How to Split Products in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide for Ecommerce Success

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify Product Variants
3. How to Split Products in Shopify
4. Best Practices for Managing Product Variants
5. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that up to 70% of consumers abandon their carts due to a complicated shopping experience? As ecommerce professionals, we understand that clarity and organization are paramount in maximizing conversions. When it comes to managing product variants on Shopify, the challenge of maintaining a clean and user-friendly catalog can be overwhelming, particularly for those juggling numerous product options. Learning how to split products in Shopify is essential for optimizing your store's performance, enhancing user experience, and ultimately driving sales.

In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of splitting products in Shopify, empowering you with the knowledge to streamline your online store. We will explore the significance of product variants, the methods available for splitting products, and the tools that can facilitate this process. By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of how to effectively manage your product listings, ensuring that your customers enjoy a seamless shopping experience.

Join us as we navigate this essential aspect of ecommerce management, inviting you to reflect on your existing strategies and consider how innovative solutions can propel your store to new heights. Our primary message is clear: mastering product organization is not just about aesthetics—it's a vital strategy for ecommerce growth.

Understanding Shopify Product Variants

What are Product Variants?

Shopify product variants are different versions of a single product, each differing in specific attributes such as size, color, material, or other customizable features. For instance, if you sell t-shirts, each color and size option could be considered a separate variant. Shopify allows you to create up to three options per product, with each option containing up to 100 variants. This structure enables you to keep related products organized under a single listing while giving customers various choices.

Why are Product Variants Important?

Product variants play a crucial role in enhancing the customer experience for several reasons:

1. Improved Clarity: By grouping variants under a single product listing, customers can easily view all available options without navigating through multiple pages.

2. Enhanced Searchability: Including variants in your catalog can improve your store's SEO, as customers may search for specific attributes (e.g., "red t-shirt") and find your product more easily.

3. Streamlined Purchasing: A well-organized product page reduces friction in the shopping experience, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

4. Inventory Management: Each variant can have its own stock-keeping unit (SKU), allowing for precise inventory tracking.

Understanding the significance of product variants sets the stage for why splitting them into separate products can be advantageous, especially when certain variants need to be highlighted or managed independently.

How to Split Products in Shopify

The Manual Method

If you're looking to split products manually, follow these simple steps:

1. Identify the Products to Split: Log in to your Shopify admin and navigate to the "Products" section. Select the product containing variants you wish to split.

2. Duplicate the Product: Click on the "Duplicate" button. This creates a copy of the product, allowing you to modify it without affecting the original listing.

3. Edit the Duplicated Product: Open the duplicated product and remove any unwanted variants. For instance, if you have a t-shirt with multiple colors but want to create a separate listing for just the blue variant, delete all other colors from this product.

4. Renaming and Saving: Rename the duplicated product to reflect its unique variant and save your changes. This process enables you to maintain a clean catalog while still offering multiple options to your customers.

Using Shopify Import Feature

Shopify also offers an import feature that can streamline the splitting process, especially for bulk changes:

1. Prepare Your CSV File: Create a CSV file with all the product details you want to split. Ensure that it follows the Shopify template format.

2. Import the Products: In your Shopify admin, go to "Products," then "Import." Upload your prepared CSV file.

3. Select the Products to Split: After importing, identify the products you wish to split and click on the split product option in the dropdown menu.

4. Choose Variants to Split: Select the specific variant you want to split. For example, if you're splitting by color, choose the color option.

5. Finalize the Split: Click "Split to Products." New products will be created based on the selected variants, and unused variants will be disabled but not deleted, allowing for future adjustments.

Leveraging Third-Party Apps

For those who prefer automation and enhanced functionality, several third-party apps in the Shopify App Store can assist in splitting products. Here are a few notable options:

• EComposer Page Builder: This app allows users to create customized product pages, making it easier to display variants as separate products while maintaining a cohesive design.

• Swatch King: This app helps automatically split color variants into distinct products. If your inventory includes a wide range of variants, this can save you significant time and effort.

• Variant Image Wizard: This app manages product images based on selected variants, ensuring that customers see the correct visuals as they choose their options.

By utilizing these tools, we can achieve a more efficient product management system that enhances our store's overall performance.

Best Practices for Managing Product Variants

As we work to optimize our Shopify stores, it's essential to adhere to best practices for managing product variants:

1. Consistent Naming Conventions

Ensure that your product variants follow a consistent naming structure. For example, if you have multiple fragrances for candles, use "scent" as a consistent term across all listings. This approach makes it easier for customers to navigate and understand your product offerings.

2. Limit Variants per Product

Remember that Shopify allows for a maximum of three options per product, each with up to 100 variants. If your products exceed these limitations, consider using a third-party app to manage and display additional variations effectively.

3. Link Images to Variants

Always link your product images to their respective variants. If a customer switches from a red shirt to a blue one, ensure that the displayed image reflects the correct variant. This practice minimizes confusion and enhances the purchasing experience.

4. Regularly Review Your Listings

Periodically review your product listings to ensure they remain organized and accurately reflect your current inventory. This step is crucial for maintaining a user-friendly shopping experience and optimizing your store's performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, splitting products in Shopify is not merely a matter of aesthetics; it is a strategic move that can significantly enhance the shopping experience, improve organization, and ultimately drive sales. By mastering the techniques discussed in this guide, we can streamline our product listings, ensure clarity for our customers, and maintain an efficient inventory system.

Whether through manual methods, Shopify's import feature, or leveraging third-party apps, we have the tools and knowledge to optimize our stores effectively. Now is the time to take action—start splitting those products and watch your Shopify store thrive.

FAQs

1. How do I group variants in Shopify? To group variants in Shopify, you can create a single product listing with multiple options (such as size, color, and material). Each option can have up to 100 variants.

2. How do I show multiple products on Shopify? To display multiple products, adjust the number of items shown on your collection pages using the theme editor. Ensure you stay within Shopify's limit of 50 products per page.

3. How do I find my product variant ID? To find the variant ID, visit the product page on your Shopify store and select the desired variant. The URL will display in this format: https://www.storename.com/products/product-name?variant=XXXXXXXX, where the numbers at the end represent the variant ID.

4. Can I automate the splitting of products? Yes, several third-party apps in the Shopify App Store can help automate the process of splitting products, making it easier to manage extensive inventories.

5. What are the benefits of splitting products? Splitting products allows for better organization, improves the shopping experience, enhances SEO, and can lead to higher conversion rates as customers find it easier to navigate your store.

For those looking to enhance their Shopify stores further, we encourage you to explore the PowerCommerce eStore Suite, designed to empower ecommerce brands with cutting-edge solutions for growth and optimization.