Turning Collection Lists into Snazzy Icons on Your Shopify Homepage

A while back, I found myself on a mission to reshape the clunky digital storefront of a small artisan coffee shop we loved. We needed a friendlier interface, something that felt more like a warm embrace than a corporate handshake. You know, the type of online experience that whispers, “We’ve got the good stuff, right here,” as soon as you open the page. As I sat there with a steaming mug of imported blend, it hit me—we need cute, welcoming icons on our homepage for our collection list, not those gargantuan, industrial-sized grids. And that’s how our journey began.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty because your homepage deserves a makeover too. Follow these steps to transform your Shopify collection list into smile-inducing icons. Prepare your coffee, and let’s get playful!

Step 1: Getting Cozy with Your Shopify Admin

First, take another sip of that comforting drink, fire up your browser, and log into your Shopify admin at yourstore.myshopify.com/admin. We need to saunter over to the ‘Themes’ section, found under ‘Online Store’ in the left-hand menu. Imagine you’re strolling through familiar terrain, except today, we’re stopping to admire the scenery.

Step 2: Choosing Your Theme and Your Destiny

Now that we’re among themes, spot your current one—let’s call it the trusty steed—and click on ‘Customize.’ This vaults us right into the Theme Editor, where magic comes to life. Just like when we decided to turn our coffee shop into a haven for caffeine addicts, this step is about seizing the future with newfound gusto.

Step 3: Finding the Section to Tinker With

Within the Theme Editor, scroll in gleeful anticipation and hunt for the ‘Collection List’ section. Seeing it there, patiently waiting for a revamp, might bring a tear to our eyes—or maybe not. But it feels good knowing change is around the corner, right? Click on it as if you were selecting the perfect roast of beans.

But Wait, an Anecdote:

I recall one afternoon, the sun setting through the window of our small shop, when I tried explaining our online strategy to Earl, our resident bean enthusiast. Earl nodded sagely, not really understanding but fully supportive. “Pictures need feelings,” he commented, and somehow—I wholeheartedly agreed.

Step 4: Icon Creation – Time to Channel Those Inner Creators

Riding on Earl’s wisdom, we realize it’s time to convert those collections into icons. Here’s where the real fun begins: either DIY your icon designs with a tool like Canva or choose some ready-made ones that scream, “Welcome, fellow adventurer!” Then upload them to your Shopify Files under ‘Settings’ > ‘Files.’ Each file is like that golden bean that makes the perfect espresso shot—precious and beautiful.

.collection-icon {
  width: 60px;
  height: 60px;
  object-fit: cover;
  border-radius: 50%;
}

Add the above CSS in your Theme Editor under Assets > theme.scss.liquid. Make sure those icons are as round and inviting as Earl’s perfectly crafted coffee crema.

Step 5: Let’s Code These Beauties In

Pop back to the Theme Editor, and locate the ‘Collection-List’ Liquid template—usually hiding under Sections. This is our canvas. Embed your personalized icons with a little bit of code fairy dust. Here’s what such a snippet might say:

{% for collection in collections %}
  <div class="collection-icon">
    <img src="{{ collection.image | img_url: 'small' }}" alt="{{ collection.title }}">
    <p>{{ collection.title }}</p>
  </div>
{% endfor %}

Step 6: Test, Reflect, Repeat

With everything in place, save your work. Time to check out those icons! Preview your storefront and admire your handiwork. It’s like seeing a long-lost friend—familiar, yet refreshingly delightful.

If Earl were here, he'd probably give a nod of approval. Remember, this is for those special customers, the ones like Earl, who appreciate small details that speak volumes.

Step 7: Sip and Celebrate

Congratulations, you tech-savvy artisan of change! It’s not just about tweaking a webpage, you just added a bit more love into the digital world. Lean back, sip your coffee, and let the warm glow of accomplishment envelop you—like the first smell of freshly roasted beans after a long night.

In the end, it’s always about the journey, and making connections with warmth and creativity. Here’s to us, for adding a sprinkle of joy in the subtle corners of our digital spaces. Cheers!