How to Customize the Dawn Theme in Shopify and Solve Example Product Display Issues

By Tony Ng.
October 28th, 2024

How to Customize the Dawn Theme in Shopify and Solve Example Product Display Issues

Introduction

Customizing a Shopify store can be a rewarding yet challenging task, particularly for those new to the platform. Many store owners encounter problems while trying to make their store uniquely theirs, such as displaying example products instead of their own. This guide will delve into why these issues happen and how to resolve them, focusing specifically on the common scenario of customizing the Dawn theme.

Understanding the Problem

When adding sections like a featured collection or featured product on your Shopify store using the Dawn theme, it may sometimes only display example products rather than the ones you've published. This behavior can be frustrating and confusing, especially when you have selected your specific product or collection.

Common Causes of Product Display Issues

Product Import Options: Often, when products are imported using third-party applications or services, default settings might cause only example products to appear.
Visibility Settings: Products that are not properly published or lack visibility settings may not show up in selected sections.
Theme Settings Misconfiguration: Incorrect configurations in the theme customization settings can lead to displaying example products instead of the actual inventory.
Caching Issues: Sometimes, caching problems within the browser or Shopify can result in the incorrect display of products.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Product Display Issues

Step 1: Check Product Settings

Ensure that all products you intend to showcase are fully published and visible in your store:

Navigate to the Products section of your Shopify admin.
Confirm that the products are set to a visible status.
Ensure they are listed in the correct collections.

Step 2: Review Import Application Settings

If you've imported products via an external application:

Visit the application settings used for import to verify product visibility settings.
Look for any options concerning example product displays and toggle these settings appropriately.

Step 3: Customize the Dawn Theme Correctly

Follow these steps to ensure your theme settings are correctly displaying your chosen products:

Go to Online Store > Themes in the Shopify admin.
Select Customize beside the Dawn theme.
Navigate to the section where products display incorrectly (e.g., Featured Product, Featured Collection).
Double-check that the correct product or collection is selected.

Step 4: Duplicate Your Theme for Testing

Before making significant changes, duplicate your theme to avoid disrupting the live store:

In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
Click Actions > Duplicate for the Dawn theme.
Test any changes on this duplicate to ensure that your solutions work without affecting the live store.

Step 5: Clear Cache and Test

Sometimes, clearing your cache can resolve display issues:

Clear your browser cache and cookies.
Use Shopify's built-in cache clearing tools where applicable.

Step 6: Contact Shopify Support if Needed

If issues are still unresolved:

Reach out to Shopify Support for technical assistance.
Consider consulting with a Shopify Expert who specializes in theme customization.

Troubleshooting Common Theme Customization Problems

While focusing on the Dawn theme, users might experience similar issues in other areas. Here are additional troubleshooting tips:

Button Widgets Not Displaying Properly: Ensure that product buttons are linked correctly and that all requisite themes or plugins cooperate well with the current Shopify version.
Theme Bugs or Glitches: Periodically, themes can have bugs that affect product display and other features. Keep your themes updated and watch for patches or bug fixes.

Conclusion

Customizing your Shopify store using the Dawn theme can seem daunting, especially when keen on refining your brand experience. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the common issue of example products showing instead of your inventory. Ensure your store’s settings are correctly configured, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support if problems persist.

FAQs

Why do example products show instead of my actual inventory? This could be due to importing product settings, incorrect visibility settings, or misconfigured theme settings.

How can I get expert help for theme customization? Consider hiring a Shopify Expert who understands theme customization or contacting Shopify Support directly for assistance.