Cracking the Two-Product-Per-Row Code in Shopify's Empire Theme

Let me take you back to an ordinary Tuesday, not so long ago. There we were, on a lethargic afternoon, feeling like shopkeepers from an era where clicks and swipes didn’t exist. Our virtual storefront could have been smoother, neater, perhaps like a tidy grocery aisle. Instead, imagine products huddled together, fighting for space like our groceries shoved on a Sunday morning cart. That’s when we realized the mighty appeal of arranging two products per row on Shopify’s Empire theme.

We faced the screen, fingers hovering like concert conductors, ready to orchestrate change. The problem was simple but tricky: How could we line up just two chummy products per row, creating that sweet, minimalist grid look that makes you feel like you're in a digital art gallery? It wasn't magic, but it felt like it. Here's how we pulled this rabbit out of our Shopify hat.

The Roadmap to a Beautiful Grid – Two At a Time

Step One: Get Yourself in the Code Zone

Imagine an explorer standing at the entrance of a dark cave filled with code lines instead of stalactites. It's thrilling and nerve-wracking. Take a deep breath, and dive in. Navigate to your Shopify admin. Hover over to Online Store, and from there, spot your trusty steed in the Themes section. Hit Actions and then Edit Code. It’s like opening the command center for your domain.

Step Two: Locating the Sacred File, the theme.css

Here, the magic resides in the CSS file. You know it's the Assets folder where the treasure is hidden. Find and click the theme.css or it could be base.css – not all paths are the same. It’s a glorious file where styles and layouts do a jazzy waltz, dictating how our pages look and dance on screens.

Step Three: Writing Our Little Spell

Here's where we scribble the spell. Scroll down – not mindlessly, keep the eyes sharp – and find where grid settings hang out. Now, comes our secret sauce. Paste this code snippet into the file:

.product-grid--product {
  flex: 0 0 48%; /* Controls how many products in a row */
  max-width: 48%;
  margin: 1%;
}

It’s a gentle nudge to our products: “Scatter, but not too far from each other.” We're aiming for 48%, leaving that tasty gap of 4% on the sides.

Step Four: Check Your Work in the Real World

Hold your breath, hit save. It’s like waiting for the bread to rise. Return to the theme editor from Shopify’s backend, or bravely type your store URL in the browser. Voila, magic. If our two-per-row lineup parades proudly on your screen, pat yourself. An artist has just showcased a delightful gallery.

Fine-Tuning – Because Nothing Is Perfect on the First Go

While our products bask in newfound glory, maybe they need a tweak. Perhaps the space is too tight – a little suffocating like sardines on a can. Sorry, guys, let’s rearrange. Adjust the percentages a tad until you find that perfect visual harmony.

Also, test this grid nirvana on different devices. Mobiles love to show us who’s boss at times. Remember, empathy begins with understanding—our shaggy-looking array wants to feel loved across screens.

Reflect, Celebrate, Share

Oh, what a feeling it is, turning chaos into charming simplicity! As we sit back, admiring our handiwork—seeing products enjoy their personal space—we remember that small changes lead to great experiences. It's like rearranging furniture in your living room. You breathe new air, feel the coziness of your efforts.

Share this newfound wisdom—like passing down grandma’s pie recipe. Others navigating Shopify's winding roads might benefit. Okay, our spree for the day ends here. Who knew two-per-row could be so satisfying?

Our products stand in their rows, whispering stories of unison and balance. We needed this—the world needed this—and guess what? It's yours to enjoy, until the next adventure calls us deeper into the Shopify cosmos. Together, forever curious, we move forward.