How to Display Shopify Product Variant Names

Running an online store on Shopify comes with the responsibility of making the shopping experience smooth, clear, and intuitive. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to enhance your customers' shopping experience is by displaying the product variant name. 

According to Shopify's Standard Product Taxonomy guide, the platform maps over 10,000 product categories with more than 1,000 associated product attributes, emphasizing the importance of clear and consistent product information for improved discoverability and customer decision-making. 

In this article, we will walk you through the importance of displaying product variant names in Shopify, provide some helpful examples, and outline a step-by-step guide to display them effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Clearly displayed variant names improve customer clarity and confidence.
• Customizing variant names can be done via the theme editor, metafields, or specialized apps.
• Bulk editing tools save time and ensure consistency across your Shopify store.
• Properly displayed variant names reduce returns, complaints, and cart abandonment.
• Mobile-optimized variant name display is essential for modern ecommerce success.

What Are Shopify Product Variants?

Product variants are different options that a customer can choose when purchasing a product. These options could include size, color, material, or any other distinguishing feature that makes each product unique. 

In Shopify, a product variant is created by adding multiple options for a single product. For example, if you sell T-shirts, you may have options for different colors (red, blue, black) and sizes (S, M, L). Each combination of color and size is considered a variant.

Each variant will have its own unique SKU, price, and inventory count, allowing you to track and manage them separately. The Shopify display variant name feature enables you to showcase these variants clearly to customers, making it easier for them to choose the right product. 

Real-Life E-commerce Store Examples of Shopify Product Variant Names

Here are two real-life examples of e-commerce stores using clear and effective product variant names on Shopify to improve the shopping experience:

1. ASOS

ASOS effectively uses product variant names to streamline customer choices in its clothing store. For example, a product like "Men's Slim Fit T-Shirt" might have variants such as "Red – Size M" or "Blue – Size L". These descriptive names help customers quickly identify the color and size they need, making the decision-making process faster.

2. Best Buy 

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Best Buy utilizes detailed product variant names for electronics. For instance, when purchasing a laptop, the variants might be named "13-inch – Silver – 128GB" or "15-inch – Black – 256GB". Including key specifications like screen size, color, and storage capacity in the variant names allows customers to compare products easily and select the exact configuration they want.

To display these variants effectively, adding product variant names becomes crucial for clarity and navigation. 

Importance of Adding Product Variant Names in Shopify

Displaying product variant names clearly in Shopify can greatly enhance the shopping experience. Here are some of the key benefits of adding variant names to your store.

1. Improves Customer Clarity and Satisfaction

When customers can see the exact variant name they are selecting, it eliminates any confusion about what they're buying. For example, if you're selling a pair of shoes, a customer should know exactly whether they are choosing a size 9 in blue or size 8 in black. 

2. Boosts Conversion Rates

Clarity leads to confidence. When customers can quickly see and understand the product options available, they are more likely to add items to their cart and complete their purchases. Simplifying the decision-making process by displaying variant name features on Shopify ensures that your customers don't abandon their carts due to uncertainty.

3. Reduces Returns and Complaints

When product variant names are clearly displayed, customers are less likely to receive items they didn’t intend to order. This can significantly reduce the number of returns and complaints. For example, a customer will know they’ve purchased the correct size or color before checkout, eliminating errors in order fulfillment.

4. Enhances User Experience (UX)

An organized and user-friendly layout on your Shopify store makes browsing more enjoyable for customers. When variant names are easily displayed, customers can browse through your options and find exactly what they’re looking for. 

StarApps Studio's Variant Image Automator can help improver user experience by automatically assigning images to product variants, ensuring that variant names and their corresponding images are displayed clearly. This enhances the overall UX by providing a clean, organized product page.

5. Improves Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

When variant names are well-defined, it can enhance your store’s SEO efforts. Each variant is more likely to appear in search engine results if it is named clearly and descriptively. This increases the chances of your product being found by potential customers, improving your visibility online and driving more traffic to your store.

Next, let’s explore some examples of how product variant names can be structured effectively.

5 Examples of Product Variant Names

Product variant names help customers make informed decisions quickly. To understand how variant names should be structured, here are some examples from different industries:

1. Clothing Store

• T-Shirt – Red – Size M
• Jeans – Blue – Size 32
• Jacket – Black – Medium

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In clothing, including color and size in variant names helps customers quickly identify their selections, making the shopping process smoother and reducing confusion.

2. Electronics Store

• Laptop – 13-inch – Silver
• Smartphone – 128GB – Black
• Headphones – Wireless – White

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For electronics, including specs like size, storage, and color in variant names helps customers easily compare options and find the product that suits their needs.

3. Furniture Store

• Sofa – 3-Seater – Grey
• Dining Table – 6 Seats – Oak Wood
• Chair – Office – Black Leather

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In the furniture industry, variant names should clearly specify the number of seats, material, or color. This makes it easier for customers to choose the right piece for their home.

4. Pet Store

• Dog Bed – Medium – Grey
• Cat Litter – 10kg – Lavender Scented
• Pet Toy – Rubber – Blue

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In the pet store industry, variant names should clearly specify the size, scent, or material of the product. This helps pet owners quickly find the best options for their pets.

5. Health and Fitness Store

• Dumbbells – 5kg – Black
• Resistance Bands – Set of 3 – Heavy
• Jump Rope – Adjustable – Red
  
  

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For health and fitness products, specifying weight, material, and resistance level in the variant name makes it easier for customers to select equipment based on their workout needs.

Understanding these examples will guide you in the next step of the process to display variant names correctly.

Step-by-Step Process to Display Product Variant Names in Shopify

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Displaying product variant names clearly is key to a smooth shopping experience. Whether it’s for apparel or other products, organizing variant options effectively is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you display variant names in Shopify.

Step 1: Create or Edit a Product

Start by logging into your Shopify admin panel. Go to Products, then either select an existing product to edit or click on Add Product to create a new one.

Step 2: Add Product Variants

In the Variants section, add the different options for your product. For example, if you're selling a T-shirt, add options for Color (Red, Blue, Black) and Size (S, M, L). You can edit variant details individually or edit variant details in bulk if you have multiple variations for one product.

Step 3: Enter Variant Names

For each combination of options, enter the name for the variant. You can manually input the variant name in a format that’s clear and descriptive. Shopify will display these names to the customer when they select different options.

You also have the option to edit variant details in bulk to save time, especially if you have multiple variants to manage. You can change attributes like prices, inventory, and other values in one go, ensuring consistency across all variants.

Step 4: Customize Variant Name Display Using the Theme Editor

Once you’ve entered the variant names, you’ll want to ensure they are displayed correctly on the product page. You may need to customize the variant name display using the theme editor. This can involve editing your product-template.liquid file. 

Step 5: Utilize Metafields for Advanced Customization

For more advanced customization, consider utilizing metafields to store additional data for each variant. This allows you to display extra details about each variant, such as special instructions or additional images, directly on the product page.

Step 6: Mobile vs. Desktop Considerations

Keep in mind that mobile vs. desktop considerations play a role in how your variant names are displayed. For mobile devices, you may want to display variant names in a way that’s easy to browse and doesn’t clutter the screen. 

On a desktop, you have more space, so you can display additional information such as images and more detailed variant names. 

Step 7: Use Apps to Enhance Variant Display

If you want to go beyond Shopify’s basic features, consider using apps like Product Options and Customizer or Variant Name Display. These apps offer additional flexibility and allow you to customize how variant names appear on your product pages. 

Once you’ve set up your variant names, it’s time to learn how StarApps Studio can help your Shopify store stand out.

How can StarApps Studio help your Shopify Store Stand Out

If you’re looking to enhance your Shopify store and make product variant selection, StarApps Studio provides a suite of tools designed to help you display variant names, images, and options efficiently. With powerful apps like Color Swatch King, SA Variant Image Automator, and Variant Title King, you can transform your product pages into visually appealing, user-friendly experiences.

Here’s how these tools can help you display variant names and improve your store's functionality:

1. Color Swatch King: Variants

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Make it easy for your customers to compare and select product options like color, size, and style with Color Swatch King. The app allows you to display variant options as color swatches or images, helping customers make faster, more informed decisions.

Key Features:

• Quick comparison of product options using color swatches or images.
• Seamless browsing with variant options displayed on the collection page.
• Customizable variant selectors to match your store’s design.
• Bulk upload for swatches, saving you time when managing multiple variants.

2. SA Variant Image Automator

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With SA Variant Image Automator, automatically assign images to product variants without the hassle. This app keeps your variant images organized and ensures a smooth display for your customers.

Key Features:

• Auto-assigns multiple images for each variant (e.g., size, color).
• Supports various images, including color swatches, 3D views, and variant image zoom.
• Improves customer experience by instantly displaying relevant images when variants are selected.

3. SA Variants: Combined Listings

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Show all your product variants directly on the collection page with SA Variants: Combined Listings, making it easier for customers to browse and choose their preferred variant without leaving the page.

Key Features:

• Displays all variants on the collection page, allowing customers to compare and select options with ease.
• Improved SEO by creating individual listings for each variant.
• Supports color swatches and variant image swatches for a more interactive experience.

4. Variant Alt Text King: SEO

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Boost your store’s SEO and accessibility with Variant Alt Text King: SEO. This tool automatically optimizes the alt text for all your variant images, helping improve search engine visibility and making your images more accessible.

Key Features:

• Optimizes alt text for all variant images, improving SEO and accessibility.
• Automatically syncs alt text daily to ensure all new images are optimized.
• Customizable alt text with product variant names and other key details.

5. Variant Title King: Color, SKU

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With Variant Title King, automatically update the product title based on the variant selected (like color or size), giving customers clear and accurate information about what they’re purchasing.

Key Features:

• Dynamic product titles that change with variant selection, such as color or size.
• Customizable title templates for better product clarity.
• Easily integrates with other apps like Color Swatch King and SA Variant Image Automator.

6. Variant Descriptions King

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Provide detailed, variant-specific descriptions to help customers make more informed purchase decisions with Variant Descriptions King. This app helps you organize your variant information in a clean, mobile-friendly format.

Key Features:

• Unique descriptions for each variant, like size charts, care instructions, etc.
• Uses tabs or collapsible accordions to keep your pages clean.
• Customizable design to match your store’s look and feel.

These apps provide everything you need to optimize your Shopify store and improve how customers interact with your products. 

Conclusion

Incorporating clear and well-organized product variant names is essential for any Shopify store looking to improve the customer shopping experience. By displaying variant names, you make it easier for customers to understand exactly what they are purchasing, boosting conversions and reducing returns.

Need help displaying variant names on your Shopify store? StarApps Studio specializes in optimizing product pages, including variant name display. With apps like Variant Title King: Color, SKU and SA Variant Image Automator, StarApps Studio makes it easy to manage product variants and improve your store’s functionality.

Get in touch today to see how StarApps Studio can take your Shopify store’s product page to the next level!

FAQs

1. What are product variant names in Shopify?

Product variant names are labels for different options of a product, such as size, color, or material, that help customers identify exactly what they are selecting.

2. Why is showing variant names important for my Shopify store?

Clear variant names reduce confusion, improve customer experience, boost conversions, and decrease returns by ensuring buyers know exactly what they’re ordering.

3. Can I customize how variant names appear on my product page?

Yes. You can edit theme settings, use metafields, or install apps like StarApps Studio to control the display format and style of variant names.

4. Should I display variant names on mobile devices?

Absolutely. Optimizing variant name display for mobile ensures a smooth shopping experience across all devices, preventing errors and abandoned carts.

5. Is it possible to edit multiple variant names at once in Shopify?

Yes. Shopify allows you to edit variant names individually or in bulk, helping you maintain accuracy and consistency across your product catalog.