This month, Shopify has rolled out a series of innovative features and enhancements designed to streamline operations, boost sales, and improve the overall user experience. Whether you’re a seasoned Shopify veteran or just starting your online retail journey, these updates are set to make a significant impact on your business.
Let’s dive into the most noteworthy changes that you should be aware of as we approach the bustling holiday shopping season.
Website filters now support category metafields
Shopify has introduced an exciting update to its Search & Discovery app, offering merchants more powerful and intuitive product filtering options. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for those who have organised their product catalogue using Shopify’s Standard Product Taxonomy.
Key Features:
- Category Metafields as Filters: Merchants can now leverage category metafields as storefront filters, providing customers with more precise and relevant search options.
- Automatic Filter Swatches: It now automatically renders filter swatches in the storefront filter dropdown, enhancing the visual appeal and usability of the filtering system.
- Intelligent Value Grouping: Filter values are now automatically grouped under a single, more general value. For instance, specific shades like “powder blue” and “navy blue” will be consolidated under a broader “Blue” filter option.
These improvements aim to streamline the shopping experience, making it easier for customers to find exactly what they’re looking for while simplifying the setup process for merchants.
Streamlined Shipping Refunds and Financial Summary Updates
Shopify has also added new improvements to the order details page and the refund process, focusing on shipping costs and financial summaries. These updates aim to provide merchants with a clearer financial picture and simplify the refund process.
Enhanced Financial Summary
- The order details financial summary now accurately reflects shipping refunds.
- For orders with multiple shipping lines, refunded amounts are proportionally distributed across each line.
Improved Refund Process
- A new checkbox simplifies full shipping refunds, with an option for partial refunds.
- Multiple shipping lines are now individually displayed in the refund section.
- The remaining refundable shipping amount is shown for partially refunded orders.
New Timeline Events
- Shipping-only refunds now create timeline events on the order details page.
- These events support multiple shipping lines, providing a more comprehensive order history.
Multilingual Semantic Search
Semantic Search, Shopify’s AI-powered search feature, now understands and processes search queries in various languages. This advancement allows shoppers to use everyday language when searching for products, regardless of their native tongue.
This has several key benefits:
- Natural Language Processing: Customers can now search using conversational phrases like “something warm to wear in the winter” instead of specific product names like “fleece hat”.
- Improved Search Relevance: The system understands the intent behind searches, providing more accurate and relevant results across different languages.
- Enhanced User Experience: International customers can now navigate online stores more easily, potentially increasing engagement and sales.
- Automatic Implementation: For merchants who already have Semantic Search enabled, this multilingual update has been automatically applied.
How to Enable Semantic Search
This update is particularly valuable for businesses targeting international markets. By breaking down language barriers in product discovery, merchants can potentially see:
- Increased conversion rates from international visitors
- Reduced bounce rates due to more relevant search results
- Improved customer satisfaction across different language markets
For merchants who haven’t yet activated this feature:
- Ensure you’re on a Shopify plan or above.
- Access the free Shopify Search & Discovery app.
- Enable Semantic Search within the app settings.
App of the Month
With its intuitive interface, real-time previews, and seamless integration, we’re really loving Kickflip at the moment.
Basically, it makes it easy for brands to showcase customisation options. Whether it’s apparel, accessories, or tech gadgets, the app ensures customers get a tailored experience while boosting engagement and sales for businesses. It also makes sure that the final product meets customer expectations, increasing customer satisfaction and reducing returns.
Launch of the Month
We’re so thrilled to reveal John Garland Taylor‘s new website.
The seamless integration with Shopify’s e-commerce capabilities ensures a smooth shopping experience for the brand’s customers, while the responsive design guarantees optimal viewing across all devices.
To make an enquiry or have a chat with us about Shopify, you can get in contact with us via our website.
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