Ever tried customising your Shopify theme only to hit a frustrating wall? You want to add a testimonials carousel, a beautiful image gallery, or maybe a hero video — but your theme doesn’t have sections like these.
Shopify themes, especially the free one’s like Dawn, come with a limited number of sections. Unless you’re comfortable coding (or paying a developer), your design options can feel pretty restricted.
But – you don’t need to code or spend a fortune on custom theme development. There’s a simple way to add more sections to your store.
Discover how…
What are Shopify sections?
Shopify sections are pre-designed building blocks that allow you to structure and customise your store’s pages, including the homepage. Each section has different options and is made up of different content types—like images, text, videos, or product listings—that you can drag and drop into place.
With Shopify’s Online Store 2.0, sections are no longer just for the homepage—you can now use them across all pages of your website, including product and collection pages. However, themes come with a limited number of sections, which can restrict your ability to create the perfect store layout.
A simple fix – use Section apps
Instead of hiring a developer to manually edit your theme files, section apps let you add new, fully customisable sections—straight from the Shopify theme editor.
What are Section apps?
Think of section apps as drag-and-drop building blocks that expand your theme’s design capabilities—without coding.
✔️ They integrate with Shopify’s theme customiser, so you can add them just like you would with any other section.
✔️ Work with any Online Store 2.0 theme.
✔️ Let you add and edit sections just like your theme’s built-in options.
In short, they unlock unlimited design flexibility for your store’s layout.
My favourite section apps
Section Store – https://apps.shopify.com/section-factor
Best for: Keeping Shopify’s built-in customisation experience intact while adding new sections.
- Dozens of stunning, ready-to-use sections (testimonials, FAQs, pricing tables, countdown timers, and more).
- Compatible with all Shopify themes.
- Offers one-time payment options—great for cost-conscious store owners.
SoLux Theme Sections – https://apps.shopify.com/sections-ai
Best for: Wide selection of 100% free sections.
- Includes a variety of sections, including 50 free one’s.
- Compatible with any Shopify theme using Online Store 2.0.
- Offers a one-time purchase option—no recurring fees.
Smind Theme Sections – https://apps.shopify.com/smind
Best for: Adding modern, stylish sections to your Shopify store. Great selection of free sections.
OT Theme Sections – https://apps.shopify.com/ot-section-builder?st_source=autocomplete
Best for: Store owners looking for minimalistic yet functional section designs.
Design Packs – https://apps.shopify.com/design-packs
Design Packs gives you tons of new design options without requiring an entirely new theme or app. Unlike the apps listed above, it works on a subscription basis, which includes unlimited sections and templates. It’s an amazing option for store owners looking for a more custom website.
Watch me use these apps:
If you want full control over your store’s layout, these tools are a must-have.
🔹 Save money – No need to hire a developer.
🔹 Save time – Add sections instantly without waiting for custom code.
🔹 More flexibility – Design exactly what you need, when you need it.
Whether you’re a Shopify newbie or a scaling brand, these solutions help you break free from theme limitations while keeping your store professional and on-brand.
