A common eCommerce misconception is that adding products is just about uploading a few images and writing basic descriptions. Poorly presented products can lead to low conversion rates, frustrated customers, and ultimately, lost revenue.
But inconsistent product information, missing details, or unoptimized images create a poor first impression, deterring potential buyers. So through this blog, I’ll explain how the eCommerce experts add products to Shopify and ensure the best possible customer experience. Let’s get straight into it.
How to Add a Product to Shopify?
To add the products effectively, you need to cover the essentials like product titles, descriptions, pricing, and inventory management. The overall aim of this process is to attract customers and drive sales. Here’s how it goes.
Step 1: Access the Product Page.
First off, we assume you have already taken care of the Shopify store setup. So log into your Shopify admin panel. Then, on the left-hand navigation menu, click on “Products”. That will take you to the dedicated products page.
Step 2: Add a New Product
On the Products page, click the “Add product” button (usually located at the top right).
Step 3: Enter the Product Information
Now, to the most important step of the process. You may begin adding the product info to the product page. The info includes the product title, description, and media (including images and videos).
Title: Give your product a clear and descriptive name.
Description: Write a detailed description that highlights the product’s features and benefits. Use keywords naturally for SEO.
Media: Upload high-quality images or videos of your product. Use multiple images to showcase different angles and features.
Category: Use tags and collections to categorize your products and make them easier for customers to find.
Step 4: Add Media for Each Product
At this point, you can upload the images and videos for the product. These media will provide the customers with a better understanding of how the products may look in their native environment.
Images: Upload high-quality images of your product. Use multiple images to showcase different angles, details, and features. Ensure your images are appropriately sized and optimized for web use (smaller file sizes for faster loading).
Videos (Optional): If you have product videos, you can embed them here as well. Videos can significantly enhance the customer experience.
Step 5: Create a Collection on Shopify
From your Shopify admin, go to “Products” and then “Collections”. This section will not only help provide your Shopify store with a better structure, but also improve the customer experience. So when the customer visits the store, they can browse through the collection and find the most suitable product.
Remember, one product can belong to several collections.
Define the collection title and description. Choose a collection type:
Manual: You manually select which products to include in the collection.
Automated: Products are automatically added based on conditions you set (e.g., tag, product type, price).
After setting the collection details, add the products to be included in it.
Step 6: Adjust Other Shopify Products Settings
At this point, it’s time to adjust the additional details and settings like pricing, inventory, and shipping.
Pricing: Set the price for your product. You can also set a “Compare at price” to show a discount.
Inventory: If you’re tracking inventory, enter the number of units you have in stock. You can also choose to track inventory at the variant level (if you have different sizes or colors).
Shipping: This setting is only applicable for physical products. Here are the details to be specified:-
– Weight: Enter the product’s weight for accurate shipping calculations. – Dimensions: Enter the package dimensions. – Requires shipping: Check this box if the product needs to be shipped. Uncheck it for digital products or services. – Customs information: If you’re shipping internationally, you’ll need to provide customs information.
Step 7: Optimize for Search Engines
Optimizing your Shopify products for search engines is crucial for driving organic (non-paid) traffic to your online store. Your store will be more visible to their potential customers searching for products similar to yours. Here’s what you need to optimize:
Page title: This is the title that appears in search engine results. Make it concise, descriptive, and include relevant keywords.
Meta description: This is a brief summary that appears below the page title in search results. Write a compelling description that encourages users to click through to your product page.
URL handle: This is the part of the URL that comes after your domain name. Make it short, descriptive, and use keywords.
Step 8: Publish Products and View on Store
Once you’ve entered all the necessary information and optimized your product, click the “Preview” button and see how everything looks. To make the product visible on your online store, click “Save Product”.
And congratulations! You have the products available in the store now. The customers can see them.
You can add different types of products on your Shopify store. And depending on the product, you will need to define some settings and take care of some key considerations. Let’s take a look.
Physical Products
These are tangible items that require shipping. They are the most common type of product sold online.
Examples: Clothing, electronics, furniture, books, cosmetics, jewelry, home goods, etc.
Key Considerations
Inventory Management: You’ll need to track your stock levels to avoid overselling. Shopify has built-in inventory management features, and there are also apps that offer more advanced inventory control.
Shipping and Fulfillment: You’ll need to determine how you’ll ship your products (e.g., USPS, FedEx, UPS) and handle packaging, labeling, and tracking. You might also consider using a fulfillment service (like Fulfillment by Amazon or a 3PL) to handle these tasks.
Storage: You’ll need a place to store your inventory, whether it’s a spare room, a warehouse, or a fulfillment center.
Returns and Exchanges: You’ll need a clear return and exchange policy to handle customer returns and exchanges.
Digital Products
These are intangible goods that are delivered electronically, usually via download or access to a digital platform.
Examples: Ebooks, music, software, online courses, stock photos, digital art, templates, plugins, etc.
Key Considerations
Digital Delivery: Shopify has built-in functionality for selling digital downloads. You can also use apps to provide more advanced delivery options, such as download limits, expiring links, and PDF stamping.
File Security: You’ll need to protect your digital files from unauthorized copying and distribution.
No Shipping Costs: One of the major advantages of selling digital products is that you don’t have to worry about shipping costs or logistics.
Instant Delivery: Customers can access their purchases immediately after completing their order.
Services
These are intangible offerings where you provide a skill or expertise to customers.
Examples: Consulting, coaching, design services, web development, photography, online tutoring, personal training, etc.
Key Considerations
Scheduling and Appointments: You’ll likely need a way for customers to book appointments or schedule consultations. Shopify apps can help with this.
Communication: You’ll need to communicate effectively with clients regarding project details, timelines, and deliverables.
Payment Processing: You’ll need a way to accept payments for your services. Shopify’s built-in payment gateway or third-party apps can be used.
Terms and Conditions: It’s important to have clear terms and conditions outlining the scope of your services, payment terms, and cancellation policies.
You’ll need to consider different aspects like inventory, fulfillment, delivery, and customer support based on the type of product you’re selling. If you need additional help with that, get our eCommerce consulting services.
Advanced Product Management Tips
Now that you understand the basics of adding the products to your Shopify store, there are a few advanced tips and tactics that could help.
Master Product Variants: Use variants extensively for products with options like size, color, or material. This keeps everything on one product page, improving user experience and SEO.
Leverage Metafields: Store extra product information (like size charts, ingredients, or specific technical specs) that doesn’t fit standard fields. Use metafields to create custom filters and display specific data on product pages.
Bulk Edit with CSVs: For large product catalogs, use CSV files to efficiently update pricing, inventory, tags, and other product details in bulk.
Strategic Tagging and Collections: Use tags for granular product filtering within your store and for automated collections. Plan your collections carefully to create logical product groupings for easy browsing.
Implement Product Bundles:Offer related products together at a discounted price to increase average order value. Use apps or create manual bundles.
Use Apps for Enhanced Functionality: Explore apps for advanced features like: – Inventory Management: For more complex stock control, multi-location inventory, or integrations with other systems. –Product Options and Customization: To offer personalized products or complex product configurations. – Product Reviews: To collect and display customer reviews, building trust and social proof.
Optimize Product Organization for Navigation: Ensure your product categories and collections are logically structured and easy to navigate. This improves user experience and helps search engines understand your site structure.
Implement a Product Information Management (PIM) System (If necessary): For very large catalogs or complex product data, a PIM system can centralize and manage product information across all sales channels.
Monitor Product Performance: Track key metrics like sales, conversion rates, and traffic for each product. Use this data to identify top performers and areas for improvement.
A/B Test Product Details:Experiment with A/B testing different product titles, descriptions, images, and pricing to see what resonates best with your audience and improves conversion rates.
Use Product Recommendations: Implement product recommendation features (either built-in or through apps) to suggest related products to customers, increasing cross-selling and upselling opportunities.
These tips ensure your products are well-organized, user-friendly, and profitable. If you need help with implementing these tips effectively, get our Shopify development experts.
FAQs on Adding the Products to Shopify
Q1. What size should my product images be?
Shopify recommends images with a square aspect ratio (1:1) or a vertical aspect ratio (2:3). Aim for high-resolution images (at least 2048 x 2048 pixels) but optimize them for web use to reduce file size and improve loading speed.
Q2. How do I add product variants (like size or color)?
In the product editor, under the “Variants” section, you can add options (like “Size” or “Color”) and then create values for each option (like “Small,” “Medium,” “Large” or “Red,” “Blue,” “Green”).
Q3. How can I sell services on Shopify?
You can create product listings for your services, just like you would for physical products. You can use apps to manage appointments and scheduling.
Let’s Conclude
What’s a store without the products? So you need to add the products to Shopify with all necessary details, like inputting essential details like titles, descriptions, and media, leveraging variants, collections, and tags, and more.
Moreover, you need to implement advanced techniques like bulk editing, using metafields for custom information, and the importance of product reviews. Remember, consistent product presentation and meticulous attention to detail significantly enhance the customer experience.
So if you need help with managing your products and the store, connect with us today!
John Niles, a dedicated Technical Consultant at BrainSpate since 2023, specializes in eCommerce. With a global perspective, he crafts insightful content on cutting-edge web development technologies, enriching the digital commerce landscape.
