How to Create Sub Collections in Shopify.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Create Sub Collections in Shopify?
3. How to Structure Your Shopify Sub Collections
5. Customizing Your Sub Collections
6. Analyzing Performance and Making Adjustments
7. Troubleshooting Common Issues
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Imagine walking into a retail store where products are neatly categorized not just by type, but by themes, styles, and even seasonal trends. This organized approach not only helps customers find what they need but also enhances their shopping experience. Now, think about your online store: is it delivering the same level of organization? For many Shopify merchants, creating sub collections can transform the way customers navigate their store, making it easier for them to discover products and ultimately boosting sales.

The concept of sub collections in Shopify refers to the categorization of products within larger collections. While Shopify does not natively support a hierarchical structure for collections, implementing sub collections can significantly improve navigation, enhance user experience, and even optimize search engine visibility. This article will guide you through the process of creating sub collections in Shopify, exploring the importance of organization, the various methods to implement these collections, and how to optimize them for your business.

By the end of this post, you'll not only understand how to create sub collections in Shopify but also appreciate their benefits, from improving customer engagement to increasing sales opportunities. We’ll cover everything from planning your collections to troubleshooting common issues, ensuring you have all the information you need to implement this feature effectively.

Why Create Sub Collections in Shopify?

When it comes to e-commerce, organization is key. Sub collections allow you to categorize products into smaller, more focused groups, which can enhance the shopping experience in several ways:

Improved Navigation

Navigating a large inventory can be overwhelming for customers. By breaking down collections into sub collections, you're creating an intuitive path for shoppers to follow. This structured approach reduces decision fatigue, allowing customers to browse specific categories easily.

Enhanced User Experience

A well-organized store is more appealing. Sub collections can improve your site's layout and design, making it visually more attractive and easier for shoppers to find what they want. This can lead to longer browsing times and increased customer satisfaction.

SEO Benefits

Organizing products into specific sub collections allows you to target more niche keywords. This can enhance your store's visibility in search engine results, attracting more targeted traffic. The result is not just an increase in visitors, but potentially higher conversion rates.

Sales Opportunities

Sub collections offer a platform for upselling and cross-selling. By grouping related products together, you can encourage customers to consider complementary items, thereby increasing the average order value.

Dynamic Product Display

Having sub collections allows for more dynamic product displays. You can adapt the way products are shown based on trends or inventory levels, ensuring that your offerings remain relevant and appealing to your customers.

How to Structure Your Shopify Sub Collections

Creating effective sub collections starts with a well-thought-out structure. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you organize your products efficiently:

Step 1: Define Your Main Collections

Before diving into sub collections, identify the main collections that will serve as the foundation. These could be based on product types, themes, or seasonal collections. For example, if you sell clothing, your main collections might include Men’s, Women’s, and Accessories.

Step 2: Plan Your Sub Collections

Once your main collections are defined, think about how you want to break them down further. For instance, within the Women’s collection, you might have sub collections like Dresses, Tops, and Activewear. Consider your customers’ shopping behaviors and how they might naturally navigate your store.

Step 3: Create Your Collections

Now that you have a plan, it’s time to set up your collections in Shopify:

1. Navigate to the Collections Tab: In your Shopify admin panel, go to the Collections section.
2. Create Main Collections: Click on "Create collection" and fill out the necessary details.
3. Add Products: After creating your main collections, you can add products that belong to each collection.

There are several methods to create sub collections in Shopify. Here, we will explore four primary approaches.

Method 1: Using Theme Templates

One effective way to create sub collections is through theme templates. This method allows you to customize the display of sub collections on your collection pages.

Steps:

1. Prepare Your Collections: Go to "Collections" and create the collections you want to serve as sub collections.

2. Access Theme Editor: Navigate to "Online Store" > "Themes" and select your active theme.

3. Create a New Template: Click on "Add a new template" and choose “collection.sub-collections.liquid” as your template type.

4. Customize Your Template: Edit the template to include your sub collections. You can use the following code snippet to list your collections:

   <ul>
     {% for collection in collections %}
       <li><a href="{{ collection.url }}">{{ collection.title }}</a></li>
     {% endfor %}
   </ul>
   

5. Assign the Template: Go back to your parent collection and assign the newly created template.

Method 2: Adding Sub Collections to the Main Collection Page

You can also directly add sub collections to the main collection page, making them visible when customers access the parent collection.

Steps:

1. Create the Sub Collections: As in the previous method, make sure your sub collections exist.
2. Edit the Parent Collection: Navigate to the parent collection and select the template that includes the sub collections.
3. Save Changes: Once you’ve set everything up, save your changes.

Method 3: Using Navigation Menus

While this method is simpler, it’s not the most SEO-friendly option. Still, it can be effective for basic organization.

Steps:

1. Go to Navigation: In your Shopify admin, select "Online Store" > "Navigation."
2. Choose Your Menu: Select the main menu you want to add sub collections to.
3. Add Sub Collection: Click "Add menu item," choose "Collection," and select your sub collection.
4. Nest the Sub Collection: Drag the new menu item below the main collection item to make it a sub item.
5. Save Menu: Click "Save menu" to update your changes.

Method 4: Using Shopify Apps

If you're looking for an easier solution, consider using Shopify apps designed specifically to manage collections. Here are a few popular options:

• Advanced Collections: Allows you to create flexible collections based on product tags and conditions.
• Subcollection Category Surf: Automatically generates subcollection blocks based on your existing collections.
• Compass Navigation: A navigation tool that helps customers find items quickly and easily.

These apps can save you time and provide additional functionality for managing your sub collections.

Customizing Your Sub Collections

Once your sub collections are created, it's essential to customize them to align with your brand and enhance the shopping experience.

Design Thumbnails and Cover Images

Choose appealing images that accurately represent your sub collections. These visuals are the first thing customers see, so make them count.

Optimize Product Descriptions

Craft detailed and SEO-optimized product descriptions for items in your sub collections. This not only helps with search visibility but also informs customers about the value of the products.

Utilize Tags and Filters

Take advantage of Shopify’s tagging and filtering features to enhance navigation within your sub collections. This allows customers to narrow down their searches based on specific criteria, improving their shopping experience.

Display Sub Collections Prominently

Ensure that your sub collections are easily accessible from your homepage or main navigation menu. This visibility can drive more traffic to those pages.

Promote Through Marketing Channels

Utilize social media and email marketing to highlight your sub collections. Share curated selections or seasonal themes to engage your audience and drive traffic to your store.

Analyzing Performance and Making Adjustments

After implementing your sub collections, it's crucial to monitor their performance. Shopify provides robust analytics tools that allow you to track important metrics:

Key Metrics to Monitor

• Sales and Conversion Rates: Assess how well each sub collection is performing in terms of sales.
• Click-Through Rates: Check how many customers are clicking on your sub collections from the main collection pages.
• Time on Page: Analyze how long customers spend on your sub collection pages to gauge engagement.

Regularly reviewing these metrics can help you identify areas for improvement and optimize your collections accordingly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While creating and managing sub collections is straightforward, you may encounter some common issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Products Not Appearing: Ensure products are correctly assigned to the sub collections and check any conditions set for automatic collections.
• Sub Collections Not Displaying: Confirm that the sub collections are published and configured to display in the desired locations.
• Image Issues: If images aren't showing correctly, verify that they meet Shopify's recommended dimensions.

If you're still facing challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shopify's support for assistance.

Conclusion

Creating sub collections in Shopify is a powerful way to enhance organization, improve navigation, and optimize the shopping experience for your customers. By following the methods outlined above, you can effectively implement sub collections that not only streamline your store’s layout but also boost your SEO efforts and sales opportunities.

As you embark on this journey, remember that a well-structured store benefits not just your customers but also your overall business growth. If you're looking for expert assistance along the way, consider leveraging Praella's services, including User Experience & Design, Web & App Development, and Strategy, Continuity, and Growth to further enhance your Shopify store.

Together, you can create a shopping experience that captivates customers and drives success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a sub-collection on Shopify? A sub-collection is a smaller, more specific category within a larger collection, designed to organize products and improve navigation.

2. How do I create sub-collections in Shopify? You can create sub-collections using theme templates, adding them to main collection pages, utilizing navigation menus, or through specialized Shopify apps.

3. Can I show multiple collections on one page in Shopify? Yes, you can display multiple collections on a single page by customizing your collection templates.

4. How many sub-collections can I have on Shopify? Shopify allows for up to 5,000 automated collections, with no specific limit on manual collections.

5. What are the benefits of sub-collections? Sub-collections improve navigation, enhance user experience, boost SEO, increase sales opportunities, and allow for dynamic product displays.