Do you manage a Shopify blog and want to give credit where credit is due? Perhaps you’ve been writing all the blog posts yourself, or maybe you have a team of guest contributors. Regardless of the reason, you might find yourself needing to change the author name displayed on your blog posts.

While Shopify doesn’t offer a direct way to assign a custom author name to a blog post without them being a staff member, there are still several approaches you can take. This guide will explore the different methods for changing the author name on your Shopify blog, catering to various levels of technical expertise.

Understanding the Limitations

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the current limitations with Shopify blogs and author names. Currently, blog posts can only be attributed to:

• The Store Owner: This is the name associated with your Shopify account.
• Staff Members: If you have additional staff accounts on your Shopify store, you can assign them blog posts.

This means you can’t simply create a custom author name that isn’t linked to an existing account. However, there are still workarounds to achieve the desired outcome.

Option 1: Update Your Store Owner Name (For Single Author)

If you’re the sole author of your Shopify blog, the simplest solution might be to update your store owner name. This will automatically change the author name displayed on all your existing and future blog posts.

Here’s how to update your store owner name:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Click on your name in the top right corner.
3. Select “Manage Account”.
4. In the “Account details” section, update your First Name and Last Name fields.
5. Click “Save”.

Keep in mind: This approach has the drawback of changing the name associated with your entire store, not just the blog posts.

Option 2: Utilize Staff Accounts (For Multiple Authors)

If you have multiple contributors to your Shopify blog, you can create staff accounts for them. This allows you to assign blog posts to specific authors, and their names will be displayed accordingly.

Here’s how to create a staff account:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Settings > Staff Accounts.
3. Click “Add staff account”.
4. Fill out the staff member’s information, including their name and email address.
5. Assign the appropriate account permissions (typically “Content Manager” for blog access).
6. Click “Save staff account”.

Once you’ve created staff accounts:

1. When creating a new blog post, you’ll see an “Author” dropdown menu where you can select the appropriate staff member.
2. Existing blog posts can be edited and the author can be assigned to a staff member through the post editor.

Things to consider:

• This method requires creating and managing additional accounts, which might not be ideal for a small team.
• Staff accounts come with different permission levels, so ensure you assign the appropriate level for blog management.

Option 3: Leverage Third-Party Apps (For More Flexibility)

The Shopify app store offers various third-party apps that can extend the functionality of your blog. Some of these apps allow you to assign custom author names to blog posts, even if those authors aren’t staff members.

Here’s what to keep in mind when considering a third-party app:

• App Reviews and Ratings: Read reviews and check ratings to see what other Shopify users think about the app’s functionality and reliability.
• App Features: Ensure the app offers the specific feature you need, which is assigning custom author names. Some apps might offer additional features like advanced post scheduling or SEO optimization.
• App Pricing: Many apps offer free plans with limited features, while others require a paid subscription. Consider the features you need and choose a plan that fits your budget.

Once you’ve chosen a suitable app, follow the app’s specific instructions for assigning custom author names to your blog posts.

Alternative Approach: Removing the Author Name Entirely

If displaying author names isn’t a crucial element for your blog, you can simply remove them altogether. This provides a clean look and avoids the need to manage author names entirely.

Here’s how to remove the author name:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Online Store > Themes.
3. Click on “Actions” next to your current theme and select “Customize”.
4. Look for sections related to blog post layouts or individual blog post elements. The specific location might vary depending on your theme.
5. You might find options to uncheck or disable features like “Show Author

Choosing the Right Approach for You

The best approach for changing the author name on your Shopify blog depends on your specific needs and comfort level:

• For Single Author: Updating your store owner name is a quick solution, but it affects your entire store branding.
• For Multiple Authors with Staff Accounts: Creating staff accounts provides a more organized approach, but requires managing additional accounts and permissions.
• For Multiple Authors with Flexibility: Third-party apps offer the most flexibility for assigning custom author names, but require research and potentially a paid subscription.
• For a Clean Look: Removing the author name entirely simplifies things, but removes the credit aspect for contributors.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

• Number of Contributors: If you have a large team of contributors, managing staff accounts or a third-party app might be more efficient.
• Technical Expertise: Third-party apps might require some setup, while other methods are more straightforward.
• Budget: Free plans for third-party apps might have limitations, while paid plans offer more features.

While Shopify’s built-in functionality for author names has limitations, there are still several ways to achieve your desired outcome. By understanding the options available and considering your specific needs, you can choose the best approach for changing the author name on your Shopify blog and ensure your contributors get the credit they deserve.