Creating an effective online shop is not just about showcasing items. It involves designing an engaging, easy-to-navigate space that draws in shoppers. Among the myriad of eCommerce designs, the Pipeline Shopify theme emerges as a standout choice for a seamless shopping experience.
The question is, is this the right choice for your Shopify store? In this review, LitExtension, the #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert will answer your question by delving into:
- Pipeline theme Shopify overview
- Pipeline Shopify theme: Pros & cons
- Key features of the Pipeline Shopify theme
- How to build your store with a Pipeline theme
- Pipeline Shopify theme review & Store examples
Without delay, let’s get started!
Pipeline Shopify Theme Overview
What is the Shopify Pipeline theme?
The Shopify theme Pipeline is not just an online shopfront; it’s a thoughtfully designed experience. Created by Groupthought, a reputed Shopify theme developer, it showcases their dedication to giving businesses a practical and attractive online solution.
At its core, Pipeline seamlessly combines style and functionality. It offers various layouts and features, enabling users to craft an online identity that’s true to their brand.
Priced at $360, Pipeline also offers a free trial, allowing you to test it with your products and branding at no initial cost.
Shopify Pipeline theme styles
The Shopify Pipeline theme comes with multiple built-in styles and variations that merchants could choose from to customize the appearance of their online store.
- Light style
Pipeline Light style
The Light style embodies a clean and minimalist design. It features basic navigation with the logo on the left and menu items (including dropdown options) on the right at the top. Collection lists and a featured collection follow a full-width, product-focused banner image.
This layout quickly communicates your business’s essence to visitors within just 5 seconds of scrolling. The white background with light grey “ITC Johnston” serif font contributes to a smooth and classic store aesthetic.
- Bright style
Bright Shopify Pipeline theme
Bright is even simpler than the previous style. Beneath the hero image, you’ll find featured products and a custom banner slideshow. The homepage concludes with a “news” section and custom info blocks.
The Bright style boasts a more vibrant color scheme compared to the Light version, and the overlay header adds a modern touch while maintaining simplicity.
- Dark Style
Pipeline Shopify theme, Dark style
The Dark style stands out with its sticky navigation and a video banner prominently placed at the top. This creates a more rugged and adventurous vibe compared to the other two styles.
Despite its bold appearance, the clean design remains intact, thanks to modular content blocks that ensure a compact and clutter-free layout.
- Clean Style
Pipeline Clean style
The Clean preset showcases a streamlined, contemporary style, highlighting simple colors and a user-friendly layout that reflects sophistication and premium quality. The minimalist-inspired design lends a refined look to the products on display.
This style is perfect for businesses desiring a refined, modern vibe, like jewelry and fashion outlets. Its design creates a soft, welcoming atmosphere for consumers.
Who should use the Pipeline Shopify theme?
The Pipeline Shopify theme is well-suited for various types of e-commerce businesses:
- Ideal for merchants who appreciate minimalism, clean, and modern designs.
- Suited for those seeking a premium theme at an affordable price from the Shopify theme store.
- Great for merchants with large product catalogs.
- Designed for showcasing big images while maintaining a simple overall design.
Pipeline Shopify Theme: Pros & Cons
Like other Shopify templates, the Pipeline theme had several pros and cons, which influenced its suitability for different types of businesses.
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Key Features of Pipeline Shopify Theme
Wondering why the Pipeline theme Shopify is a top pick for your online store? Here are its key features
Multi-Column Menu
Designed for stores with extensive catalogs, Pipeline offers a mega menu that’s not only impressive but also showcases products directly under menu items. This means shoppers can find what they’re looking for right from the navigation bar.
Modular-Style Homepage
The Pipeline theme turns your homepage into a dynamic space with multiple sections for different types of content. Its smartly divided layout lets you tell your brand’s story in an organized and stylish way, keeping your site’s look clean and modern.
Parallax Effect
If you’re aiming to avoid a dull homepage, Pipeline’s got you covered. It uses large images and a parallax scrolling effect to captivate visitors and keep them engaged.
Advanced Product Filtering
With the Shopify Pipeline theme, customers can easily sort products using tags in a sidebar on collection pages. Whether they’re looking for a specific brand, color, size, or type, this advanced filtering improves the shopping experience and helps turn browsers into buyers.
Content-Rich Product Pages
Pipeline shines when it comes to displaying detailed product information. It allows you to organize extensive descriptions and data into tabs on your product pages, making it an ideal theme for merchants with information-heavy products.
How to Build Your Store with Pipeline Theme
Building your store with the Pipeline theme involves several steps to ensure that you create a professional-looking and functional online store. Here's a general guide on how to get started:
Step #1: General settings
- Start Strategically: Before diving into content creation, stick to your business plan. Begin by configuring the general features in the theme settings.
- Color Palette and Typography:
- Color Scheme: Select colors that reflect your brand's essence. Consistency is key; ensure that background colors, text, and button colors harmonize throughout pages with similar functions.
- Typography: Opt for fonts that harmonize with your brand identity. Typography should also remain consistent across your site.
- Social Media, Favicon, and Checkout:
- Social Media: Display your social media information on your website. It not only provides customers with additional ways to reach you but also drives traffic from your online shop to other promotional channels.
- Favicon: Although optional, having a favicon (the small icon displayed in the browser tab) enhances your site’s professional appearance.
- Checkout: Configure your checkout process to ensure a smooth customer experience.
Step #2: Use high-quality Images
- Homepage Impact: Even with a simple layout like the Pipeline theme, captivating your audience is possible through large, high-resolution images. Visual content grabs attention when visitors land on your online shop.
- Responsive Images: Crop your images beforehand to ensure responsiveness on both mobile and desktop versions. The Pipeline theme provides helpful support documents related to image sizing.
Step #3: Utilize Video Feature
- Stunning Visual Effects: Videos create an engaging experience. Use the video feature to deliver messages effectively.
- Embed Videos: With the Pipeline theme, insert YouTube or Vimeo links to showcase videos on the homepage. You can also add videos as media content for product variant images on the product page.
- Cover Images or Thumbnails: Consider displaying featured images of your main products as cover images or thumbnails for videos.
- Advanced Customizations: Some coding may be required for advanced video customizations, but don’t worry—the Pipeline support team offers detailed tutorial articles.
Step #4: Feature your products and collection lists
Don’t hesitate to display your best products and collections on the homepage. This strategy attracts visitors and encourages them to click the “add to cart” button right away.
Step #5: Use Icon Columns to Present USP
- Unique Selling Propositions (USPs): Showcase what sets your brand apart from competitors. By displaying these values on the homepage, you reinforce your brand image and communicate your business’s core values.
- Icon Columns: The Pipeline theme allows you to add “Icon columns” with demo icons and headings. Keep this section clear and concise to leave a lasting impact on visitors.
Step #6: Set up the Collection Page
- Enhance Browsing Experience: Organize your products into styles, colors, and brands using the sidebar filter feature. Visitors appreciate a well-structured collection page.
- Customizable Collection Filters: In the backend settings, customize the “collection filters” section. Choose to show or hide navigation menu items, collections, or tag filters in the sidebar menu.
Step #7: Customize Product Page
- Product Showcase: The Pipeline theme provides ample space to display large product photos or videos on the product page.
- Custom Tabs: Take advantage of the option to add custom tabs under or next to the product image. If you have extensive product information, organize it within these tabs.
Shopify Pipeline Theme: Users Review & Store Examples
The Pipeline Shopify theme has significantly contributed to the growth of many Shopify stores, earning a dedicated following with numerous returning customers. Out of 190 reviews, a staggering 187 (98%) are positive, praising the theme’s quality. The few criticisms mainly concern the language and limited color choices.
The theme is celebrated for its exceptional features, design, and responsive layout. Here’s some customer feedback:
I've been using this theme for 7 years now and I still love it. Regular updates are great, and so is the documentation on how to implement certain features. Easy step-by-step guides. I definitely recommend it! – Bon Bon Boutique.
I loved the look of this theme from the beginning when I was looking for the “right” theme for my online store. The theme offers a lot of possibilities. When I was having trouble with the map implementation twice I got instant support from the team and was able to solve the problems in a short amount of time. Thumbs up! – Duftkunsthandlung.
Plus, here are 2 store examples:
Sunbleached, a Shopify store specializing in swimwear and clothing, flourishes with the Pipeline theme. Their website radiates a fresh, sun-kissed look that complements their coastal-inspired products. Picture yourself scrolling through their offerings, presented in sharp, high-quality images. The Pipeline theme’s streamlined design promotes an effortless browsing experience, highlighting the stunning swimwear and clothing.
Moving on to Marnella Art du Macaron, this store is a haven for macaron lovers. They boast a tempting array of macarons, available in a spectrum of flavors and hues, ideal for any celebration. Their website presents these enticing treats alongside rich chocolate chip cookies and a variety of biscuit assortments. The site’s clean and contemporary feel is in harmony with the Pipeline theme’s overall style, ensuring a cohesive and appealing visual presentation.
Pipeline Shopify Theme: FAQs
How do I remove powered by Shopify pipeline theme?
To modify the default theme content, follow these steps:
- Type “powered” into the search box labeled “Filter items.” This will display both the “Powered by Shopify” and “Powered by Shopify HTML” boxes.
- Next, simply enter a single space in the “Powered by Shopify” box.
- The faded placeholder text in the box will vanish.
What are the alternatives to Shopify Pipeline Theme?
It can be Plak (swift, adaptable), Shella (sleek, speedy), Dawn (no-cost, straightforward), Ride (popular, complimentary), Turbo (ideal for large stores), Fastor (versatile), or Flex (highly customizable).
Final Words
Hopefully, this review has given you a solid introduction to the Pipeline Shopify theme. This theme stands out as a robust and versatile tool for businesses entering the online world. Its clean, modern design and user-friendly interface make it an attractive choice for various eCommerce ventures.
LitExtension, the #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert, hopes our article enhances your online store. For more great ideas, explore additional LitExtension blog posts and engage with our eCommerce community.