Want to manage your Shopify theme without coding? Dynamic sources let you update product details, images, and descriptions directly through Shopify’s admin panel. Here’s what you need to know:
- What Are Dynamic Sources? They use metafields to store extra product, collection, or page details, making updates quick and easy.
- Why Use Them? Save time, reduce errors, and maintain consistent branding while managing content for a growing store.
- How to Set Them Up:
- Create metafields under Settings > Custom data > Metafields.
- Link them to theme sections via the dynamic source icon in the customiser.
- Common Uses: Seasonal banners, product specifications, collection filters, and more.
Quick Tip: Always test your changes across devices and formats to ensure everything looks right. If issues arise, check metafield setup, clear theme cache, or use fallback content.
Dynamic sources make managing Shopify themes simple and efficient. Ready to dive in? Keep reading for detailed steps and troubleshooting tips.
Using dynamic sources in your product and page templates
Setup Steps for Dynamic Sources
Opening Theme Settings
Go to Online Store > Themes and click “Customise” on your active theme. In the left sidebar, look for blocks with a dynamic source icon.
Setting Up Metafields
Follow these steps to create metafields:
- Access Metafields: Head to Settings > Custom data > Metafields.
- Choose Content Type: Select the type of content you want to customise, such as products, collections, or pages.
- Create Definition: Click “Add definition” and configure the following:
- Name: Use a clear, descriptive name.
- Namespace: Organise related fields into groups.
- Key: Provide a unique identifier for the field.
- Type: Pick the data type (e.g., text, number).
Organise your metafields under relevant namespaces like product_specs or shipping_info to keep everything structured.
Linking Metafields to Themes
1. Choose a Theme Section
Decide where you want to display dynamic content, such as in product descriptions, collection headers, or custom page sections.
2. Set Up the Dynamic Source
In the section settings, look for fields that allow dynamic sources. Click the dynamic source icon and select the desired metafield from the dropdown menu.
3. Preview Your Changes
Check how the updates look across different devices to ensure everything is formatted correctly.
For larger product catalogues, it’s helpful to establish a consistent metafield structure. Here’s an example:
| Content Type | Suggested Metafields | Example Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Specifications, Materials, Care Instructions | Product details like technical specs or fabric info |
| Collections | Season, Category Tags, Display Order | Seasonal groupings or category filters |
| Pages | Custom Headers, Section Content, SEO Fields | Dynamic layouts or meta descriptions |
Now that you’ve set up your dynamic sources, you can explore how to use them to improve product and page layouts.
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Common Uses for Dynamic Sources
Collection Page Features
Dynamic sources can simplify and improve your collection page layouts by automating updates and streamlining design elements.
- Seasonal Banners: Use collection-specific metafields to automatically update banner text, background colours, and CTAs during sales or seasonal events.
- Filter Options: Set up metafields for attributes like material, price, season, or size to create dynamic filtering options.
- Collection Headers: Configure metafields to display flexible headers, including category descriptions, image galleries, countdown timers, and sorting options.
These features work smoothly with your theme setup, improving both the look and functionality of your pages.
Fix Common Problems
Fix Connection Issues
If your dynamic sources aren’t connecting, try these steps:
Clear Theme Cache
Go to Online Store > Themes > Customise > Theme Actions > Clear Cache to clear your theme’s cache.
Check Namespace Consistency
Ensure that the namespaces and keys for metafields match exactly in your theme files.
Update Theme Files
Verify that your theme files correctly reference dynamic sources. Check the schema.json file to confirm accurate metafield definitions. For example:
{
"name": "Product features",
"settings": [
{
"type": "text",
"id": "feature_specs",
"label": "Feature Specifications",
"info": "Enter product specifications"
}
]
}
If the issue persists, move on to resolving display problems.
Fix Display Problems
If your metafield data isn’t showing up as expected, try these fixes:
Format Validation
Ensure your metafield data uses the correct format. For example, currency values should follow the Australian format (AUD), and dates should be in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Handle Empty Values
Provide fallback content for metafields that are blank. Here’s an example in Liquid:
{% if product.metafields.custom.feature_specs != blank %}
{{ product.metafields.custom.feature_specs }}
{% else %}
<p>Specifications coming soon</p>
{% endif %}
Responsive Display
Make sure your dynamic content displays properly across devices by adding CSS:
.dynamic-content {
max-width: 100%;
overflow-wrap: break-word;
}
Maintenance Tips
To keep your dynamic sources running smoothly, follow these maintenance practices:
Weekly Checks
Inspect metafield connections, test mobile responsiveness, confirm AUD currency and DD/MM/YYYY date formats, and check for broken images.
Version Control
Always back up your working theme configuration before making changes. Use Shopify’s theme versioning system to track edits and revert if necessary.
Performance Monitoring
Keep an eye on page load speeds. If pages take longer than 3 seconds to load, optimise metafield queries or enable lazy loading for dynamic content.
Documentation
Maintain a simple record of your dynamic source setups. Here’s an example:
| Element | Metafield Namespace | Key Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Features | custom | feature_specs | Display product specifications |
| Collection Banner | collection | seasonal_banner | Show seasonal promotions |
| Menu Items | navigation | menu_links | Dynamic navigation updates |
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
Dynamic sources simplify Shopify themes by allowing flexible, data-driven content management. To make the most of them, focus on these essentials: set up correct namespaces, maintain cache regularly, and test thoroughly on different devices.
Other tips include validating data formats (like DD/MM/YYYY and AUD), using fallback content, keeping an eye on load times, and documenting your configurations for future reference.
If you need more help, check out the support options below.
Alinga Support Options
Still facing challenges? Professional help can ensure everything works smoothly.
Alinga’s Success Growth Retainers program offers expert support for dynamic source implementation. Their team of Shopify developers, designers, and SEO strategists can help with:
- Setting up custom metafields
- Implementing dynamic content tailored to Australian eCommerce standards
- Improving theme performance for quicker load times
- Resolving technical issues and providing ongoing maintenance
Based in the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas, Alinga’s specialists are committed to delivering top-notch configuration and support to keep your Shopify store running efficiently. Their expertise ensures your dynamic content remains effective and responsive.
Are you thinking about transitioning to Shopify? Alinga makes transferring effortless, safe, and easy. We manage every aspect, from data and product transfers to design copy and SEO maintenance, so your store operates seamlessly. Don’t allow your fear of technology to restrict you. You can have confidence in Alinga to offer an effortless transition to Shopify and to prepare your business for significant growth. To start the transformation, contact us right away!
