How to structure collections and navigation on Shopify
Structure your Shopify collections around how customers shop: by product type, then by use, occasion or style. Keep the main menu to five to seven items, use automated collections based on tags or product type, and add filters so shoppers can narrow down large collections.
By Abdullah Ashraf, Shopify expert · Last updated: October 2026
Quick summary
- Group by how customers think, not how you stock.
- Keep top-level navigation short.
- Automated collections save time and stay up to date.
Plan your structure
Start with product types (for example, Rings, Necklaces, Earrings), then add collections by occasion, material or price. Each collection should have a clear purpose and a unique description.
Manual or automated collections
Manual collections are hand-picked. Automated collections add products that match rules, such as a tag or product type, which is easier to maintain.
Menus
Keep the main menu to five to seven items, with drop-downs or a mega menu for larger catalogues. Include key pages like About and Contact in the footer.
Filters
Use Shopify's Search & Discovery app to add filters for size, colour, price and availability. Set up filters.
Frequently asked questions
How many collections should I have?
As many as are useful to shoppers, each with enough products to be worth browsing.
Do collections help SEO?
Yes, collections often rank for broad searches.
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