What is a product group

Last updated on Nov 18, 2024

A product group is a feature in e-commerce that allows you to combine multiple product listings into a single listing. This lets customers easily view and select different product variants (such as colors, sizes, or other attributes) from one centralized page. Customers are automatically directed to the corresponding product page When they click on a specific variant within a product group. Product groups help streamline product offerings and improve the shopping experience by linking related products together in a single, unified listing.

There are three main types of product groups: Single Option Product Group, Multi-Option Product Group, and Subgroup Product Group. Each type serves a different purpose and offers a unique way to organize products and their variants.


1. Single Option Product Group

The Single Option Product Group is the most basic type of product group. It links multiple products together based on a single option. This option could be a color, size, or another attribute. For example, you might have a shirt available in different colors, and each color variant can be displayed within the same product group.

Example:

  • A T-shirt product group might include multiple color variants (red, blue, green), where each color is treated as a individual product. When a customer selects a color, they are redirected to the specific product page for that variant.

The Single Option Product Group simplifies the process for both store owners and customers by grouping similar products together based on one key attribute.

Demo store link: https://linked-options.myshopify.com/en-us/products/tshirts-student-casual-good-collocation-tee-100-cotton

Password: abcde

2. Multi-Option Product Group

The Multi-Option Product Group takes things a step further by combining multiple options into one product group. Instead of just one option (like color or size), you can create a combination of options, such as both color and size. This means each combination of options (e.g., a "red, medium" T-shirt or a "blue, large" T-shirt) is treated as a distinct product within the group.

Example:

  • A product group for a T-shirt could include both size and color as options, where each combination (e.g., small-red, medium-blue, large-green) represents a different variant. The customer can choose both options (size and color) from the same product listing, and each combination will link to the appropriate product page.

Multi-Option Product Groups are ideal for stores that have products with multiple attributes that customers need to choose from, making it easier for them to navigate through various combinations.

Demo store link: https://linked-options.myshopify.com/en-us/products/lace-ruffle-princess-cotton-sock-yellow-l

Password: abcde

3. Subgroup Product Group

The Subgroup Product Group is similar to the Single Option Product Group in that it links products based on options but with a key difference. In a Subgroup Product Group, you can organize your product options into multiple subgroups rather than just a single option.

For example, a Subgroup Product Group might allow customers to choose from several different categories or sets of options (like different styles, materials, or features), but each subgroup remains distinct. This approach allows for more flexibility than a Single Option Product Group while maintaining a simpler structure compared to the Multi-Option Product Group.

Example:

  • For a jacket product group, you might have one subgroup for Light color options (e.g., Light Blue, Light Green, Light Red, Light Yellow) and another subgroup for Dark color options (e.g., Dark Blue, Dark Green, Dark Red, Dark Yellow). Unlike the Multi-Option Product Group, each option within a subgroup remains independent rather than creating combinations.

Subgroup Product Groups are best suited for stores with diverse product categories that need to offer different sets of options without combining them into one complex variant.

Demo store link: https://linked-options.myshopify.com/products/cotton-fabiric-pink

Password: abcde


Conclusion

Product groups are a powerful tool for e-commerce stores, helping to organize and streamline product listings. Whether you choose a Single Option, Multi-Option, or Subgroup product group depends on the complexity of your products and how you want to display options to your customers. Each type of product group offers a different way to link products, making it easier for customers to find and choose the variant they want. By using product groups effectively, you can enhance the shopping experience, improve navigation, and drive higher conversions in your store