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How to Change Filter Options in Shopify.

How to Change Filter Options in Shopify

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding Product Filters in Shopify
  3. How to Check if Your Theme Supports Filters
  4. Adding and Customizing Filters in Shopify
  5. Customizing Filter Behavior
  6. Best Practices for Effective Filtering
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine walking into a store where every item is crammed together without any organization. The frustration of trying to find what you need can be overwhelming. Just like a physical store benefits from clear signage and organized aisles, an online store thrives on efficient filtering options that help customers quickly locate their desired products. In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, providing a smooth shopping experience is paramount to retaining customers and driving sales.

In this guide, we will explore how to change filter options in Shopify, a crucial skill for any store owner looking to enhance user experience and optimize their online shop. With the right filtering options, your customers can easily navigate through your collection pages, leading to increased satisfaction and ultimately, higher conversion rates.

By the end of this article, you will understand the various types of filters available, how to implement and customize them, and the best practices to maximize their effectiveness. We will also touch on the importance of user experience and design, which are integral to ensuring your filter options align with your brand's vision.

Let’s dive into the specifics, covering everything from basic filter setup to advanced customization techniques.

Understanding Product Filters in Shopify

What are Product Filters?

Product filters are tools that allow customers to narrow down search results based on specific criteria, such as size, color, price, and availability. They are essential for enhancing the shopping experience, especially for stores with large inventories. Filters help streamline the process of finding products, making it easier for customers to locate what they are looking for without feeling overwhelmed.

Why Are Filters Important?

In today’s e-commerce landscape, customers expect a seamless shopping experience. With studies showing that online shoppers often abandon their carts after a frustrating search experience, implementing effective filters can significantly impact your store's success. By allowing customers to refine their search results, you can reduce bounce rates and increase the likelihood of conversions.

Moreover, filters can help you manage your inventory more efficiently. For example, if a customer is only interested in products that are in stock or within a certain price range, filters can quickly guide them to the right options.

How to Check if Your Theme Supports Filters

Before diving into the setup process, it’s crucial to ensure that your Shopify theme supports filtering options. Only Online Store 2.0 themes offer built-in support for product filters. To verify your theme’s compatibility, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Shopify Admin Panel.
  2. Click on Online Store and then select Navigation.
  3. In the Collection and search filters section, check for a message indicating whether your theme supports filtering.

If your theme is compatible, you’re ready to begin customizing filter options for your store.

Adding and Customizing Filters in Shopify

Step 1: Adding a New Filter

To enhance your store’s filtering capabilities, follow these steps to add a new filter:

  1. Navigate to Online Store > Navigation in your Shopify Admin.

  2. Locate the Collection and search filters section.

  3. Click on the Add filters button.

  4. Choose from the available filter types, such as:

    • Product Availability: Filters products by stock status (in stock, out of stock).
    • Product Price: Allows filtering within a specified price range.
    • Product Type: Filters by the category defined in the product settings.
    • Product Vendor: Filters by the vendor of the products.
    • Product Options: Allows filtering by product variants (e.g., size, color).
  5. After selecting the desired filters, click Done and then Save to apply the changes.

Step 2: Rearranging and Removing Filters

Once you have added filters, you may want to rearrange their order or remove any that are unnecessary. Here’s how:

  1. In the Collection and search filters section, you will see a list of your current filters.
  2. To rearrange, click and drag any filter up or down in the list.
  3. To remove a filter, click the X button next to its listing.
  4. Always remember to click Save after making adjustments to ensure they are applied.

Step 3: Viewing Product Filters on the Front-End

After adjusting your filters, it’s important to see how they appear to customers. To preview:

  1. Click the Preview icon next to Online Store in the left-hand menu.
  2. Navigate to a collection page to view your filters in action.

If you are using a compatible theme like Shopify's Dawn Theme, you will notice the filter options displayed prominently, allowing customers to refine their searches effectively.

Customizing Filter Behavior

Understanding Filter Logic

Shopify allows you to customize how filters behave when multiple options are selected. By default, choosing options from the same filter acts as an "or" condition, while selecting from different filters applies an "and" condition. For example:

  • Selecting Red and Green in a color filter will show products that are either red or green.
  • Choosing Size 8 from one filter and Red from another will only show products that are both size 8 and red.

Customizing Filter Conditions

To customize how filters interact, you can adjust their logic:

  1. Go to Filters in the Shopify Search & Discovery app.
  2. Click on the filter you want to adjust.
  3. In the Logic section, select the desired behavior (default or custom).
  4. Click Save to apply the changes.

Best Practices for Effective Filtering

Keep Filters Relevant

Ensure that the filters you provide are relevant to your product range. For instance, if you sell clothing, filters for size and color are essential. However, if your store specializes in watches, filters for brand, price, and features like water resistance would be more appropriate.

Limit the Number of Filters

While it might be tempting to offer every possible filter option, too many choices can overwhelm customers. Aim for a balanced selection of filters that cover essential product features without cluttering the interface.

Use Visual Filters

Incorporating visual elements, such as color swatches or images, can enhance the filtering experience. Visual filters allow customers to quickly identify their preferences at a glance, making the shopping process more intuitive.

Regularly Review and Update Filters

As your inventory changes, it’s important to regularly review and update your filters. Remove outdated options and add new ones based on current trends and customer preferences.

Conclusion

Understanding how to change filter options in Shopify is crucial for creating an engaging and user-friendly shopping experience. By implementing effective filtering strategies, you not only enhance your store’s usability but also drive customer satisfaction and sales.

As we’ve discussed, filters can significantly impact how customers navigate your store, making it essential to choose the right options and customize their behavior. Whether you are adding new filters, rearranging existing ones, or enhancing their visual appeal, the goal should always be to make the shopping experience as seamless as possible.

If you want to take your e-commerce store to the next level, consider partnering with experts like Praella. They offer comprehensive User Experience & Design services that prioritize creating unforgettable, branded experiences for customers. Additionally, Praella’s Web & App Development solutions can help you elevate your online presence and realize your vision. Explore their offerings further at Praella Solutions.

Together, let’s ensure your Shopify store stands out with effective filtering options that cater to your customers' needs.

FAQ

1. What types of filters can I add to my Shopify store?
You can add several filter types, including product availability, price, type, vendor, and custom options based on product variants or metafields.

2. Can I customize the order of filters?
Yes, you can rearrange the order of filters by dragging them up or down in the Navigation settings of your Shopify Admin.

3. How do I know if my theme supports filters?
You can check your theme's support for filters by going to Online Store > Navigation in your Shopify admin panel. If filtering is supported, you will see options in the Collection and search filters section.

4. Are visual filters supported in Shopify?
Yes, Shopify allows for the addition of visual filters, such as color swatches and images, to enhance the customer experience.

5. What should I do if my filters are not displaying correctly?
Ensure that your theme supports filtering options. If issues persist, consider reaching out to Shopify support or a development partner like Praella for assistance.


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