Optimize Sales With Shopify product recommendations

It is a Shopify business owner’s ongoing mission to boost sales. Aside from discounts and promotions, social media marketing, and loyalty programs, another effective strategy to increase revenue is Shopify product recommendations.

Falling under the umbrella of cross-selling, product recommendations are, for example, when a customer is looking at a camera and your Shopify store also suggests related accessories like a camera bag, tripod, or extra lenses. This not only enhances the shopping experience for the customer but also increases the average order value for the business.

In this article, you will learn what exactly are Shopify product recommendations, how they can benefit your business, and how to implement them to improve sales.

Let’s dive in!

What Are Shopify Product Recommendations?

Shopify product recommendations are personalized suggestions for products that a customer might be interested in based on their browsing and purchasing behavior. They are generated using algorithms and data analysis to understand the preferences and patterns of individual shoppers.

The goal of using Shopify product recommendations is to enhance the shopping experience, increase engagement, and ultimately drive sales by presenting relevant product options to customers.

How to Add Product Recommendations on Shopify

Adding product recommendations to your Shopify store can be done in a few ways, including using built-in features, third-party apps, or custom development. Here's a general guide on how to add product recommendations to your Shopify store:

Using Shopify's Built-in Features

       1. Enable Related Products:

• In your Shopify admin, go to the product you want to set up related products for,
• Scroll down to the "Organization" section, and
• Add products to the "Related products" field.

       2.Collection Recommendations:

• ‍Create collections of related products in your Shopify admin, and
• Use these collections in different sections of your online store, such as the homepage or product pages.

Third-Party Apps

       1. Browse the Shopify App Store:

• Visit the Shopify App Store and select an app that suits your needs,
• Make sure your selected app is seamlessly integrated with Shopify.

        2. Install and Configure the App:

• Install the chosen app, and
• Configure the app to generate recommendations based on your preferences and customer behavior.

Custom Development

       1.Code Custom Recommendations:

• If you have coding experience or work with a developer, you can create custom product recommendation sections using Liquid (Shopify's templating language) and JavaScript.

         2. Utilize Shopify's Storefront API:

• Develop a custom solution using Shopify's Storefront API to display personalized product recommendations.

Whenever adding product recommendations to Shopify, always remember to back up your store before making any significant changes. Also, consider consulting with Shopify support or a developer if you have any specific technical requirements.

How to Remove Product Recommendations on Shopify

The process of removing products from your Shopify store varies depending on how you add them. Knowing the set-up department, the general steps you need to take for the removal of product recommendations will come easily:

Removing Recommendations Using the Built-in Features

       1. Go to your Shopify Admin:

• Log in to your Shopify account and go to the admin dashboard.

        2. Edit the Product:

• Choose the product for which you want to remove related products.

        3. Remove Related Products:

• In the product editor, scroll down to the "Organization" section, and
• Locate the "Related products" field and either clear the existing entries or remove the products you added.

        4. Save Changes:

• After removing the related products, save the changes to update the product.

Removing Related Products from a Third-Party App

         1. Access the App Dashboard:

• Log in to your Shopify admin and access the dashboard of the third-party app you used for the product recommendations.

        2. Configure or Disable Recommendations:

• Depending on the app, there may be settings to disable or configure recommendations,
• Follow the app's documentation or contact their support for guidance on turning off recommendations.

        3. Uninstall the App:

• If you want to remove all recommendations from a particular app, you might consider uninstalling the app altogether.

        4. Check Liquid Code:

• If you implemented custom recommendation sections using Liquid code, you might need to modify or remove the relevant code in your theme.

There are a few things you should consider when removing product recommendations from your Shopify store. First, if you changed your theme to include the product recommendations remember to adjust it accordingly once you remove them. Secondly, after making any changes clear your browser cache so they can take effect. And, last but not least, always back up your store before making significant changes.

The Advantages of Shopify Product Recommendations

Using Shopify product recommendations offers several advantages that can enhance the overall shopping experience for your customers and boost your online store's sales. Let’s take a closer look at each advantage:

Personalized Shopping Experience

Shopify product recommendations leverage customer data and behavior to provide personalized suggestions, making the shopping experience more tailored to individual preferences. This elevates the customer experience and results in greater customer satisfaction.

Time-Saving for Customers

Another advantage that is greatly appreciated by customers is the fact that they can discover relevant products without having to extensively search through your store. This saves them time and effort and adds to a more pleasant experience.

Enhanced User Engagement

As you know, online sellers are always trying to figure out how to keep their customers engaged. Product recommendations are often interactive and visually appealing capturing the visitors’ attention. This keeps them engaged on your site and increases the likelihood of conversions.

Boost in Conversions

Speaking of conversions, recommending products that align with customer preferences and past behavior can significantly increase the chances of conversion. This often turns browsing visitors into paying customers.

Customer Retention

Personalized recommendations contribute to a positive customer experience. Happy customers are more likely to come back and buy again, increasing the likelihood of repeat purchases and fostering customer loyalty.

In summary, Shopify product recommendations not only contribute to a more personalized and enjoyable shopping experience but also have a direct impact on sales and customer satisfaction, making them a valuable tool for e-commerce businesses.

Types of Shopify Product Recommendations

Shopify supports various types of product recommendations, and the popularity of each type may depend on the nature of the store and customer behavior. Here are some of the most popular types of Shopify product recommendations:

Related Products

This occurs when the store recommends items that are similar or complementary to the product currently being viewed. Often they are different variations of the same product type, like when a customer is looking at a pair of sneakers related product recommendations may include other sneaker models they might like.

Other times, it is items that can be added to the product the customer is viewing to compliment the outfit. These are usually advertised under categories with names such as “style with” or “complete the look”. For example, when the customer is looking at a pair of shorts but the model in the photos is styled with a complete outfit, the product recommendations suggest the rest of the pictured items.

Best Sellers

Highlighting the top-selling products in the store is a great way to showcase popular and trusted items. These can include your most viewed or frequently bought items right now.

When a potential customer sees that a specific item has been bought many times, the likelihood of them making a similar purchase increases. This holds particular significance for any e-commerce platform where customers lack the opportunity to physically experience products. In such cases, customers are more prone to be swayed by the opinions and reviews of fellow shoppers.

Recently Viewed Items

This product recommendation type is when the seller is displaying products that the customer has recently browsed. This feature leverages data on a user's interaction with the online store to create a more tailored and relevant shopping experience.

It is also a good opportunity to remind them of items they showed interest in, and it’s especially helpful for customers who need time to make a buying decision.

Trending Now

Showcasing products that are currently popular or trending among other customers is similar to the ‘best sellers’ type of Shopify product recommendations. It is a useful way to leverage e-commerce data to showcase to customers what others are liking at the moment.

Recently Added

The ‘recently added’ product recommendations highlight new arrivals in the store to capture the attention of customers looking for the latest products. Suggesting your latest products adds an element of excitement to their shopping experience. This is especially relevant in industries influenced by fast-changing trends, such as fashion, technology, and beauty.

This tactic works best when implemented on the homepage of your e-commerce store, the starting point for most shoppers. Additionally, it can be extended to category pages, allowing customers to filter and view the newest arrivals within their preferred product categories.

Customers Also Bought

Another way to entice store visitors using the data of previous customers is the ‘customers also bought’ category of product recommendations. Again, you are relying on people’s need for social validation and the collective wisdom of fellow shoppers. This fosters a sense of trust and guides potential buyers toward additional products that align with popular purchasing patterns.

Personalized Recommendations

These Shopify product recommendations utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze customer behavior and provide unique product suggestions tailored to individual preferences. It especially contributes to an enhanced customer experience and satisfaction because it delivers more valuable recommendations customized to each individual.

This approach not only increases the likelihood of customers finding products they love but also stimulates a stronger connection between the customer and your online store. That way they are more likely to engage with the platform, leading to higher customer retention and potentially boosting overall sales.

Checkout product recommendations: you might also love

Checkout product recommendations are a seller’s last attempt to sell more products to the buying customer. As shoppers proceed to checkout, these recommendations suggest additional items that complement their selected products.

With this type of Shopify product recommendations, you can also suggest items that are on sale, as an especially tempting offer before checkout, as well as non-physical products such as shipping insurance.

Similar products

Employing this product recommendation strategy automatically proposes items that share similarities with the product on the current page. This way the shopper can discover products that best fit their preferences and needs.

One example is when a customer is looking at a red graphic T-shirt and gets recommendations for all other products with a similar look and design that are available in the online store.

The effectiveness of these recommendations may vary depending on the type of products you sell, your target audience, and the overall strategy of your e-commerce business. Experimenting with different recommendation types and analyzing customer engagement can help determine the most effective approach for your specific situation.

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