Shopify Launch Theme Review: Features, Pros, Cons & Ratings

The Shopify Launch Theme is perfect for brands looking to make a bold statement and leave a memorable impression on their customers. With its sleek design, customizable layout options, and powerful features, this theme is built to optimize the user experience while maximizing sales potential. 

In this evaluation, we'll examine the Shopify Launch Theme's features, layout options, cost, advantages, and disadvantages, along with suggestions for maximizing its potential for your online business. Whether you are a new business just starting out or an established brand looking to refresh your store’s look, this theme might be just what you need.

About Shopify Launch Theme

The Shopify Launch Theme is crafted explicitly for startups and emerging businesses aiming to scale into successful online stores rapidly. This theme's clean, minimalistic style makes it easy for store owners to construct a polished, business-like website without requiring a lot of development or modification effort. It's all about getting your store up and running quickly so you can focus on what truly matters - growing your business and connecting with your customers.

What sets the Launch Theme apart is its unique app-like tools that provide potent functionalities immediately. These tools enhance customer engagement, boost pre-sales, and support effective product launches.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

Launch theme Layout options

Cool

The Cool layout is sleek and minimalistic, perfect for brands that want to keep things simple and focus primarily on showcasing their products. This layout features a clean design with ample white space and blue details, allowing product images and descriptions to stand out without distractions.

The subtle use of color accents enhances the visual appeal while keeping the overall look refined and professional. Ideal for businesses that sell premium or luxury products, the Cool layout creates an elegant and sophisticated online shopping experience.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

Fresh

Fresh is a great option for companies who wish to project excitement and energy because of its dynamic and colorful layout. Bright color schemes and captivating visual components are used in this layout to draw the eye and convey an air of creativity and freshness. 

Startups in the fashion, cosmetics, food, and lifestyle industries might benefit greatly from the Fresh layout as it appeals to a younger demographic that is always on the lookout for the next big thing.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

Bold

The Bold layout lives up to its name by delivering a striking and impactful design. This option is perfect for brands that want to make a powerful first impression and leave a lasting mark on their visitors. With its strong typography, vibrant colors, and dynamic visual elements, the Bold layout is ideal for brands that are not afraid to stand out. 

The Bold layout gives you a strong presence while assisting you in achieving your objectives, whether you're starting a Kickstarter campaign, introducing a new product line, or seeking to increase brand awareness.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

Features & Pricing of Shopify Launch Theme 

Launch Theme Features

Unique Goal-Tracking Feature

One of the Launch Theme's most innovative features is its goal-tracking tool, perfect for businesses running crowdfunding or pre-order campaigns. With the help of this function, which lets you establish precise goals like the quantity of goods sold or money raised, you can show your consumers how far you've come. It creates anticipation and motivates prospective clients to help achieve the objective.

Customizable Color Gradient

The Launch Theme's adjustable color gradient function helps establish a visually arresting and unified brand identity. Because of its adaptability, you may experiment with color to complement your seasonal marketing or brand identity, giving customers a more engaging and visually attractive experience at your business.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

Product-Focused Design

With its product-first approach, the Launch Theme is designed to highlight your offerings and make them the show's star. It provides ample space for high-resolution images, detailed descriptions, and compelling call-to-action buttons, ensuring your products grab attention and drive conversions.

Technical Specifications Display

Parts of the theme are devoted to presenting the technical details of your product. Businesses in specialty markets like electronics, toys, or health items would find this function very helpful. It enables you to orderly show important product facts, assisting buyers in making wise purchasing selections.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

Built-in Styles and Color Palettes

To make your store unique, the Launch Theme offers a range of pre-designed styles and color palettes that can be simply customized to match your brand's personality. This feature simplifies the design process, allowing you to create a cohesive and professional look without needing a designer.

High-Resolution Images

The theme supports high-resolution images, essential for creating a professional and polished online store. Crisp and clear images can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your store, helping you convey product quality and build trust with customers.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

The Launch Theme is built with SEO best practices in mind, ensuring your store is optimized for search engines. With built-in SEO features, you can improve your store’s visibility in search results, attract more organic traffic, and increase sales.

Launch Theme Pricing Options

Shopify provides an unlimited free trial for the Launch Theme, which means you can install the theme, customize it, and explore all its features without any time restrictions. However, to publish the theme and make it live on your store, there is a one-time payment of $240.

Pros & Cons of Shopify Launch Theme 

Pros of Shopify Launch Theme

• Mobile-Friendly Design: The Launch Theme is responsive and beautiful works well on tablets and smartphones. Regardless of how customers visit your business, this guarantees a smooth shopping experience for them, increasing engagement and conversions.

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

• Customizable Layout: The theme offers a high degree of customization, allowing store owners to easily modify layout arrangements, colors, fonts, and other elements to match their brand’s identity. With built-in styles and flexible sections, you can quickly create a unique and visually appealing store without extensive design skills or experience.
• Unique App-Like Tools: One of the standout features of the Launch Theme is its set of unique, app-like tools, such as the goal-tracking feature. These tools are specifically designed to support businesses running pre-sales, crowdfunding, or product launch campaigns. 
• Quick Setup: The Launch Theme is known for its ease of use and fast setup. Even if you’re a beginner with limited technical knowledge, you can set up and launch a polished online store within hours. The intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality simplify the process to create a professional-looking store without extensive coding or design expertise.

Cons of Shopify Launch Theme 

• Code-Related Problems: Some users have encountered code-related issues when customizing the theme beyond its default options. Although the theme is relatively easy to set up and use, those looking to make more advanced customizations may need to edit the theme's code. This can be challenging for users without coding experience and may require hiring a developer, which could increase costs.

Read more: Create Code-Free Custom Shopify Themes for Beginners

• Limited Built-In Features for Large Catalogs: The Launch Theme is designed for startups and smaller product lines. However, its straightforward and minimalist approach might not provide the depth of features needed for stores with large catalogs or complex product variations. 

Launch theme user reviews, Support, and Resources

User Review

(Image source: Shopify Theme Store)

The Shopify Launch Theme has generally received positive feedback from users who appreciate its clean design, ease of use, and customization options. Many users have praised the theme for its modern, modular layout, which is particularly effective for prominently showcasing a limited range of products on the home page. Businesses may customize the appearance and feel of their store to meet their branding requirements because to the theme's versatility in setting up the home page layout, which has been cited as a major asset.

Support from the theme developer, Pixel Union, is frequently mentioned as a strong point. Users often report receiving timely and helpful assistance, with specific acknowledgments of the support team’s professionalism and clarity in resolving issues.

However, some users have reported frustration with the support provided, especially regarding more technical inquiries. Additionally, the unique coding structure of the Launch Theme has been cited as a barrier for those who want to make specific custom changes, as it can differ from other Shopify themes and complicate the process of applying general coding solutions.

Below are some of the most detailed comments about the Shopify Launch Theme:

KitMaii Mar 31, 2024

I love the look and feel of "Launch"; it's easy to maneuver and set things up, with many features. Always so happy with the customer support I receive from Pixel Union. Thank you, John, for your help - excellent advice and clear instructions on what to do. I appreciate this. Gina

Snap Studio Dec 23, 2022

I'm super happy with this theme. It's sleek, modern, and modular. We just sell a couple of products, and it works amazing to showcase them boldly on the home page and then route them into their respective product pages. We have been the most impressed with the flexibility of the home page, and it has fulfilled our needs. Moreover, the team is super responsive and helpful if you have any questions!

BlokoBloko Jun 24, 2022

I had a great experience with Leo, who was quick and helpful. I wanted to remove the 'Opening Soon' text on my password page. Thanks, Leo!

Supreme Grubs Jul 8, 2021

0 support was given. "Contact a shopify expert" answers the most simple questions a support should be able to provide. Theme code differs from most other stores, challenging applying coding and knowledge from support forums. *update - below my review is Pixel Union support trying to persuade you that adding a Google tracking snippet code is = 3rd party integration...

Support

The Shopify Launch Theme is developed by Pixel Union, a reputable theme developer known for offering comprehensive support to its customers. However, there are a few key points to keep in mind regarding the support provided for this theme:

Response Time and Language

Response times can differ depending on the volume of tickets, with an estimated wait time of 3 or more business days. It's also important to note that support is available exclusively in English, which may be a consideration for non-English-speaking users.

Scope of Support Services

Pixel Union provides various support services to help users get the most out of the Launch Theme. This includes: 

• Answering questions about the theme's functionality, technical capabilities, and pre-sale inquiries. 
• Helping users familiarize themselves with setting up and configuring the theme's features. 
• Fixing bugs or issues in unmodified theme installations and providing updated theme files to ensure compatibility with new software versions.

Limitations of Support

It is essential to understand that the support offered by Pixel Union does not cover all aspects of theme usage, such as:

• Support does not extend to troubleshooting platform-specific issues native to Shopify; these should be directed to Shopify's support team. 
• Any errors or issues arising from custom code modifications, third-party apps, or added functionalities are not covered. 
• Pixel Union advises reverting customizations or removing apps to restore the theme's default functionality. 
• The support team also does not offer assistance transferring code changes to new theme versions or technical support for outdated theme versions.

Support Policy on Customizations and Inquiries

Pixel Union does not support adding new functionalities, third-party plugins (including apps), or custom code modifications. They also reserve the right to limit the number of support inquiries for a single theme purchase, although this is rarely enforced.

Resources

Pixel Union provides four main categories of Documentation for the Launch Theme, including:

• Templates - 7 articles: Product page template; Contact page template; FAQ page template; About/team page template; Cart page template;...
• Sections - 16 articles: Alternating content; Blog posts; Collection list; Featured collection; Featured product;...
• Header and Footer: Navigation and other header tools; Header logo; Newsletter; Footer
• Theme settings in Launch: How do I set the product for the product goal section?; Setting the featured product; How do I set up the product goal feature on the product page?

How to Purchase the Shopify Launch Theme

You can purchase the Shopify Launch Theme through two main channels: the Shopify Theme Store and Pixel Union. Here’s how to do it:

Shopify Theme Store

• Visit the Launch Theme page on the Shopify Theme Store using the button below.

Get Launch!

• Click the “Try theme” button to experience an unlimited free trial.

• Explore the theme’s features and see if it fits your store’s needs.
• If satisfied, make a one-time payment of $240 to purchase and publish the theme fully in your store.

Pixel Union

• Go to Pixel Union's Shopify Themes Collection.
• Scroll down to find the Launch Theme and click on it.
• Click “Try theme for free,” redirecting you to the Launch Theme page on the Shopify Theme Store.

• Follow the Shopify Theme Store page instructions to try the theme and complete the purchase.

Add custom sections to the Launch theme using EComposer

EComposer Page Builder is a powerful tool that enhances and customizes your Shopify Launch Theme with various sections and features. With its live drag-and-drop editor, you can easily create and add new elements to your store without advanced coding skills. 

For example, follow the steps below to add a Newsletter section to your Shopify Launch Theme using EComposer:

Step 1: Log in to your Shopify account to start the customization process.

Step 2: If you haven't installed EComposer Page Builder yet, go to the Shopify App Store or use the provided button here to install it. Follow the integration instructions to connect the app seamlessly with your Shopify store. If you already have the app installed, simply open it to proceed.

Get EComposer HERE!

Step 3: Within your Shopify account, navigate to the “Online Store” section. From there, select the “Themes” option.

Step 4: Locate the Launch Theme from your list of available themes and click “Customize.” This will open the theme's customization interface.

Step 5: Look for the “Add section” option in the customization interface. EComposer provides a wide range of section types, allowing you to personalize the Launch Theme to suit your store's needs.

Step 6: Click on “Explore Library” and select “Newsletter” under the “All Categories” section. Choose the specific Newsletter section type you want to add to your storefront and click “Insert Now.”

Step 7: Once the Newsletter section is added, you can customize it using EComposer's drag-and-drop editor. You can reorder the sections and edit the text, fonts, colors, and more to ensure it aligns with your brand's style.

Read more:

• How to Add a Video Section to Shopify Store
• How to Change the Background Color of Shopify Section
• Ultimate Guide to Add Custom Liquid Section in Shopify

Alternatives to Launch theme

Kalles

The Kalles Theme is a dynamic, multipurpose Shopify theme engineered to create visually stunning and high-converting eCommerce stores. Designed with speed and user experience in mind, Kalles ensures your online store performs optimally while providing an engaging shopping experience. Kalles provides a mix of strong functionality and visual appeal to satisfy a variety of retail demands, making it perfect for a broad spectrum of enterprises.

(Image source: The4)

Features

• 50+ Stunning Demos: Kalles has over 50 meticulously designed demo layouts, each tailored for different industries and store types. These demos provide a solid foundation for building your store, allowing you to choose a design that best fits your niche.
• Stunning Lookbook: The theme has an advanced lookbook function that allows you to compile eye-catching sets of pictures and merchandise. This feature is ideal for engaging clients and enticing them to explore more by showing seasonal collections, fashion trends, or product highlights.
• Video Thumbnail and 3D Support: Enhance product presentation with video thumbnails and 3D models. This feature lets you include video previews of your products directly on the product page, offering customers a more interactive shopping experience. Users may spin and examine goods from any aspect using 3D product views, giving them a genuine impression of the product.
• Image Focal Point: The image focal point feature allows you to adjust the focus area of your product images. This ensures that the most important parts of your product photos are prominently displayed, regardless of the image’s size or aspect ratio. It helps highlight key product details and enhances visual appeal.
• Advanced Mega Menu: For your store, the sophisticated mega menu function offers a complete navigation option. You may use it to make multi-column menus with different product categories, banner ads, and photos.
• Product Variant Swatches: Display product variants, such as colors, sizes, or styles, using swatches that appear directly on the product page. This feature simplifies the selection process for customers, allowing them to see available options at a glance and choose their preferred variant without navigating away from the product page.
• Unlimited Colors & Layouts: You may develop a distinctive store design that complements your brand with Kalles' limitless color and layout modification possibilities. To create a unique storefront that is visually appealing and harmonious, you may select from a variety of color schemes and layout layouts.
• SEO Optimized: Built with SEO best practices in mind, the Kalles Theme helps improve your store’s visibility on search engines. This includes clean code, fast loading times, and optimized meta tags, contributing to better search engine rankings and increased organic traffic.

Price: $89

Try Kalles!

Read more: Kalles Shopify Theme Review: Features, Pros, Cons & Ratings

Ecomus

The Ecomus Theme is a modern and versatile Shopify theme that offers a seamless and high-performance eCommerce experience. With over fifteen purpose-built demonstrations, Ecomus caters to various industries, allowing you to quickly set up and customize your online store. Modern demonstrations are geared for speed, user experience, and conversion rates, which makes it a great option for companies looking to make a big impression online.

(Image source: The4)

Features

• 30+ State-of-the-Art Demos: Ecomus provides over 30 pre-designed demos, each tailored for different business niches. These demos are crafted to offer a visually stunning and functional starting point for your store. With a single click, you can import any demo, customize it with your content, and launch your store in minutes. The demos are optimized to ensure top performance and an exceptional user experience.
• Color Schemes: The theme includes various color schemes, allowing you to match the design of your store with your brand's identity. You can choose from various pre-set color palettes or create your own to ensure a cohesive and attractive look.
• Product 360, 3D & Video: Enhance your product presentations with 360-degree views, 3D models, and video support. These features provide a more interactive and engaging shopping experience, enabling customers to view products from all angles and understand their features in greater detail.
• Mobile-First Experience: Ecomus is designed with a mobile-first approach, making sure your store looks and functions flawlessly on smartphones and tablets. This mobile optimization is crucial for capturing and retaining customers who shop on mobile devices.
• Good Product Swatches: Influential product samples are featured in the theme, making it simple for clients to choose from a variety of product alternatives, including sizes, colors, and patterns. This feature increases consumer pleasure and expedites the buying experience.
• Dynamic Mega Menu: Ecomus includes a dynamic mega menu that enhances navigation and user experience. The menu's ability to hold several columns, pictures, and advertising banners makes it simpler for users to browse through and locate goods across various categories.
• High-Converting Cart Page: The theme features a high-converting cart page designed to reduce friction during checkout. With clear calls to action, easy-to-use cart functions, and optimized design, this page is built to encourage completed purchases and boost conversion rates.
• Powerful SEO: Ecomus has powerful SEO features to help improve your store’s search engine visibility. The theme includes optimized code, fast loading times, and effective meta tags, contributing to better search engine rankings and increased organic traffic.

Price: $69

Conclusion

The Shopify Launch Theme offers a solid foundation for creating a polished and practical online store, especially for startups and businesses in their initial growth phases. With its clean design, user-friendly customization options, and unique features, Launch is geared toward helping you get your store up and running swiftly while focusing on product presentation and brand education.

Whether considering this theme for its robust features or evaluating alternatives like Kalles or Ecomus, the key is choosing a theme that best aligns with your store’s needs and goals. Moreover, you can use the tool like EComposer to fully utilize the power of these themes.

Try EComposer for FREE!