The go-to place for online merchants and consumers for online commerce is introducing 100+ new features and updates all for our enjoyment. Shopify has come bearing extraordinary gifts with the recent announcement of Shopify Editions. According to Shopify editions, the new updates and features of the platform are focused on expanding the consumer base, converting customers, making online moves easy for local merchants, building stronger relationships with the consumers, and scaling & building the store even more efficiently than ever before.
Shopify releases new updates twice a year and this June, the "Connect to Consumer" release is upon us.
Let’s dive deeper to see what the new Shopify release has to offer.
New ways to create Shopify apps
Built for Shopify
Built for Shopify app program lets merchants in on the guidelines surrounding app design and what it takes to to create the best commerce apps all across the world. Apps that meet the criteria subsequently qualify for feature on platforms like Shopify Admin and the App Store. Both Shopify merchants and Shopify developers can celebrate a win here. Developers' get more eyes on their apps and merchants win by getting to use the best-of-the-best Shopify apps!
Shopify Functions
Previously the Shopify functions were available to Shopify Plus stores only but now everyone can access it through Shopify App Store. Shopify functions are awesome in providing flexibility and promoting flash sales. With this release, they have included Functions for discount, shipping, and payment methods with even more functions on the back burner set to be released in the near future. And what makes it even better, is that merchants now have no need to edit any code thanks to the introduction of Shopify Functions.
Checkout Extensibility
Shopify Plus merchants can now wield the weapon of customisation on their store’s checkout using apps and multi-dimensional tools that supercharge branding. Shopify has designed this checkout extensibility to be secure, fast, and upgrade-safe. The Checkout UI Extensions and Shopify Functions are expected to add new functionality, Checkout Branding API is perfect for customising styling, and Pixels can be used to track events.
Pre-orders and More
Selling Plans have been upgraded thanks to new features that make pre-orders, try before you buy, and subscriptions a breeze. Shopify merchants will be especially happy to hear this, as pre-orders are the helping hand they need in managing inventory, increasing sales by reserving customers in advance and promoting new products.
B2B on Shopify
B2B on Shopify includes a new set of B2B APIs which allows merchants to step into a whole new world in connecting with customers. This incredible functionality enables merchants to set wholesale pricing, net terms, and more. In other words, retailers can squeeze the good juice out of Shopify using new customisable features and take customers on an enriching journey thanks to new levels of personalisation!
ShopifyQL
This feature is exclusively available for Shopify Plus merchants and allows them to craft their own stories to answer important business questions. It also means that these merchants can gain more commerce insight without relying on a data scientist to know the business inside and out. And with the inclusion of ShopifyQL Notebooks, retailers can enjoy access to a query language to write their own data story, and discover more business opportunities.
Segmentation
Shopify merchants now hold the keys to segmentation using Shopify’s customer database through the GraphQL API. Merchants can use data provided by the app to segment customers according to their specific behaviour, region, and marketing preferences. What better way to engage with customers!
Return APIs
Return APIs are available for early access beta. This helps merchants to have a better handle on their returns giving them the means to have an inside look at return data on different platforms.
Dev tools are better
Developer Experience
Shopify developers can now build apps faster and more efficiently thanks to the uncomplicated nature of the writing and distribution process of apps! Developers can now make the most of templates and sample apps that get them up and running and expedite the building process.
Embedded App Improvements
Improvements have been made so that apps fully integrate with Shopify in the way that they look, feel and perform. With the App Bridge, apps load two times faster on mobile devices than before and users can enjoy full-screen display improvements that work without having to open a new tab.
Data Protection
This feature allows Shopify store owners to take control over which apps access customers’ personal data. And it does it like this:
- Merchants can control apps to be compliant with privacy and data protection rules
- APIs will redact customer personal data by default and allow you to apply for necessary access to customer personal data
There's new ways to create a killer storefront
Hydrogen & Oxygen
With the help of a React-based framework built by Shopify, merchants can build fast and headless storefronts. Hydrogen provides pre-built components and starter templates to accelerate the development process and Hydrogen sites can be deployed with one click using Oxygen.
Liquid for Themes
Hit the ground running with themes thanks to new Liquid preferences. Object properties, type information, syntax highlighting, and interactive code blocks help you quickly prototype your use case directly in your docs.
So, the magic box of Shopify has opened up with a number of surprises for both the merchants and the customers. The new features will go a long way in helping merchants explore an entirely new customer base and business landscape. If you want to drive more sales with your Shopify store, upgrade your store with these fresh new updates or better yet, give us a call and we can do it for you!
Published: June 28, 2022
Last updated: August 31, 2022
