Dawn Shopify Theme Review: Default Is Actually Good!

If you are just getting started building an eCommerce store with Shopify, your default theme would be the Shopify Dawn theme – a free theme developed by Shopify themselves. Apparently, Dawn isn’t a bad idea if you are on a budget, huh? 

Well, pricing shouldn’t be the only factor you need to weigh in. A good theme has to meet other important criteria as well. This includes visual appeal, customization options, ease of use, eCommerce features, and the list goes on.

And if you don’t know whether to stay with Dawn or switch to another one, our comprehensive Dawn Shopify theme review will give you the answer you’ve been searching for.

1. Dawn Shopify theme Review: Everything you need to know

👉 Install Dawn or View Dawn Live Demo. 

1.1. A general look

First thing first, let’s have a Shopify Dawn theme quick view so you can have a better understanding of the theme’s origin and popularity. 

Dawn is developed by Shopify itself and is one of 12 FREE themes on the Shopify Theme Store. According to the latest data from BuiltWith, the Shopify Dawn theme is currently powering over 800,000 Shopify stores. 

This makes Dawn an attractive option for merchants looking to minimize initial costs while still having access to a modern and functional theme.

1.2. For which businesses is the Dawn Shopify theme best used?

There is a reason why Dawn is the default option. From our observation, Dawn can work great for literally any store that sells tangible products– be it fashion, health and beauty, electronics, pet stores, etc.

With that being said, given Dawn’s relatively basic features, we don’t think it would be a great fit for stores with a large catalog or advanced demands. 

However, if you just get started with a few dozen to a hundred products or so, rest assured that Dawn will equip you with more than enough features you need to run a functional store.

1.3. Pros & Cons – Evaluate from our real experience

Compared to other themes on the Shopify Theme Store, Dawn has quite a humble satisfaction rate of 32% from 161 reviews only. While some merchants are crazy about the theme’s ease of use, many find Dawn a little bit too limited in terms of customization and features.  

From those Shopify Dawn theme reviews and our own experience, below is a list of all Shopify Dawn theme’s pros and cons for your reference: 

2. Dawn Shopify theme review – highlighted features 

Now, let’s get to the detailed Shopify dawn theme review with 5 key criterias:

2.1. Dawn theme has a clean design & layout

From the way we see it, Dawn stands out with its modern, minimalist design, offering a professional and sophisticated look that’s ideal for contemporary online stores. 

Dawn’s focus on high-resolution images is perfect if you are into visual storytelling or simply want to put your products front and center. 

However, though Dawn’s minimal style and layout are neat and spacious, it can feel generic and unimpressive if not customized to reflect a brand’s unique identity.

2.2. Dawn theme is easy to customize

As a product of Shopify’s in-house development, Dawn adopts the intuitive structure of Shopify OS 2.0 themes and is very easy to edit. It also gives you ample customization options, allowing you to have great control over how your web store looks and works. Below is a list of features and elements that are customizable with the Shopify Dawn theme:

• Color schemes and animations: You can choose different color schemes for various sections and add interactive hover effects like “Zoom in on scroll” and “Vertical lift”
• Product display: Customize the shape and size of product cards, and use high-resolution images and videos. Features include image rollover, zoom, and product videos.
• Content layout: Adjust the layout by adding or removing sections and blocks. Incorporate lookbooks, size charts, and detailed product information for a personalized touch.
• eCommerce features: Enjoy advanced customization without coding, including a mega menu for navigation and options for product filtering and sorting. (we will discuss this in greater length below)

For more advanced customizations that Dawn doesn’t support natively, you might need to tweak Liquid code– which can be tough for non-techies. However, we believe you’ll hardly ever need to code, since you can install some of the best Shopify apps for useful features.

2.3. Dawn theme provide all the essential eCommerce features

Yes, Shopify Dawn theme is free. But this doesn’t mean that the theme developer cuts corners on essential eCommerce features you need to launch and run a proper online store.

For those interested, you can refer to Dawn’s feature listing section for a full feature list. However, in this review, we will focus specifically on the standout eCommerce features that make Dawn a noteworthy choice for merchants only.

2.3.1. Sticky mega menu

The first eCommerce feature we love about Dawn is its sticky mega menu. It’s always visible, no matter how far down you scroll, enabling your customers to navigate your store and browse your products without getting lost.

2.3.2. Lookbook

The lookbook feature in Dawn is fantastic for storytelling. If you’re showcasing a fashion line or a new collection, Dawn lookbook’s visual appeal is sure to help you captivate and encourage your customers to ‘shop the look’.

2.3.3. Recommended products

Pretty similar to many other Shopify themes in the market, Dawn allows you to add a ‘You may also like’ section at the bottom of your product pages. If you give your customers relevant suggestions that add up to their shopping experience, this feature can work great for your average order value.

2.3.4. Sort and filter

The easier and quicker it is for your customers to find the items they want, the higher the chances you have to convert them into sales. And that makes Dawn Shopify theme’s sort and filter the next eCommerce feature we discuss.

If you have a small product catalog, Dawn’s sort and filter is quite handy as it allows your shoppers to filter your products by availability, prices, etc., and sort them by order, reviews, etc.

However, we found the theme’s sorting and filtering is still a little basic for stores selling a wide range of product lines that come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, materials, etc.

2.3.5. Product video

Including videos with your product listings is a breeze with Dawn. This can be a game-changer in providing a richer, more detailed view of your products, which is particularly useful for items where texture, movement, or context is important.

2.4. Dawn theme is supported and backed by Shopify Support team

From our testing, Shopify Dawn theme works like a well-oiled machine with Shopify’s native features. A clear example of this is in how Dawn interacts effortlessly with Shopify’s inventory and product management systems. For instance, it automatically displays sale badges on items that are on sale and out-of-stock badges on products that are no longer available.

Further more, one of the key advantages of using the Dawn theme is that it’s developed and maintained directly by Shopify, which means you ask the official Shopify Support team for assistance whenever you have troubles with Dawn —a level of service and reliability that many third-party themes can’t guarantee.

2.5. Dawn theme has high performance across devices

Dawn has high performance across devices. According to Google’s guidelines, a fully responsive design is not just a bonus—it will directly affect SEO. The Dawn theme is built with a mobile-first approach, ensuring your store automatically adjusts and performs smoothly across all screen sizes (check out our Shopify Dawn theme example for reference).

As you can see, the store created with Dawn has passed the Core Web Vitals assessment by PageSpeed Insight.

💡 Curious to explore other Shopify themes that ‘hit all the right notes’? Feel free to check out our well-curated list of the 12 best Shopify themes for their value.

3. Top 5 stores using Dawn Shopify theme

While we’ve outlined the various highlights of the Dawn theme above, we believe seeing it in action in real-world scenarios will give you a better perspective. 

Thus, our team has put together a list of the top 5 Dawn theme Shopify examples for your reference:

3.1. Sendlane

If you’re in the fashion industry, Sendlane’s implementation of Dawn is a must-see. The theme’s minimalist design brilliantly highlights their trendy apparel and accessories, offering a clean backdrop that lets their fashion pieces shine. 

3.2. MD Complete Skincare

For those in the skincare market, MD Complete is one of the best Dawn theme Shopify stores. They’ve used the theme’s crisp and clear layout to bring attention to their range of skincare products. What’s impressive is how they’ve detailed product information and images – a key factor in convincing customers in the skincare domain.

3.3. Stride Rite

Running a children’s footwear store? Stride Rite’s application of Dawn is inspirational. The theme’s playful design is ideal for showcasing kids’ shoes. It’s not just about looks; the user-friendly navigation makes it easier for parents to browse and choose the perfect pair for their little ones.

3.4. Poochles India

Poochles shows how well Dawn adapts to a pet care store. The theme helps organize a vast array of products in a user-friendly way. As you explore their site, notice how each pet product is presented with clarity, making it a breeze for pet owners to shop.

3.5. Palm Bites

In the gourmet food sector? Palm Bites’ use of Dawn is a great example. The theme’s elegant and clean design superbly showcases their gourmet dates and treats. The inviting aesthetic aligns perfectly with the luxury feel of gourmet products, appealing to food lovers.

📚 Check out all the niches that best utilize Shopify Dawn Theme:
• best shopify themes for streetwear
• best shopify theme for mobile
• best shopify blog themes
• fastest shopify theme
• best shopify themes for candles
• best shopify theme for shoes
• shopify theme for personalized products
• best shopify theme for t shirts
• best shopify themes for watches
• best shopify themes for grocery store
• best shopify theme for marketplace
• best shopify theme for sport

4. Dawn Theme Review: Our verdict

As a free, default Shopify theme, the Shopify Dawn theme shines with its affordability, ease of use, and minimal design. 

No matter what niche you’re in, if you just get started, Dawn is a great option that doesn’t cost you an arm and leg. However, if you are a growing store with certain needs, Dawn may not be that wise of a choice. 

By the way, remember to visit the topic of Shopify themes and eComStart.io for battle-tested tips and tricks to start a business without the hassle.

5. Frequently Asked Questions