How to Center and Expand Your Shopify Desktop Website Layout with BemeApps

By Tony Ng.
February 19th, 2025

How to Center and Expand Your Shopify Desktop Website Layout with BemeApps

Understanding the Problem: Why is My Desktop Website Squeezed to the Left?

If you're experiencing issues with your Shopify desktop website layout being squeezed to the left, you're not alone. This problem can be frustrating as it affects the visual appeal and usability of your online store. A centered and full-width layout is crucial for providing a seamless user experience, ensuring that your customers can easily navigate and engage with your content.

Common Causes of Misaligned Layouts

Theme Limitations: Some Shopify themes are designed with fixed-width containers or margins that restrict the layout to a specific width, causing it to appear squeezed.
CSS Overrides: Custom CSS added to your theme may unintentionally override default styles, leading to layout issues.
Responsive Design Conflicts: Conflicts between desktop and mobile styles can cause the desktop version to display incorrectly.
Code Errors: Mistakes in the theme's code, such as missing or misplaced HTML tags, can disrupt the layout.

How to Fix Your Shopify Desktop Layout

To resolve the issue of your desktop website being squeezed to the left, you can follow these steps to modify your theme's code. This guide will walk you through the process of centering and expanding your layout to full width.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Your Shopify Theme

Access Your Shopify Admin
- Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
- Navigate to Online Store and select Themes.
Edit Your Theme Code
- Click on Actions next to your current theme and select Edit Code.
Locate the theme.liquid File
- In the left sidebar, search for the theme.liquid file.
- Open the file to edit the code.
Modify the CSS for Full Width
- Within the theme.liquid file, locate the </head> tag.
- Add the following code just above the </head> tag:
```
{% style %}
html > body {
    width: 100% !important;
}
{% endstyle %}
```
Save Your Changes
- Click Save to apply the changes to your theme.
Preview Your Store
- Go back to your Shopify admin and preview your store to ensure the layout is now centered and full-width.

Additional Tips for Troubleshooting

Clear Cache: After making changes, clear your browser cache to ensure you are viewing the most recent version of your site.
Check Responsiveness: Use browser developer tools to test how your changes affect different screen sizes.
Backup Your Theme: Always create a backup of your theme before making any code changes to prevent data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Shopify website not displaying correctly on desktop?

This issue can arise due to theme limitations, CSS conflicts, or code errors. Adjusting your theme's CSS as outlined in this guide can help resolve the problem.

Can I use Hydrogen to customize my Shopify store layout?

Yes, Hydrogen allows for more advanced customization and can be used to create a unique storefront with greater control over the layout and design.

Conclusion

A well-designed and properly aligned website is essential for maintaining a professional online presence. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your Shopify desktop website layout is centered and full-width, enhancing the user experience for your customers.

For more tips and guides on optimizing your Shopify store, explore our related posts:

Author: BemeApps AI