How to Create a Product Type in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Product Types in Shopify
3. How to Create a Product Type in Shopify
4. Utilizing Product Types for Enhanced Navigation
5. Integrating Online Courses and Digital Products
6. Best Practices for Managing Product Types
7. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that the global e-learning market is projected to reach over $375 billion by 2026? As more entrepreneurs recognize the value of diversifying their revenue streams, the importance of effective product organization within e-commerce platforms like Shopify cannot be overstated. If you're a Shopify merchant looking to enhance your store’s functionality and improve customer experience, you may be asking: How can we create and manage product types effectively?

This topic is particularly relevant as it aligns with the rise of the knowledge economy, where digital products and online courses are becoming increasingly popular. By understanding how to create product types in Shopify, we can better categorize our offerings, making it easier for customers to find what they need and, ultimately, driving sales.

In this blog post, we will explore the step-by-step process of creating product types in Shopify, discuss why they are essential for your store, and illustrate how they can enhance your overall e-commerce strategy. We'll also touch on how Tevello can empower you to manage online courses and digital products seamlessly within your Shopify store.

As we delve into the details, we’ll engage you directly—what are your current business goals, and how can we help you achieve them? Let’s discover together why mastering product types is a critical step for your e-commerce success.

Understanding Product Types in Shopify

What are Product Types?

Product types in Shopify are essentially categories used to group your products based on shared characteristics. Each product can have only one product type assigned to it, which helps streamline your inventory management and enhances the customer shopping experience. For instance, in a clothing store, you might have product types like "T-shirts," "Jeans," or "Accessories."

Why are Product Types Important?

Understanding and utilizing product types effectively can significantly benefit your Shopify store in several ways:

1. Improved Organization: By categorizing your products, you make it easier for customers to navigate your store and find what they're looking for. This can lead to increased sales and a better shopping experience.
2. Enhanced Search Functionality: When customers search for specific items, having well-defined product types can improve search results, making your products more accessible.
3. Automated Collection Management: Product types play a crucial role in creating automated collections, allowing you to manage your inventory more efficiently without constant manual updates.
4. Analytics and Reporting: By categorizing products, you can analyze sales data more effectively, identifying trends and making informed business decisions.

Key Differences Between Product Types and Tags

While both product types and tags can be used to organize products, they serve different purposes:

• Product Types: Each product can only have one product type, and this type is used for broad classification across your store.
• Tags: Tags allow for more granular categorization. A single product can have multiple tags, making it easier to filter and search for items based on various attributes.

Understanding these distinctions is vital for leveraging Shopify's organizational capabilities to their fullest.

How to Create a Product Type in Shopify

Creating a product type in Shopify is a straightforward process. Let’s walk through the steps together.

Step 1: Access the Products Section

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Click on Products in the left-hand menu.

Step 2: Add or Edit a Product

You can either add a new product or edit an existing one.

• To Add a New Product:
  • Click on the Add product button located at the top right corner of the Products page.
• To Edit an Existing Product:
  • Find the product you wish to edit and click on its name to access the product details.

Step 3: Set the Product Type

1. In the product details page, scroll down to the Organization section.
2. You will see the Product type field. Enter the desired product type that describes your product (e.g., "T-shirt," "Digital Course").
3. Ensure that this accurately reflects the nature of your product, as it will help with organization and searchability.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

After entering the product type, don’t forget to click the Save button at the top or bottom of the page to apply your changes.

Step 5: Bulk Edit Product Types (Optional)

If you have multiple products to edit, you can do this in bulk:

1. In the Products section, select the products you want to edit by checking the boxes next to their names.
2. Click on the Bulk actions dropdown menu and select Edit products.
3. In the bulk editor, you can add the Product type column, enter the desired product types, and save your changes.

This method is efficient and helps maintain a well-organized inventory without repetitive individual edits.

Utilizing Product Types for Enhanced Navigation

Creating Collections Using Product Types

Once you have established product types, you can create collections that leverage these types to enhance your store’s navigation. Here's how:

1. In your Shopify admin, click on Products, then select Collections.
2. Click on Create collection.
3. Choose between a manual or automated collection. For an automated collection based on product types:
   • Set the conditions to include products where the Product type is equal to your specified type (e.g., "T-shirts").
4. Save the collection.

Using product types to create collections helps streamline customer searches and provides clear pathways to find desired items.

Example Case Study: A Shopify Merchant Selling Craft Supplies

Consider a Shopify merchant who specializes in craft supplies. They offer a variety of products, including yarn, fabric, and sewing tools. By creating specific product types such as "Yarn," "Fabric," and "Sewing Tools," they can effectively categorize their inventory.

With these product types in place, the merchant can create automated collections for each category. For instance, customers can easily navigate to the "Yarn" collection, which will automatically include all products classified as yarn, simplifying the shopping experience and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Integrating Online Courses and Digital Products

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams by integrating online courses and digital products into their stores. By utilizing Shopify's product type feature, we can categorize these offerings effectively.

Setting Up Your Course as a Product Type

When creating an online course, you can assign a specific product type such as "Online Course" or "Digital Product." This categorization allows customers to find your courses easily among other offerings.

1. Follow the steps outlined above to create the course product.
2. Assign it the product type "Online Course" in the product details.
3. With Tevello, you can manage course content, track student progress, and engage with your community—all directly within your Shopify store.

Building a Community Around Your Courses

In addition to selling courses, fostering a community can enhance customer loyalty and retention. Tevello's features allow you to create forums, discussion boards, and student groups, enriching the learning experience. This community aspect can be tied to your product types, encouraging users to explore related courses and products.

Best Practices for Managing Product Types

Regularly Review and Update Product Types

To maintain an organized store, it’s essential to review product types regularly. As your inventory evolves, some product types may become outdated or require refinement. Keeping your product organization fresh ensures that customers can always find what they need.

Leverage Analytics for Informed Decisions

Utilize Shopify’s analytics tools to track product performance based on types. Are certain product types generating more sales? Are there new trends emerging in customer preferences? These insights can guide your inventory decisions and marketing strategies.

Provide Clear and Descriptive Product Types

When creating product types, ensure they are clear and descriptive. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms that customers may not understand. Instead, use language that resonates with your target audience, making it easier for them to navigate your store.

Conclusion

Creating and managing product types in Shopify is a crucial aspect of running a successful e-commerce store. By effectively categorizing your products, you improve customer experience, streamline operations, and enhance your marketing efforts. At Tevello, we are committed to empowering Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams and build meaningful connections with their audience through our all-in-one solution.

Are you ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today, and experience the benefits of seamless course and digital product management directly within your Shopify store.

Explore our powerful, all-in-one feature set for course creation, communities, and digital products. Let’s embark on this journey together to elevate your e-commerce strategy!

FAQ

How many product types can I assign to a single product in Shopify?

Each product can only have one product type assigned to it. This is designed to help categorize your products efficiently.

Can product types affect my store’s SEO?

Yes, product types can influence your store's SEO by improving navigation and searchability, which can lead to better user experience and potentially higher conversion rates.

How often should I review my product types?

Regularly reviewing your product types is recommended, especially as your inventory evolves or as you introduce new categories. Keeping your product organization up-to-date ensures a better shopping experience for your customers.

Can I use both product types and tags for my products?

Absolutely! You can use product types for broader categorization and tags for more specific attributes. This dual approach allows for enhanced organization and searchability.

What are the advantages of using Tevello for course management?

Tevello provides an all-in-one solution that seamlessly integrates into the Shopify ecosystem, allowing you to manage courses, digital products, and community engagement all in one place. It's user-friendly, feature-rich, and supports merchants in building a vibrant online community.

Ready to simplify your Shopify experience? Start your free trial with Tevello today!