How can I optimize an ebay-style template for low connectivity areas?

Store Design
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Topic summary

Request for guidance on a Shopify theme/template optimized for low-bandwidth environments to support a large, eBay-style catalog where search is the primary interaction.

Context: Medical Pantry (medicalpantry.org) has launched an online store (shop.medicalpantry.org) to let partner organizations browse and order donated medical supplies. Partners use a 100% discount code; items may also be sold to for-profit customers to fund the charity.

Requirements: very fast load times, minimal/basic design, removal of heavy elements (e.g., high‑resolution images, video), and an interface that prioritizes search and scalability for a big inventory. Target users often have poor connectivity and limited resources.

Ask: recommendations on suitable templates or optimization approaches for “third world” connectivity conditions, with an eBay-like, search-first layout.

Status: No solutions or decisions presented yet; the thread is an open request for advice and practical help.

Summarized with AI on January 29. AI used: gpt-5.
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Hi everyone!

Looking for advice on templates for our charity - ebay style, big inventory, fast load, poor connectivity, super basic design.

Our charity (medicalpantry.org) donates medical supplies and medications to those in need. We have just opened an online store (shop.medicalpantry.org) and are uploading our inventory. This allows our partners to browse and order (as opposed to ordering from an Excel spreadsheet). They receive all these donations for free using a 100% discount code. We also sell these products to for-profit customers to help fund the charity.

As our partners are under-resourced with limited internet connection, we are looking for a template that is optimised for the third world. We will remove all the usual bells and whistles like high res photos and video. We need to load the products ebay style with search as the predominate feature.

We would appreciate any advice or help with this.

Cheers,

Martin