Shopify Related Products: Recommend Useful Additions
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Shopify product recommendations should help customers complete or improve the purchase they are already considering. Separate alternatives from complementary additions. An alternative offers another choice; a complementary item works with the chosen product. Relevance matters more than displaying a large recommendation carousel.
1. Identify the job of the recommendation
Decide whether the section helps compare similar products, find a compatible accessory or discover another item from the range. Use a label customers understand. A person choosing a printer needs compatible consumables, while someone comparing coats may need alternative cuts. Mixing those jobs without explanation can distract from the original purchase.
2. Build rules from product knowledge
Start with a small set of important products and record which recommendations are genuinely suitable. Check dimensions, compatibility, colour and use where relevant. Do not rely on a shared tag as proof that two products work together. For technical ranges, ask the person who handles product enquiries to review the proposed pairings.
3. Check Shopify and theme support
Shopify Search & Discovery allows related and complementary product recommendations to be customised. Their storefront display depends on the theme and implementation. Check that the chosen section appears where expected and that eligibility rules do not hide important items. A configuration in an app is only part of the work; the customer-facing result needs testing.
4. Assess the effect on the whole order
Review whether recommendations help customers find useful additions without making the main product harder to buy. Check mobile layout, availability and the behaviour when an accessory becomes unavailable. Compare order value with contribution, returns and customer questions. Selling an unnecessary extra is not a durable improvement to the shopping experience.
Review a recommendation set
- Explain in one sentence why each item is relevant.
- Confirm compatibility using reliable product information.
- Check an out-of-stock recommendation and a product with no suitable addition.
- Make sure the main purchase action remains clear on mobile.
Frequently asked questions
Are related and complementary products the same thing?
No. Related products often offer alternatives or a similar range, while complementary products support use of the main item. The exact display and configuration depend on your setup.
Should recommendations always include a discount?
No. A useful pairing can create value through convenience or completeness. Any discount should have a clear purpose and fit the margin of the combined order.
Shopify help from Brand Depot
Brand Depot is an official Shopify Partner based in Naas, Co. Kildare, supporting businesses in Kildare, Dublin and across Ireland. Explore our Shopify theme customisation and our main Shopify development services in Ireland.
For help applying these improvements to your store, call Darragh on 085 154 7307.
