How to Make Submenu in Shopify.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Benefits of Using Drop-down Menus in Shopify
3. How to Add a Drop-down Menu from the Main Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide
4. Troubleshooting Common Issues When Adding a Drop-down Menu in a Shopify Store
5. Conclusion
6. FAQ Section

Introduction

Imagine walking into a store with countless aisles, but no clear signs to guide you. Frustrating, right? This scenario is not too different from navigating an online store without effective menus. In the competitive world of e-commerce, a streamlined navigation system can significantly enhance the user experience, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by incorporating drop-down or submenu structures in your Shopify store's navigation.

In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of how to make a submenu in Shopify, providing you with step-by-step guidance to create an organized and user-friendly navigation system. You’ll learn not just the mechanics of adding submenus, but also the strategic importance of this feature in enhancing your online store's performance.

The importance of effective navigation can't be overstated. Research shows that 50% of consumers will abandon a website if they cannot easily find what they are looking for. With this in mind, we will explore the benefits of using drop-down menus, the step-by-step process of creating them, and troubleshooting common issues you might encounter along the way.

By the end of this article, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how to implement submenus in your Shopify store, making it easier for your customers to find their desired products and improving their overall shopping experience. We will also touch on how Praella’s services can help streamline this process, offering expert guidance in user experience and design.

Benefits of Using Drop-down Menus in Shopify

Before jumping into the “how-to” aspect, let’s discuss why you should consider adding drop-down menus to your Shopify store.

1. Organized Navigation

Drop-down menus enable you to categorize products, collections, and pages under a single parent menu item. This organization helps visitors quickly locate the items they need, thereby enhancing their overall shopping experience. For instance, if your store sells clothing, you can have main categories like "Men," "Women," and "Kids," each with subcategories for specific types of apparel.

2. Improved User Experience

A well-structured navigation system allows customers to browse effortlessly. When users can find what they're looking for with minimal clicks, it reduces frustration and increases the likelihood of completing a purchase. This user-centered design approach is at the core of Praella’s user experience and design offerings, aiming to create unforgettable shopping journeys.

3. Space-saving Design

Drop-down menus help maintain a clean and uncluttered navigation bar. Instead of displaying every link on the main menu, you can provide a concise overview, saving valuable screen space and making your store look more professional.

4. Easy Access to Multiple Pages

With drop-down menus, you can link to various product categories or pages without overloading your main navigation bar. This feature is particularly useful for stores with extensive inventories, as it simplifies the shopping process for users.

5. Enhanced SEO Potential

Search engines favor well-structured sites, and an organized navigation system can improve your store's SEO. By using keyword-rich headings for your drop-down menus, you signal to search engines what your store is about, which can lead to better rankings.

How to Add a Drop-down Menu from the Main Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we understand the benefits, let’s delve into the process of creating drop-down menus in Shopify. There are two primary methods: using the Shopify admin and utilizing third-party apps.

Method 1: Using the Shopify Admin

1. Access the Navigation Settings:

   • From your Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store > Navigation.

2. Select the Main Menu:

   • Click on the name of your main menu (often labeled as "Main menu").

3. Choose a Header for Your Drop-down Menu:

   • Decide whether to use an existing menu item as the header for your drop-down menu or create a new one. If you don't want the header to link anywhere, you can input # in the "Link" field.

4. Add Menu Items:

   • Click Add menu item.
   • In the Name field, enter the desired name for your sub-menu item (e.g., "New Arrivals").
   • In the Link field, choose the destination for this menu item (like a collection or page).

5. Nest the Menu Item:

   • After adding the item, drag and drop it under the chosen header menu item to nest it as a sub-item.

6. Save Your Menu:

   • Once you've added all desired items, click Save menu.

Method 2: Using Shopify Apps

For more advanced menu structures, considering third-party apps can be beneficial. These apps can help you create mega menus or provide additional customization options without the need for code. Here’s how you can explore this option:

1. Visit the Shopify App Store:

   • Search for menu apps that suit your needs. Look for features like manual filtering, automatic organization of collections, or enhanced SEO capabilities.

2. Install and Configure the App:

   • Follow the instructions provided by the app to set up your menus according to your specifications.

3. Test the Functionality:

   • After configuration, check how the menus appear on both desktop and mobile views to ensure they operate smoothly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Adding a Drop-down Menu in a Shopify Store

Even with a straightforward process, you may encounter some issues when trying to set up drop-down menus. Here are common problems and their solutions:

1. Drop-down Menu Not Appearing

• Check Menu Structure: Ensure that the sub-items are correctly nested under the parent menu item in the Shopify admin. If they’re not properly positioned, they won’t display as a drop-down.

2. Menu Not Working on Mobile

• Theme Compatibility: Some themes may not support mobile navigation. If your drop-down isn’t functional on mobile devices, consider updating to a mobile-friendly theme.

3. Main Menu Item Not Clickable

• Modify Theme Code: In certain themes, adding a drop-down may disable the clickable function of the main menu item. You might need to edit the site-nav.liquid or header.liquid file to restore clickability.

4. Drop-down Not Expanding or Displaying Correctly

• Code Conflicts: If your drop-down won’t expand, check for any recent customizations that might conflict with the menu code. Review the header.liquid file to ensure that the menu code is intact.

Conclusion

Creating a submenu in Shopify is an essential step toward enhancing the user experience in your online store. By implementing structured navigation through drop-down menus, you not only make it easier for customers to find their desired products but also improve the overall aesthetics and functionality of your site.

The benefits of organized navigation, improved user experience, and enhanced SEO potential make this feature a must-have for any thriving e-commerce business. Whether you opt for the straightforward Shopify admin method or choose to utilize advanced apps, the process is manageable and significantly rewarding.

Incorporating Praella’s user experience and design services can further elevate your store’s navigation, ensuring that every element works harmoniously to create an unforgettable shopping experience for your customers.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to mastering Shopify navigation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to Praella for expert guidance tailored to your business needs.

FAQ Section

How do I style my Shopify submenu?
You can style your Shopify submenu by editing the theme's CSS file. To do this, navigate to Online Store > Themes > Edit Code and open the theme's CSS file (e.g., theme.css). Here, you can add custom CSS to adjust font sizes, spacing, or background colors.

How to create multi-level submenus?
Shopify allows you to create up to two levels of nested submenus. Start by creating menu items in your Navigation settings, then drag and drop them under the parent item to form a multi-level structure, facilitating quick navigation through categories and subcategories.

How to make submenus mobile-friendly?
To ensure your submenus are mobile-friendly, you may need to adjust the mobile styles through CSS by targeting specific media queries. This helps maintain correct display on smaller screens.

How do I add a dropdown variant in Shopify?
To add a dropdown variant (e.g., for product options like size or color), navigate to the product page in Shopify Admin. Under Variants, add options for each variant. Shopify will automatically display these options as a dropdown on the product page.

What is the difference between a drop-down and a mega menu in Shopify?
A drop-down menu displays sub-items under a parent menu in a vertical list, while a mega menu shows multiple columns of menu items, often including images and additional content. Mega menus usually require a custom setup or a Shopify app for implementation.

By enhancing your Shopify store's navigation with effective submenus, you not only improve user experience but also align with best practices that can drive sales and customer retention. Happy navigating!