Shopify Theme Extension – Choosing Between App Blocks and App Embed Blocks

Let’s explore the realm of customizing Shopify themes. At Inument Solutions Limited., one of our developers, Russell, shares valuable insights about their team’s efforts in customizing Shopify themes and extensively choosing between app blocks and app embed blocks.

Meet Russell and his dynamic team—the architects behind Shopify’s cutting-edge announcement bar. His team has intensive skills in CSS, HTML, Node.js, and Remix. But their secret weapon? The app block—a versatile tool for fine-tuning theme customization. And when it comes to programming languages, Russell and his team generally use Node.js and React.

Russell shared, “We have a clear vision for the header (ads), which will be added as an app block theme. We’re also considering working with the embedded app block shortly.”

Decoding App Blocks and Embed Blocks Russell highlighted the difference between an app and an embed block. He explained, “App blocks can be added, removed, previewed, repositioned, and customized through the theme editor. On the other hand, app embeds are elements the app provides that float or overlay in your theme or add code to your online store without being visible to your customers.”

Extension Plugin Features: A Sneak Peek 

Russell and his team are diligently developing an extensions plugin, showcasing a range of exciting features. First up, a dynamic delivery date notifier or picker seamlessly appears for specific products in the cart. Customers receive automatic notifications, streamlining their experience. Additionally, this feature pairs seamlessly with a delivery details field entry, ensuring essential information is saved to an Order Meta Field. And that’s not all—Russell’s team is also crafting announcement bar ads. These ads pull specific meta fields via the Storefront API and elegantly display them in the Order Summary during the customer’s product searching.

App Blocks vs App Embed Blocks
App Blocks provide remarkable flexibility—they can be added, removed, repositioned, and customized directly within the theme editor. These blocks empower developers to seamlessly integrate app-specific functionality into themes, elevating the overall user experience. However, it’s essential to note that not all themes support app blocks, which may occasionally restrict their utilization.

Conversely, App Embed Blocks can add code to your online store without being visible to customers, making them ideal for apps that don’t have a UI component or that add floating or overlaid elements. Since these blocks are not visible to customers, they may not be suitable for apps that require customer interaction.

Russell and his team at Inument Solutions Limited. favor App Blocks for theme customization due to their flexibility and visibility. App Blocks empower them to seamlessly integrate dynamic elements—such as an announcement bar—directly into the theme, enhancing the user interface and interaction. This alignment resonates with their expertise and unwavering focus on creating a seamless user experience. Russell and his team have a clear vision for implementing features like headers (ads) using app block themes, solidifying App Blocks as their preferred choice for ongoing projects. However, Russell subtly hinted at exploring App Embed Blocks in the future, showcasing a balanced approach to harnessing Shopify’s Theme App Extensions.

Russell’s insights illuminate how Inument Solutions Limited leverages the power of Shopify’s Theme App Extensions to enhance functionality and elevate the user experience of Shopify stores.