"i only speak liquid" #59: Elevating Shopify Themes with Custom Sections

Hey everyone!

Welcome to my 3rd contribution to the  i_only_speak_liquid newsletter!

I'm Martynas, a freelance web developer and proud member of the Storetasker network. I spend a lot of time building Shopify sites, and also React applications.

Let’s connect via Linkedin.

What I’ve been thinking about:

As developer, you know how limiting it can feel when a theme only comes with a few predefined sections. You’ve probably experienced a client asking for custom features like video testimonials, sliders, or social proof elements—things not easily handled by default Shopify themes.

That’s where I’ve found Design Packs. Instead of rewriting a bunch of custom Liquid code or hacking existing sections, you can drop in pre-built sections that seamlessly blend into any theme. Whether it’s a simple banner with a video background or a fully custom landing page, these tools expand your capabilities without all the extra dev time. And the best part? It’s integrated directly into the theme’s Liquid code—no extra apps bogging down performance.

From a development perspective, it also gives you control. You can tweak the sections as much as you like, maintaining the flexibility we all need when we’re working on a complex e-commerce project. If you’re not already using these kinds of tools, it’s worth considering how they can streamline your workflow and help you deliver more value to clients.

3 links you can’t miss:

1. Font Squirrel – Find high-quality, completely legal free fonts to enhance your designs.

2. ASCII Art – A large collection of ASCII art drawings, perfect for creative inspiration or adding a fun touch to your projects.

3. Startpage – A privacy-focused search engine that lets you browse the web without personal data collection, tracking, or targeting.

1 app I like:

Lucky Orange: This app gives you an inside look at your customers’ behavior with visual analytics. See what they’re buying, which products they add to cart, and where they drop off at checkout. It’s like getting a behind-the-scenes tour of your store, helping you fix issues and boost conversions.

One learning as a freelancer:

As a freelancer, your network is key to success. Every project and client gives you a chance to expand it. Word-of-mouth referrals often bring in new work without much extra effort. The more connections you make, the more opportunities seem to come your way naturally.

Martynas