.

Mobile responsiveness: How well your website adapts to different screen sizes, especially smartphones and tablets.

Brand guidelines: Rules about how your brand should look, including colours, fonts, and design principles.

Wrap-up

You now have the tools to select and personalise a Wix eCommerce template that works for your business. Remember that good design isn't about following every trend – it's about creating something that serves your customers and represents your brand clearly.

The next step is setting up your product pages and ensuring your store functions as smoothly as it looks. Your template is just the foundation; now you'll build something great on top of it.

Ready to take your Wix skills further? Join our community of learners at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership