Earlier this year Shopify set out to showcase the best ecommerce sites displaying exceptional design, creativity, and usability with the launch of the inaugural Shopify Design Awards (opens in new tab). The awards received over 150 submissions giving the judging panel of industry veterans Jeffrey Zeldman, Tina Roth Eisenberg and Daniel Weinand a lot to consider. Check out the winners and some of those who got honourable mentions below - we hope they inspire your own ecommerce sites...
The winners
Whipping + Post (opens in new tab) designed by Out of the Sandbox (opens in new tab)
"Whipping + Post is a beauty of an ecommerce store," says Tina Roth Eisenberg, founder of swissmiss (opens in new tab), Creative Mornings (opens in new tab) and Tattly (opens in new tab). "A clean, well balanced site, beautifully echoing the design of their products, the Whipping Post site feels thoughtful and intentional.
"Strong photography, tasteful typography, appropriate white space, as well a beautifully balanced colour palette. An ecommerce site should first and foremost celebrate and elevate the products: Whipping Post does just that."
GREATS Brand (opens in new tab) designed by Wondersauce (opens in new tab)
"GREATS shows off big images in a catalog grid style fashion," says Daniel Weinand, co-founder and chief design officer of Shopify (opens in new tab). "The crisp photography gives me a good sense of the texture and quality.
"I am immediately drawn in, clicking through handsome footwear, only to see it all beautifully deconstructed on a very focussed product page. GREATS delivers a very well designed & tangible experience (try rotating the shoes)."
Goodwin and Goodwin (opens in new tab) designed by Goodwin Studio (opens in new tab)
"The browsing and shopping experience at Goodwin + Goodwin's website lives up to the high bar set by the company's product line," says Jeffrey Zeldman, founder of A List Apart (opens in new tab), and Happy Cog (opens in new tab).
"The photography is exquisite; the hierarchy's clear; the type has been well considered, from the home page, through the category and detail pages, right into the shopping cart. The colour palette is neat and warm; and the responsiveness of the layout, if not ground-breaking, is cleanly and elegantly done."
Honourable mentions
10 other sites also received well earned praise from the awards judges that are well worth checking out...
Pure Fix Cycles (opens in new tab)designed by Shopaholla (opens in new tab)
An online store for fixed gear bike aficionados.
Sanctuary T Shop (opens in new tab)designed by Barrel (opens in new tab)
All your tea and brewing needs met.
Rebel 8 (opens in new tab)designed by Radiator (opens in new tab)
A brand deeply rooted in skateboard, graffiti, and tattoo culture.
Jenifer Torosian (opens in new tab) designed by By Association Only (opens in new tab)
A fashion brand created by Jennifer Torosian and Raed Ali that proudly carries the label "Made in Canada".
Society Clothing (opens in new tab) designed by Kenny Rosenberg (opens in new tab)
A California based design collective that promotes the "LIVE FREE" modern renaissance lifestyle.
The Ghostly Store (opens in new tab) designed by Daniel Hunninghake (opens in new tab)
Beautiful music, art and clothing.
The Horse (opens in new tab) designed by Paul Hanna (opens in new tab)
Scott & Amy's bootmaking store business proves there's no business like shoe business.
Mr Parker (opens in new tab) designed by Underground Media (opens in new tab)
A responsive Shopify theme built by Underground Media.
Rare Device (opens in new tab) designed by Aeolidia (opens in new tab)
This San Fran store sells beautiful things to hold in your hand.
Belief (opens in new tab) designed by R&Co (opens in new tab).
Belief is a New York City based skateshop & clothing boutique, as well as a lifestyle apparel brand.
You can find out more about the winners of the Shopify Design Awards (opens in new tab)on the Shopify blog (opens in new tab).
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Have you seen a great example of ecommerce? Let us know in the comments below!
