How to Add Collections on Shopify: Simple Starter Guide

Introduction: How to Add Collections on Shopify

Before we learn how to add collections on Shopify, let’s understand what collections are.

Collections help you group similar products together. For example:

• A collection for “Summer Dresses”
• A collection for “Men’s Shoes”
• A collection for “Under $20 Deals”

Collections make it easier for customers to find what they want.

Think of collections like folders for your products.

Types of Shopify Collections

There are two main types:

1. Manual Collections

You choose which products go inside. Great for:

• Small stores
• Special promotions

2. Smart Collections (Automated)

Shopify adds products based on rules you set, like:

• Product title includes “Sneakers”
• Price is under $50

Smart collections Shopify features help save time as your store grows.

Why Collections Matter in Shopify

Adding collections makes your store:

• Easier to navigate
• Better for SEO (Google likes clear categories)
• More organized

Plus, you can link collections on your homepage or in menus.

The more organized your store, the easier it is for people to shop.

How to Add Collections on Shopify: Step-by-Step

Here’s how to create collections in Shopify.

Step 1: Log in to Shopify Admin

Go to your Shopify Dashboard and sign in.

Step 2: Click on “Products”

Find this in the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Click “Collections”

This will show all your current collections.

Step 4: Click “Create Collection”

Now it’s time to build a new one!

How to Create Manual Collections in Shopify

• Name your collection (example: Winter Jackets)
• Add a description (this helps with SEO)
• Choose Manual under Collection Type
• Click Save
• Now click Browse to add products one by one

Use manual collections when you want full control.

Manual vs Automated Collections in Shopify

Feature	Manual Collections	Automated (Smart) Collections
Product Assignment	Handpicked	Based on rules/conditions
Updates Automatically?	No	Yes
Best For	Curated campaigns, bundles	Large catalogs, sales tags
Examples	“Mother’s Day Picks”	“Products over $50”

• Use manual collections for short-term promotions, gift guides, or bundles
• Use automated collections for always-updating groups like “Under $25” or “New Arrivals”
• Combine both on your homepage for better conversion and category control

How to Use Smart Collections on Shopify

• Create a new collection
• Name it (example: Products Under $25)
• Choose Automated for collection type
• Add Conditions like:
  • Price is less than 25
  • Product title contains “accessory”
• Click Save

Smart collections update automatically. Super useful for large stores.

How to Add Images to Collections

Images make your collection pages look great!

• In the collection editor, click “Upload image”
• Choose a clear photo that fits your products
• Add alt text for SEO
• Click Save

A good image helps your Shopify blog post or product page stand out.

How to Organize Collections Using Navigation

Once your collections are ready, add them to your site menu.

Steps:

• Go to Online Store > Navigation
• Click on Main Menu
• Click Add Menu Item
• Name it (e.g., Summer Sale)
• Click Link > Collections > [Choose Your Collection]
• Click Add and Save Menu

This adds your collection to your shop’s menu bar.

Shopify Sub Collections and Nested Collections

Shopify sub collections (also called Shopify nested collections) let you organize collections within collections.

For example:

• Men’s Clothing (Main Collection)
  • Shirts (Sub Collection)
  • Jeans (Sub Collection)

How to Do It:

1. Use tags or conditions to sort products
2. Create multiple smart collections (e.g., Men’s Shirts, Men’s Jeans)
3. Link them under one top-level menu item like “Men’s Clothing”

While Shopify doesn’t have built-in nested collections, menus give the same effect.

Best Tips for Shopify Collection SEO

Good SEO = More traffic = More sales.

Here’s how to do it:

• Use clear names (e.g., “Running Shoes for Men”)
• Add descriptions with keywords
• Use collection image alt text
• Link collections in your blog posts
• Add them to your site menu

SEO helps your collections rank in Google search.

Using Collections in Shopify Blog Posts

You can link your collections inside Shopify blog posts to drive traffic.

Example:

“Check out our full collection of kids’ school shoes.”

Also, use:

• Good Shopify blog template
• Organized blog categories
• Beautiful blog post design

Shopify blog posts + internal collection links = smart traffic strategy.

How Many Collections Should You Create?

Start with 5–10 collections. Examples:

• New Arrivals
• Best Sellers
• Under $25
• Kids Wear
• Electronics
• Home Essentials

As your store grows, add more.

Don’t create too many. Keep it simple and helpful.

Advanced Collection Tips

• Use product tags for better filtering
• Make seasonal collections (Winter, Summer)
• Add discount-only collections
• Feature collections on the homepage

Smart collection strategy = better shopping experience.

Shopify Apps to Help With Collections

App	Feature
Collection Filter & Search Bar	Helps customers find products fast
Smart Collections Manager	Makes automated collections easier
Best Blog App for Shopify	Link blogs to products easily

Apps can help manage collections faster and smarter.

FAQs About How to Add Collections on Shopify

Q1: What is the difference between product and collection?
A product is one item. A collection groups many products.

Q2: Can I make sub-collections in Shopify?
Not directly, but you can organize them using menus and tags.

Q3: Can collections be added to blog posts?
Yes! Link collections in blog content.

Q4: Are collections good for SEO?
Yes. They help Google understand your store structure.

Q5: How many products can I have in a collection?
As many as you want!

Tips to Optimize Shopify Collections

• Use clear, keyword-rich titles (e.g., “Men’s Running Shoes”)
• Add custom descriptions for SEO + internal links
• Organize products by best-selling, price, or manual order
• Set featured images for visual consistency
• Tag products properly to auto-populate smart collections

Final Thoughts: How to Add Collections on Shopify

Knowing how to add collections on Shopify is a must if you want a clean, organized, and high-converting store.

With collections, you can:

• Organize your products
• Help shoppers find things faster
• Boost your SEO and traffic
• Create smart automation with rules

Whether you use smart collections, sub-collections, or manual ones—make your Shopify store easy to browse.

Shopify collections aren’t just about organizing your products—they’re a powerful tool for boosting navigation, SEO, and sales. By using the right mix of manual and automated collections, you can build targeted shopping experiences that update automatically or stay curated for promotions. Don’t forget to optimize collection names, tags, and visuals.