How to Conduct Shopify Store Design Review: Complete Guide
By Braincuber Team
Published on May 13, 2026
A professional store design review can make the difference between a Shopify store that converts and one that loses customers to competitors. This complete step by step guide walks through a real design review of Brickslip Brothers, a reclaimed brick slip store built with PageFly. You will learn exactly what to look for when evaluating a Shopify store, from first impressions and branding consistency to button contrast, typography, grammar, and trust signals.
What You'll Learn:
- How to evaluate first impressions and brand aesthetics
- How to assess button contrast and visual hierarchy
- How to spot grammar issues that affect credibility
- How to evaluate product page design and trust badges
- How to check text readability and overlay contrast
- How to apply these findings to improve your own Shopify store
Store = Brickslip Brothers
Niche = Reclaimed Brick Slips & Brick Slip Fitters
Builder = PageFly (entire store)
Owner = Kristian
Overall Verdict = Exceptionally designed store with minor improvements needed
Step 1: Evaluate First Impressions and Brand Aesthetics
The first impression of a Shopify store sets the tone for the entire shopping experience. When reviewing Brickslip Brothers, the initial reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The site has a wholesome, rustic feel that mirrors the natural aesthetic of brick products. This alignment between brand identity and visual design is exactly what you should look for.
What Worked Well
The logo is minimal in design and eye-catching. The font choice gives a sense of luxury and craftsmanship, which aligns perfectly with the reclaimed brick product. The rustic theme creates an emotional connection with the product.
What to Check
When reviewing your own store, ask: Does the visual design match the product identity? Is the logo clear and readable at all sizes? Does the color palette evoke the right emotions for your niche?
Step 2: Analyze Button Contrast and Visual Hierarchy
One of the most common design issues in Shopify stores is poor button contrast. Despite the cool overlays and borders on Brickslip Brothers, it can be difficult to differentiate buttons from regular text. This is a critical UX issue because if visitors cannot quickly identify clickable elements, they may not take the desired action.
1. Check all buttons have distinct borders or background fill
2. Ensure button text contrasts sufficiently with button bg
3. Verify hover states change appearance (color/shadow)
4. Test CTAs at multiple screen sizes (mobile especially)
5. Use a contrast checker tool (min 4.5:1 ratio for text)
6. Check buttons stand out from regular text and links
The fix for Brickslip Brothers was straightforward: sharpen the borders of the buttons or adjust their styling to visually contrast with headings and body text. Even minor contrast improvements can significantly impact click-through rates.
Step 3: Proofread for Grammar and Credibility
Perfect grammar is not vital for sales, but it does help you look professional and credible. During the review of Brickslip Brothers, some mild grammar mistakes were spotted. While these were not deal-breakers, a quick proofreading session would help build trust in the brand.
Why Grammar Matters in E-commerce
According to studies, 74% of consumers notice spelling and grammar errors on websites. Even small mistakes can reduce trust and increase bounce rates. Services like Grammarly or Hemingway can help catch issues before they go live.
Step 4: Evaluate Product Page Design and Trust Badges
The product page on Brickslip Brothers stands out from the crowd. It makes impressive use of PageFly's features to create a dense, information-rich layout that showcases products effectively. However, one notable suggestion was to remove the payment badges from prominent positions.
The Payment Badge Debate
Many store owners believe payment badges help conversion. However, design experts argue they often clash with brand colors and make the site look incongruent. The recommendation is to move trust badges to the footer where they are available if needed but do not distract from the main content.
Alternative Trust Signals
Instead of payment badges on product pages, use customer reviews, testimonials, guarantee badges, and social proof counters. These build trust without clashing with your brand's visual identity and are proven to increase conversions.
Step 5: Check Text Readability and Overlay Contrast
A common design issue in Shopify stores is text that is difficult to read due to poor contrast. On Brickslip Brothers, white text on a particular background was hard to read and looked busy. This typically happens when text overlays are placed on images or patterned backgrounds without sufficient opacity adjustment.
Use a Darker Overlay
Change the transparent overlay behind white text to a darker tone. A semi-transparent black overlay (30-50% opacity) ensures readability while keeping the background image visible.
Verify on All Devices
What looks readable on a desktop monitor may be unreadable on a phone screen. Always preview text overlays on mobile devices where screen brightness varies.
Use WCAG Contrast Standards
Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): normal text needs a 4.5:1 contrast ratio and large text needs 3:1. Free tools like WebAIM's contrast checker can verify compliance.
Complete Store Design Review Checklist
| Area | What to Check | Fix If Needed |
|---|---|---|
| First Impression | Does the design match the brand identity? | Align colors, fonts, and imagery with brand values |
| Logo | Is it clear, readable, and appropriate? | Simplify, resize, or improve contrast |
| Buttons | Are they distinguishable from regular text? | Sharpen borders, add background fill, improve hover states |
| Grammar | Are there spelling or grammar errors? | Proofread with Grammarly or Hemingway |
| Product Page | Does it showcase products effectively? | Use rich layouts, high-res images, clear CTAs |
| Trust Badges | Do they clash with brand colors? | Move to footer, use brand-compatible alternatives |
| Text Overlays | Is text readable on all backgrounds? | Darken overlay, increase contrast, test on mobile |
| Mobile Design | Does everything work on mobile? | Test all elements at multiple screen sizes |
Key Takeaway from the Brickslip Brothers Review
This was an exceptionally designed store overall. The reviewer had to reach deep to spot minor improvements. Even great stores can benefit from small refinements. Regular design reviews help maintain high conversion rates as your store evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I do a design review of my Shopify store?
Conduct a full design review at least once per quarter. Also do a quick review before major sales events like Black Friday or holiday seasons. Regular reviews catch issues before they impact conversion rates.
Should I remove payment badges from my store?
It depends on your design. If payment badges clash with your brand colors or distract from CTAs, move them to the footer. A/B test to see what works best for your audience. Some stores benefit from visible badges, others do not.
What contrast ratio should my text have?
Follow WCAG guidelines: normal text needs a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio against its background. Large text (18px+ bold or 24px+ regular) needs 3:1. Use WebAIM's free contrast checker to test your color combinations.
How do I conduct a DIY design review without a designer?
Use the checklist in this guide. Review on both desktop and mobile. Ask 2-3 people unfamiliar with your store to navigate it and give feedback. Use tools like Hotjar for heatmaps and Google Analytics for user behavior data.
Do grammar errors really affect sales?
Yes. Studies show 74% of consumers notice spelling and grammar errors on websites. Poor grammar reduces perceived professionalism and trust, which can increase bounce rates and decrease conversion rates, especially in competitive niches.
Need Help with Your Shopify Store Design?
Our Shopify design experts can conduct a professional store review and provide actionable recommendations to improve your conversion rates. From branding to UX, we guide you through every step.