How to Put a Product on Sale in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Basics: What is a Sale in Shopify?
3. Step-by-Step Process: How to Put a Product on Sale in Shopify
4. Showcasing Sale Prices to Customers
5. Creating Collections for Sale Items
6. Marketing Your Sale
7. Best Practices for Running Sales
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently Asked Questions About Shopify Sales

Have you ever walked down a bustling street and been drawn in by a "SALE" sign gleaming in the window? The psychological thrill of snagging a deal is universal, and it plays a significant role in the purchasing decisions of consumers everywhere. In the world of eCommerce, the ability to effectively run sales can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to make ends meet.

In today's competitive online marketplace, knowing how to put a product on sale in Shopify can significantly impact your store’s visibility, engagement, and ultimately, your sales. This post aims to explore various strategies and features within Shopify that empower merchants like us to effectively create and market a range of sales, from seasonal promotions to clearance events. By the end, we will enlighten ourselves on not only the "how-to" aspects of setting up sales but also the foundational strategies that underpin successful promotional campaigns.

Introduction

As eCommerce continues to evolve, retailers are increasingly recognizing the importance of discounting as a strategic marketing tool. A report from Shopify indicates that stores running promotions see an average sales increase of 23% during campaign windows. Yet, many merchants remain unaware of the powerful built-in tools available to them within Shopify that could ease the implementation of these sales.

This blog post works as a guide for Shopify merchants aiming to leverage sales to their advantage. Together, we will explore the step-by-step process of setting up sale prices, utilizing the "Compare at price" feature, managing bulk edits, and enhancing promotional efforts through collections and discounts. Additionally, we'll share best practices for optimizing sale effectiveness, helping our stores stand out amidst fierce competition.

So, whether you are a new merchant just starting or an experienced store owner looking to refresh your promotional strategy, this post has valuable insights to help you maximize your sales potential. Let’s dive into the essentials of putting products on sale in Shopify!

Understanding the Basics: What is a Sale in Shopify?

A sale on Shopify simply refers to a temporary reduction in a product's price designed to attract customers. It can range from seasonal discounts to clearance events aimed at moving old inventory. The critical point here is that sales should be intentional and planful, serving to increase sales velocity or draw attention to specific products.

Benefits of Running Sales

1. Increased Engagement: Sales can drive traffic to our store and capture the attention of potential buyers.
2. Improved Conversion Rates: Offering consumers a discount can significantly enhance our conversion rates, as shoppers are often lured by the prospect of saving money.
3. Customer Retention: Regular sales can build loyalty by rewarding returning customers with exclusive offers.
4. Inventory Management: Sales provide an excellent opportunity to clear out old stock and make room for new products.

Types of Sales We Can Implement

Before diving into the execution of sales, it’s important to recognize the various types of sales we can implement in Shopify:

• Time-Limited Sales: Useful during holidays, special events, or product launches where urgency can drive sales.
• Clearance Sales: Aimed at eliminating excess inventory.
• Bundle Offers: Discounting multiple products when purchased together.
• Discounted New Arrivals: Encouraging customers to explore recently added products with introductory pricing.

By understanding these types of sales, we can strategically choose which method aligns best with our marketing goals.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Put a Product on Sale in Shopify

Now that we understand the significance of sales, let’s discuss the practical steps involved in putting a product on sale in Shopify:

Step 1: Accessing Your Shopify Admin Panel

To begin our journey, we first need to access our Shopify admin panel. This is where all the magic happens.

1. Log into your Shopify account.
2. Navigate to the "Products" tab found on the left-hand side of the dashboard.

Step 2: Selecting the Product to Discount

Once we’re in the "Products" section, we can either browse through our inventory or utilize the search bar to locate the specific product we’d like to discount.

1. Click on the title of the product we want to put on sale.

Step 3: Adjusting the Pricing

Now that we're in the product details page, it’s time to make adjustments to the pricing:

1. Locate the Pricing Section: Scroll down to find the "Pricing" section.
2. Set the Sale Price: Enter the new sale price in the "Price" field. This will be the price our customers will pay.
3. Add a Compare at Price: To highlight the discount, input the original price into the "Compare at price" field. This amount should be higher than the sale price to showcase the deal clearly.

Step 4: Saving Changes

Once we’ve entered our new prices, it’s crucial to save our changes by clicking the "Save" button at the top right of the page. This step ensures that our new sale price is live and visible on our storefront.

Step 5: Bulk Editing Prices (Optional)

For larger stores, updating each product individually can be tedious. Fortunately, Shopify offers a bulk editing option for those of us managing multiple products or entire collections.

1. In the "Products" tab, select all items we want to discount using checkboxes on the left.
2. Click on "Bulk edit."
3. Add the "Compare at price" and "Price" columns if they are not already visible.
4. Adjust prices as needed and subsequently, click "Save."

Showcasing Sale Prices to Customers

Simply adjusting the prices is not enough. To maximize impact on our customers, we must ensure they can see the sale prices prominently displayed on our Shopify storefront.

Utilizing the Compare-at Price Feature

As we’ve mentioned, the "Compare at price" feature plays a key role in displaying your sale effectively:

• Visible Comparison: By showing both the original price and the sale price, we allow customers to instantly see the value of the discount, which can enhance their buying motivation.
• Thematic Adjustments: The way prices are displayed may also vary based on the Shopify theme we’re using. Some themes automatically showcase strikethrough pricing, highlighting the discount more appealingly.

Creating Collections for Sale Items

Additionally, we can use collections to enhance the visibility of our sale items. By grouping discounted products together, we make it easier for customers to navigate our offers and find what they're looking for.

Steps to Create a Sale Collection

1. Go to the "Products" tab and click on "Collections."
2. Click on "Create Collection."
3. Choose between curated (manual) or automated collections. A manual collection allows us to hand-pick items, whereas an automated collection can automatically group products based on the conditions we set.
   • For an automated collection, we can use conditions such as:
     • “Compare at price is greater than $0” to automatically include discounted items.
4. Save the collection.

Creating collections centered around sale items not only provides an enticing shopping experience for customers but also encourages them to browse and potentially purchase additional items.

Marketing Your Sale

Once we've set up our sale, the next step is effectively marketing it to our audience. Without proper marketing, even the best deals may go unnoticed.

Strategies for Sale Promotion

1. Email Marketing: Notify our email subscribers of the upcoming sale to create anticipation and urgency. Highlight key items and why they’re worth buying now.
2. Social Media Promotion: Leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase our discounts using engaging visuals and calls to action.
3. On-Site Banners: Use eye-catching banners on our store to alert visitors that a sale is ongoing. A countdown clock can heighten urgency and encourage quick decision-making.
4. Advertising: Consider investing in pay-per-click (PPC) ads or social media paid ads specifically promoting our discounted items, reaching potential buyers who have yet to discover our store.

Best Practices for Running Sales

Success in sales doesn’t just depend on discounts; it’s about the overall structure of the campaign. Here are some best practices to enhance our sales effectiveness:

1. Notify Customers

Just changing prices isn’t enough. We must actively inform our customers through multiple channels. Without clear communication, they may miss out on valuable deals. Consider direct emails, banner notifications, or social media posts.

2. Make Sales Convenient

Create dedicated collections for discounted items and consider adding custom icons or labels to indicate sale pricing. This enhances user experience by facilitating easier navigation.

3. Embrace Variety

Don’t treat all sales identically. Mix things up by offering different sales events at varying times. This prevents your campaigns from becoming stale and encourages customers to stay engaged.

4. Avoid Insignificant Discounts

Be cautious about offering trivial discounts (e.g., a mere 2% off). Customers can tell when sales are not genuine, which may hurt our store’s reputation.

5. Create Urgency

Use time-limited promotions to spur immediate action. A prominent countdown can effectively create a fear of missing out (FOMO), motivating customers to act quickly.

Conclusion

In the competitive landscape of eCommerce, effectively implementing sales is essential for increasing engagement, conversion rates, and overall revenue. By understanding how to utilize the built-in tools within Shopify for setting competitive prices, showcasing promotions, and promoting to customers, we can create impactful sales experiences.

We trust that this comprehensive guide on how to put a product on sale in Shopify provides insight and actionable strategies to enhance our storefronts. As we embark on our sales journey, let's commit to being industrious merchants who create genuine value for our customers while driving growth within our businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shopify Sales

How do I put an item on sale in Shopify?

To put an item on sale in Shopify, navigate to your admin panel, select the "Products" tab, and choose the item to discount. Update the "Price" field for the sale price and set the "Compare at price" to the original price to showcase the discount. Save your changes.

How can I show price differences on Shopify?

You can display price differences by filling in the "Compare-at price" field next to the product price. Ensure the current price is lower than the "Compare at price" so customers can see the discount.

How do I bulk edit product prices in Shopify?

To bulk edit prices, go to the "Products" tab, select the items to edit, and click "Bulk edit." Add necessary price columns, make your adjustments, and save the changes.

What types of sales can I run on Shopify?

You can run various types of sales, including time-limited discounts, clearance sales, bundle offers, and more. Each type should have a clear purpose and marketing strategy to drive customer engagement.

How can I promote my sale effectively?

To promote your sale, consider multi-channel engagement through email marketing, social media, on-site banners, and even paid advertising. Make sure to notify existing customers and attract new ones to your promotion.

By taking these steps and integrating our sales into a broader marketing strategy, we will empower our Shopify stores for growth and sustainability. Let’s unlock our sales potential—together!