Issue 163 - Shopify Editions Winter '25 and much more!
This newsletter centers on Shopify Editions Winter '25, a release focused on refining existing features rather than introducing new ones.
Key updates include faster APIs, improved cart and checkout loading speeds, enhanced customer account extensions, and expanded functionalities for POS, bundles, and metafields.
The release also introduces Sidekick, new analytics tools, and features that integrate draft orders with checkout extensions. Supporting content highlights Shopify’s ongoing evolution:
Polaris, the design system for app developers, is emphasized as essential, while updates on site speed testing, Checkout Extensibility, and Legacy vs. new Customer Accounts provide practical insights. Accessibility tools like EightShapes’ Contrast Grid and discussions on career ladders round out this informative issue.
Understanding Site Speed Test Results
Have you ever run a site speed test on a Shopify store and been confused why the results say the site is taking 5, 10, 15+ seconds to load... but when you load your site on your phone/desktop, it takes only a fraction of that time?
By Lukas Tanasiuk
Checkout Extensions and Functions Updates
The good folks at Shopify's Checkout Extensibility and Functions teams hosted a Spaces on Twitter (X) today and I took notes!
By Taylor Page
EightShapes Contrast Grid for Accessibility
Test many foreground and background color combos for compliance with WCAG 2.0 minimum contrast.
By Eightshapes
Why You Need a Well-Defined Career Ladder (and How to Create One)
Without a single source of truth to point to, managers and leaders may find that they each hold a different interpretation of what it means to be a mid, senior, staff, or principal software engineer, based on their personal experiences and bias. Having a well-defined career ladder is an essential tool for teams to find alignment, and to have productive conversations around career development and growth opportunities.
By Estelle DeBlois
Legacy Customer Accounts Explained
In this video, we dive into the differences between Legacy Customer Accounts and the new Customer Accounts. Discover how passwordless logins, enhanced features, and customizable experiences are shaping the future of e-commerce on Shopify.
By Helium
Shopify Editions Winter '25
When I talk to all of you about how we can make Shopify better, what I hear over and over again is make this API faster. Make sure that feature X works with feature Y. Make feature Z available in all countries. Polish that rough corner. Please dial it in. We've spent the last six months doing exactly that. Instead of adding a bunch of new stuff, the Winter 25 Edition is all about improving the features you already depend on every day.
By Shopify
Shopify Editions Winter 25: Inside Customer Account Extensions
Tired of logging into five different portals just to make a return? Shopify says enough. Patrick Millegan joins Kurt Elster to talk about Shopify’s new customer account extensions, designed to simplify logins, reduce support headaches, and make online shopping enjoyable again. Learn how these updates are streamlining e-commerce, reducing support costs, and enhancing personalization.
By Ethercycle
Polaris: A Shopify Dev's Secret Weapon
Polaris - The design system that all Shopify app devs should be deeply familiar with. In this video we talk about the what, why, how of Polaris and why, as a Shopify app dev, you NEED to be familiar with the Polaris docs.
By Dev with Alex
Shopify Editions | Winter ’25
Top updates Draft orders work with functions, bundles, and checkout extensions Shopify POS works with bundles, retail customer segments, and customer metafields Shopify Search & Discovery works with combined listings and category metafields We've increased loading speeds across cart and checkout and the admin We're rolling out Sidekick, Markets, new analytics, and customer account extensions
By Shopify
