Converting legacy Shopify themes to Shopify 2.0 can be approached in two ways: updating your existing themes or starting fresh with a new theme based on Dawn (Shopify’s reference theme). Each approach has its pros and cons, and the decision largely depends on the complexity of your existing themes and your specific requirements. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Updating Existing Themes
Pros:
- Familiarity: You already know the structure and features of your current themes.
- Customization: Preserves custom features and designs that you’ve developed over time.
- Incremental Updates: You can update parts of the theme step-by-step, testing as you go.
Cons:
- Complexity: Depending on the age and customization level of your theme, updates might be complex and time-consuming.
- Compatibility Issues: Some legacy features might not be supported or need significant rework to function under Shopify 2.0.
Approach:
- Assess your current theme: Check which features are essential and how they are implemented.
- Learn about Shopify 2.0: Understand the new features and requirements, like JSON templates for sections and blocks.
- Plan the migration: Decide which components can be directly transferred and which need rewriting.
- Update and Test: Implement changes in a development environment and thoroughly test before going live.
Starting Fresh with Dawn
Pros:
- Modern Architecture: Built with the latest standards and optimized for performance.
- Ease of Use: Easier to start with a clean base than to refactor complex code.
- Community and Support: Benefits from ongoing updates and community support.
Cons:
- Time Investment: Might require more upfront time to recreate existing features.
- Learning Curve: Requires understanding Dawn’s architecture and Shopify 2.0’s capabilities.
Approach:
- Familiarize with Dawn: Explore the structure and capabilities of the Dawn theme.
- Plan Your Theme: Sketch out how your current features can be implemented or improved in Dawn.
- Develop and Customize: Start building on the Dawn base, adding custom features and styling.
- Test and Deploy: Ensure all functionalities work as expected before replacing your old theme.
Recommendation
If your existing themes are heavily customized or use outdated techniques, starting fresh with Dawn might be more efficient in the long run. This approach can reduce future maintenance overhead and ensure better compatibility with Shopify’s evolving features.
However, if your themes are already well-structured and the changes required are minimal, updating them could be less disruptive and faster, especially if you have a deep understanding of the current codebase.
In both cases, consider the resources available and the long-term goals for your Shopify store. If possible, consulting with a developer experienced in Shopify 2.0 could provide personalized insights and help make the transition smoother.