How to add products and collections in Shopify
10/01/2024
20:00 min
Bartosz Lewandowski
How to add products and collections in Shopify
10/01/2024
20:00 min
Bartosz Lewandowski
Table of Contents
- What is a product in Shopify?
- How to add a new product?
- Adding photos and media
- Product variants
- Using tags and collections
- Managing collections
- How to create a collection in Shopify?
- Adding products to collections
- Managing collections
- Effective use of collections
- Summary
I understand that starting on a new platform can seem overwhelming, but rest assured, you are in the best place to begin creating your Shopify store. In the following article, aimed at new users, we present a comprehensive guide to managing products and collections in your store.
As a new store owner on the Shopify platform, one of your first key tasks is setting up and organizing products and collections. This process may initially seem complex, but it is essential for the success of your venture. Well-organized products and clear collections not only streamline customer navigation through your store but also significantly impact sales results.
This guide will walk you through all the steps: from adding your first products, creating attractive and functional collections, to optimizing the presentation of your offers.
What is a product in Shopify?
A product in Shopify is the basic unit that you will sell in your store. It can be anything from physical items to downloadable files and services. Each product in Shopify can be described in detail, classified, and presented to customers. More about what you can sell in an e-commerce store is described in the post “What can be sold on Shopify?”
How to add a new product?
Accessing the admin panel: Log in to your Shopify store, then click 'Products' in the navigation menu located on the left side.
Filling in product information: Click 'Add Product' and enter detailed information such as name, description, price, and other necessary data.
SEO Optimization: Remember to fill out the SEO section to make your product more visible in search engines.
When optimizing SEO for your product, focus on keyword analysis to choose the most relevant ones for your market. Use them in the product title (meta title) and description (meta description). The title should be short and contain the most important keyword, preferably at the beginning. The meta description should be compelling, include keywords, and encourage clicks while describing the product. Remember that both the title and description should be unique for each product to avoid content duplication.
Although Google announced long ago that the meta description is not a ranking factor, users still read it, and a well-written one still brings benefits such as clicks.
Adding photos and media
The importance of photos in online sales is invaluable. Ensure that your product photos are of the highest quality and accurately present the offered items. A good photo can significantly influence a customer's purchasing decision.
To add photos to your product, go to the 'Media' section in the product addition form. Here you can upload selected photos. Remember to choose bright, detailed photos that reflect the actual appearance and features of the product.
Protip!
Try to have at least one photo showing the product in use, e.g., a picture in a beautifully decorated living room.
Product vvariants
Product variants are options that allow you to offer different versions of the same product, differing, for example, in color, size, or material. To add variants, in the 'Variants' section of the product form, you can specify different options for your product. For example, when selling T-shirts, you can offer variants in different colors and sizes.
Each variant can have an individual price, unique SKU, weight, and available stock. This allows precise management of different product versions, tailoring the offer to customer needs and preferences.
Using tags and collections
Product tags are keywords that facilitate the categorization and search of products in your store. By adding tags, such as color, size, or style, you make it easier for customers to find products based on specific features.
To further organize your offer, you can group products into collections, e.g., 'New Summer 2023 Collection'. In the product section, you have the option to assign a given product to one or more collections, which helps customers navigate your store more easily and quickly find the products they are interested in.
After adding all the necessary information, make sure everything is correct and press “Save”. Congratulations, your first product is now in the store!
Managing collections
When running an online store on the Shopify platform, one of the key elements of success is effectively managing your products. Besides adding products, it is equally important how you group and present them to your customers. This is where collections come in - a powerful tool in Shopify that allows you to create organized, thematic groups of products, making it easier for customers to navigate your assortment.
Collections not only help customers find the products they are looking for more easily but also enable you to effectively promote specific groups of products - whether they are new arrivals, bestsellers, or seasonal items. By intelligently using collections, you can significantly enhance the shopping experience for your customers and increase your chances of making a sale.
In this section, you will learn how to create and manage collections in your Shopify store. We will discuss different types of collections - from automated to manual - and show you how you can use them to maximize the potential of your store. Additionally, we will provide tips on organizing collections, optimizing their SEO, and ways to use them in marketing strategies.
How to create a collection in Shopify?
Creating a collection in Shopify is a process that greatly facilitates store management and improves user experience. Collections can be of two types: automated and manual. Automated collections are created based on specific conditions that products must meet to be added to them, while manual collections allow you to select specific products to include in the collection.
To create a collection in Shopify, follow these steps:
- Log in to the Shopify admin panel and go to the Products > Collections section.
- Click the "Create Collection" button.
- Enter the title and description of the collection.
- Choose the collection type - Automated or Manual:
- For automated collections, set the conditions that will determine which products will be added to them. For example, you can set rules based on product tags, prices, etc.
- For manual collections, simply select the products you want to add to them.
- You can set the sorting order of products in the store and choose the sales channels where the collection will be available.
- Add an image for the collection if you want, and also adjust the SEO settings for better visibility in search engines.
- Save the changes.
Both automated and manual collections offer different benefits, depending on the store's needs and the preferred level of control over the collections. Automated collections are ideal if you have a large assortment and want to save time managing collections, while manual collections provide more flexibility in creating unique product sets.
In addition to creating collections, it is worth remembering to optimize them for SEO to increase their visibility in search results. This way, your products will be more easily found by potential customers.
Adding products to collections:
Adding products to collections in Shopify is a simple and intuitive task, which differs slightly depending on the type of collection you want to create.
If you are dealing with manual collections, the process is really straightforward. Simply go to the collection section you just created and start browsing your products. Select the ones you want to include in the collection - it could be something that connects them thematically or fits a specific promotion. It's like choosing your favorite ingredients for a recipe - you decide what best fits your collection.
In the case of automated collections, the matter is even simpler, although it requires some planning. Once you set criteria such as specific tags or price range, Shopify will automatically handle adding the appropriate products. It's a bit like setting up automatic photo sorting on your phone - once established, the rules will work for you, automatically updating the collection whenever new products meet the conditions.
Remember that well-organized collections not only make it easier for customers to navigate your store but also can draw their attention to specific products or promotions. It's a great way to diversify your offer and show customers the variety in your store.
Managing collections
Organizing collections
Setting priorities for collections is especially important when they are promoted on your store's homepage. This will help you direct customers' attention to the products or offers you want to highlight at a given time.
Think of collections as store displays - the better you present and organize products, the more likely you are to draw customers' attention.
SEO optimization of collections
Just like with products, it is crucial to optimize your collections for search engines. This will help increase the visibility of your store in search results.
Add attention-grabbing titles and descriptions to each collection. Make sure they contain appropriate keywords that will help potential customers find your products during searches.
Remember about the uniqueness and attractiveness of the content to not only attract the attention of search engine algorithms but also engage and interest customers.
Remember that managing collections is not just a technical matter but also part of a broader marketing strategy. Good collection management will help you better present products, increase their sales, and improve the overall customer experience in your store.
Effective use of collections
Effective use of collections in Shopify is crucial for any online store. An example could be creating seasonal collections like "Summer Fashion" or "Holiday Gifts," which attract customers looking for specific products during a given period. Stores offering clothing can use collections to showcase trends for the upcoming season, while stores with decorative items can create holiday collections that make it easier for customers to find the perfect decorations and gifts.
Another example is using collections to promote bestsellers or new arrivals. A store can create a "Top Products" collection so new customers can quickly see what is currently trending. Similarly, a "New Arrivals" collection allows regular customers to stay updated with the latest additions to the store's offer.
Collections can also be used to segment products according to features such as style, color, size, or purpose. For example, a furniture store may have collections like "Minimalist Desks" or "Vintage Lighting," helping customers quickly find products that match their taste and needs.
Additionally, collections can support specific marketing campaigns. For example, during promotions or sales, a store can create a "Sale" collection where all discounted products are gathered, making it easier for customers to take advantage of special offers.
Finally, collections can also be a tool for creating personalized shopping experiences. Based on purchase history and customer preferences, a store can create individual collections that reflect the interests and shopping behaviors of individual customers.
The key to success here is creativity and understanding the needs and behaviors of customers. Effective use of collections can not only facilitate shopping but also significantly contribute to sales growth and building customer loyalty.
Summary
In summary, the article is a comprehensive guide for new users of the e-commerce platform, emphasizing effective management of products and collections. It starts with the basics, such as adding the first products, their description, variants, and SEO optimization. It then focuses on creating and organizing collections, highlighting their importance in facilitating customer navigation and influencing sales results. Additionally, it addresses issues of optimizing product presentation, including photo quality, the use of tags and filters, and personalization of product pages. The article also emphasizes the importance of good product and collection page design, considering UX and conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to add a new product to a Shopify store? To add a product, log in to the Shopify admin panel, select 'Products' in the menu, and then click 'Add Product'. Fill in detailed information about the product, such as name, description, price, and complete the SEO section.
2. Can I add photos and media to my products? Yes, you can add photos and media. In the 'Media' section of the product addition form, you can upload photos. Make sure they are of high quality and well present the product.
3. What are product variants in Shopify and how to add them? Product variants allow offering different versions of the same product, e.g., differing in color or size. You can add variants in the 'Variants' section of the product form, setting individual prices, SKU, weights, and inventory for them.
4. How can I use product tags and collections in Shopify? Product tags are keywords that help categorize and search for products. You can add tags when adding a product. Additionally, you can group products into collections to facilitate customer navigation through the store.
5. How to manage collections in my Shopify store? Collection management is done through the admin panel. You can create new collections by selecting 'Collections' under the 'Products' section. Collections can be automated (based on rules) or manual (selected products).
6. Is SEO optimization important for my products and collections? Yes, SEO optimization is crucial for the visibility of products and collections in search engines. It is important to ensure appropriate titles, descriptions, and keywords.
7. How can I improve the presentation of my products in the store? Focus on high-quality photos, compelling descriptions, good use of tags and filters, and personalization of the product page, including customer reviews and delivery information.
8. Can I use collections to promote specific product groups? Yes, collections are a great tool for promoting product groups, such as new arrivals, bestsellers, or seasonal products. They allow effective segmentation of the offer and better targeting of customer needs.
Bartosz Lewandowski
CEO