Unlock Your Store’s Potential: Building Custom Page Templates in Shopify

Why Custom Pages are a Game-Changer for Your Shopify Store

When you create custom page in shopify, you open up the ability to build pages that truly reflect your brand’s identity and serve specific business goals. Instead of being limited to generic templates, you can design pages that engage customers, tell your story, and drive conversions in ways that standard pages simply can’t.

Quick Answer: How to Create Custom Page in Shopify

  1. Steer to Online Store > Themes > Customize in your Shopify admin.
  2. Select Pages from the top dropdown, then click Create template.
  3. Name your template and customize it by adding sections and blocks.
  4. Go to Online Store > Pages, then create or edit a page.
  5. Select your new custom template from the Theme template dropdown.
  6. Save and publish your page.

What are Custom Pages and Why Do They Matter?

A custom page in Shopify uses a unique template, distinct from the default layout your other pages share. This is crucial because standard pages, while functional, often lead to a frustratingly rigid and generic look. Your “About Us” page looks like everyone else’s, and your landing pages can’t be custom for specific campaigns.

Custom pages give you control over layout, content, and user experience. They matter because they allow you to:

  1. Create Unique Layouts: Break free from theme-imposed structures to design layouts that perfectly fit your content, whether it’s a compelling brand story or an interactive product guide.
  2. Build Customer Trust: Professional, custom-designed policy pages and detailed FAQs communicate transparency and build credibility.
  3. Forge a Memorable Brand Image: A cohesive, on-brand design across all pages creates a memorable experience that fosters brand loyalty.
  4. Increase Engagement & Conversions: Purpose-built pages, like dedicated campaign landing pages, are designed to match ad creative and messaging, significantly boosting their effectiveness.

I’m Cesar A Beltran, CEO of Blackbelt Commerce, and over 15+ years I’ve helped over 1,000 businesses create custom pages in Shopify that drive measurable results. In this guide, I’ll show you how to build custom pages that lift your store’s performance.

Infographic showing the three methods to create custom pages in Shopify: 1) Theme Customizer with sections and blocks for basic customization, 2) Page Builder Apps for drag-and-drop no-code design with templates, and 3) Metaobjects for dynamic reusable content and advanced landing pages. Each method shows key benefits and best use cases. - create custom page in shopify infographic infographic-line-3-steps-blues-accent_colors

Create custom page in shopify terms to learn:

Key Use Cases to Lift Your Store

Custom pages are powerful tools for improving user experience and driving sales. Here are key ways we leverage them for our clients:

  • Marketing Campaign Landing Pages: Create dedicated pages for new products or promotions that match your campaign’s theme and messaging for higher conversion rates.
  • Comprehensive FAQ Pages: Reduce support tickets with well-organized, searchable FAQ pages that provide customers with instant answers.
  • Product Guides and Tutorials: Help customers make informed decisions and reduce post-purchase questions with detailed guides for complex products.
  • Brand Mission and “About Us” Pages: Tell your brand’s story in a visually rich format that connects with your audience on an emotional level.
  • Showcasing Reviews and Testimonials: Build credibility with a dedicated page that highlights positive feedback from satisfied customers using text, photos, or videos.
  • Legal Pages (Privacy, Terms, Refund Policy): Build trust and ensure compliance with clear, professionally presented policy pages.

By strategically implementing these custom pages, we empower clients to create more engaging and efficient online stores. If you’re looking to improve your store’s design, our Shopify web design services can help.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Custom Page in Shopify

Let’s explore the “how.” Thanks to Shopify’s Online Store 2.0, what used to be a developer-only task is now accessible to any store owner. Using the theme customizer, you can visually build custom page templates with sections and blocks, just like you would a homepage.

Image of the Shopify theme customizer dashboard - create custom page in shopify

Before OS 2.0, custom layouts required diving into Liquid code. Today, the process is far more intuitive. You’ll first create a template (a blueprint), then assign it to as many pages as you need. This gives you control to design the page structure itself, not just add text to a rigid box. For those ready to push the boundaries, our Shopify theme customization services can open up even more capabilities.

Step 1: Create a New Page Template in the Theme Customizer

First, we’ll build the blueprint for your page.

Go to Online Store > Themes in your Shopify admin. Find your current theme and click Customize.

Image of the 'Create template' button in the Shopify customizer dropdown - create custom page in shopify

At the top of the screen, click the dropdown menu (it usually says “Homepage”). Hover over Pages, then click the Create template option.

A window will pop up. Give your template a descriptive name like “Holiday Campaign” or “Custom About Us” for easy identification later. Click Create template.

If you don’t see the “Create template” option, it’s likely because your theme isn’t published or isn’t an OS 2.0 theme. We cover this in the FAQ section. For more details, see Shopify’s guide on creating new templates.

Step 2: Customize the Layout and Content of Your New Template

Now it’s time to design your template. To start with a clean slate, find the default “Page” section in the left sidebar and click the eye icon to hide it.

Click Add section to open a panel of pre-built modules. You’ll find options like Rich text, Image with text, Video, and Collapsible content (great for FAQs). Drag and drop these sections to build your desired layout.

Each section is customizable. Click on one to adjust its settings—add text, upload images, change colors, or rearrange blocks within it.

For advanced needs, use the Custom Liquid section. This lets you add your own HTML, CSS, or Liquid code for unique integrations or highly branded elements. At Blackbelt Commerce, we use custom Liquid code for Shopify to deliver one-of-a-kind solutions.

Remember to Save your work frequently.

Step 3: Assign the Custom Template to a New or Existing Page

With your template built, it’s time to apply it to a page.

Go to Online Store > Pages in your Shopify admin. Either Add Page to create a new one or click an existing page to edit it.

Image of the 'Theme template' dropdown selector on a Shopify page admin screen - create custom page in shopify

On the page editor screen, look for the Theme template dropdown in the right sidebar. Click it and select the custom template you just created.

Click Save. Your page will now display the unique layout you designed. If a new page looks identical to an old one, it’s because it’s still using the default template. Simply assign your new custom template to fix this. This is the key to changing a generic page into a conversion-focused asset.

Advanced Customization: Beyond the Default Editor

While Shopify’s theme customizer is powerful, you may eventually need more control for complex layouts or dynamic content. The standard page editor is a content tool, not a layout designer; you’re filling a predefined container. For pixel-perfect control, A/B testing, or advanced integrations, you’ll need to explore more sophisticated tools.

Here’s how different tools stack up when you create custom page in shopify:

Feature/Tool Shopify Default Editor (Pages) Shopify Theme Customizer (Sections/Blocks) Page Builder Apps (e.g., PageFly, Shogun) Metaobjects (for Webpages)
Ease of Use (Layout) Basic text/image editor; no layout control Moderate; visual drag-and-drop sections High; intuitive drag-and-drop for granular control Moderate; requires theme template setup, then content entry
Code Required Minimal (for embeds) None (for standard sections); Liquid for custom sections None Liquid/JSON for setup; none for content entry
Template Creation No; uses existing theme templates Yes; creates new .json templates Yes; creates templates within the app Yes; defines structured content for dynamic pages
Dynamic Content Limited Limited (theme-dependent) Moderate to High (app-dependent) High; ideal for structured, reusable data
A/B Testing No No Yes (many apps offer this) No (but can be integrated with other tools)
Mobile Responsiveness Inherited from theme Inherited from theme Built-in controls for responsive design Inherited from theme template
Best For Simple content pages (e.g., policy, basic blog posts) Unique page layouts using theme’s sections Complex landing pages, custom product/collection pages Structured, repetitive content like ambassador profiles, FAQs

When to Use a Shopify Page Builder App

For true design freedom without code, a Shopify page builder app (like PageFly, GemPages, or Shogun) is your best option. These apps offer a no-code solution with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create stunning, high-converting pages.

Key benefits include:

  • Ready-to-use templates: Speed up your design process for landing pages, promotions, and more by starting with a professional template.
  • Granular design control: Precisely customize fonts, colors, spacing, and animations without writing CSS.
  • Built-in A/B testing: Optimize your pages for conversions by testing different headlines, images, and layouts to see what performs best.
  • Advanced mobile responsiveness: Fine-tune how your pages appear on different screen sizes, ensuring a perfect experience for every visitor.

Page builders integrate seamlessly with Shopify, making them an invaluable investment for businesses focused on creating unique landing pages and custom product pages. Learn more about these tools with our insights on shopify builder.

How to create custom page in shopify with Metaobjects

Metaobjects are Shopify’s solution for managing structured, reusable content at scale. If you find yourself creating similar pages repeatedly (e.g., team profiles, case studies, feature highlights), metaobjects can save you a tremendous amount of time.

Think of them as a custom database. You define a structure with specific fields (like “Name,” “Biography,” “Profile Picture”), and then create entries that follow that structure. By enabling the “Web pages” feature, Shopify can automatically generate a unique page for each entry.

The process involves:

  1. Defining the metaobject structure with all the fields you need.
  2. Creating entries for each item (e.g., each team member).
  3. Building a single theme template in the customizer for your metaobject.
  4. Connecting the fields to your template using dynamic sources.

The beauty of this is scalability and consistency. To add a new team member, you just create a new entry, and the page is automatically generated with the correct design. This is perfect for ambassador profiles, location pages, or comprehensive FAQs. While it requires some initial setup, the long-term benefits in efficiency and organization are significant. For a technical deep-dive, see Shopify’s guide on building web pages with metaobjects.

Optimizing and Managing Your New Custom Pages

Building a custom page is just the first step. To make it effective, you need to optimize it for search engines, manage its visibility, and integrate it into your store’s navigation. Shopify provides all the tools you need to ensure your new pages deliver results.

Image of the 'Search engine listing preview' section in the Shopify page admin - create custom page in shopify

How to create custom page in shopify and optimize it for SEO

To ensure customers can find your new page, you need to optimize it for search engines. In the Shopify page admin, find the “Search engine listing preview” section and click “Edit.”

  • Page Title: This is your first impression in search results. Make it descriptive, include your primary keyword, and keep it under 70 characters. For example, “About Blackbelt Commerce | Custom Shopify Development in NYC.”
  • Meta Description: This is your 160-character sales pitch to searchers. Make it compelling and include relevant keywords to encourage clicks.
  • URL Handle: Keep the URL short, descriptive, and keyword-rich (e.g., custom-shopify-development). Use hyphens to separate words. If you change a URL, be sure to set up a redirect.

Beyond these settings, focus on creating high-quality content that naturally incorporates your target keywords. Google rewards pages that provide real value to users. Also, use descriptive image alt text to improve accessibility and help search engines understand your images. This is a core principle we follow when building a website on shopify that performs well.

Managing Page Settings, Visibility, and Navigation

Once your page is optimized, you need to control how and when it appears.

  • Preview Your Page: Always use the “View page” link to check how your design looks on desktop and mobile devices before publishing.
  • Control Visibility: In the page settings, you can set your page to be visible, hidden (draft), or schedule it to publish at a future date and time—perfect for coordinating marketing campaigns.
  • Use Bulk Actions: From the Online Store > Pages list, you can select multiple pages to publish, unpublish, or delete them all at once, saving significant time.
  • Add to Navigation: A page is useless if no one can find it. Go to Online Store > Navigation to add your new page to your main menu or footer. Policy pages usually go in the footer, while an “About Us” page might belong in the main menu.

Thoughtful management ensures your custom pages become integrated, functional parts of your store that guide customers and support your business goals.

Frequently Asked Questions about Creating Custom Shopify Pages

Here are answers to common questions merchants ask when they create custom page in shopify.

Why can’t I see the ‘Create Template’ option in my theme customizer?

This is a common issue with a few likely causes:

  1. Unpublished Theme: The option to create templates only appears for your live, published theme. If you’re working on a draft, you may need to publish it first.
  2. Older Theme Version: This feature is exclusive to Online Store 2.0 (OS 2.0) themes. If you’re using an older “vintage” theme, you won’t have this option in the customizer.
  3. Browser Cache: Your browser might be showing an outdated version of the page. Try clearing your cache or using an incognito window.

If you’ve checked these and still have issues, it could be a theme-specific bug, and you should contact your theme developer. For more troubleshooting, see this Shopify Community discussion on the missing ‘Create template’ option.

Why does my new page look exactly like another page?

This happens because by default, Shopify assigns all new pages to the default page template. If your “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages look the same, it’s because they are sharing the same underlying blueprint. Any changes made to that default template will affect all pages using it.

The solution is to create a new, unique template for your page in the theme customizer, and then assign that template to your page using the “Theme template” dropdown in the page editor. This gives the page its own independent design.

How do I add a Google Map to my custom page?

Adding a map is great for “Contact Us” or “About Us” pages, especially if you have a physical location in a place like Brooklyn or Queens.

  1. Go to Google Maps, find your address, and click the Share icon.
  2. Select the Embed a map tab and copy the provided HTML code (it starts with <iframe...).
  3. In your Shopify admin, go to the page where you want the map. In the Content editor, click the Show HTML (</>) button.
  4. Paste the embed code into the HTML view where you want the map to appear.
  5. Click Save. Your interactive map will now be displayed on the page.

Conclusion

When you create custom page in shopify, you’re doing more than just adding a new URL. You’re taking control of your brand’s narrative and designing experiences that are intentional, authentic, and memorable. While generic templates get the job done, custom pages are what make customers connect with your brand and convert.

At Blackbelt Commerce, we’ve seen that stores investing in custom, conversion-focused design consistently outperform the competition. They see higher engagement, better conversion rates, and stronger customer loyalty. With Online Store 2.0, these powerful pages are more accessible than ever.

However, bringing a strategic vision to life requires expertise. For over 15 years, we’ve specialized in fully customized Shopify solutions that deliver measurable results. We don’t just build pages that look good; we build assets that work for your business.

Your store deserves better than cookie-cutter templates. It deserves pages that reflect your brand’s personality and achieve your business goals.

Ready to build something remarkable? Get expert help with your Shopify theme customization and let our team show you what’s possible.

Start your custom Shopify project today and give your store the custom pages it deserves.

;