Building Shopify Templates in 2025? Watch Out for These Common Errors

In 2025, building Shopify templates requires more than writing functional code or designing attractive layouts. The platform continues to evolve, offering more built-in tools, structured content options, and advanced theme customization features. With these shifts, many developers still repeat the same old mistakes—some simply due to outdated habits, while others result from ignoring newer standards and capabilities.

When you overlook these changes, Shopify template issues show up in performance metrics, mobile behavior, and even app compatibility. From rigid structures to unnecessary code bloat, small decisions during theme development can lead to bigger challenges later.

This guide walks through the most common Shopify template errors developers still make in 2025. It also includes practical ways to fix them using current tools and practices that align with Shopify template best practices.

Top 10 Shopify Template Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2025 (And What to Do Instead)

Even with better tools and documentation, developers continue to make the same mistakes when working on Shopify template projects. In 2025, Shopify offers advanced features like Metaobjects, JSON templates, App Blocks, and Shopify Functions—but many templates still don’t fully support them.

Below are 10 real-world mistakes developers still make during Shopify template development—explained clearly with bullet points, real implications, and fixes.

Also Read: Tips for Building Your First Shopify Theme

Mistake #1: Hardcoding Sections Instead of Using JSON Templates

Shopify theme development has changed with Online Store 2.0. Yet some developers still build custom Shopify design templates using rigid Liquid files. Hardcoding sections in theme.liquid creates layout limits, especially for merchants who want drag-and-drop control over content.

Hardcoded templates can cause Shopify store template errors when teams try to update content without developer help. This defeats the purpose of dynamic theme architecture.

Avoid: Locking content into rigid layouts

Do This Instead:

• Use templates/*.json for all custom pages
• Structure schema to support flexible drag-and-drop layout editing
• Keep logic modular with reusable sections

This shift supports cleaner Shopify template development and simplifies maintenance. JSON templates help solve long-standing Shopify custom template mistakes by giving merchants real control.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Shopify’s Native Metaobjects

Shopify introduced Metaobjects to reduce reliance on workarounds like bulky metafield sets or third-party apps. Still, many developers continue using outdated solutions for structured content, adding bloat and complexity where it’s not needed.

Metaobjects give structure to common content types like team bios, FAQs, or policy pages. They allow easy updates directly from the Shopify admin panel, cutting down the need for hardcoded or app-based content.

Avoid: Using metafields for structured content

Do This Instead:

• Create Metaobjects for reusable data like bios, features, or store policies
• Link Metaobjects with dynamic sources in theme sections
• Make them editable in the admin without code updates

This improves efficiency and avoids common Shopify template development issues caused by inconsistent content handling.

Also Read: How to Edit Shopify Theme Code?

Mistake #3: Overlooking Built-in Filtering and Search Tools

Predictive search and faceted filtering are no longer luxury features. Shopify’s native tools have matured, offering solid performance without relying on custom JavaScript or paid third-party apps. Yet many themes still use outdated search logic that affects load time and stability.

Custom filter scripts often lead to Shopify design errors that are hard to troubleshoot. They may clash with new updates or cause layout shifts during interaction.

Avoid: Writing custom JS filters or overusing filter apps

Do This Instead:

• Use the built-in Search & Discovery app for product filters
• Apply predictive search with Shopify’s API
• Reduce JavaScript and improve native functionality

This keeps your templates lighter and helps avoid Shopify template mistakes that impact both performance and user experience.

Mistake #4: Poor Integration with Shopify Markets & Multi-Currency Features

Shopify Markets has become essential for global stores. If your theme doesn’t support multi-region selling, language adjustments, and currency switching, the storefront may break in international contexts.

One of the most common problems with Shopify themes is hardcoded currency or language that doesn’t reflect the shopper’s region. This causes pricing confusion and poor localization.

Avoid: Static currency symbols and untranslated strings

Do This Instead:

• Use Liquid variables like {{ cart.currency }} and {{ localization.country }}
• Create dynamic content blocks with language support
• Test templates across multiple regions and devices

Supporting Shopify Markets isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a core part of Shopify template best practices.

Mistake #5: Misusing Dynamic Sources in Theme Editor

Shopify allows merchants to assign metafields and metaobjects directly to sections using dynamic sources. However, developers often overlook this feature and create a separate section for every use case. This creates bloat and makes the theme harder to maintain.

It also introduces Shopify custom template mistakes by limiting what merchants can update themselves. Instead of flexible section logic, they get static designs with little room for adjustment.

Avoid: Overloading themes with one-off content blocks

Do This Instead:

• Build general-purpose sections using dynamic sources
• Pull data from metafields or Metaobjects
• Connect sections directly in the theme editor for better reuse

This approach simplifies updates and reduces Shopify template issues related to theme flexibility.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shopify Blog Design and Customization

Mistake #6: Not Designing with App Blocks in Mind

One of the biggest changes in Shopify template design and development is how apps integrate into templates. In 2025, most modern apps use App Blocks to insert functionality directly into sections. Still, many developers build rigid templates with no room for this integration. As a result, layouts break or fail to support essential features.

This leads to common Shopify template errors, especially when merchants install apps expecting seamless block support. Without proper containers, these app elements won’t display correctly, or at all.

Avoid: Building static templates with no app-ready areas

Do This Instead:

• Include {{ content_for_header }} and {{ content_for_layout }} in layout files
• Reserve editable blocks in key sections for app placement
• Test with common apps to catch layout conflicts early

Planning for App Blocks early helps avoid Shopify store template errors and keeps your layouts compatible with future apps. It also supports clean integration without manual intervention.

Mistake #7: Skipping the Theme Check CLI

Shopify now includes a Theme Check CLI tool to help developers catch issues like deprecated tags, poor performance logic, and broken structure. Yet many skip this step entirely, pushing unvalidated code live or submitting themes to the store without testing.

This results in Shopify template mistakes that slow down approval processes, create bugs, or affect storefront reliability. Some errors might seem small—unused snippets, unoptimized loops—but they add up fast.

Avoid: Deploying themes without linting or checks

Do This Instead:

• Run the Theme Check CLI before each version release
• Integrate it into your local workflow or CI process
• Fix issues as they appear instead of waiting for QA

Running Theme Check regularly reduces Shopify template issues and improves the quality of both custom and commercial themes.

Also Read: How to Use Shopify’s CLI and API for App Development

Mistake #8: Forgetting to Optimize Images with Liquid Filters

Images are critical to store performance and user experience. Even though Shopify’s CDN helps with delivery, it can’t fix poor developer choices. A common issue is raw image rendering without responsive filters. This affects load time, especially on mobile, and damages core performance scores.

Many Shopify custom template mistakes start with simple things like using {{ product.featured_image.src }} instead of adding width and size constraints. This causes layout shifts, pixelation, or slow image rendering.

Avoid: Outputting raw image tags

Do This Instead:

• Replace <img src=”{{ image.src }}”> with: <img src=”{{ image | image_url: width: 800 }}”>
• Adjust width and height based on layout needs
• Serve responsive images that match the device screen size

These filters support better performance without adding extra JavaScript or styling hacks. They’re a vital part of Shopify template design best practices in 2025.

Mistake #9: Overriding Shopify’s Default Class Naming Conventions

Another mistake developers make when building Shopify templates is rewriting core class names. Shopify themes rely on a shared set of class names (product _ _ media, button, grid, etc.) used by apps and internal components. Removing or changing these classes causes display problems and breaks app compatibility.

One of the more common Shopify design errors is styling everything from scratch and ignoring Shopify’s structure. This may look fine in a local test, but once an app is installed or a new feature is activated, layout issues appear.

Avoid: Changing or deleting Shopify’s base class names

Do This Instead:

• Keep core class names like product _ _ media, button, grid, etc.
• Add custom classes using wrappers or modifiers
• Extend styling without breaking native functionality

This helps maintain consistency and prevents common problems with Shopify themes, especially during upgrades or app installations.

Also Read: Comprehensive guide to create effective Shopify product descriptions

Mistake #10: Ignoring Shopify Functions and Dynamic Logic

Shopify Functions power things like dynamic discounts, advanced shipping logic, and checkout rules. Themes that assume fixed business logic, such as a static discount model or rigid cart rules, can’t support these functions properly.

This leads to Shopify template issues that surface only after launch. For example, a merchant might try to run a function-based discount rule, but the template fails to display it correctly.

Avoid: Coding templates with hardwired pricing or logic

Do This Instead:

• Build layouts that support conditional display logic
• Design sections that can reflect function-based outcomes (e.g., dynamic pricing)
• Leave hooks in templates for Shopify Functions integrations

When Shopify Functions evolve, your templates should be ready to adapt without requiring major redesigns.

Practical Guide to Building Better Shopify Templates

Before finalizing your template, use this checklist to avoid common Shopify template errors and build with current tools in mind:

• JSON templates are used instead of hardcoded layouts
• Metaobjects created for structured, repeatable content
• Native Search & Discovery integration completed
• Dynamic sources applied across sections and pages
• Templates support Shopify Markets (currency and language)
• App Block areas are defined in the layout structure
• Theme Check CLI run with no critical issues
• Liquid filters are used for responsive image rendering
• Shopify’s default class names are preserved
• Conditional logic is in place for Shopify Functions and pricing

Following this structure reduces the risk of Shopify template mistakes while supporting long-term scalability.

Also Read: Custom vs. Pre-designed Shopify Themes: Which is Best for Your Business?

Why Choose CartCoders for Custom Shopify Template Design

When it comes to creating high-quality, flexible, and scalable Shopify templates, CartCoders stands out. Our team focuses on building templates that align with Shopify’s latest capabilities—including JSON layouts, App Blocks, Shopify Functions, and Metaobjects. We don’t just create themes—we build structured systems that support your store’s growth.

Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading an existing store, CartCoders delivers:

• Fully custom template designs based on your brand, industry, and user goals
• JSON-based layouts for drag-and-drop editing and dynamic content
• Mobile-first, responsive design tested across all major devices and browsers
• Native integration with Shopify features like Markets, filtering, and Search & Discovery
• Built-in support for App Blocks and advanced merchant control
• Clean, theme-store-ready code reviewed with Theme Check and performance-tested

With years of experience in Shopify template design, our team understands how to avoid the common pitfalls—no rigid layouts, no bloated sections, and no broken integrations.

We build templates with long-term value in mind. You won’t need to overhaul your theme every time Shopify adds new features. CartCoders creates systems that are easy to manage, adapt, and expand, making day-to-day operations smoother for your team.

Conclusion

Building Shopify templates in 2025 goes beyond layout and styling. With features like Metaobjects, App Blocks, Shopify Markets, and Functions, themes must support more than just design—they need to work with the platform’s core tools.

Many template issues today stem from skipping these essentials. Poor structure, hardcoded elements, and outdated methods limit flexibility and slow growth.

At CartCoders, we build Shopify templates that follow the latest standards, support dynamic content, and adapt to evolving store needs. Whether you’re creating a client project or submitting to the Theme Store, a smart, scalable template makes all the difference.

When built right, your Shopify theme becomes a solid base for performance, growth, and long-term success. If you’re looking for reliable Custom Shopify design templates services built for 2025 and beyond, CartCoders is here to help.