are curated by you, the store owner. You select specific products to include, and they remain in that collection until you decide to remove them. This option is ideal for custom groupings that don't necessarily follow a rule, like 'Staff Picks' or 'Founder's Favorites'.

Accessing Collections:

Start by navigating to your Shopify admin panel, and then to Products > Collections.

Creating a Collection:

Click on the 'Create collection' button. You'll be prompted to enter details such as the collection's name, description, and whether it's manual or automated. For automated collections, you will also set the conditions under which products are included.

Adding Products (Manual Collections Only):

If you're creating a manual collection, you'll search for and select the products you want to include. For automated collections, products matching your conditions will be added automatically.

Don't overlook the 'Search engine listing preview' section. Here you can optimize your collection's metadata for better visibility in search engine results, including a keyword-rich SEO title and description.

Upload a compelling image to represent your collection. This image will appear in various places, such as the collection page, navigation menus, or even the homepage if you feature the collection there.

Strategize Your Collections:

Think about your customers and how they shop. Collections should make their journey easier and more enjoyable, not just serve as a way for you to organize products behind the scenes.

Regularly review your collections, especially automated ones, to ensure they're still relevant and serving their intended purpose.

Utilize High-Quality Images:

Your collection image is often a customer's first impression of that product group. Make sure it's clear, high-quality, and representative of the theme or products within the collection.

Can products belong to multiple collections?

Yes, a single product can appear in as many collections as relevant.

How do I add a collection to my Shopify homepage?

Through your theme's customization settings, you can add sections that feature collections right on your homepage.

Can I change a collection from manual to automated?

Once a collection type is set, it cannot be changed from manual to automated or vice versa. Instead, you'll need to create a new collection with the preferred settings.

How do I know which type of collection to use?

Consider how often new products will be added and whether they fit into a specific category with common characteristics (ideal for automated collections) or if you prefer to handpick items regardless of their attributes (best for manual collections).

Can I hide a collection from my store?

Yes, you can manage the visibility of your collections through their 'Sales channels and apps' settings within the collection edit page.

Ultimate Guide: How to Create a New Collection on Shopify

Introduction
Why Use Collections?
Creating a New Collection: Step-by-Step
Advanced Considerations
Conclusion
FAQ

Creating a new collection on Shopify can greatly enhance the shopping experience for your customers, making it easier for them to find the products they are searching for by category. Whether you are organizing seasonal items, clearing out inventory with a sale, or simply aiming to make your store more user-friendly, mastering the art of collection creation can be a significant asset for any Shopify store owner.

Introduction

Ever wondered how the top Shopify stores manage to keep their product offerings so organized and easy for shoppers to navigate? The secret is in their smart use of collections. Collections are essentially categories for your products but can do so much more for your sales and inventory management than you might realize at first glance.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the nuances of creating collections on Shopify, leveraging this feature to not only optimize your store for better customer experience but also to drive more sales. Whether manual or automated, each collection type has its perks, and we'll guide you through selecting the right type for your needs, enhancing your store aesthetics, and increasing the likelihood of converting visitors into buyers.

Why Use Collections?

Collections allow you to group your products in a way that makes sense to your customers, facilitating a seamless browsing experience. They can be seasonal, based on product type, or even designed to highlight items on sale. This not only makes it easier for customers to find what they're looking for but can also help you showcase new arrivals or promote specific product categories effectively.

Creating a New Collection: Step-by-Step

Starting with Basics: Manual vs. Automated Collections

Shopify offers two main types of collections: Manual and Automated.

Manual collections are curated by you, the store owner. You select specific products to include, and they remain in that collection until you decide to remove them. This option is ideal for custom groupings that don't necessarily follow a rule, like 'Staff Picks' or 'Founder's Favorites'.
Automated collections use set conditions to automatically include products that meet those specific criteria. This could be anything from "All products under $20" to "Products tagged with 'Summer'". Once set, any new products added to your store that meet these conditions will automatically be included in the collection.

Creation Process

Accessing Collections: Start by navigating to your Shopify admin panel, and then to Products > Collections.
Creating a Collection: Click on the 'Create collection' button. You'll be prompted to enter details such as the collection's name, description, and whether it's manual or automated. For automated collections, you will also set the conditions under which products are included.
Adding Products (Manual Collections Only): If you're creating a manual collection, you'll search for and select the products you want to include. For automated collections, products matching your conditions will be added automatically.
Enhancing SEO: Don't overlook the 'Search engine listing preview' section. Here you can optimize your collection's metadata for better visibility in search engine results, including a keyword-rich SEO title and description.
Visual Presentation: Upload a compelling image to represent your collection. This image will appear in various places, such as the collection page, navigation menus, or even the homepage if you feature the collection there.

Best Practices

Strategize Your Collections: Think about your customers and how they shop. Collections should make their journey easier and more enjoyable, not just serve as a way for you to organize products behind the scenes.
Keep It Updated: Regularly review your collections, especially automated ones, to ensure they're still relevant and serving their intended purpose.
Utilize High-Quality Images: Your collection image is often a customer's first impression of that product group. Make sure it's clear, high-quality, and representative of the theme or products within the collection.

Advanced Considerations

Customizing Collection Pages

Using tools like Shogun, you can further customize your Shopify collection pages beyond the default theme settings. This includes adding unique banners, testimonials, or even video content related to the collection, enhancing the appeal and potentially increasing conversion rates.

Utilizing Collections for Marketing

Collections are not just for organization - they're powerful marketing tools. Consider creating collections for holiday sales, back-to-school seasons, or any other event relevant to your audience. You can then promote these collections through your marketing channels for targeted campaigns.

Conclusion

Shopify collections are a powerhouse feature for organizing your store and enhancing the shopping experience. Whether manual or automated, the key to success with collections is thoughtful strategy and regular maintenance. By creating clear, compelling collections, you ensure customers can easily find what they're looking for, substantially increasing your chances of making a sale.

Use the knowledge shared in this guide to harness the full potential of collections in your Shopify store. Not only will your store be more organized, but you'll likely see an uptick in customer satisfaction and sales as a result.

FAQ

Can products belong to multiple collections? Yes, a single product can appear in as many collections as relevant.
How do I add a collection to my Shopify homepage? Through your theme's customization settings, you can add sections that feature collections right on your homepage.
Can I change a collection from manual to automated? Once a collection type is set, it cannot be changed from manual to automated or vice versa. Instead, you'll need to create a new collection with the preferred settings.
How do I know which type of collection to use? Consider how often new products will be added and whether they fit into a specific category with common characteristics (ideal for automated collections) or if you prefer to handpick items regardless of their attributes (best for manual collections).
Can I hide a collection from my store? Yes, you can manage the visibility of your collections through their 'Sales channels and apps' settings within the collection edit page.