Shopify: Standard vs Custom Variants

Modified on Tue, 10 Oct, 2023 at 7:40 PM



Shopify variations Types

Shopify has  a flexible product engine, which allows creating variations in 2 main ways. 

  • Standard variations 
    • Use the built-in Shopify product structure, specifically meant to hold the variations information. 
    • Each variant is created inside the product, and can have its own SKU, image, inventory, and price. 
    • Do not require development/additional apps, to display them on the product page
    • Shopify Variants Limitations on the Basic Shopify subscription
      • Max 100 variations per listing
      • Up to 3 different variation options. For example: Size, Metal Color, Metal Purity 
    • The variant information is fully displayed in the order 
  • Custom variations 
    • Are built using Shopify metafields and custom Page Templates
    • Overcome the standard variations limitation, and provides additional benefits, such as storing multiple variant images etc.
    • Require more advanced programming skills, and usage of non-standard Shopify plugins.
    • Because SKUs/IDs are not necessarily assigned to each variant, can result limited/no inventory control during the order processing. 


In some cases, Standard and Custom Variants are combined by Shopify developers, to enjoy the best of two worlds - the correct inventory control and unlimited variations. 


Using both of the types requires different setup in Valigara. 



Example


Standard variations

  • Backend 
  • Storefront

Custom Variations

  • Backend 
  • Storefront

Standard variants Setup

  • Complete Shopify variations settings
  • In the product
    • Shopify Site - Assign product to relevant 
    • Shopify Post type - Set to Variable
    • Variation group - Select relevant group
    • Make sure products contain variation values in source fields
  • Run integration: 
    • All fields mode to publish new products
    • Selected fields: Variations - to update variations in existing products



Custom variants Setup

  • Set up Shopify metafileds mappings
  • In the product
    • Shopify Site - Assign product to relevant 
    • Shopify Post type - can be Single/Variable 
    • Variation group - Irrelenant
    • Make sure products contain variation values in source fields
  • Run integration: 
    • All fields mode to publish new products
    • Selected fields: Metafields or/and Variations - to update variations in existing products








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