Introduction

Have you ever felt the layout of your online store could use a little more organization? If you're a Shopify store owner with a vast array of products, categorizing them into sub-collections not only makes your site more user-friendly but also boosts its SEO performance. In this detailed guide, we’ll take you through the reasons why sub-collections are beneficial for your Shopify store and provide you with a step-by-step strategy on how to create them. Whether you have technical prowess or are new to Shopify’s backend, this post aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to enhance your store's structure, improve customer experience, and potentially ramp up sales. By the end of this read, you'll have a clearer understanding of the various methods to create sub-collections and how to decide which approach suits you best.

Sub-collections in Shopify serve as a neat solution to organize products in a more granular way, facilitating better navigation for your customers and helping search engines understand the structure of your store. However, Shopify doesn't offer a direct way to create sub-collections as a default feature, which necessitates a workaround. This blog post will dissect different strategies to overcome this limitation, enabling you to structure your online shop more effectively.

Why Consider Sub-collections for Your Shopify Store?

Sub-collections are a strategic tool in an e-commerce storefront for numerous reasons. They allow for a more detailed categorization of products, which can lead to better user experience and navigation. Notably, having products arranged in small, specific groups rather than lumped together in one grand collection can significantly enhance the SEO of those products. This organization method makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index your pages, potentially leading to higher rankings in search results. Moreover, for new stores, tailored sub-collections targeting specific product searches can set you apart from competitors, aiding in generating those initial sales that are crucial for growth.

Method 1: Creating Sub-collections Via the Navigation Menu

One accessible and popular way to create sub-collections is through the Shopify admin panel, specifically by utilizing the navigation menu. This method is advantageous as it does not require any coding knowledge, making it suitable for beginners or those less comfortable with the technical aspects of website management. Here’s how you can do it:

Access the Navigation Menu: Log into your Shopify admin, and select ‘Online Store > Navigation’.
Edit Your Main Menu: Choose the main menu you intend to modify, or create a new one if necessary.
Insert Sub-collections: Add the desired sub-collection by linking pre-created collections to your navigation menu.
Nest Your Sub-collections: Arrange your collections hierarchically by dragging the sub-collections under their respective parent collection in the menu.
Save Your Adjustments: Ensure you click "Save Menu" to apply the changes.

This approach changes the visual hierarchy on your website, making navigation smoother for customers. However, keep in mind that it does not alter the URL structure to reflect this hierarchy unless additional steps are taken within the theme's code.

Method 2: Incorporating Collections within Collections on Collection Pages

For those who possess some coding knowledge or are willing to dive into Shopify's more technical side, another approach involves adding sub-collections directly on collection pages. This method offers a more integrated look and deeper customization options:

Backup Your Store: Always start by creating a backup to prevent data loss.
Edit Your Theme Code: Navigate to ‘Online Store > Themes’ and click ‘Edit Code’.
Create a New Template: Add a new template for your collection or page, naming it appropriately for your sub-collections.
Customize Your Template: Develop a layout that aligns with your brand and other design elements of your store. This might involve HTML and Liquid coding.

This method is intricate, offering a tailored appearance and functionality at the expense of simplicity. It’s ideal for those who seek a unique store layout and have the resources or knowledge to implement it.

Deleting Sub-collections

The need to delete or modify sub-collections may arise as your store evolves. The process for deletion mirrors that of standard collections, ensuring consistency in managing your store's structure. Remember to redirect the old URLs to relevant pages to preserve SEO rankings and enhance user experience.

Conclusion

Creating sub-collections in Shopify can significantly improve the organization of your online store, enhance user experience, and potentially boost your SEO efforts. While Shopify doesn't support sub-collections natively, the methods detailed above provide viable workarounds to achieve the desired structure. Take the time to plan and consider the growth of your store when structuring your collections and sub-collections, ensuring a scalable, navigable, and SEO-friendly website.

Whether you opt for a straightforward approach through the navigation menu or delve into custom templates for a more integrated solution, the key lies in aligning your methodology with your technical comfort level and long-term vision for your store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create nested collections in Shopify?

Yes, you can create nested collections, also known as sub-collections, in Shopify using workarounds such as manipulating the navigation menu or modifying theme code to incorporate collections within collections.

Is it possible to show multiple collections on one page in Shopify?

Yes, by utilizing custom templates or modifying your theme's code, you can design a page that features multiple collections, enhancing navigation and product discoverability.

How many sub-collections can I have in Shopify?

Shopify allows up to 5,000 automated collections. While there isn’t a publicly stated limit for manual or nested collections, practicality and site performance should guide the extent of your store’s categorization.