How to Remove Collections from Shopify URL.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify URL Structure
3. Steps to Remove Collections from Shopify URL
4. Risks of Removing Collections from URLs
5. Best Practices for URL Management
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ Section

Introduction

When managing an e-commerce store, the URL structure is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in SEO, user experience, and overall branding. Have you ever found yourself frustrated with the way your product URLs appear on Shopify? You’re not alone. Many store owners grapple with the default URL format, which includes collections, often resulting in unwieldy and less aesthetically pleasing links.

This blog aims to guide you through the process of removing collections from your Shopify URL, ensuring a cleaner, more effective URL structure that can enhance your site's SEO performance and improve user navigation. By the end of this post, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved, the potential impacts on your store, and best practices for maintaining your site post-modification.

In the following sections, we will explore the significance of URL structure, the technical steps to modify it, and the implications of these changes on your Shopify store’s SEO and user experience. We will also discuss how Praella’s services can support you in optimizing your e-commerce strategy for growth and continuity.

Understanding Shopify URL Structure

The Default URL Format

When you add products to collections in Shopify, the platform automatically generates URLs that include the collection name. For instance, a product linked to a collection might have a URL structured as follows: /collections/collection-name/products/product-name. This format can lead to several issues, such as duplicate content, which can confuse search engines and affect your SEO rankings.

Implications of Collection-Aware URLs

1. SEO Concerns: Having multiple URLs pointing to the same product can dilute your SEO efforts. Search engines may struggle to determine which URL to prioritize, potentially leading to lower rankings for your product pages.

2. User Experience: Long and complex URLs can be off-putting for customers. A simplified URL structure enhances clarity, making it easier for customers to remember and share links.

3. Branding and Consistency: Many e-commerce businesses prefer a uniform URL structure that reflects their brand more clearly, avoiding unnecessary complexity.

Reasons to Remove Collections from URLs

• Simplified URLs: Cleaner URLs are easier to read, remember, and share.
• Improved SEO: Streamlined URLs can potentially improve search engine visibility.
• Consistency: Uniform URLs help maintain a cohesive brand identity.
• Ease of Sharing: Shorter URLs are more suitable for marketing materials, social media, and other platforms.

Steps to Remove Collections from Shopify URL

Removing collections from your Shopify URLs involves editing your theme's code. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Step 1: Backup Your Theme

Before making any changes, it is crucial to create a backup of your current theme. This ensures that you can revert to the original version if something goes wrong. To back up your theme:

1. Go to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Online Store > Themes.
3. Click on the Actions dropdown next to your live theme and select Duplicate. This creates a copy of your theme.

Step 2: Locate the Code to Edit

You will need to find specific lines of code in your theme files. The precise files may vary depending on the theme you’re using, but the general steps are as follows:

1. Go to Online Store > Themes and click on Actions > Edit Code.
2. Use the search function (CTRL + F or CMD + F) to locate instances of | within: collection within your theme files, especially in:
   • snippets/product-grid-item.liquid
   • snippets/product-details.liquid
   • snippets/product-thumbnail.liquid

Step 3: Modify the Code

Once you find the relevant code snippets, you will need to remove the | within: collection portion. Your code should change from:

{{ product.url | within: collection }}

to:

{{ product.url }}

This modification directs Shopify to use only the product URL without the collection context.

Step 4: Test Your Changes

After editing the code, it’s essential to test the changes:

1. Visit your store’s front end and navigate to a collection.
2. Click on any product to check if the URL no longer contains the collection name.
3. If changes do not appear immediately, Shopify caching may delay the updates. Wait a few minutes and refresh.

Step 5: Set Up Redirects

If your product URLs have already been indexed with the collection name, you must set up URL redirects to prevent customers from encountering 404 errors. To create redirects:

1. Go to Online Store > Navigation.
2. Click on URL Redirects.
3. Enter the old URL (with the collection name) and the new URL (without the collection name) to create a redirect.

Risks of Removing Collections from URLs

While removing collections from your Shopify URLs can have significant benefits, there are also potential risks to consider:

1. Impact on Breadcrumbs: Removing collection context may affect how breadcrumbs appear on your site. Breadcrumbs enable users to navigate back to the collection from the product page. If this feature is essential for your user experience, consider utilizing apps from the Shopify App Store to maintain breadcrumbs without including collection names in URLs.

2. SEO Fluctuations: Changing URLs can temporarily impact your search rankings. Google may take time to re-index the new URLs, so it’s crucial to monitor traffic and rankings during this transition.

3. Potential Technical Issues: Editing theme files can introduce errors if not done carefully. Ensure you test thoroughly after making code changes.

Best Practices for URL Management

To ensure your Shopify store remains optimized for SEO and user experience, consider the following best practices:

• Consistency: Maintain uniformity in your URL structure to reinforce your branding.
• Redirects: Always implement redirects when changing URLs to avoid broken links.
• Monitor SEO Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track changes in traffic and indexing.
• Consider Professional Help: If you’re uncertain about making code changes, consider consulting with experts like Praella, who offer comprehensive consultation services to help brands navigate technical challenges and optimize their online presence. You can explore their offerings here.

Conclusion

Understanding how to remove collections from Shopify URLs is a significant step towards optimizing your e-commerce store for better SEO and user experience. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can create cleaner, more effective URLs that can enhance your store’s performance.

Remember to weigh the benefits against potential risks, such as impacts on breadcrumbs and SEO fluctuations. Regularly monitor your store’s performance post-changes to ensure your modifications yield the desired results.

If you’re looking for further assistance in enhancing your e-commerce strategy, Praella is here to help. Their services in User Experience & Design, Web & App Development, and Strategy, Continuity, and Growth can provide the support you need to elevate your brand and realize your vision. Explore more about Praella’s services here.

FAQ Section

What is a collection-aware URL in Shopify?

A collection-aware URL includes the collection name in the URL path, such as /collections/collection-name/products/product-name. This structure can lead to duplicate content issues.

Why should I remove collections from my Shopify URLs?

Removing collections can simplify URLs, improve SEO, and create a more consistent and brand-focused URL structure that is easier for customers to remember and share.

Will removing collections affect my SEO?

While it can temporarily impact SEO due to changes in indexing, cleaner URLs can ultimately improve your site’s search engine visibility.

How can I back up my Shopify theme?

You can back up your theme by duplicating it in the Shopify admin panel, ensuring you have a copy to revert to if needed.

What should I do if I encounter issues after editing my theme?

If you experience problems after making changes, you can restore your backup theme or consult with professionals for assistance.