Use Cases

Template testing: use cases

Template tests are the right choice when you want to change what appears in the main content area of a specific type of page — the sections, layout, images, and text between your header and footer — without touching anything else about your store's design.

Not sure whether your change is template-level or theme-level?

Here's a quick rule of thumb: if the change would show up on every page of your store (header, footer, colors, fonts), it's a theme test. If it only affects one page type's content area, it's a template test.

When to use a template test

Use a template test when the change you want to make lives inside a single page type's content area. That includes product pages, collection pages, your homepage, standalone pages, blog posts, and the cart page.

Template tests are a good fit when:

• You want to rearrange, add, or remove sections on a page type

• You want to change section settings like images, text, colors, or spacing

• You want to test a completely different layout for your product page or collection page

• You want to test changes across all pages of one type (all product pages, for example) or just one specific page

Template tests are not the right fit when you want to change your header, footer, navigation, announcement bar, global fonts, or global colors. Those elements live outside the template, so you need a theme test instead.

Template tests run on all products, collections, and pages assigned to that template. Assignments are managed in Shopify, at the product, collection, and page level.

If you only want to test changes on one specific product, see Guide: Testing Individual Pages.

Product pages

This is the most popular use case for template testing. Your product page is where buying decisions happen, and small layout changes can have a meaningful impact on conversion.

Test ideas:

• Move customer reviews above the fold so visitors see social proof before scrolling

• Add a sticky add-to-cart bar that follows the visitor as they scroll

• Rearrange the product image gallery — try a single large image vs. a thumbnail grid vs. a carousel

• Simplify the page by removing sections that distract from the purchase decision (related products, blog posts, brand story)

• Add trust signals (shipping info, returns policy, secure checkout badges) closer to the add-to-cart button

• Test a tabbed layout for product description, shipping, and sizing info vs. stacked sections

• Add or remove an app block like size charts, product reviews, or countdown timers

Start with your highest-traffic product pages. Changes there will reach statistical significance faster, and even small conversion improvements translate into meaningful revenue at scale.

Collection pages

Collection pages are often the first page visitors land on from ads or search. The layout of your collection grid directly affects whether visitors click through to products.

Test ideas:

• Change the number of products per row (3 vs. 4 vs. 5 columns)

• Test a larger product image size vs. smaller images with more products visible

• Add a featured product banner at the top of the collection

• Show or hide quick-add-to-cart buttons on collection cards

• Test different filter and sort placements — sidebar filters vs. horizontal filter bar

• Add promotional content sections between product rows (lifestyle images, testimonials, brand messaging)

• Show or hide product review ratings on collection cards

Homepage

Your homepage sets the tone for your entire brand. Template testing lets you try a new homepage design without committing to it.

Test ideas:

• Test a different hero section — new image, new copy, different call-to-action placement

• Rearrange the section order (featured collection first vs. brand story first vs. testimonials first)

• Add or remove sections like Instagram feeds, blog post previews, newsletter signups, or video content

• Test a shorter homepage that focuses visitors toward a single collection vs. a longer page that showcases more of your catalog

• Try a different featured collection — best sellers vs. new arrivals vs. seasonal picks

• Test a full-width hero image vs. a split layout with text alongside the image

The homepage template controls only the main content area. Your header, announcement bar, footer, and navigation stay the same across both variants. If you want to test those elements too, use a theme test.

Landing pages

If you use a Shopify page template to power one or more landing pages on your store, template testing is a natural fit. Whether you're driving paid traffic to a dedicated landing page or using pages for seasonal promotions, you can test the entire layout without affecting the rest of your site.

Test ideas:

• Test a short, focused landing page (single CTA above the fold) vs. a longer page with multiple sections and social proof

• Try different hero layouts for ad traffic — bold product imagery vs. lifestyle photography vs. video

• Add or remove trust signals like customer testimonials, press logos, or money-back guarantee badges

• Test the placement and style of your primary call-to-action button — top of page vs. after a benefit breakdown

• Compare a product-focused landing page against an education-first layout that leads with the problem your product solves

• Test different content for seasonal or promotional landing pages without touching your evergreen pages

Blog and article pages

If your store has a blog, testing the article layout can increase engagement and drive more visitors from content to product pages.

Test ideas:

• Add product recommendation sections within or below blog articles

• Test a wider content column vs. a layout with a sidebar

• Add or remove social sharing buttons

• Test different call-to-action placements — inline CTAs within the article vs. a banner at the end

• Show related articles at the bottom vs. a featured collection

Cart page

If your store uses a cart page (not a cart drawer), you can template test the cart layout to optimize for checkout completion.

Test ideas:

• Add urgency elements like "Items in your cart are not reserved" messaging

• Test a simplified cart layout that removes distractions and focuses on the checkout button

• Add cross-sell or upsell sections to the cart page

• Show or hide an order summary with estimated shipping and taxes

• Test different checkout button placements — top and bottom vs. bottom only

If you have a cart drawer, this is controlled by global theme settings and require a theme test instead.

Testing app blocks

Many Shopify apps add content to your pages through app blocks — review widgets, size charts, loyalty programs, wishlists, and more. Template tests can add, remove, or reorder these app blocks in your variant.

Test ideas:

• Add a reviews widget to your product page and measure its impact on conversion

• Test different placements for a size chart app block — above the add-to-cart button vs. below product details

• Remove a loyalty points display and see whether it affects average order value

• Reorder app blocks to see which arrangement drives the most engagement

Some apps may behave differently when loaded through a template test variant. Always preview your variant and check that app blocks render and function correctly before launching.

What template tests cannot change

Template tests only control the main content area between your header and footer. They cannot change:

• Header, navigation, or announcement bar (layout-level elements)

• Footer (layout-level)

• Global colors, fonts, or spacing (theme settings)

• Cart type — page cart vs. drawer cart (theme setting)

• Product prices (use a price test)

If your testing goal involves any of these, check Choose the Right Test Typeto find the right approach.