How to Create and Manage Collections
Audience
Admin, Product Manager, Merchandiser
Prerequisites
Access to Catalog → Collections
Status
General Availability
Overview
Collections group related products for easier browsing and merchandising.
In MerchPIM, collections can be Manual (products added individually) or Automated (products added based on rules).
Collections sync directly with Shopify to power your storefront’s navigation and collection pages.
💡 Why Collections Matter
Collections are the backbone of storefront navigation and merchandising strategy.
Well-organized collections improve:
- 🧭 Customer discovery through intuitive browsing paths
- 💰 Conversion rates by grouping related or complementary products
- 🎯 Seasonal and campaign-based merchandising agility
- ⚙️ SEO performance with targeted collection pages
- 🤖 Automation efficiency via rule-based logic
MerchPIM collections sync instantly with Shopify, ensuring your navigation and promotions are always up to date.
⚙️ Collection Types
Collection Type | Best For | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
Manual | Curated selections, featured products | Requires manual updates |
Automated | Dynamic categories, sale items, new arrivals | Self-updating based on rules |
Hybrid (Manual + Rules) | Curated base with auto-added products | Minimal ongoing adjustments |
Steps
1️⃣ Go to Collections
Navigate to Catalog → Collections.
This page lists all existing collections and shows their Type (Manual or Automated) and Product Count.
2️⃣ Create a New Collection
Click + Add Collection.
Enter a Collection Name (e.g., Summer Sale, New Arrivals) and an optional Description.
3️⃣ Choose Collection Type
Select Manual if you want to hand-pick products, or Automated if you want products added automatically based on criteria you define.
4️⃣ Add Products (Manual Collections)
For Manual Collections, click Add Products and search or browse for items to include.
Select products and click Add.
You can reorder products by dragging them in the list.
5️⃣ Set Conditions (Automated Collections)
For Automated Collections, define rules such as:
- Product Category = Clothing
- Product Tags contain Summer
- Price > $50
- Vendor = Brand A
Products matching all conditions are automatically included.
6️⃣ Set Collection Image and SEO
Upload a featured image for the collection.
Add SEO metadata: Page Title, Meta Description, and URL Handle.
These improve search visibility and appearance in Shopify navigation.
7️⃣ Save and Sync
Click Save.
If connected to Shopify, the collection syncs automatically and appears in your Shopify store within minutes.
✅ Validate
After saving:
- Confirm the collection appears in the list with correct name and product count.
- For automated collections, verify products match your defined rules.
- Open the collection to ensure all products display correctly.
- If synced with Shopify, confirm the collection appears on your online store.
🔧 Troubleshooting
Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Automated collection is empty | Rules too restrictive or no matches | Review rule logic and adjust conditions |
Collection not syncing to Shopify | Integration disconnected or unpublished | Check Settings → Integrations and verify Active status |
Products not appearing in order | Manual sort not applied or sync delay | Drag products to reorder and wait 2 minutes for sync |
Unable to add products | Product inactive or missing permissions | Ensure product status = Active and you have Edit access |
🌟 Best Practices
- Use Automated Collections for dynamic sets (e.g., New Arrivals, Sale Items).
- Apply SEO-friendly names and meta descriptions.
- Use high-quality collection images that represent the product group.
- Regularly review automated rules to ensure accuracy.
- Combine manual curation + automation for hybrid merchandising.
📈 Impact
🛍️ Improved customer discovery through organized navigation
🎯 Dynamic merchandising with rule-based automation
⚡ Instant Shopify sync for real-time storefront updates
🧾 Summary
Collections in MerchPIM allow you to group products logically for seamless browsing and efficient merchandising.
By combining automation and curation, you can maintain flexible, SEO-friendly, and always-synced collections that enhance your storefront experience.
Updated on: 03/11/2025
Thank you!