How to Install Your First Theme

Using the Design Builder Preview

Activating your first theme is a simple process that sets the foundation for further design work. Once you're satisfied with the design, you can easily activate it for your customers. If you're currently using templates like Europa or America, the Design Builder allows you to preview, design, and customize the appearance of your online store without affecting the current design visible to your customers.

Benefits of adding a Theme:

• Develop a new design while keeping your current design active.
• Save changes safely.
• Preview changes in the online store before they go live.

Important Note:

Changes made to the theme won't be visible to customers until you choose to install and activate the Design Builder. This ensures you have full control over when the design is published. This article will cover how to:

• Access the Design Builder
• Add themes for further design work
• Safely save changes
• Publish the design to your online store when ready

Getting started

Follow these steps to access the Design Builder:

Step 1: Navigate to Design > Your design in the control panel

Step 2: Select a template from the available themes

Step 3: Click on + Add theme for the template you wish to develop further in your online store.

Note: When adding a new theme, your current design remains unchanged. The new theme is added to the control panel for you to work on until you're ready to launch. Your online store's appearance remains the same for customers until you click "Install Design Builder" in the design overview within the control panel.

Working in preview mode

 Once you activate a theme, you can begin working on the store's design in a secure environment. Changes made are saved locally unless you install the Design Builder, allowing you time to perfect the appearance before publishing.

Saving changes

The "Save and Publish" option saves changes both in the Design Builder and the preview. Since you are working in preview mode, the changes only appear there until you are ready for full publication. After installing the Design Builder, "Save and Publish" will also update the active design in the online store.

Viewing changes

To preview your work, click the eye icon in the Design Builder to see the saved and published changes.

Exiting preview mode

To exit the preview mode in the Design Builder, go to your online store's homepage and click "Exit Preview" at the top of the store. After clicking "Exit Preview," you'll see the store as your customers do.

Reopening the design builder

• Before activation (preview mode):
  After exiting the builder, resume from where you left in two ways:
• • Navigate to Design > Your design > Open design builder
  • Click the Acendy icon in the preview's left corner and select "Design builder"
• After activation:
  After installing the design builder for the frontend, open the builder in two ways:
• • Navigate to Design > Design settings in your control panel
  • Click the Acendy icon in the homepage's left corner and select Design Builder

Installing the design builder 

Once satisfied with the previewed design, install and activate your new design by navigating to Design > Your Design and clicking on "Install Design Builder".