How to Add a Section to Your Shopify Theme (3 Methods)

Every Shopify theme includes built-in sections, but they may not cover every customization need. If you want to add section Shopify theme, such as customer reviews, upsell blocks, or custom banners, you don't need to hire a developer or switch themes. In this guide, NextSky walks you through the process step by step.

What are Shopify sections?

Shopify sections are the building blocks of your store layout. You can add, remove, reorder, and customise them directly in the theme editor without coding. Each section contains blocks, such as headings, images, text, and buttons, that control the content inside it. With Online Store 2.0, sections can be used across product pages, collections, blogs, and landing pages, not just the homepage.

Note: Older Shopify themes only support homepage sections. For full flexibility, use an OS 2.0 theme like Dawn.

Add sections using the theme editor (built-in sections)

The fastest way to add a section is through Shopify's built-in theme editor. Every section already included in your theme is available here without installing anything.

Steps:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes → Edit theme

• Use the page selector at the top to choose which template you want to edit (e.g., Product, Collection, Homepage)
• In the left sidebar, scroll to the template area and click + Add section
• Choose a section from the list, you can use the search bar to find a specific type
• The section is added at the bottom of the page; drag it into your preferred position
• Customise the section's content and settings in the right panel
• Click Save

To add blocks within a section, click on the section, then hit + Add block at the bottom of its settings panel. Available block types depend on the section.

To remove a section or block, hover over it in the sidebar and click the trash can icon, or use the Remove button in its settings panel.

Pro tip: You can also duplicate any section or block by clicking the ... menu next to it and selecting Duplicate. This is useful when building multiple similar content rows.

Add new sections via a Shopify section app

Most Shopify themes include around 15-20 built-in sections. If you need extra features like countdown timers, FAQs, shoppable videos, trust badges, or upsells, section apps are often the quickest solution. 

These apps add new sections directly to your theme editor, where they work just like native theme sections. You can add, move, and customise them without touching code.

Popular Shopify section apps

There are several well-regarded section apps in the Shopify App Store, each with a slightly different focus:

All of the above are compatible with Online Store 2.0 themes and work natively inside the Shopify theme editor.

General steps to add a section via a section app

The workflow is broadly the same across most section apps:

Step 1: Install the app and browse the section library

After installing from the Shopify App Store, open the app and browse available sections. Most apps let you preview sections before adding them to your theme.

Step 2: Install the section in your theme

Click the install or add button within the app. You'll typically be prompted to choose which theme to install to, both published and draft themes are usually supported.

Step 3: Add the section in the theme editor

Go to Online Store → Themes → Customise, navigate to the page template where you want the section, and click + Add section. The newly installed section will appear in the list, often grouped under the app's name.

Step 4: Customise and save

Click the section to open its settings panel, configure content, colours, and layout, then hit Save.

Add a custom-coded section (for developers)

If you have specific design requirements that no existing section covers, you can build one from scratch using Shopify's Liquid templating language.

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes → Edit Code
2. In the left file tree, find the Sections folder and click Add a new section
3. Give it a descriptive name following naming conventions (e.g., custom-banner, product-upsell-row)
4. Click Create section — a starter Liquid template will be generated with placeholder areas for HTML, CSS, and your section {% schema %}
5. Write your section code. In the {% schema %} block, define a presets array with a name and category — this is what makes the section appear in the theme editor's section picker
6. Save and navigate to the theme editor to confirm it appears under + Add Section

Sample schema presets block:

liquid

{% schema %}

{

  "name": "Custom Banner",

  "presets": [

    {

      "name": "Custom Banner",

      "category": "Custom"

    }

  ]

}

{% endschema %}

For full-page control, you can also reference the section inside a JSON template file using the section's file name as its type value.

How to add an upsell section to your product page

A product page upsell is one of the most effective additions you can make to a Shopify store. It can appear as a frequently bought together block, a product add-on, or a post-add-to-cart offer.

Add an upsell with an app block

Most Shopify upsell apps use App Blocks, which let you place offers directly in your product page layout.

1. Install an upsell app.
2. Open Theme Editor → Product Template.
3. Select the Product Information section.
4. Click Add Block and choose the app block.
5. Place it above or below the Add to Cart button.
6. Configure products, discounts, and display settings.

Note: App Blocks only work with Online Store 2.0 themes and must be placed inside an existing section.

Best practices

• Keep it relevant: Recommend accessories, bundles, or complementary products.
• Place it near the Add to Cart button: this is where purchase intent is highest.
• Optimise for mobile: Always test the layout on smaller screens.
• Keep it simple: One strong recommendation usually converts better than multiple offers.