Compatibility: All Shopify 2.0 FREE themes
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that enables online merchants to create and manage their online stores easily. One of the ways to enhance the appearance and user experience of a Shopify store is by adding icons to the menu links. These icons can help to make the navigation more intuitive and visually appealing.
In addition, the hover to open function is added as a great way to enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to access the menu.
It's important to note that for optimal results, the image you choose to add should be in PNG format and have a transparent background. To see the best possible outcome, please refer to the image provided below.
I manage to write a code that can add an image of choice before the menu title without disrupting the menu list. No need to use javascript, just HTML and CSS.
I added the hover to open function as well.
You can check the demo store using the password "made4uo."
What are Dynamic Icon / Image Before Menu Title - Hover to Open?
It describes a design element for website menus. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Dynamic Icon/Image:
- Dynamic: This refers to an icon or image that can change or update based on certain conditions. For example, it could change color on hover, or display a different image depending on the user's location.
- Icon/Image: This is a small graphic that represents a concept or function. It could be a simple symbol, a logo, or a small picture.
Before Menu Title:
- This means the icon or image would be positioned in front of the text that labels a menu item.
Hover to Open:
- This refers to the functionality of the element. When a user hovers their mouse cursor over the icon/image and the menu title, something happens. In this case, it likely means that the submenu associated with that menu title opens or expands.
Why Use Dynamic Icon / Image Before Menu Title - Hover to Open?
There are several reasons why you might use a dynamic icon/image before a menu title with hover-to-open functionality:
-
Improved User Experience (UX):
- Icons and images are often processed faster than text, so using them alongside menu titles can help users understand the menu structure more quickly.
- The dynamic aspect (changing on hover) can provide a clear visual cue to the user about what will happen when they interact with the element, making the menu more intuitive.
-
Enhanced Visual Appeal:
- Icons and images can add visual interest to your menu, making it more engaging and aesthetically pleasing.
- Dynamic icons can add a subtle touch of animation, further enhancing the visual appeal.
-
Increased Usability on Mobile Devices:
- On smaller screens, icons can be easier to see and understand than text, especially for users with limited dexterity.
- This can be particularly important for menus that are primarily used on mobile devices.
-
Accessibility Considerations:
- Icons can be a helpful way to represent menu items for users who have difficulty reading text, improving the overall accessibility of your website.
- However, it's important to ensure that the icons are clear and understandable on their own, and supplement them with alt text descriptions for screen readers.
Additional Considerations:
For using dynamic icons/images before menu titles with hover-to-open functionality:
-
Clarity and Consistency:
- Ensure the icons are clear and easily understandable in the context of the menu item they represent.
- Maintain consistency in the style and behavior of the icons throughout your website.
-
Icon Size and Spacing:
- Choose an appropriate size for the icons that balances visibility with maintaining a clean menu layout.
- Ensure there's enough space between the icon and the menu title for readability.
-
Hover Effect Design:
- The hover effect should be subtle and user-friendly. Avoid overly flashy animations that might distract users.
- Consider using a slight change in color, opacity, or size to indicate hover interaction.
-
Accessibility:
- As mentioned before, always provide alt text descriptions for the icons to ensure screen readers can understand their meaning.
- Ensure sufficient color contrast between the icons and the background for better visibility, especially for users with visual impairments.
-
Testing Across Devices:
- Verify that the icons and hover functionality work properly on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
What you are buying:
- Add an icon before the menu title in your header
What makes our code better:
- We do not use external libraries, with that being said, our code will have no to minimal effect to your website's speed performance
- We do not leave or add codes use to advertise for our website
- Our code is mobile friendly
Any issues related to the code will be fix with no additional cost, excluding code customization requests. Simply contact us with "Chat with us." We are just a button away.
Steps on how to add Dynamic Icon / Image Before Menu Title - Hover to Open:
Step #1. Open your code editor
From you Admin page, go to Online store, then Themes. Choose the theme you want to edit, then click the three dots, then Edit code.
Step #2. Open Section Folder
Open the Sections folder, and find the header.liquid. Inside the header liquid look for this piece of code "header__inline-menu." Use Ctrl + F to find inside the code editor. Replace the code with the code below. Please refer to image below on which code to delete.
Step #3. Add dynamic Image
We need to add dynamic image, therefore we need a blocks for the image. Go all the way down to schema, and find the last "]." Replace the bracket with the code below. Please refer to the image below on which bracket to delete and replace.
Step #4. Save the changes
Once you've added the code, save your changes to the theme code by clicking the SAVE button on the right hand upper corner.
Step #5. Customize theme
Go to the theme editor by clicking three dots on your left hand upper corner, then Customize theme. Add your images, and change the settings in the header. Click the header, and you should see the MENU ICON / IMAGE SETTINGS at the very bottom.
Add the image / icon using the block according to the position in the menu. Drag to reposition. Make sure to SAVE once you are done customizing.
Conclusion
Dynamic icons or images placed before menu titles with hover-to-open functionality offer several advantages for website design. They can:
- Improve user experience by making menus more intuitive and visually appealing.
- Enhance usability on mobile devices where icons are easier to navigate than text.
- Increase accessibility by providing an alternative way to represent menu items for users with reading difficulties.