How To Customize Your BigCommerce Store Design: Create a Storefront That Truly Sells

Did you know people form an opinion about a website’s design in just 50 milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye? That’s why how to customize your BigCommerce store design isn’t just about looks, it’s about instant trust and sales. 

From bold branding choices to subtle layout tweaks, your store’s design can be the secret weapon that turns casual browsers into loyal buyers.

Unlock Your BigCommerce Store's Design Potential: Complete Customization Methods

Creating a unique, professional BigCommerce store design is easier than you think. Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing an existing store, you have multiple customization options that don't require coding experience or expensive developers.

Here are three proven methods to customize your BigCommerce store design, each suited for different skill levels and time constraints:

Method 1: Using BigCommerce Page Builder (No-Code Approach)

Perfect for beginners and non-technical users who want professional results fast

The BigCommerce Page Builder is your secret weapon for creating stunning store designs without writing a single line of code. This powerful visual editor lets you drag, drop, and customize every aspect of your store's appearance with real-time previews.

Step 1: Access the Page Builder

Getting started with Page Builder is surprisingly simple. Here's exactly how to access this powerful tool:

1. Log in to your BigCommerce admin panel using your store credentials
2. Navigate to Storefront > Themes from the main menu
3. Click the "Customize" button on your currently active theme
4. The Page Builder interface will open in a new tab, showing your store's live preview

Pro Tip: The Page Builder opens with your store's actual data, so you'll see real products and content as you customize. This makes it much easier to visualize your changes before publishing them live.

Step 2: Customize Basic Design Elements

Your store's fundamental design elements create the first impression for every visitor. Let's make sure they're perfectly aligned with your brand identity.

Logo Upload

Your logo is the cornerstone of your brand presence. Here's how to get it right:

• Click the logo area in the header section of your store preview
• Upload your brand logo (recommended size: 250x100px for optimal display)
• Adjust the logo positioning if needed, using the alignment options
• Test on mobile preview to ensure your logo looks crisp on all devices

Color Scheme

Colors evoke emotions and influence buying decisions. Choose your palette strategically:

• Go to Theme Styles > Colors in the left sidebar
• Customize your primary color (this will be your main brand color)
• Set secondary colors for buttons, links, and accent elements
• Choose accent colors for highlights and call-to-action elements
• Preview each change immediately to see how colors work together

Typography

Your font choices affect readability and brand perception:

• Navigate to Theme Styles > Typography
• Choose fonts for headings that reflect your brand personality (bold for modern, script for elegant)
• Select body text fonts that are easy to read on all devices
• Adjust font sizes to improve readability and visual hierarchy
• Test different combinations until you find the perfect match

Layout Options

Fine-tune your store's structure for optimal user experience:

• Adjust header style (centered, left-aligned, or full-width)
• Configure the footer layout to include essential links and information
• Set page width settings for optimal viewing on different screen sizes
• Customize navigation menus for intuitive browsing

Step 3: Add and Arrange Content with Widgets

Widgets are pre-built content blocks that you can customize and arrange to create engaging page layouts. Think of them as building blocks for your perfect store design.

Exploring Available Widgets

In the left panel, you'll find a treasure trove of widgets:

• Text widgets for compelling copy and descriptions
• Image widgets for showcasing products and lifestyle shots
• Product widgets for featured items and bestsellers
• Banner widgets for promotions and announcements
• Video widgets for product demonstrations and brand stories

The Drag-and-Drop Process

Creating your ideal layout is as simple as:

1. Browse the widget library in the left panel
2. Drag your chosen widget to the desired location on your page
3. Drop it into a designated region (you'll see highlighted drop zones)
4. The widget appears instantly with default content

Configuring Each Widget

Click on any placed widget to unlock its customization options:

• Content settings (text, images, products to display)
• Styling options (colors, fonts, spacing)
• Behavior settings (animations, hover effects)
• Responsive adjustments for mobile and tablet views

Preview Your Changes

Use the preview mode to see exactly how your store will look:

• Desktop preview for full-screen browsing experience
• Tablet preview for medium-screen devices
• Mobile preview for smartphone users (crucial since most traffic is mobile)

Step 4: Customize Specific Pages

Different pages serve different purposes, so tailor each page type to maximize its effectiveness.

Homepage Customization

Your homepage is your digital storefront window:

• Use the page dropdown (top-left) to select "Homepage"
• Add Hero Banners to immediately communicate your value proposition
• Insert Product Carousels to showcase your bestsellers or new arrivals
• Create compelling text sections that tell your brand story
• Include trust signals like customer reviews or certifications

Product Page Enhancement

Product pages are where conversions happen:

• Switch to "Product Pages" using the dropdown menu
• Add detailed product descriptions using text widgets
• Include size guides or spec sheets with custom HTML blocks
• Showcase related products to increase average order value
• Add customer review sections to build trust and social proof

Category Page Optimization

Help customers find what they're looking for:

• Navigate to "Category Pages" in the page dropdown
• Add category descriptions to improve SEO and user understanding
• Include filtering options to help customers narrow down choices
• Create promotional banners for category-specific offers
• Optimize product grid layouts for a better browsing experience

Method 2: Advanced Customization with Stencil CLI (Code-Based Approach)

Ideal for developers and business owners who want complete control over their store's design and functionality

The Stencil CLI (Command Line Interface) is BigCommerce's professional development framework that gives you unlimited customization possibilities. While it requires some technical knowledge, the results are worth the investment for businesses serious about creating a unique online presence.

Step 1: Set Up Development Environment

Before diving into customization, you need to establish a proper development workspace. This setup ensures you can work safely without affecting your live store.

Install Required Software

1. Download and install Node.js (version 20.x) from nodejs.org
   
   • This provides the runtime environment for BigCommerce development tools
   • Verify installation by opening a terminal and typing node --version
2. Install Stencil CLI by running this command in your terminal:
   npm install -g @bigcommerce/stencil-cli
   
   • The -g flag installs it globally, making it available from any directory
   • This tool is your gateway to professional BigCommerce development
3. Download your current theme:
   
   • Navigate to Storefront > Themes > Advanced > Download
   • Save the ZIP file to your designated development folder
   • This becomes your starting point for customization

Step 2: Initialize Local Development

Local development means you can make changes and see results instantly without affecting your live store customers.

Setting Up Your Workspace

1. Extract your downloaded theme to a dedicated working directory
2. Navigate to the theme folder using the terminal or the command prompt
3. Run stencil init and enter your store details when prompted:
   
   • Store URL
   • API token (generated in your BigCommerce admin)
   • This connects your local environment to your store's data

Launch Local Development

• Run stencil start to begin local development
• Access your local preview at localhost:3000
• Every change you make will be instantly visible in your browser
• Your local version uses real store data, but doesn't affect live customers

Why This Matters: Local development lets you experiment freely, test changes thoroughly, and collaborate with team members before pushing changes live.

Step 3: Customize Theme Files

Now comes the exciting part - modifying your theme's code to create exactly the design you envision.

Understanding the File Structure

Your theme consists of several key directories:

Templates (/templates folder)

• Edit .html files to change your page structure and layout
• These files control what appears where on each page type
• Use Handlebars templating language for dynamic content display
• Modify these files to add new sections, rearrange elements, or create custom layouts

Styling (/assets/scss folder)

• Modify .scss files to customize your store's visual appearance
• Control colors, fonts, spacing, and animations
• Use Sass features like variables and mixins for efficient styling
• Create responsive designs that work perfectly on all devices

JavaScript (/assets/js folder)

• Add interactive functionality by editing JavaScript files
• Enhance user experience with custom animations and behaviors
• Integrate third-party services like analytics or marketing tools
• Create dynamic features that respond to user actions

Images (/assets/img folder)

• Replace default images with your brand assets
• Add new graphics for custom designs
• Optimize image sizes for fast loading times
• Organize assets for easy maintenance and updates

Step 4: Deploy Your Customizations

When you're satisfied with your local customizations, it's time to make them live.

The Deployment Process

1. Bundle your theme by running stencil bundle
   
   • This command packages all your changes into a single ZIP file
   • Optimizes your code for production performance
   • Validates your theme to ensure it meets BigCommerce standards
2. Upload to BigCommerce:
   
   • Navigate to Storefront > My Themes > Upload Theme
   • Select your bundled ZIP file
   • BigCommerce processes your upload and makes it available
3. Apply your customized theme:
   
   • Find your uploaded theme in the My Themes section
   • Click "Apply" to make it live on your store
   • Your customizations are now visible to all store visitors

Pro Tip: Always test thoroughly in your local environment before deploying. This prevents any issues from affecting your live store.

Method 3: Quick Theme Customization (Fastest Start)

Perfect for businesses that need immediate results or want to test different looks quickly

Sometimes you need to get your store looking professional fast. This method gets you from zero to polished in under an hour, making it perfect for new stores or quick rebrands.

Step 1: Choose a Pre-Built Theme

BigCommerce offers dozens of professionally designed themes that serve as excellent starting points for your customization journey.

Browsing Available Themes

• Go to Storefront > Themes > Browse Themes
• Explore free options like Cornerstone, Fortune, and Roots
• Consider premium themes for more advanced features and unique designs
• Each theme is optimized for different business types and industries

Smart Theme Selection

Preview themes before committing:

• Click "Preview" on any theme to see how it looks with your products
• Test the mobile experience since most customers shop on phones
• Consider your product types - some themes work better for certain industries
• Think about future needs - choose themes that can grow with your business

Popular Free Themes:

• Cornerstone: Modern, versatile design perfect for most businesses
• Fortune: Clean, professional look ideal for B2B or premium brands
• Roots: Minimalist design that puts products front and center

Step 2: Apply and Immediately Customize

Once you've chosen your theme, the real fun begins. You can start customizing immediately to make the theme uniquely yours.

Quick Application Process

1. Click "Apply" on your chosen theme
2. Access Page Builder immediately after the theme is applied
3. Start with Theme Styles for the biggest visual impact in the shortest time

High-Impact Quick Changes

Focus on these elements for maximum visual transformation:

Logo and Branding

• Upload your logo to instantly brand the entire store
• Ensure proper sizing for crisp display across all devices
• Test logo visibility against your chosen background colors

Brand Colors

• Change primary colors to match your brand palette
• Update secondary colors for buttons and accents
• Adjust accent colors for highlights and call-to-action elements
• Maintain color consistency throughout the store

Typography Selection

• Select fonts that match your brand personality
• Ensure readability across all device types
• Create a visual hierarchy with different font weights and sizes
• Test font combinations for professional appearance

Button and Interface Styling

• Customize button styles to encourage clicks
• Adjust spacing and padding for better visual flow
• Update hover effects for interactive feedback
• Ensure mobile-friendly touch targets

Step 3: Add Essential Content

Content is what converts visitors into customers. Focus on these essential elements to maximize your store's effectiveness.

Homepage Hero Section

Create an immediate impact with your hero banner:

• Use the Hero Banner widget to create a compelling first impression
• Include a clear value proposition that explains why customers should buy from you
• Add a strong call-to-action that guides visitors toward purchase
• Use high-quality images that represent your brand and products

Product Showcases

Highlight your best offerings:

• Add a Featured Products section to showcase bestsellers
• Include new arrivals to create urgency and interest
• Use Product Carousels for space-efficient product display
• Write compelling product descriptions that focus on benefits

Trust and Value Building

Build confidence in your brand:

• Insert text blocks that communicate your unique value proposition
• Include customer testimonials and reviews prominently
• Add trust badges like security certifications and guarantees
• Showcase social proof with customer photos and reviews

Engagement and Connection

Connect with your audience:

• Include Social Media widgets to build your community
• Add newsletter signup forms to capture leads
• Create About Us sections that tell your brand story
• Include contact information for customer confidence

Your store design is never truly "finished." Continuously test, optimize, and refine based on customer feedback and performance data to maximize your conversion rates and sales.

Crafting A Store Design That Drives Growth

Customizing your BigCommerce store design is more than changing how it looks. It is about building trust, improving the shopping experience, and increasing sales. You can use the Page Builder for quick edits, explore Stencil CLI for deeper control, or start with a pre-built theme for speed. Every update should reflect your brand, enhance usability, and work across devices. 

With the right design choices, you turn your BigCommerce storefront into a growth engine. For a more advanced and clean e-commerce experience, explore Velt2 and our BigCommerce to Shopify migration service that helps brands scale with confidence.