What Are Shopify Collections – Using Them Correctly

Collections are one of the most powerful sections of your Shopify store for many reasons. We look at what they are, why they are important, and how to get started with them.

What are Shopify collections?

Shopify collections are groups of products within your online store that help customers easily find what they’re looking for. Think of them like shelves in a physical store—each collection page is a way to display products that share something in common, like being in a summer sale or under a specific product category. Also see our page on Shopify sub collections.

By organizing products into Shopify collections, you make shopping easier for your customers, which can lead to higher sales and better customer experience.

Shopify collections have the default URL structure of /collections/collection-name

Below are the key takeaways from this content.

Key Takeaways

Shopify collections vs. categories: What’s the difference?

While product categories are broad groupings based on product type, Shopify collections are more flexible and can include products from different categories. For instance, a featured collection might include the best selling products from various product categories.

This flexibility allows you to create specific collections that cater to different customer needs, such as flash sales or seasonal promotions. In contrast, product categories tend to remain static, while collections can be customized and updated frequently.

Creating and Setting Up Shopify Collections

How to create Shopify collections

Creating Shopify collections is straightforward. Start by logging into your Shopify admin dashboard.

On the left-hand side, select:

 Products > Collections > Create collection

Here, you can choose to create either a manual collection or an automated collection. A manual collection requires you to add products individually, while an automated collection uses conditions like product tags or product titles to automatically group products.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Go to Shopify admin and click on Products.
2. Select Collections and click Create collection.
3. Name your new collection and add a brief description.
4. Choose between manual and automated collection types.
5. Add conditions for automated collections or manually add products for manual collections.
6. Hit Save to publish your collection.

Manual vs. automated Shopify collections

Manual collections give you complete control over what products appear in each collection. This is ideal if you have a specific selection in mind, like a best sellers collection.

Automated collections, on the other hand, save time by dynamically updating based on set conditions, like all products tagged with “summer sale.” This option is perfect for large product catalogs where you want collections to update automatically as you add new products.

How to set up automated collections in Shopify

Setting up an automated collection is efficient. In the Create collection screen, select Automated. You’ll then define conditions such as product tags, product title, or even price range. These conditions tell Shopify which products to include.

For example, setting a condition for all products tagged “summer” will automatically include any new products with that tag in your summer collection.

How to use tags in Shopify collections

Product tags play an important role in Shopify collections. Tags act as identifiers that help you sort products into different collections. When you tag a product, Shopify can use these tags to group products in automated collections.

This feature is especially useful for stores with large product catalogs. For example, tagging products with “New Arrival” allows them to appear in a new collection automatically.

How to add products to Shopify collections

For manual collections, you’ll need to add products individually. Go to your Shopify admin, select Products, then pick the items you want to include. After selecting, click on Add to collection and choose the desired collection.

For automated collections, as long as products meet the set conditions, they will automatically be added to the collection.

Optimizing Shopify Collections

Below are some tips for the best way to organize and structure collections.

Best practices for organizing Shopify collections

Organizing Shopify collections effectively can drastically improve the shopping experience. Group similar items together, and consider the journey your customer takes.

Best selling products should be easy to find, and seasonal items like those in a summer sale should be prominently displayed. Use clear and concise collection names to help customers quickly find what they’re looking for.

• Use intuitive names for your collections.
• Highlight best sellers and promotional offers.
• Regularly update collections to reflect new trends.
• Optimize collection pages for mobile users.
• Use high-quality images for featured collections.

How to structure Shopify collections for maximum sales

The structure of your Shopify collections can influence customer behavior. Consider placing your best selling products at the top of your collection pages. Use filters and sort menus to help customers find products quickly.

For example, a featured collection might be organized by “most popular” or “price low to high.” This not only helps customers but also encourages them to browse longer.

Shopify collections for better user experience

Shopify collections enhance customer experience by making it easier to navigate your store. A well-organized collection page with clear labels and useful filters helps customers find what they want faster, improving their overall satisfaction.

When customers can find products quickly, they’re more likely to make a purchase and less likely to leave your site out of frustration.

Shopify collections and customer navigation

The way you organize your Shopify collections directly affects how easily customers can navigate your store. Consider using a dropdown menu or mega menu in your navigation to feature your top collections. Ensure that the collections list is logical and easy to follow, guiding customers from broad categories to more specific items. This intuitive setup can keep customers on your site longer and improve conversion rates.

Customizing Shopify Collections

Below are some tips on the best way to customize collections.

Shopify collection page design tips

Designing an attractive collection page is key to keeping customers engaged. Use your theme editor to customize the layout, colors, and fonts to match your brand. Ensure that each collection page is visually appealing with high-quality featured images.

An organized collection block layout helps customers focus on the products rather than getting lost in clutter.

Shopify collection templates customization

Using the theme customization editor, you can tweak Shopify collection templates to better reflect your brand’s identity. Add custom banners, adjust the product limit displayed, and ensure the page title is SEO-friendly.

For instance, you might add a promotional banner for a summer sale directly on the collection page to draw attention.

Customizing Shopify collection pages

In addition to basic design changes, you can further customize your Shopify collection pages by adjusting the filter menu and sort options. These tools allow customers to quickly narrow down their choices, making the shopping process smoother.

For example, if you’re running a flash sale, you might want to customize the collection conditions to highlight products with a special discount.

Advanced Techniques and Tools

Below are some tips on using advanced techniques and tool.

Advanced techniques for managing Shopify collections

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to dive into advanced management techniques.

This includes setting up smart collections that automatically update based on real-time data, or using apps to add features like social proof or customer reviews directly to your collection pages.

Shopify smart collections setup guide

Setting up smart collections can help you manage large inventories more efficiently. To do this, use the Shopify admin to define collection conditions that automatically include or exclude products based on certain criteria. For example, you might create a specific collection that only includes items with five-star reviews or products that are part of a summer sale. See the section above on how to do this.

Shopify collection rules and automation

Automation is key to saving time, especially if you’re managing multiple collections. Set rules in the Shopify admin dashboard that automatically sort products into collections based on tags, price, or inventory level. This ensures that your collections are always up to date without manual intervention.

• Set automation rules for large inventories.
• Use product tags to keep collections organized.
• Update rules regularly to reflect sales trends.
• Leverage smart collections for dynamic updates.
• Integrate with apps to enhance functionality.

Shopify collections for seasonal products

Seasonal collections like those for a summer sale can be created quickly using automated collections. Set your conditions to include products tagged with the relevant season or event. This allows you to efficiently manage and promote seasonal products without needing to manually adjust your collections.

Enhancing Shopify Collections with Apps

There are a number of apps you can use to improve collection features and functions.

Best Shopify apps for enhancing collections

There are numerous Shopify apps available to enhance your collections. From adding filter menus to displaying customer reviews, these apps can improve how customers interact with your store.

For example, an app like Yotpo can add social proof directly to your collection pages, boosting trust and encouraging purchases.

Enhancing Shopify collections with apps

Using apps to enhance your Shopify collections can provide significant advantages. For instance, adding a filter menu to your collection pages can help customers sort through products more easily. Similarly, a featured image app can help you showcase your top products in an eye-catching way.

Integrating Shopify collections with third-party apps

Integrating third-party apps with your Shopify collections can extend functionality beyond what’s natively available. For example, connecting your Shopify store with a tool like Mailchimp allows you to create targeted email campaigns based on the collections your customers browse, which can increase engagement and sales.

Analyzing and Troubleshooting Shopify Collections

Below you can see some of the issues and how to deal with them.

Shopify collection performance analysis

Analyzing the performance of your Shopify collections is important for understanding what’s working and what needs improvement. Use tools like Google Analytics and Shopify’s own analytics to track key metrics such as conversion rates, average order value, and time spent on collection pages.

How to analyze Shopify collection performance

Start by reviewing your Shopify dashboard. Look for patterns in your data, such as which collections are getting the most views or have the highest sales. This information can guide future updates and help you refine your collection strategy. For example, if a featured collection is underperforming, consider adjusting its collection block or featured image to see if it improves engagement.

• Track key metrics like conversion rates.
• Compare collection performance over time.
• Identify top-performing collections and replicate their success.
• Use A/B testing to refine your strategy.
• Adjust underperforming collections based on data insights.

How to use Shopify collections to boost sales

Your Shopify collections are powerful tools for driving sales. Use your analysis to identify opportunities for improvement. For example, if a particular collection is popular, consider adding more similar products or promoting it through social media.

Likewise, if a collection isn’t performing well, you might need to rethink its product assortment or page design.

How to manage inventory with Shopify collections

Managing inventory within Shopify collections is essential for ensuring products are always available when customers are ready to buy.

Set up notifications in your Shopify admin dashboard to alert you when stock is low. You can also use apps to automate restocking or remove items from collections when they sell out.

Case studies of successful Shopify collections

Looking at successful Shopify stores can provide inspiration and guidance. For example, a store that specializes in seasonal items might have a collection for each season, like winter, spring, and summer sales. These collections are updated regularly to keep customers returning throughout the year. By studying these examples, you can apply similar strategies to your own store.

Troubleshooting Shopify collection issues

If you run into problems with your Shopify collections, the first step is to revisit your setup. Check that all collection conditions are correctly configured, and that your manual collections are up to date. If you’re still having issues, consult the Shopify support forums or reach out to Shopify support for help.

Final Points

Shopify collections are more than just a way to organize products—they’re a key tool for improving the customer experience and boosting sales. By mastering the basics, exploring advanced techniques, and leveraging the right apps, you can create collections that not only meet your business goals but also delight your customers.

Popular Questions

Below you can see of the most common questions we get asked.