How to Display Color Variants in Shopify Collection Pages

Many Shopify store owners face the same challenge: their collection pages show only one version of a product, even when it comes in multiple colors. And that’s a missed chance to capture attention early. When a shopper lands on your collection page and only sees a single static image, they can’t compare colors quickly, they get stuck guessing, and often end up clicking away.

This matters more than you might think. Shopify’s own benchmarking data shows that average ecommerce conversion rates sit around 2.5%–3%, and stores that push past 3.2% already stand among the top performers. Anything that helps shoppers find what they want faster, like seeing color options upfront, can make a real difference.

In this post, we’ll break down why showing color variants on collection pages matters, what holds Shopify back by default, and the simple ways you can improve it. You’ll see how clearer visuals lead to faster decisions, better browsing, and higher conversions.

Key Takeaways 

• Color visibility matters: It helps shoppers browse faster, compare options easily, and stay engaged.
• Mobile behavior counts: Quick decisions on small screens mean color options need to be visible instantly.
• Shopify’s limitation: Collection pages only show one version of a product by default, hiding valuable variant choices.
• Two clear paths: You can update your theme manually or use an app that displays color variants automatically.
• Smooth setup essentials: Consistent color names, accurate images, and a defined display style make everything work seamlessly.
• StarApps advantage: Their tools simplify swatches, variant images, search visibility, and product clarity without heavy lifting.
• Avoidable pitfalls: Inaccurate swatches, inconsistent naming, static thumbnails, and cluttered grids can confuse customers.
• Big-picture win: A clean, visible color display creates a better shopping experience and supports stronger conversions.

Why Showing Color Variants on Shopify Collection Pages Matters

Shoppers decide quickly. When they land on your collection page, they want to see all the options, especially the colors. If they can’t find the one they like instantly, they’re likely to move on. This is even more true on mobile, where browsing happens fast.

Here’s why it matters:

• Faster discovery: Color swatches on the collection card help shoppers instantly spot the shade they want. No guessing. No clicking back and forth.
• Better quality clicks: When customers pick the color they like before landing on the product page, those visits are more likely to turn into purchases.
• Cleaner, easier browsing: Instead of showing the same product multiple times in different colors, you can keep one product tile and display the options clearly.
• Mobile-friendly browsing: On small screens, swatches make a big difference. They save time and reduce the steps needed to find the right variant.
• More accurate visuals: Using the correct variant image on the listing helps shoppers see the product the way they want it, without having to guess.
• Improved search and filters: When colors are clear and organised, your collection filters and store search work better too.

The benefits are clear, but here’s the catch: Shopify doesn’t show color variants by default.

The Problem: Shopify Doesn’t Show Color Variants by Default

By default, Shopify shows only one version of a product on collection pages, even if you have multiple colors. This means shoppers can’t see their options until they open the product page, adding extra steps and slowing down their decision-making process.

Here’s why this becomes a hurdle:

• Color choices stay hidden inside the product
• Shoppers can’t compare shades at a glance
• Mobile users need more taps to find what they want
• The wrong thumbnail can mislead customers
• Extra clicks can lead to drop-offs

In short, the colors are there, but they’re not visible when shoppers need them most.

Ready to fix hidden color options and make selection effortless for your shoppers?
Find the right tools to do it instantly with StarApps Studio!

The good news? You can fix this. Let’s look at the two effective approaches that make color variants stand out on your Shopify collection pages.

How to Display Color Variants on Shopify Collection Pages

There are two main ways to show color variants on your Shopify collection pages. One gives you full control through theme edits, and the other gives you a quicker, easier setup with the help of an app. The right option depends on your store, your skills, and how much time you want to spend managing the setup.

Approach 1: Theme Customisation (Manual Code)

This option means editing your theme’s product-card or collection-grid file to loop through the product’s variants and display the colors right under the product image. You can show small swatches, thumbnails, or even variant names, depending on how you design it.

It gives you full control, but it requires working with Liquid code and testing the layout across devices.

Pros & Cons:

Suggested Read: Show Color Variants As Products on Shopify Collection Pages

Approach 2: Use a Shopify App

This method is more plug-and-play. Install an app that automatically pulls your variants and displays them as swatches or as separate cards in the collection. Most apps let you choose which variants to show, hide out-of-stock colors, or change how swatches appear.

Setup is usually simple: install → enable color display → customize design → save.

Pros & Cons:

With the approach decided, the next step is turning it into a smooth, working experience on your store.

Also Read: Add Variant Selector on Shopify Collection Pages

Step-by-Step: How to Enable Color Variant Display on Shopify

Now that you know the benefit and understand the challenge, it’s time to bring color visibility to life on your collection pages. The process isn’t as complicated as it seems; you simply choose how you want colors to appear, prepare a few essentials, and follow the setup that fits your store best.

Start with a Quick Setup Checklist

A smooth variant display begins with a bit of prep:

• Make sure the “Color” option is named consistently across products.
• Assign clear, accurate images to each color.
• Decide whether you want swatches under one product card or each color as its own tile.

Once this foundation is set, enabling color display becomes more straightforward.

Approach 1: Update Your Theme

If you prefer control and don’t mind working with your theme, this is the customizable route.

How it works:
You edit your theme’s product-card and collection-grid files so they can read the color variants and show them on the front end. This usually means adding a loop that fetches color variants and then displaying swatches or thumbnails in a way that fits your layout.

What to do:

1. Duplicate your theme to create a safe backup.
2. Open the theme editor and locate your product-card snippet.
3. Add the code that displays the color options.
4. Test on desktop and mobile to make sure everything aligns visually.
5. Fine-tune spacing and behavior (such as how swatches update the main image).

When this approach makes sense:
You want full control and already have someone comfortable with Shopify’s theme structure.

Approach 2: Use an App

If you want to avoid coding altogether, apps can automate variant display right on the collection page.

How it works:
The app pulls your color variants and shows them as swatches or as separate variant cards instantly. Most tools also offer helpful extras like hiding out-of-stock colors or linking directly to the correct variant.

What to do:

1. Install an app designed for collection-level variant display.
2. Select “Color” as the option you want to show.
3. Choose your display style: swatches or individual tiles.
4. Adjust the layout to match your brand.
5. Preview and test on different devices.

When this approach makes sense:
You want something quick, reliable, and easy to adjust without managing theme code.

Suggested Read: How to Add and Customize Shopify Color Swatches

Even with both approaches laid out, many stores still struggle with speed, consistency, and theme compatibility. That’s where specialized tools make the process far easier.

How StarApps Makes Color Variant Display Effortless

If your goal is to make colors obvious on collection pages and keep everything fast, accurate, and on-brand, StarApps Studio gives you a tidy, end-to-end stack. Each app solves a specific part of the “show the right color, right now” problem, without fighting your theme.

1. Make Colors Visible Instantly

Color Swatch King lets you show color options directly on your collection pages. Swatches appear neatly under each product card, so customers can scan colors at a glance and click the one they want. You can manage swatches in bulk, hide out-of-stock options, and keep everything looking clean and consistent.

2. Ensure the Right Images Show Every Time

When someone selects a color, you want the right images to show up immediately. That’s exactly what Variant Image Automator handles. It automatically links the correct images to each variant, keeps your gallery organized, and works smoothly with your theme without slowing it down.

3. Help Each Color Show Up in Search & Filters

If your products come in many colors, you may want each one to appear as its own result, even though you manage them as variants. SA Variants: Combined Listings make this possible. Each color can have its own title, URL, image, and description, which helps customers find exactly what they’re looking for faster.

4. Add Clarity Where it Matters

StarApps also helps with the small details that impact clicks and conversions:

• Alt Text King keeps your images SEO-ready and accessible
• Title King updates product titles based on the selected color
• Descriptions King gives each variant its own clean, structured info

Together, they reduce confusion, keep your pages organized, and help shoppers feel confident in what they’re choosing.

5. Why it Feels Effortless

Everything is designed to work with Shopify’s current setup; no complicated coding, no theme collisions, and no guesswork. You get a smooth experience on the backend, and your customers get a more intuitive experience on the frontend.

The result? Color options become instantly visible, selection becomes faster, and your collection pages turn into stronger conversion drivers with very little setup on your end.

Before you make your changes live, it’s important to know the common pitfalls that can get in the way of a smooth experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Displaying Color Variants on Shopify

Even with good intentions, it’s easy to set up color variants in a way that creates confusion or slows down the shopper journey. Here are the most frequent mistakes stores run into, and the best ways to solve them.

Conclusion

Making color choices obvious isn’t just a design decision; it’s a way to help your customers shop with confidence. When your collection pages feel clear, organized, and responsive, your visitors move through the buying journey with fewer obstacles. Small improvements in clarity can influence how long someone stays on your site, how they interact with your products, and ultimately, whether they choose to buy.

A good rule of thumb: keep things simple, keep things accurate, and make every step feel effortless for the shopper. The easier it is for them to see their options, the easier it becomes for you to convert interest into sales.

If you want tools designed specifically to support variant visibility, performance, accuracy, and ease of setup, explore the solutions from StarApps Studio. Over 20,000 merchants, including more than 1,000 Shopify Plus stores, trust StarApps to maintain a clean, fast, and reliable variant experience across every theme and storefront size.

Whether you need swatches, variant-level image control, cleaner product information, or stronger visibility, their apps are built to work smoothly across Shopify stores of all sizes.

Need help choosing the right setup? Get in touch, and we’ll guide you toward the best approach for your store.

FAQs

1. Can I show each color as its own product on Shopify collection pages?‍

Yes, but not by default. You can use tools or apps that split variants into individual listings without duplicating products manually, keeping your catalog clean and easy to manage.

2. Will displaying color variants slow down my collection pages?‍

It can if images are large or unoptimized. Keeping swatch images lightweight and using lazy-loading helps maintain smooth performance.

3. Do color variant displays work on all Shopify themes?‍

Most modern themes support variant displays with minimal adjustment. Apps also help ensure compatibility, but it’s best to preview and test to confirm everything aligns visually.

4. What happens when a color is out of stock?‍

You can hide it completely or show it as unavailable. Both approaches work. Just choose the one that creates a smoother experience for your customers.

5. Do I need coding knowledge to set this up?‍

Only if you choose the manual theme-editing method. If you prefer a simple setup, apps handle everything automatically without requiring any technical work.