Hey everyone, very sad day today:

This is Rob Clark’s 4th out of 4 edits of “i only speak liquid” 😭 

Need not worry: We will be back with another fantastic writer and freelance Shopify Developer in 2 weeks.

But I want to take a pause to thank Rob for delivering 4 banging newsletters. As a reminder: Rob (a Storetasker Member) is a highly experienced Shopify developer based in Wiltshire, UK, who has worked with brands like ThruDark and Pangaia. He specializes in theme development and UX design.

Please stay connected with him here. And here are links to his last 3 edits:

• Edition #65: What I love (and hate) about the AJAX API

• Edition #66: Liquid vs. Hydrogen: Which framework to use?

• Edition #67: The Versatility of Block Types

What I’ve been thinking about: GitHub + Shopify - A match made in cyber heaven

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a platform designed for hosting and collaborating on software projects. It offers version control, enabling developers to track and manage changes to their codebase over time.

Why Use GitHub?

GitHub’s version control is invaluable for developers, allowing them to:

• Track changes within the codebase and revert to earlier versions if necessary.

• Collaborate effectively through its branching system, enabling multiple developers to work on different parts of a project simultaneously.

• Ensure quality control with workflows that allow project owners or senior developers to review and approve code before deploying it to a live environment.

Why Use GitHub with Shopify?

Shopify themes can grow complex as merchants integrate additional functionality into their stores. As these sites scale, and as there is a potential for more developers to contribute to the project, GitHub becomes an essential tool for maintaining order.

Any updates within the Shopify theme, through Shopify, are also updated within GitHub. This means that theme templates, where content can be created for products/pages/articles etc, the JSON data that it creates can also be stored within the GitHub repository, subject to the repositories setup.

GitHub ensures a streamlined workflow, offering both version control and a reliable system for tracking changes.

How to Connect Your GitHub Repository to Shopify

Follow these steps to connect your GitHub repository to Shopify. There are a number of ways to achieve this, however, this is my preferred procedure.:

1. Create a GitHub Account

If you don’t already have an account, sign up at GitHub.

2. Set Up Your Shopify Theme Repository

• Create a blank repository on GitHub.

• Pull the repository to your local machine using GitHub Desktop for simplicity.

• Download/export the latest version of your Shopify theme.

• Place the exported theme files into the folder connected to GitHub Desktop.

• In GitHub Desktop, you’ll see the files appear. Commit the changes and push them to the repository.

• Verify that all files have been pushed by checking the repository on GitHub.

3. Connect GitHub to Shopify

• In Shopify, add a new theme.

• From the dropdown menu, select Connect from GitHub.

• A drawer will appear showing your GitHub repositories. If your repository isn’t listed, ensure you’ve granted Shopify the necessary permissions within GitHub.

• Select the branch you want to connect. (You can connect multiple branches, which is ideal for testing or gaining client approval before deploying new functionality.)

• The theme will install in Shopify and can be deployed as the live theme whenever needed.

Important Notes

• Duplicated themes within Shopify are not automatically connected to GitHub, even though they may appear in Shopify’s theme list.

• GitHub integration ensures a clear workflow for developers and safeguards the theme’s integrity through consistent version control.

ReCharge - For Subscriptions within Shopify

When it comes to setting up subscriptions within Shopify, ReCharge is the go-to solution. This powerful app integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store, offering robust functionality and flexibility. Its comprehensive documentation and API support make it easy to customise features to suit your needs, for example, creating bundle builders or other tailored subscription options.

3 links you can’t miss:

1. Envato Elements

Among the many stock asset libraries available, Envato Elements stands out for its impressive diversity and versatility. It consistently meets a wide range of creative needs, making it a go-to resource for stock assets.

2. Hotjar

For any UX team, Hotjar is an invaluable tool. Whether you’re mapping user behaviour with heatmaps, gathering insights through surveys, or analysing user sessions, Hotjar provides an all-encompassing solution to better understand and enhance user experience.

3. GT Metrix

While Google PageSpeed offers solid recommendations for improving website speed, GTmetrix goes a step further. With its detailed scoring system and comprehensive analysis, it provides actionable insights to enhance website performance across multiple dimensions and locations.

1 app I like:

Recharge: For Subscriptions within Shopify

When it comes to setting up subscriptions within Shopify, ReCharge is the go-to solution. This powerful app integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store, offering robust functionality and flexibility. Its comprehensive documentation and API support make it easy to customise features to suit your needs, for example, creating bundle builders or other tailored subscription options.

One learning as a freelancer:

I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts

The vibes from the last meeting seemed promising. The email you sent afterward was encouraging, meticulously laid out, and practically a grammar enthusiast’s dream. You’d know, you spent ages crafting it. And then… nothing.

Anxiety creeps in. You reread the email, scrutinising every line, worrying it might come across as pretentious or that you mistakenly wrote effect instead of affect. Grammarly gives you the green light, and your partner assures you there’s nothing wrong. You wait a couple more days, then send a polite follow-up.

Despite your best efforts, your positive mindset and your best laid out plans, you are greeted with deafening silence!

Being ghosted is a horrible feeling, one that most, if not all, of us experience at some point in our careers. It’s incredibly hard not to take it personally. But here’s the thing: nine times out of ten, it’s not about you.

More often than not, the person on the other end doesn’t know how to articulate their decision or disappointment. Maybe they want to avoid confrontation, don’t know how to phrase things respectfully, or are simply too busy to respond.

While feedback is always valuable, perhaps the silence can be a blessing and it allows us, as freelancers, to dodge a proverbial bullet. Perhaps it will allow us to work with clients who truly respect our time and effort.

Sometimes, external factors can also come into play. With the recent traumatic events in Los Angeles, it made me realise that responding to freelancers, during that horrific time, isn’t always that high on peoples priority list. It’s a reminder that the person on the other end of those emails or meetings is human too, dealing with their own various struggles.

If (or rather, when) you find yourself being ghosted, here are a few ways to support yourself:

• Acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel disappointed.

• Don’t be too hard on yourself. As mentioned, it’s probably not about you.

• Surround yourself with people who respect you. Their encouragement can be grounding.

• Step away and recharge. Sometimes, a walk in nature is all it takes to reset your mindset.

• Seek professional support if needed. If the feelings become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

-Rob