Shopify Metafields: What they are & How to use them easily!

Shopify is a great platform for every eCommerce seller out there! However, the basic features might not be enough. You need more customization. That’s where Shopify Metafields jump in. Like the sprinkle on your delicious cake, Shopify custom metafields are used to add extra information that doesn’t quite fit into Shopify’s regular fields. This way, your Shopify store will be smarter, snazzier, and more practical.

Whether you’re launching a store or tweaking an existing one, this guide will show you how Shopify Metafields can turn your online shop into a customer magnet!

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1. Shopify Metafields Overview

1.1. What are metafields in Shopify?

Simply speaking, Shopify Metafields are the custom fields used to enter extra bits of information that don’t quite fit into the standard fields.  

For example, you sell diet meals for diabetics. Besides the basic information like name, price, and some general description (for which Shopify already has the fields), you want to display the ingredients along with their percentage in a table. Metafields Shopify can help you achieve that easily! So, customers can understand what they will eat better and increase your conversion rate.

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1.2. How does it work?

We all know the definition of Shopify metafields. Next, let’s explore the lowdown on how they work:

• Define: First, create a definition for your metafield, which tells what this metafield is used for.
• Assign: Then, assign specific values to the created metafields for each product, collection, or other element in your store.
• Display: Finally, make these metafields appear on your Shopify store’s theme by connecting them. Depending on the metafield’s definition, show it on product pages, on collection pages, or even in your customer accounts.

The beauty of Metafields is their flexibility. You can create as many as you need and tailor them to the unique needs of your eCommerce business.

2. Types of Shopify Metafields

2.1. Shopify product metafields

The Shopify product metafields are the extra details you attach to your store’s products. You can add things like an ingredients list, care instructions, or compatibility information without cluttering your main product description. These can be a big influence on increasing the conversion rate.

2.2. Shopify collection metafields

Instead of a single product, these metafields add extra information to a product group. The collection metafields are useful for showcasing lookbooks, banners, seasonal messages, or featured promos.

2.3. Shopify customer metafields

These are little notes about your buyers. You can see this information on the customer account page. The Shopify customer metafields can be used to personalize the online shopping experience by storing information like birthdays, food allergies, loyalty status, etc.

2.4. Shopify order metafields

This is the custom data attached to every order to track the details, such as “gift wrap” or “rush delivery.” They streamline your process and keep customers grinning with customized order perks like delivery instructions and packaging preferences. etc.

2.5. Shopify variant metafields

These zoom in on product variants like size, color, etc. The variant metafields add information like inventory notes, manufacturing details, and more, helping shoppers pick faster and boosting your store’s flexibility.

2.6. Shopify category metafields

Shopify category metafields, a new update from the platform, are attributes that map to specific product categories. This kind of metafield helps you add the right information to the products so they will become easier to find by visitors on the site and search engines.

Besides the types of meta fields listed above, there are other useful ones, such as page, blog, blog post, company location metafields, and more! You can use them depending on your custom data needs.

3. Shopify metafield data types

The data you can use for Metafields comes in many different flavors, such as:

• Text: Single-line (for SKU, material types, etc.), multi-line (for care instructions or nutrition information), or Rich text (for text with formatting).
• Number: Integers (show whole numbers for quantities, ratings, or years) or decimals (for sizes, weight, or prices).
• Links or URLs: For the links to other websites or pages within your Shopify store.
• Files: Used to upload images, PDFs, or videos.
• Date and time: Enter the important dates or track more precise timestamps.
• Measurement: Fill in the Dimension, Volume, or Weight to make it easier to see.
• Other: Booleans (true/false) or even JSON for more advanced custom vibes.

4. Why use Shopify metafields?

Why does your store need to consider using the Metafields’ power? Let’s find out several reasons:

• Customization without code: The metafields allow you to add more specifications to the products, even if you don’t know anything about coding. For example, your tech gadget store can add more information about processor speed, RAM, and storage details without coding.
• Enhance user experience: Show relevant information exactly where customers need it. For example, a custom painting with care instructions.
• SEO and Marketing: Using the custom metafields helps add keywords and create structured data to rank higher. Example: Add nutritional information as metafields for food products, which Google can display directly in search results.
• Flexible content management: Update information across multiple products at the same time without begging a coder. For example, you can go to bulk editing and change the warranty information.

5. How to use metafields in Shopify? 

Before jumping straight into this guide, make sure you have your Shopify store prepared. Feeling like too much work to do? Browse our pre built Shopify store, choose the one you love, and save the effort. Then, let’s start by learning the process about how to add metafields in Shopify.

5.1. How to create Shopify metafields?

Step 1: Head to Shopify Admin > Settings > Custom Data.

• On your admin page, find the Settings in the bottom left corner.

• Then, tap on the “Custom data” on the left sidebar.

Step 2: A metafield definition box will pop up and pick “Products” (for this tutorial, we are making a Shopify product metafield here – other types follow the same process).

Step 3: Click “Add definition.”

Step 4: Fill in the blanks:

👉🏻Option 1: Choose a standard definition: Sometimes, Shopify offers pre-defined metafields for common use cases. If you see one that fits your needs in the dropdown, simply select it and skip to Step 5.

👉🏻Option 2: Custom definition: Find no match? Make your own:

• Namespace and Key: This is like creating a folder and file name for your metafield, like “product_specs”.
• Description: This is optional; you can type in a brief explanation of what this metafield will be used for so you and your staff can remember.
• Select Type: Choose what kind of data type you want to input in this metafield. For this example, we go with “Single-line text”.

Step 5: Set validation rules, such as a maximum of 50 characters, unique values, or matching a regular expression.

Step 6: Hit “Save” on the top bar or at the end of the page.

5.2. How to add Shopify metafield value?

Now that you’ve created the definition, let’s give it life by adding actual values:

Step 1: In Shopify Admin > Products.

Since we are working with Shopify product metafields, we need to navigate to the product tab. If you have just created a collection/ customers/ orders, etc. metafield, go to the corresponding setting in the admin.

Step 2: Pick a product to which you want to add metafield values.

Step 3: Scroll to the Metafield section and type your value into the right metafield. 

Remember the rule you set up in Step 5 while learning “How to create Shopify metafields” above? Make sure your entered value matches it.

Step 4: Click “Save.”

5.3. How to display Metafields in Shopify Store?

Having all this extra information is great, but you need to let the customers see it! Here’s how to show off your Shopify custom metafields on your storefront:

Step 1: Shopify Admin > Online Store > Customize.

Step 2: Click “Homepage” > Products > Default Product (since we made a product metafield).

Step 3: On the left sidebar, add a new section or new block under the section. 

• As in the below image, we are adding a Text block to the Product information section.

Step 4: Click the “Connect Dynamic Source” icon > pick your metafield.

‼️Note: Because Metafields are dynamic, the displayed content will change between products depending on the information you add for each product.

Step 5: Hit “Save” to finish.

6. Metafields best practices

To make the most use of metafields Shopify, there are some best practices for you to keep in mind:

• Clear and simple: Give your metafields a logical and simple-to-understand namespace and key so that you and your team can all understand them.
• Document the structure: Plan before creating your metafield; keep a reference guide for consistency.
• Start with standard definitions: It is not easy for all Shopify store owners to grasp the basics of metafields right away. Therefore, consider using Shopify’s built-in definitions before creating custom ones.
• Test first: Preview on a draft theme; don’t let customers see your unperfected metafield value.
• Update regularly: Refresh values to keep your custom data relevant and improve the user experience.

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7. Conclusion 

Shopify Metafields are your ticket to a customized Shopify store! In this guide, we go through the process of how to create, add, and use metafields in Shopify, with no coding required. So, don’t hesitate; let those Shopify custom metafields light up your store and boost your conversion rate.

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8. FAQs