New Store - Suggestions and Feedback Please!

[Sage_Rebel]

This is my first store ( wildsage.market ) and I'm still in the process of finalizing the design and layout. I'm open for suggestions as to the current design and here are a few things I want to add, but I have to learn how to implement them. I'm currently using the Dawn theme so I'm not sure it can implement the features I want to add, so I'd be happy to hear anyone's knowledge on that point.

Here's what I want to add:

1. 3 column footer with ability to add links.

2. FAQ section (separate page with dropdown answers)

3. Reviews section ( I have Judge Me but haven't gotten enough sales yet to utilize it)

4. change Hero Banner to carousel with CTA buttons

5. Add a loyalty program 

Also wondering if the logo lettering is too obscure or the logo doesn't fit?

What else am I missing?

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Sage_Rebel 

First of all, congrats on launching your store, wildsage.market! It sounds like you're putting a lot of thought into your design and layout, which is super important. I checked your list of features and your theme, and I’ll break down how you can approach each one:

1. 3-column footer with links

Good news! Dawn supports a customizable footer. To create a 3-column layout:

• Go to Customize > Footer and use the “Rich Text” or “Menu” blocks for each column.
• You can link to pages like About Us, FAQs, policies, or anything else you want to highlight. If you feel limited, consider editing the theme code to tweak the layout. (It's not too complicated, but a developer can help if you're unsure).

2. FAQ section (separate page with dropdowns)

This is definitely possible with Dawn, though it takes some tweaking. Shopify doesn't have a native FAQ template, but here’s what you can do:

• Use a page template and manually create FAQ dropdowns using the collapsible content block available in Dawn.
• Alternatively, try an FAQ app like Accordion FAQ by Elfsight or Easy FAQ Page if you want a quicker, polished solution.

3. Reviews section

Judge.me is a solid choice! Since you don’t have a lot of reviews yet, here’s what I suggest:

• Add placeholder reviews to show customers how it will look. It’s a feature in Judge.me (just don’t make fake ones!).
• Once you’ve got sales rolling in, send post-purchase emails asking customers to review. Even a few reviews can build credibility fast.

4. Hero banner carousel with CTA buttons

Dawn doesn’t natively support a carousel, but you can add one:

• Try free apps like Image Slider + Carousel by POWr if you want something easy to implement.
• Or, modify the hero section code in the Dawn theme to turn it into a slider. It’s a bit technical, but there are free tutorials out there or experts on the Shopify community forums who can help.

5. Add a loyalty program

Loyalty programs are awesome for customer retention! Apps like Smile.io or Loyalty, Rewards, and Referrals by Yotpo are super user-friendly and integrate well with Shopify. I’d recommend starting simple—maybe a points-based system for purchases and referrals.

Logo feedback

I had a look, and while I love that your logo has personality, it’s a bit on the minimal side and might get lost in the overall design. A tip? Test different sizes and maybe add a tagline under it for context (e.g., "Wild Sage: Natural Goods"). Make sure it’s legible and stands out in your header.

What else could you add?

• A featured collection on the homepage: Highlight your bestsellers or new arrivals to draw customers in.
• Trust badges: Simple icons to show things like secure checkout, free shipping (if you offer it), or eco-friendly packaging. These can be added near your “Add to Cart” button or in the footer.
• Email capture (pop-up or footer): Encourage visitors to subscribe with a discount or freebie. Apps like Privy or Klaviyo are perfect for this.
• Clear Call-to-Actions: Make sure buttons like “Shop Now” or “Learn More” are visible and stand out across your pages.

Overall, you’re on the right track. Shopify (and Dawn) is super flexible, so most of your requests are possible either through built-in features or minor tweaks. Don’t hesitate to experiment—your store will evolve as you learn more about your customers’ preferences.

If you need any other assistance, I am willing to help.

Best regards,
Daisy