Using Shopify Metafields Correctly: Complete Guide

1. What is a meta field in Shopify?

Metafields in Shopify may seem inconspicuous at first glance, but they offer a crucial function: They allow you to flexibly create additional data fields in the backend of your online store. Metafields expand the options for how you present information in your store.

You can extend Shopify's standard options to suit your needs. This gives you complete freedom to create and add additional fields to your store. Metafields offer an important way to extend and customize Shopify's limited standard data structures.

2. When should you use Shopify meta fields?

Metafields in Shopify are an important tool for storing specific information in your online store that isn't covered by the predefined data fields. Let's look at an example of when using metafields is worthwhile:

For example, if you're a skincare brand specializing in skin creams, you can fill out all the basic product details in Shopify, such as the title, description, photo, or variants. However, these options aren't enough to communicate what makes the cream special and what sets it apart from the competition. Meta fields are ideal for these details. For example, you could define the following additional fields:

• List of all ingredients
• specific delivery time
• Instructions for use
• Graphic regarding the sustainability of the cream

With Shopify meta fields, you can add all of these options without complicated workarounds or programming effort. Instead, you can easily create these additional data fields on the product page, integrate them into your product page template using the Theme Editor, and then display them in your online store. In this article, we'll show you exactly how to do this.

3. Types of metafields

Before we get to that, let's take a look at the different types of meta fields in Shopify. They can be linked not only to products but also to categories or blog posts.

It's important to note that metafields can always be understood as an extension of a specific main object. If this main object is deleted, you also delete the information contained in the metafield.

The following types of metafields are available in Shopify:

• Products: Here you have the option to store specific information for each product. This information can then be displayed directly on the product page to provide your customers with more context.
• Product variants: You can also add specific details at the product variant level. This allows you to provide specific information for different versions of a product.
• Categories: You can also store specific information for each product category. This information will then be displayed on the corresponding category page, allowing for a highly personalized design.
• Customers: You can also store individual customer information. This is especially useful for managing customer accounts and can help you provide better support.
• Orders: For orders, you can also use meta fields to enter specific additional information that may be relevant for processing or individual inquiries.
• Pages: If you have special pages in your store, such as an "About Us" page, additional meta fields can be helpful for storing more in-depth information.
• Blog posts: Meta fields are especially useful when creating longer content, such as recipes or detailed articles. They allow you to provide additional information beyond the standard text.

By cleverly using these metafields, you can extend the functionality of your Shopify store and create a shopping experience that meets the needs of your brand.

Example: TEVEO & nkm

For sportswear, TEVEO stores information on fit and care, for example, on the respective product pages. The information is entered via metafields and embedded via a dropdown menu on the product page.

At nkm, we have another clear example of how product tips can be integrated into the blog via meta fields to ideally link content and shop.

4. Create a meta field in Shopify

To create meta fields specifically, navigate to the settings in the Shopify admin. There you'll find the "Custom Data" subsection. Here you'll find all possible meta fields for your online store. You'll also see all existing definitions.

If you want to create a new metafield, first select the relevant section of your online shop. For example, if you want to add a metafield for your products, click on "Products." There you'll see an overview of all the metafields you've already created.

4.1. Create a new metafield

To create a new meta field, click "Add Definition." This will open an input screen where you can define the new meta field. Here, you can specify all the necessary details to display your products in your store even more specifically and in more detail.

4.2. Filling the meta field

Once you've added and defined a new meta field, it will be visible in the corresponding section of your Shopify backend. For example, if you create a meta field for products, it will appear directly in the product area as soon as you edit a product or add a new one.

To fill the meta field with information, simply click on the respective field when editing a product and enter the desired value.

If you've created many meta fields and the one you're looking for isn't immediately visible in the overview, you can click "Show all." This will open a list of all available meta fields, allowing you to easily click through them to find the one you need. This way, you'll always have an overview and can manage your product data efficiently and precisely.

4.3. Displaying meta fields via the Theme Editor

To ensure your newly created meta field is displayed on the product page in your online store, you'll first need to integrate it into your product page template in the Shopify Theme Editor. This may sound complicated at first, but don't worry, it's actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.

Here's how: Open the Shopify Theme Editor and select your desired product page template. Navigate to the section on the product page where you want the information to appear. Here, you'll find a small icon in the input field that shows you where you can add dynamic sources.

Click this icon to connect a dynamic source, your meta field. Once assigned, the meta field's content will automatically appear in this section.