How to Create High-Converting Pages with GemPages: Complete Guide

Your Shopify theme limits what you can build.

Want a unique homepage layout? Requires coding. Need a campaign-specific landing page? Difficult with themes. Want to A/B test different product page designs? Nearly impossible.

GemPages removes these limitations.

It's a drag-and-drop page builder that lets you create any page design without touching code—and it's used by over 30,000 Shopify stores.

But here's the thing: just installing GemPages won't magically improve your conversions.

You need to know:

• What types of pages to create
• How to optimize each page type
• Which elements drive conversions
• How to avoid common mistakes

This is your complete guide to creating high-converting pages with GemPages.

What Is GemPages?

GemPages is a Shopify app that replaces your theme's page editor with a powerful drag-and-drop builder.

What makes it different from themes:

Shopify themes:

• Pre-built layouts
• Limited customization
• One design for all pages
• Requires code for changes

GemPages:

• Unlimited custom layouts
• Drag-and-drop everything
• Different designs per page
• No code required

Key features:

• 400+ pre-built templates
• Sales funnel builder
• AI image-to-layout converter
• Built-in analytics
• A/B testing ready
• Mobile-first responsive design

Pricing:

• Free plan: 1 page, full features
• $29/month: Unlimited pages
• $59/month: Advanced features
• $199/month: Agency plan

Who uses GemPages:

• D2C brands wanting custom designs
• Stores running campaign-specific landing pages
• Brands that A/B test regularly
• Agencies managing multiple clients

Need help setting up custom pages? Our theme customization services include GemPages setup and optimization.

What Types of Pages Can You Create?

GemPages lets you build 12 different page types:

1. Landing Pages (Most Common)

Use for:

• Campaign-specific promotions
• Product launches
• Lead generation
• Event marketing
• Seasonal sales

Typical elements:

• Hero section with strong headline
• Product/offer showcase
• Social proof (reviews, testimonials)
• Benefits section
• Urgency indicators (countdown, stock)
• Clear CTA throughout

Best for: Paid traffic campaigns, email promotions, influencer partnerships

Learn more about landing page psychology to maximize conversions.

2. Homepage

Use for:

• Brand storytelling
• Product discovery
• Value proposition communication
• Multiple CTAs for different audiences

Typical elements:

• Hero banner with main value prop
• Featured products/collections
• Trust signals (customer count, press logos)
• About section
• Instagram/UGC feed
• Newsletter signup

Best for: First-time visitors, brand building

3. Product Pages

Use for:

• Detailed product information
• Conversion optimization
• Upselling/cross-selling
• Building trust

Typical elements:

• Product gallery (zoom, video)
• Detailed descriptions
• Size guides/specs
• Reviews section
• "Complete the look" upsells
• Trust badges (shipping, returns)

Best for: High-value products, products needing explanation

4. Collection Pages

Use for:

• Category browsing
• Curated product sets
• Seasonal collections
• New arrivals

Typical elements:

• Collection banner
• Filtering options
• Product grid
• Sort options
• Pagination
• Collection description

Best for: Product discovery, category shopping

5. About Pages

Use for:

• Brand storytelling
• Building trust
• Differentiation
• Team introduction

Typical elements:

• Founder story
• Mission/values
• Timeline
• Team photos
• Press mentions
• Customer testimonials

Best for: Building brand connection, trust building

6. Contact Pages

Use for:

• Customer support
• Sales inquiries
• Partnership requests
• Store locations

Typical elements:

• Contact form
• Email/phone
• Office locations (map)
• Live chat integration
• FAQ accordion
• Response time expectations

Best for: Customer service, B2B inquiries

7. FAQ Pages

Use for:

• Pre-purchase questions
• Reducing support load
• Building confidence
• SEO (question-based searches)

Typical elements:

• Searchable FAQ
• Accordion sections
• Category grouping
• Related product links
• Contact form for unanswered questions

Best for: Complex products, reducing cart abandonment

8. Blog Post Templates

Use for:

• Content marketing
• SEO traffic
• Product education
• Brand storytelling

Typical elements:

• Featured image
• Author bio
• Related posts
• Product embeds
• Social sharing
• Email signup CTA

Best for: Content-driven stores, education-heavy products

9. Thank You Pages

Use for:

• Post-purchase engagement
• Upsells
• Social sharing
• Referral programs

Typical elements:

• Order confirmation
• What happens next
• Related products
• Share on social CTA
• Referral program offer
• First purchase bonus

Best for: Increasing customer lifetime value

10. Coming Soon Pages

Use for:

• Product launches
• Email collection
• Building anticipation
• Limited releases

Typical elements:

• Countdown timer
• Product teaser
• Email signup
• Social proof (waitlist count)
• Preview images/video

Best for: Product drops, pre-launch campaigns

11. Quiz/Survey Pages

Use for:

• Product recommendations
• Lead qualification
• Personalization
• Data collection

Typical elements:

• Multi-step questions
• Progress indicator
• Product matching
• Email capture
• Results page with recommendations

Best for: Complex product selection, personalization

12. Lookbook Pages

Use for:

• Seasonal campaigns
• Editorial content
• Lifestyle storytelling
• Product styling inspiration

Typical elements:

• Full-width imagery
• Hotspot product tags
• Shoppable images
• Lifestyle copy
• Collection CTAs

Best for: Fashion, home decor, lifestyle brands

Step-by-Step: Creating Your First Page

Let me walk you through creating a high-converting landing page.

Step 1: Install GemPages

1. Go to Shopify App Store
2. Search "GemPages"
3. Click "Add app"
4. Authorize installation
5. Follow setup wizard

Setup takes 5 minutes.

Step 2: Choose Your Approach

You have 3 options:

Option A: Start from Template (Recommended for beginners)

• Browse 400+ pre-built templates
• Choose one matching your goal
• Customize colors, images, text
• Fastest path to launch

Option B: Start from Blank

• Full creative control
• Build from scratch
• Add elements one by one
• Best for unique designs

Option C: AI Image-to-Layout (Fastest)

• Upload design mockup or screenshot
• GemPages converts to editable template
• Customize from there
• Perfect if you have Figma designs

For this tutorial, we'll use Option A (template).

Want to convert professional designs? Check our guide on how to convert Figma designs to Shopify.

Step 3: Select a Template

1. Click "Create New Page" in GemPages dashboard
2. Choose page type (Homepage, Landing Page, Product, etc.)
3. Browse templates by:
   • Category (fashion, beauty, electronics)
   • Style (minimal, bold, elegant)
   • Purpose (sale, launch, collection)

Template selection tips:

✓ Choose based on your goal (not just looks) ✓ Consider your product imagery quality ✓ Match your brand aesthetic ✓ Check mobile preview ✓ Read template description (features included)

For our example: Let's create a "Black Friday Sale" landing page.

Filter: Landing Pages → Seasonal → Black Friday

Selected: "Modern Sale Landing Page"

• Countdown timer included
• Product grid built-in
• Social proof section
• Multiple CTAs
• Mobile-optimized

Click "Use This Template"

Step 4: Understand the Editor Interface

Left sidebar:

• Elements: All available components (buttons, text, images, etc.)
• Sections: Pre-built section templates
• Pages: Switch between pages
• Settings: Global page settings

Center canvas:

• Desktop view: Default editing view
• Device toggle: Switch to tablet/mobile view
• Zoom controls: Zoom in/out for precision

Right sidebar:

• Element settings: Customize selected element
• Design: Styling options (colors, fonts, spacing)
• Advanced: Custom CSS, animations

Top bar:

• Undo/Redo: Revert changes
• Preview: See live preview
• Save: Save progress
• Publish: Make page live

Step 5: Customize the Template

Now let's personalize the template.

A. Edit the Hero Section

1. Click on headline text
2. Right sidebar opens with text settings
3. Update text: "Black Friday Sale: Up to 60% Off"
4. Adjust font size: 48px → 56px
5. Change color: Black → Brand color (#2C5F2D)
6. Update alignment: Center
7. Add animation: Fade in on load

B. Replace Images

1. Click on hero image
2. Right sidebar → Image Settings
3. Click "Change Image"
4. Upload your image OR select from library
5. Adjust image position (top, center, bottom)
6. Add alt text for SEO
7. Enable lazy loading (performance)

Pro tip: Use high-quality images (at least 1920px width for full-width sections)

C. Customize CTA Button

1. Click on "Shop Now" button
2. Right sidebar → Button Settings
3. Update text: "Shop Black Friday Deals"
4. Change button color: Blue → Brand primary
5. Adjust size: Medium → Large
6. Add hover effect: Darken on hover
7. Set link: Collection page URL

Button optimization tips:

• Use action-oriented text ("Get 60% Off" not "Click Here")
• High contrast with background
• Large enough for mobile (48px minimum height)
• Clear hover state

D. Add Countdown Timer

GemPages templates often include countdown elements.

1. Find countdown timer section
2. Click to select
3. Right sidebar → Countdown Settings
4. Set end date: November 24, 2024, 11:59 PM
5. Choose timezone: Your store's timezone
6. Customize colors: Match brand
7. Set "expired" action: Hide or show message

E. Edit Product Grid

1. Scroll to product section
2. Click on product grid
3. Right sidebar → Products Settings
4. Choose selection method:
   • Manual (select specific products)
   • Collection (auto-pull from collection)
   • Bestsellers (auto-populate)
5. Select: "Black Friday" collection
6. Set layout: 4 columns desktop, 2 mobile
7. Show: Product title, price, reviews

F. Add Social Proof

1. Find testimonial/review section
2. Click on review element
3. Update customer name
4. Edit review text
5. Upload customer photo (optional)
6. Add star rating
7. Duplicate for multiple reviews

G. Mobile Optimization

Critical: Always check mobile view.

1. Click device icon (top bar)
2. Switch to mobile view
3. Check each section:
   • Is text readable? (16px minimum)
   • Are images properly sized?
   • Is spacing adequate?
   • Are buttons tappable? (48px minimum)
4. Adjust mobile-specific settings:
   • Font sizes
   • Image cropping
   • Column layout (stack vertically)
   • Button sizes

Mobile-specific tips:

• Stack sections vertically
• Increase touch targets (buttons, links)
• Reduce text length
• Use larger fonts
• Remove non-essential elements

Step 6: Add Advanced Elements

Beyond basic customization, add conversion elements:

A. Trust Badges

1. Drag "Image" element from sidebar
2. Upload badge images:
   • Free shipping icon
   • 30-day returns icon
   • Secure payment icon
3. Arrange horizontally
4. Add text below: "Free Shipping | Easy Returns | Secure Checkout"

B. Urgency Indicators

1. Drag "Text" element
2. Add dynamic text: "127 people viewing this sale"
3. Style with red color
4. Position above CTA
5. Consider: This should be real data (integrate with analytics)

C. Exit-Intent Popup

1. Click "Add Section" → Popup
2. Design popup content:
   • "Wait! Don't Miss 60% Off"
   • Email capture form
   • Discount code reveal
3. Set trigger: Exit intent
4. Mobile: Scroll trigger (exit intent doesn't work on mobile)

D. Floating "Add to Cart" Bar (Mobile)

1. Add "Sticky Bar" section
2. Position: Bottom of screen (mobile only)
3. Contents: Product name, price, "Add to Cart" button
4. Trigger: When user scrolls past product images
5. Background: Brand color with slight transparency

Step 7: Optimize for Performance

Speed matters. Slow pages lose conversions.

Optimization checklist:

Images:

• Compress all images (TinyPNG or similar)
• Use WebP format where possible
• Enable lazy loading
• Appropriate sizes (don't upload 4000px images)

Scripts:

• Minimize custom code
• Remove unused elements
• Defer non-critical scripts

Design:

• Remove unnecessary animations
• Limit number of sections
• Avoid autoplay videos (major performance hit)

Test speed:

• Google PageSpeed Insights
• GemPages has built-in speed score
• Target: <3 seconds on mobile

Step 8: Configure SEO Settings

1. Click "Page Settings" (top right)
2. SEO tab opens
3. Configure:

Page Title: "Black Friday Sale 2024 - Up to 60% Off | [Brand Name]"

• Include keywords
• Under 60 characters
• Frontload important words

Meta Description: "Shop our biggest Black Friday sale ever. Up to 60% off sitewide. Free shipping on orders $50+. Sale ends Sunday, Nov 24."

• Include main offer
• Call to action
• Under 160 characters

URL Handle: "/black-friday-sale-2024"

• Short, descriptive
• Include keywords
• Use hyphens (not underscores)

Open Graph Image:

• Upload image for social sharing
• 1200 x 630 px
• Shows when page is shared

Step 9: Preview & Test

Before publishing, thorough testing:

Visual testing:

1. Click "Preview" button
2. Check desktop, tablet, mobile views
3. Test all links (CTAs, navigation, footer)
4. Verify images load correctly
5. Check text is readable
6. Ensure forms work

Functionality testing:

1. Click all buttons (do they go to right pages?)
2. Submit test form (does it capture correctly?)
3. Test on actual devices (not just emulator)
4. Check countdown timer counts down
5. Verify popup triggers work

Speed testing:

1. Run Google PageSpeed Insights
2. Check Core Web Vitals
3. Test on slow connection (3G simulation)
4. Ensure lazy loading works

Cross-browser testing:

1. Chrome (most traffic)
2. Safari (iOS users)
3. Firefox
4. Mobile browsers

Step 10: Publish

Ready to go live?

1. Click "Publish" button (top right)
2. Choose publish option:
   • Publish as new page: Creates new URL
   • Replace existing page: Overwrites current page
3. Set page visibility:
   • Visible: Page is live
   • Hidden: Page exists but not in navigation (good for campaigns)
   • Password protected: Requires password (good for previews)
4. Click "Publish"

Page is now live!

Post-publish checklist:

• Visit live URL to verify
• Test all functionality
• Check mobile appearance
• Submit to Google for indexing
• Share with team for review

Need expert help with page optimization? Our store audit and consulting services include comprehensive CRO analysis.

Optimization Best Practices

Creating the page is just the start. Here's how to optimize for conversions.

Homepage Optimization

Goal: Get visitors into your funnel (collections, products, cart)

Key elements:

1. Hero Section (above the fold):

Clear value proposition (3 seconds to understand)
+ High-quality visual
+ Primary CTA ("Shop Now" / "Explore Collection")
+ Trust signal (customer count, reviews)

2. Featured Products/Collections:

• Show bestsellers or new arrivals
• 4-8 products max
• Clear product images
• Prices visible
• Quick add-to-cart option

3. Social Proof:

• Customer count: "Join 50,000+ happy customers"
• Review average: "4.8★ from 2,847 reviews"
• Press logos: Featured in...
• UGC: Instagram feed

4. Benefits Section:

• Free shipping
• Easy returns
• Quality guarantee
• Secure checkout

Homepage mistakes to avoid: ❌ Too many competing CTAs ❌ Unclear what you sell ❌ Too much text ❌ Slow loading images ❌ No mobile optimization

Landing Page Optimization

Goal: Single conversion action (add to cart, email signup, etc.)

Key elements:

1. Singular Focus:

• One primary CTA
• Everything supports that action
• No distracting navigation
• No external links

2. Above-the-Fold Formula:

Attention-grabbing headline
+ Supporting subheadline
+ Hero image/video
+ Primary CTA button
+ Trust indicator

3. Urgency & Scarcity:

• Countdown timer (sale ends)
• Stock indicator (only 12 left)
• Social proof (127 people viewing)

4. Social Proof:

• Customer testimonials
• Review count and stars
• Recent purchases ("Sarah from Austin just bought this")
• Trust badges

5. Objection Handling:

• FAQ section
• Money-back guarantee
• Free shipping/returns
• Secure payment badges

Landing page formula:

Hero Section (5 seconds to understand)
↓
Problem (what pain point?)
↓
Solution (your product/offer)
↓
Benefits (why it works)
↓
Social Proof (who else uses it)
↓
Features (what's included)
↓
More Social Proof (testimonials)
↓
Urgency (why act now)
↓
FAQ (handle objections)
↓
Final CTA (make it easy)

Learn more about CRO audit best practices to improve your landing pages.

Product Page Optimization

Goal: Maximum add-to-cart rate

Key elements:

1. Product Images:

• 5-8 high-quality images minimum
• Multiple angles
• Zoom functionality
• Lifestyle shots (in use)
• Close-ups (details, texture)
• Video if possible (360° or demo)

2. Product Information:

Above fold:
- Product title
- Price (show compare-at if discounted)
- Star rating + review count
- Key benefit (one-liner)
- Add to cart button
- Trust signals (free shipping, returns)

Below fold:
- Detailed description
- Specifications
- Size guide (if applicable)
- Shipping information
- Return policy

3. Social Proof:

• Customer reviews (with photos)
• Star rating prominent
• "Verified purchase" badges
• Recent purchase notifications

4. Upsells:

• "Complete the look"
• "Frequently bought together"
• "You may also like"

Product page mistakes: ❌ Only 1-2 images ❌ No reviews visible ❌ Missing size information ❌ Unclear shipping costs ❌ Hidden return policy ❌ No mobile optimization

Collection Page Optimization

Goal: High click-through to product pages

Key elements:

1. Clear Navigation:

• Filter by: Price, size, color, category
• Sort by: Bestselling, newest, price
• View options: Grid 2/3/4 columns
• Clear all filters button

2. Product Cards:

• High-quality product image
• Product title
• Price (show sale price prominently)
• Star rating
• Quick view option
• Add to cart from collection page

3. Collection Description:

• Above product grid
• SEO-optimized
• 2-3 sentences
• Includes keywords

4. Pagination:

• Load more button OR
• Infinite scroll OR
• Page numbers
• Shows "Showing 1-24 of 156 products"

Advanced GemPages Features

Sales Funnel Builder

Create multi-page funnels:

Example: Product Launch Funnel

Page 1: Landing (email capture)
↓
Page 2: Product page (add to cart)
↓
Page 3: Upsell (complementary product)
↓
Page 4: Checkout
↓
Page 5: Thank you (referral offer)

Track each step:

• Conversion rate at each page
• Drop-off points
• Revenue per funnel
• AOV by funnel stage

Use funnels for:

• Product launches
• Campaign-specific flows
• Upsell sequences
• Lead generation

Check out our ecommerce funnel strategy guide for advanced funnel optimization.

AI Image-to-Layout

How it works:

1. Upload any design image:

   • Figma screenshot
   • Competitor page
   • Mockup from designer
   • Sketch/wireframe

2. GemPages AI analyzes layout:

   • Identifies sections
   • Detects elements
   • Understands hierarchy

3. Converts to editable template:

   • All sections recreated
   • Elements are editable
   • Fully responsive

Time savings: Hours of manual building → 2 minutes

Best for:

• Converting Figma designs to Shopify
• Recreating competitor pages
• Quick prototyping
• Client approvals

Built-in Analytics

Track performance without GA4:

Metrics available:

• Page views
• Unique visitors
• Add-to-cart rate (product pages)
• Conversion rate
• Revenue (from page)
• Traffic sources
• Device breakdown

Use analytics to:

• Compare page variations
• Identify best-performing pages
• Track campaign ROI
• Optimize based on data

Template Library Management

Save your best designs:

Custom templates:

1. Build a page you're happy with
2. Save as template
3. Reuse for future pages
4. Share across team

Template collections:

• Product page templates
• Landing page templates
• Seasonal campaign templates
• Category-specific templates

Benefits:

• Consistency across pages
• Faster page creation
• Team collaboration
• Brand standards maintained

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Not Optimizing for Mobile

70% of traffic is mobile, but many builders only design for desktop.

Fix:

• Design mobile-first
• Test every page on actual devices
• Simplify for smaller screens
• Ensure touch targets are 48px+

Mistake #2: Too Many Elements

More elements = slower page + confused visitors.

Fix:

• Every element should serve a purpose
• Remove anything that doesn't drive conversion
• Test page speed after adding elements
• Aim for <3 second load time

Mistake #3: Ignoring Page Speed

Beautiful page that takes 6 seconds to load loses 50% of visitors.

Fix:

• Compress all images
• Enable lazy loading
• Minimize custom code
• Remove unused apps/scripts
• Test with Google PageSpeed Insights

Mistake #4: Unclear CTAs

Multiple competing buttons confuse visitors.

Fix:

• One primary CTA per section
• High contrast buttons
• Action-oriented text
• Obvious what happens when clicked

Mistake #5: No Testing

Launching without testing leads to broken experiences.

Fix:

• Preview on all devices
• Test all links and forms
• Check speed
• Get feedback before publishing
• Monitor analytics after launch

Mistake #6: Copying Templates Exactly

Templates are starting points, not final products.

Fix:

• Customize colors to match brand
• Replace images with your products
• Rewrite copy for your audience
• Add your unique elements
• Match your brand voice

Mistake #7: Forgetting SEO

Beautiful page that no one finds is useless.

Fix:

• Configure page title and meta description
• Use header tags properly (H1, H2, H3)
• Add alt text to images
• Create descriptive URLs
• Internal linking to other pages

Real Examples: Before & After

Example 1: Fashion Brand Homepage

Before (default theme):

• Generic hero banner
• 12 products in grid (random)
• Basic footer
• 2.1% conversion rate

After (GemPages custom homepage):

• Story-driven hero (founder's vision)
• Curated "New Arrivals" (6 products)
• Lifestyle imagery section
• Customer testimonials with photos
• Instagram feed integration
• 3.8% conversion rate (+81%)

Example 2: Product Launch Landing Page

Before (standard product page):

• Basic product images
• Short description
• Standard add to cart
• 4.2% add-to-cart rate

After (GemPages landing page):

• Video hero showing product in use
• Problem-solution framework
• Detailed benefits section
• Customer reviews prominent
• Countdown timer (launch week)
• FAQ section
• Multiple CTAs
• 11.7% add-to-cart rate (+179%)

Example 3: Black Friday Campaign

Before (homepage with banner):

• Small banner announcing sale
• Regular homepage layout below
• 2.8% conversion

After (dedicated GemPages landing page):

• Full-screen countdown timer
• Grid of sale products
• Savings calculator
• Limited-time urgency messaging
• Social proof (purchases today)
• 7.2% conversion (+157%)

Want similar results? Check our conversion optimization case studies for detailed strategies.

Quick Start Checklist

Ready to create your first page? Follow this checklist:

Planning (15 minutes):

• Define page goal (what action do visitors take?)
• Identify target audience
• Gather assets (images, copy, videos)
• Research competitors
• Sketch rough layout

Building (1-2 hours):

• Install GemPages
• Choose template
• Customize hero section
• Replace all images
• Update all copy
• Add trust signals
• Configure CTAs
• Add social proof

Optimization (30 minutes):

• Mobile optimization
• Speed test (<3 seconds)
• SEO configuration
• Add urgency elements
• Link internal pages

Testing (15 minutes):

• Preview all device sizes
• Test all links
• Submit test form
• Check countdown timers
• Verify analytics tracking

Launch (5 minutes):

• Final review
• Publish page
• Test live URL
• Share with team
• Monitor analytics

Next Steps

Week 1: Create Your First Page

• Start with a landing page (simplest)
• Use a template
• Focus on one conversion goal
• Launch and measure

Week 2-3: Optimize Based on Data

• Check analytics daily
• Identify drop-off points
• Test variations
• Improve weak sections

Week 4: Expand

• Create homepage
• Build product page templates
• Design collection pages
• Develop campaign pages

Month 2+: Advanced Features

• Build sales funnels
• Implement A/B testing
• Create seasonal templates
• Refine based on data

Compare GemPages with other options in our best Shopify page builders guide.

Final Thoughts

GemPages removes the technical barriers between your vision and reality.

But remember: tools don't create conversions, strategy does.

A beautiful page that doesn't understand customer psychology will still underperform. Use GemPages to implement the conversion strategies you've learned:

• Remove friction (one-click CTAs)
• Create urgency (countdowns, scarcity)
• Build trust (reviews, guarantees)
• Guide discovery (clear navigation)
• Optimize continuously (test and iterate)

Start with one page. Make it convert. Then build more.

Need help creating high-converting GemPages designs? We've built 100+ optimized pages and know what works.

Our custom Shopify app development services can extend GemPages with advanced functionality tailored to your unique needs.

Schedule a page design consultation to discuss your conversion goals and page strategy.