Introduction
You only get one chance to make a first impression - and on your Shopify store, that’s your hero section.
It’s the first thing visitors see when they land on your site, often before they scroll. Whether they stay, browse, and buy often depends on what happens above the fold.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to design a high-converting Shopify hero section that grabs attention, communicates your value instantly, and drives more clicks. We’ll also show how you can create or test these sections in minutes using Section Store, without writing a line of code.
1. Start with a Clear, Benefit-Led Headline
Your headline is the first thing customers read - and it needs to answer one question fast: “Why should I care?”
A great hero headline does three things:
- States what you offer.
- Focuses on the benefit (not just the product).
- Uses simple, scannable language.
Example:
❌ “Premium skincare for all skin types.”
✅ “Hydrated, glowing skin — in just one step.”
Keep it short (5–10 words) and avoid jargon. Use subtext below for a supporting sentence that adds context, like:
“Wholesome meals and snacks that offer necessary energy and exceptional flavour”
2. Use a Strong Visual Hierarchy
Your hero section should guide the eye - not overwhelm it. Think of it as a story told in one glance.
Here’s a simple visual hierarchy formula that works across most Shopify themes:
- Headline first (largest, boldest element)
- Supporting text second (smaller, readable font)
- CTA button next (contrasting colour, clear action)
- Image or video last (reinforcing the product in context)
See this in action with Hero #16 above. Use a pre-built section like this to give you optimal hero hierarchy.
Section Store has over 40 different hero sections, some of our other favourites: Hero #33, Hero #24, Hero #30. You can also use a "slideshow" section in place of a hero.
Avoid clutter. Use whitespace strategically to make your call-to-action stand out. A study by Google found that simple, low-complexity designs are perceived as more beautiful and trustworthy - and visitors form that impression in less than 50 milliseconds.
💡 Pro tip: Choose visuals that show your product in use, not just on a white background. Lifestyle imagery outperforms static product shots for most brands.
3. Add a Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA)
Your CTA is the bridge between “interested” and “converted.” It should be clear, visible, and aligned with your customer’s intent.
Instead of generic “Shop Now” buttons, make it more specific:
- “Get Hydrated Today”
- “Build Your Bundle”
- “Try the Starter Pack”
Stick to one primary CTA in your hero section. Too many options create friction and lower conversions.
💡 Pro tip: Use colour psychology - choose a button colour that contrasts with your background (e.g., green or orange on neutral backgrounds). It should pop, but still feel on-brand.
4. Include Social Proof or Trust Signals
Even above the fold, you can build trust without cluttering the design. Try:
- Star ratings or review counts (“⭐️ 4.9 from 1,200+ happy customers”)
- Press logos (“As seen in GQ, Vogue, Men’s Health”)
- A short customer quote or stat (“Over 50,000 bottles sold”)
Section Store Hero #24 combines star ratings and a short stat "Over 50000 happy customers" to build trust.
Research shows that adding social proof near the hero section can increase conversions by up to 15%. It helps visitors feel confident they’re not the first to try your brand.
💡 Pro tip: If you use a Section Store hero layout like Hero #24, you can easily toggle on review badges or trust icons without needing a developer.
5. Optimise for Mobile First
Over 75% of Shopify traffic comes from mobile. That means your hero section should look perfect on small screens before you worry about desktop.
Mobile-optimised hero sections should:
- Keep headlines under 5–6 words.
- Use vertically stacked layouts (image below text).
- Ensure CTAs are thumb-friendly (large enough, easy to tap).
💡 Pro tip: Test your Shopify homepage in your phone’s browser - and on multiple devices. Testing on tablet is often overlooked! You can also use the chrome developer tools to view your website from all different devices.
If you’re using Section Store, all hero sections are already mobile-optimised out of the box - including the ability to add separate desktop and mobile images.
6. Test and Iterate (Fast)
A “perfect” hero section doesn’t exist - but a high-performing one does, and it’s built through testing.
Try changing one variable at a time:
- Headline copy
- Background image
- CTA colour or text
- Layout (text left vs. centred)
Use your analytics and data or tracking apps to track click-through and scroll behaviour to see whats working.
💡 Pro tip: With Section Store, you can swap in new hero section designs instantly - without touching your theme code - so you can test different layouts in minutes instead of days.
Watch our tutorial on easily adding Sections to any Shopify theme.
Conclusion
Your hero section is your store’s first impression - it sets the tone for your brand, builds trust, and drives action.
Remember:
- Lead with a benefit-driven headline.
- Use clear visual hierarchy.
- Add a single, strong CTA.
- Sprinkle trust elements subtly.
- Test often.
If you’re ready to create a professional, conversion-ready Shopify hero section without hiring a developer or paying a monthly app subscription, explore Hero Sections on Section Store - plug them into your storefront and start converting more visitors today.
Section Store helps you design your Shopify store faster - with beautiful, pre-built sections that convert.
