When you create a Shopify store, you might notice a small text at the bottom of your page that reads "Powered by Shopify." If you're wondering what this means and how it impacts your shop, you're in the right place. Let's dive into the details of this message, its role in branding, where you can find it on your site, and how it affects your customers' perception.
What is 'Powered by Shopify'?
The "Powered by Shopify" message is a small text link found in a Shopify store's footer. This is displayed by default setting and indicates that Shopify is the platform powering the online store.
Shopify includes this message to boost its own branding and to get free advertising on every online store that uses its service. This helps build recognition and trust among potential new users. When shoppers see this message, they associate it with a reliable and well-known e-commerce platform.
The message commonly appears in website footers, including:
- Homepage: Typically at the very bottom.
- Product Pages: Under product listings.
- Checkout Pages: At the end of the checkout process.
- Password Pages: If your store is locked, it appears on the opening soon page.
Impact on Customer Perception and Branding
Seeing "Powered by Shopify" can influence how customers perceive your store. Here are a few ways it impacts perception:
1. Trust: Shoppers familiar with Shopify might trust your store more because they know it's backed by a reputable platform.
2. Professionalism: While some might perceive it as a professional website, others might think your store is not your own or “unique”.
3. Brand Identity: If you're trying to create your brand identity, the default Shopify branding might distract from your own branding efforts.
By understanding what "Powered by Shopify" means and how it affects your store, you can make an informed decision about whether to keep it or remove it.
Why Remove 'Powered by Shopify' from Your Store?
To Solidify Brand Identity
A clean, branded footer without external logos or messages makes your store appear more polished and trustworthy. Keeping every element of your store, including the footer, in line with your brand's aesthetic enhances overall brand cohesion.
And remember, first impressions matter. When a customer first visits your site, a professional appearance can build immediate trust.
To Build Trust and Credibility
While some customers recognize Shopify as a trusted platform, others might see the "Powered by Shopify" message as a sign that your store is new or less established. By removing it, you can build greater credibility.
To Customize and Personalize Your Store
One of the main benefits of using Shopify is the ability to customize and personalize your website. Removing the default message allows you to fully utilize this feature, making your store truly yours.
To Stand Out from Other New Shopify Stores
Many online stores use Shopify, so standing out can be challenging. Removing the "Powered by Shopify" message helps differentiate your store from others.
How to Remove 'Powered by Shopify'
There are two ways how to remove the “Powered by Shopify” messaging on your Shopify website.
Via Edit Default Theme Content
1. Log into your Shopify admin account to access your Shopify dashboard.
2. Navigate to the left sidebar, click on "Online Store," then select "Themes."
3. Find the theme you are currently using (it should be listed as the active theme) and click on the "Actions" button next to it.
4. With the Actions dropdown menu open, select "Edit default theme content."
5. To quickly locate the "Powered by Shopify" message, use the filter feature. At the top of the page, there is a "Filter items" search box. Type "powered" into this box.
6. To remove the messaging:
- For the main store: In the "Powered by Shopify" box, enter a single space by clicking your space bar.
- For password-protected stores: If your store is password-protected, repeat this step in the "Powered by Shopify HTML" box, which appears on your store's "Opening soon" page.
7. Once you have entered a single space in the required boxes, click the "Save" button located at the top right of the page.
Via Editing Theme Code
1. Log into your Shopify admin account.
2. On the left-hand sidebar, click on "Online Store," then select "Themes."
3. Find the theme you are currently using (it should be listed as the active theme) and click on the "Actions" button next to it. From the dropdown menu, select "Edit code."
4. Once in the code editor, you’ll need to locate and modify the specific file that contains the "Powered by Shopify" message. On the left-hand side, you will see a list of folders. Click on the “Sections” folder to expand it.
5. Select footer.liquid: Scroll down and click on the footer.liquid file. This file controls what appears in the footer of your store.
6. Open Search Function: Use Ctrl + F on a PC or Command + F on a Mac to open the search box within the footer.liquid file. Search for powered_by_link: Type powered_by_link into the search box. This will highlight the line of code containing the "Powered by Shopify" message.
7. Delete the Code: Once located, highlight the entire line that looks like this: {{ powered_by_link }} and delete it or hit your space bar.
8. Save the File: Click the "Save" button located at the top right of the code editor.
9. Verify the Changes: Go back to your store’s front end to check if the "Powered by Shopify" message has been successfully removed.
How to Remove 'Powered by Shopify' from the Most Popular Theme
Different themes might have unique steps for removing the "Powered by Shopify" message. Make sure to log in to your Shopify admin dashboard.
1. Dawn Theme:
- Access Theme Code: Go to Online Store > Themes, then click on Actions > Edit Code.
- Edit Footer File: Locate the footer.liquid file under Sections. Remove or comment out the line containing {{ powered_by_link }}.
- Save Changes: Don’t forget to save your changes after editing the file.
What to Replace 'Powered by Shopify' With
Once you've removed the "Powered by Shopify" message, you have the opportunity to add something more personal and relevant to your store. Here are some ideas and tips on what to replace it with:
Custom Footer Messages
1. Store Tagline: Use your store's tagline to reinforce your brand identity. For instance, if you sell eco-friendly products, a message like "Committed to a Greener Future" can be impactful.
2. Company Mission: Share a brief statement about your company's mission or values. This can connect with customers on a deeper level, showing them what your brand stands for.
3. Customer Promise: Include a promise or guarantee, such as "100% Satisfaction Guaranteed" or "Free Shipping on Orders Over $50".
Store-Specific Branding
1. Logo and Brand Colors: In the footer, you can add your store’s logo and use your brand colors to ensure consistency across your site.
2. Custom Icons: For social media links, payment methods, and contact information, use custom icons that match your branding.
3. Slogan: If your own brand has a slogan, this is a great place to display it prominently.
Key Offers or Unique Selling Points
1. Special Offers: Highlight ongoing promotions or special offers, such as "Join our Newsletter for 10% Off Your First Purchase."
2. Unique Selling Points: Emphasize what makes your online store unique. For example, if you offer handmade products, you might say, "Handcrafted with Love and Care."
3. New Arrivals and Bestsellers: Mention new arrivals or bestsellers to draw attention to products you want to promote.
Useful Links
1. Contact Information: Ensure customers can easily reach you by including your email address, phone number, and physical address if applicable.
2. Quick Links: Add links to important pages such as About Us, FAQ, Shipping Information, Return Policy, and Privacy Policy.
3. Social Media: Include icons linking to your social media profiles to encourage customers to follow and engage with your own brand on different platforms.
4. Newsletter Signup: Offer a sign-up form for your newsletter to keep customers informed about new products, sales, and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the most often-asked questions on how to remove Powered by Shopify.
Is it legal to remove 'Powered by Shopify'?
Removing the "Powered by Shopify" message often raises questions about legality and compliance with Shopify’s terms of service.
According to Shopify’s policies, you can customize your online store’s theme, including removing the "Powered by Shopify" text. However, it's crucial to ensure that your changes do not violate any specific guidelines set by Shopify.
Why can't I remove 'Powered by Shopify'?
Sometimes, even after following the steps to how to remove Powered by Shopify, the message might persist. Caching problems, theme updates, and custom themes are common causes.
Solutions include clearing cache, checking the code of themes, and reaching out to your theme’s support team if the issue persists.
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