Shopify Launches AI Website Builder to Streamline Store Creation

Shopify has just unveiled a suite of AI-powered tools designed to make launching an online store easier and faster than ever before. At the heart of these updates is the new AI Store Builder, a tool that allows merchants to generate fully functional online storefronts simply by entering descriptive keywords.

With AI Store Builder, users can input product themes like “tennis gear and athleisure fashion” to instantly receive a ready-to-edit store structure. This new feature not only accelerates the website creation process but also significantly reduces the time spent on customization.

Image Source: Shopify

In addition to the AI builder, Shopify introduced a brand-new public theme named Horizon on its theme store. Horizon is the first to support Theme Blocks, enabling merchants to customize their store layout without any coding knowledge. These modular blocks can also be enhanced through AI — for instance, if a merchant wants to add an animated banner with text, they simply describe it, and AI will auto-generate the necessary code. This dramatically simplifies the design process for non-technical users.

Image Source: Shopify

Shopify is also expanding the capabilities of its AI assistant, Sidekick. The assistant now supports voice interaction and screen sharing, enabling users to ask business-related questions (like those involving duties and taxes) or receive real-time setup assistance. Integrated into the Shopify mobile app, Sidekick is now more versatile and accessible than ever.

According to Shopify, Sidekick's monthly active user count has more than doubled since early 2025. Since its full rollout in December 2024, the assistant has proven to be a powerful tool in helping merchants streamline their day-to-day operations.