1/27/2025

Building a Custom Shopify Store: Pros and Cons of Using Envato Themes

Creating an online store can be exciting yet a bit overwhelming. With platforms like Shopify, it’s easy to start your e-commerce journey, but a key decision lies ahead: Should you use pre-made themes from Envato or go for a custom design?

In this post, we’ll delve into the pros & cons of utilizing Envato themes for building your custom Shopify store, while also exploring how they can impact your conversion rates and overall aesthetic appeal.

What is Envato?

Envato is a marketplace that offers a range of themes and templates for various platforms, including Shopify. With over 35 million available products, it has become a go-to source for developers, designers, and businesses looking to create effective online stores that are both professional & visually appealing.

Why Choose Envato Themes for Your Shopify Store?

1. Diverse Options

When you browse through the Envato Shopify themes, you’ll find a plethora of diverse styles catering to different industries. Whether you're selling beauty products, organic food, or tech gadgets, you’ll likely find a theme that fits your brand's identity without breaking a sweat. Just consider the Ella theme, a top-seller that captures the essence of fashion and beauty effortlessly.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Creating a custom theme from scratch can be financially draining. However, leveraging themes from Envato is often more budget-friendly. For a small investment, you can get a well-designed, responsive theme that saves you time & money on development costs. This can be a GAME-CHANGER, especially for small business owners!

3. Time-Saving

If you’re like most entrepreneurs, your time is valuable. Using an Envato theme allows for quick installation and set-up. With themes like Grocee, you can easily customize it to meet your needs and have your store up-and-running in no time. It’s ideal for those who want to avoid the lengthy process of designing a custom store alone.

4. Responsive Designs

The majority of Envato themes are designed to be mobile-friendly. Given that a significant portion of online shopping occurs on mobile devices, this is an essential feature that can significantly improve user experience and boost conversions. Themes such as Foodly highlight this capability perfectly, ensuring your customers enjoy a seamless shopping experience on any device.

5. Customization Options

Contrary to common belief, Envato themes can still offer a lofty level of CUSTOMIZATION! Many themes come with built-in settings, visual editors, or even drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to tailor designs without needing any coding knowledge. For instance, the Best theme helps users personalize their online storefront exactly how they want—whether you’re showcasing a featured product or launching a special event.

The Dark Side: Cons of Using Envato Themes

However, it’s not all rainbows & sunshine when selecting an Envato theme. Here are some potential drawbacks:

1. Limited Unique Identity

As popular as Envato themes are, the downside is that many businesses could end up using the same or similar themes. This can dilute your unique brand identity, making it harder for your store to stand out among competitors. If you’re looking to set trends, you may want to consider a customized solution.

2. Learning Curve

Even though many themes have user-friendly interfaces, you might still face a learning curve when customizing them. If you encounter an issue, you may find it challenging to troubleshoot without technical expertise. Some themes lack robust documentation, and responses to inquiries about theme support might not come instantaneously.

3. Performance Issues

Some Envato themes can be cluttered with features or code that significantly affects your store’s loading speed. Since loading speed is CRUCIAL for keeping potential customers engaged, you'll need to be vigilant about optimizing your site’s performance. Slow-loading pages can lead to higher bounce rates and lost sales.

4. Recurrent Costs

Many themes come with recurring fees for additional features, updates, or support. While the initial investment may be low, ongoing costs can add up over time—making you QUESTION whether saving money upfront was worth it in the long haul.

5. Compatibility Issues

Third-party apps or even Shopify updates can sometimes conflict with certain Envato themes, leading to potential functionality issues. If you plan to use multiple apps to enhance functionality, you’ll want to ensure that the theme you choose plays well with them.

How to Decide: Envato Themes vs. Custom Design

Choosing between Envato themes and a fully custom design boils down to your priorities:

Budget-Conscious Entrepreneurs: If you’re starting on a budget, Envato themes offer a low-risk way to create a great-looking store with minimal hassle.
Customization-Seeking Businesses: If you dream of having a truly unique online store that encapsulates your brand’s identity, investing in a custom theme or hiring a developer might be the route to consider.
Time-Sensitive Merchants: If you’re eager to get your e-commerce website up quickly, Envato themes are your best friend.

Final Thoughts: Enhance Engagement with Arsturn

While deciding on the theme is a significant part of your e-commerce journey, don’t forget about how you can further enhance the shopping experience with AI chatbots! With Arsturn, you can create customized ChatGPT chatbots that engage your audience on your Shopify store seamlessly. They provide instant responses to FAQs, improving customer satisfaction & aiding conversions like never before.

Why not give it a shot? It’s user-friendly, requires NO coding expertise, and can elevate your store's functionality to the next level.

So, as you choose between Envato themes and a custom Shopify store design, keep in mind that leveraging the power of Arsturn's chatbots could be the icing on the cake! Enhance your audience engagement before they even hit the checkout button. Start today and join the thousands of successful businesses that are already utilizing Conversational AI to connect meaningfully across digital channels.

Conclusion

In this journey of building your Shopify store, both Envato themes & custom designs offer enticing possibilities. Reflect on your business vision, budget, and how you aim to connect with your audience. Take that leap—whether with a ready-made theme from Envato or crafting something unique. Just don’t forget to level-up with the engaging power of Arsturn!