Double the Fun: Adding Two Buttons to the Dawn Theme's Featured Collection

Some time ago, while juggling the creation of a minimalist shoe store with my friend Lucas—whom some would call a 'shoe enthusiast,' but I swear is on a first-name basis with every sneaker in town—I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. We adored the Dawn theme; it was pure and simple, just like a good cup of black coffee. But there was something amiss. We yearned for more control over our featured collection—a yearning for not one, but two buttons that could say both “Explore” and “Buy Now.” Possibly an ode to the indecisive nature we all harbor: do we want to browse or buy?

So, how in the name of shoelaces do we fit not one, but two buttons into the Dawn theme’s featured collection? Picture us, metaphorical wrenches in hand, ready to tweak the finest of digital cogs. Here's how the wizardry unfolds:

First Steps into the Dawn

You know the drill: step into Shopify’s admin area like you're stepping onto a stage, the spotlight glaring but inviting. Click on Online Store, where the sprawling world of themes awaits under the Themes section. Dawn theme, still fresh at version 8.0.1, was to be our blank canvas.

Lucas was excited; he had that look in his eyes, like when he first saw a pair of limited editions dropped on Nike. I inhaled deeply—I knew the code awaited.

Step 1: The Theme Customization Dance

Within our theme library, the “Actions” button calls out like a siren, inviting you to drop into the theme editor. Choose Edit code. Warning: this is where the magic and chaos merge.

As we scrolled through the files, Lucas reminisced about the sleepless nights he’d spent organizing his sneaker collection. I chuckled, waving him off as I pointed towards the sections folder on the left pane. Here we need to find the file named featured-product.liquid or its equivalent—it’s like looking for that one missing sock amongst a drawer of pairs.

Step 2: The Code Crafting Extravaganza

Upon opening the file, the code laid before us like an untouched snowfall. It was pristine, but we were about to make our own footprints all over it. Find the section where the existing button is defined—usually marked by a button tag or a div class you’ll recognize by context, like an old friend’s laugh in a crowded room.

<div class="button-container">
  <a href="#" class="button">Explore</a>
</div>

Lucas leaned over my shoulder—a fresh cup of coffee steaming in his hand—as I prepared our new addition. I could feel him humming to himself; perhaps it was the tune of a pre-victory anthem.

Add the second button code right next to the first one:

<div class="button-container">
  <a href="#" class="button">Explore</a>
  <a href="#" class="button">Buy Now</a> <!— our shiny new additional button —>
</div>

With that, our page had gone from a leisurely stroll in a garden to a bustling bazaar of choice. The inclusion of Buy Now was an especially electric moment for Lucas, who excitedly proclaimed this would make his hypothetical customers jump right into their carts.

Step 3: The Style Touch-up

Ah, but aesthetics matter! Our buttons must not only function, they must look snazzy. Glance to the Assets folder—like a treasure chest!—and locate your theme.css or theme.scss.liquid file. Here lies the style.

Add or modify the styles for .button-container and .button to ensure they’re showcased like stars they deserve to be:

.button-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between; 
  margin: 1em 0;
}

.button {
  background: #1d72b8;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 0.5em 1em;
  text-decoration: none;
  border-radius: 5px;
  transition: background-color 0.3s;
}

.button:hover {
  background: #155a8a;
}

Tidying Up After the Code Party

With the last lines of code in place, a little testing was in order. As if tiptoeing through the store's aisles post-closing hours, we peeked and clicked around. The buttons danced beneath our cursor, styled and situated, eager to guide visitors on new adventures.

Our escapade into the Dawn theme wasn't just about adding functionality; it was about enhancing the story we wanted our store to tell. And like Lucas rearranging his prized sneakers, shifting them until the ensemble felt just right, we stood back and admired what two simple buttons could do. In the end, it wasn't just about more options; it was about creating space for more moments, more 'what-if' purchase twinkles in every shopper's eye.

Here’s to the adventure of code! May our keyboards remain steadfast and our buttons ever clickable.