How to Add a Collection on Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What are Shopify Collections?
3. Steps to Create a Manual Collection
4. Steps to Create an Automated Collection
5. Managing Your Collections
6. Tips for Effective Collections
7. Conclusion
8. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine walking into a store where all the products are randomly placed. It's chaos, right? The same applies to online shopping. If customers can't find what they're looking for quickly, they'll move on. This is precisely where collections come into play on Shopify. Collections are crucial for organizing your products into categories, making it easier for your customers to browse and find what they need quickly.

In this post, we'll delve deep into how to efficiently add a collection on Shopify, helping you streamline your store’s user experience and boost sales. We’ll cover the steps involved, tips for effective grouping, and unique insights to make your Shopify collections stand out. By the end of this guide, you'll be a pro at managing collections in your Shopify store.

What are Shopify Collections?

Collections in Shopify are essentially product categories that help organize your items. Think of them as virtual shelves. You can create collections based on product types, seasonality, promotions, or any criteria relevant to your store’s inventory. For instance, you can have collections for 'Summer Sale,' 'Winter Coats,' or 'New Arrivals.'

There are two types of collections you can create on Shopify:

• Manual Collections: These collections include specific products you choose. They require more effort to maintain but allow for precise control.
• Automated Collections: These collections use conditions such as product tags, price, or inventory stock levels to automatically include products. They update themselves based on the set rules.

Steps to Create a Manual Collection

Creating a manual collection allows you to select exactly which products should be included. Follow these steps to set up a manual collection in Shopify:

Step 1: Navigate to Collections

In your Shopify admin dashboard, go to Products > Collections. Then, click on the Create collection button in the top right corner.

Step 2: Enter Collection Details

• Title and Description: Give your collection a meaningful title and a detailed description. This helps with SEO and provides more context to your customers.
• Collection Type: Select Manual.
• Collection Image: Add an image that represents the products within this collection. This image will be displayed on your online store.

Step 3: Save and Add Products

Click Save to create the collection. After saving, scroll down to the Products section and start adding products to your collection by searching or browsing through your inventory. Once selected, click Add.

Step 4: Set Sort Order and Other Settings

You can set the sort order for how products are displayed within the collection. Options include best selling, newest, oldest, price low to high, and price high to low. You can also manage sales channels where this collection will be available and edit SEO settings for better search visibility.

Step 5: Save the Collection

After configuring all necessary details, click Save again.

Steps to Create an Automated Collection

Automated collections save time by dynamically including products based on preset conditions. Here’s how you can create one:

Step 1: Navigate to Collections

As with manual collections, go to Products > Collections in your Shopify admin and click Create collection.

Step 2: Enter Collection Details

• Title and Description: Input a meaningful title and a descriptive text.
• Collection Type: Select Automated.

Step 3: Define Conditions

Under Conditions, set the rules that products must meet to be included in this collection. You can combine multiple conditions using AND/OR logic.

Step 4: Save the Collection

Hit Save to create your automated collection. Products that meet your conditions will now be added automatically.

Managing Your Collections

Adding Products to a Manual Collection

1. From the Admin Dashboard: Go to Products > Collections, select the desired collection, search for products, and add them.
2. From a Product Page: Navigate to Products, choose the product, scroll down to the Collections section, and select the collections to include.

Removing Products

To remove products from a manual collection, simply visit that collection in Products > Collections, click the x beside each product you wish to remove, and then click Save.

Scheduling Collection Publications

You can set specific publishing dates for your collections:

1. Go to Products > Collections and click on the collection you want to modify.
2. Look for the Sales Channels section, click the calendar icon beside the online store.
3. Set the date and time you want the collection to be published, then click Save.

Tips for Effective Collections

Use Descriptive Titles and Images

Descriptive titles and high-quality images make collections more appealing and help with SEO. A collection titled “Summer Dresses” with a vibrant image of a summer dress will attract more clicks than one simply titled “Dresses.”

Leverage Automated Collections

Automated collections save you time and ensure that your store remains updated with minimal effort. Use conditions wisely to group products effectively.

Regularly Update Collections

Keep your collections fresh by updating them regularly. Seasonal collections or sale collections should be updated frequently to reflect current offerings.

Utilize Tags and Filters

Use tags and filters to create highly specific automated collections. For instance, you can create an automated collection for “Red Dresses'' by using product tags and color filters.

Promote Collections

Promote your collections via your store’s homepage, newsletters, and social media channels. Highlighting specific collections can drive more targeted traffic to specific product groups.

Conclusion

Creating and managing collections on Shopify doesn’t have to be daunting. By organizing your products into well-defined collections, you provide a streamlined shopping experience that enhances customer satisfaction and drives sales. Whether you choose manual or automated collections, the key is to keep them descriptive, regularly updated, and aligned with your promotional strategies.

Remember, what shoppers seek is a seamless path from the homepage to the checkout, and well-crafted collections are your tool for guiding them along this journey. So go ahead, start creating those collections and watch your Shopify store thrive!

FAQ

How many products can I include in a collection?

There is no limit to the number of products you can add to a collection in Shopify, whether it's manual or automated.

Can a product belong to multiple collections?

Yes, a single product can be included in multiple collections. This is useful for overlapping categories such as seasonal and promotional collections.

How do I add collections to my site navigation?

In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Navigation. Select the menu where you want to add the collection, click Add menu item, and then link to the desired collection.

Can I change a manual collection to an automated one?

No, once a collection type is set (manual or automated), it cannot be changed. You will need to create a new collection with the desired type.

How do I feature a collection on my homepage?

You can feature a collection on your homepage by adding a section to display collections through the Online Store > Themes > Customize section. Select Add section and choose Collection list or Featured collection to highlight the specific collection on your homepage.