How to Sort Shopify Products & Increase Your Store's ROI
Explore how product sorting can significantly impact customer engagement and sales in your Shopify store. Discover actionable strategies and tips to optimize your store's performance for better ROI.
Updated October 6, 2024.

Product sorting is essential for driving customer engagement and increasing sales in Shopify stores. A well-organized storefront not only enhances the user experience but also significantly influences purchasing behavior.
For instance, according to Kimonix, a Shopify store owner experienced a remarkable 25% increase in click-through rates after implementing a best-sellers sorting strategy. The reason? Customers are instinctively attracted to items that have been tried and tested by others. By utilizing various sorting options—such as bestsellers, new arrivals, and price-based sorting—store owners can adopt effective strategies that significantly boost their store's ROI.
» Save time with automated Shopify product sorting
4 Effective Product Sorting Strategies for Increased ROI
1. Bestsellers
Sorting products by bestsellers highlights the items that are already popular among your customers, which can encourage new visitors to buy products that have been tried and tested by others.
Benefits of sorting by bestsellers include:
- Boosted customer confidence, as they know others have purchased these items.
- A natural focus on your store’s top-performing products, maximizing their visibility.
» See our tips for managing your bestsellers
While basic sorting methods, such as bestsellers, are often sufficient for organizing products, incorporating advanced filtering options—like color, size, and stock availability—can significantly enhance the shopping experience. This allows customers to quickly find exactly what they’re looking for, improving satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of purchase.
» Discover how to create custom sort rules for Shopify product variants
2. New Arrivals
In trend-driven industries, such as fashion or technology, new arrivals consistently draw attention and excitement from customers eager to stay up-to-date with the latest products.
Benefits of sorting by new arrivals include:
- Keeping your store dynamic, which increases repeat visits.
- Building a sense of exclusivity, as customers are among the first to try new products.
» Here's how to forecast sales for a new product
3. Price and Sales
Many customers prioritize finding items within their budget, which makes sorting by price or on-sale items a valuable tactic for appealing to cost-conscious shoppers. By sorting products from lowest to highest price, or highlighting discounted items, you make it easier for customers to find deals and stay within their budget.
» Struggling with price filters? See our tips for Shopify price filters
Benefits of sorting by price and sale include:
- Making your store more accessible to a wide range of customers with varying budgets.
- Increasing conversions during sales events by featuring discounted products prominently.
» Here's how to change Shopify's default "sort by" option
4. Customer Ratings & Reviews
Another powerful sorting strategy is organizing based on customer ratings and reviews, such as 5-star products. Shoppers are more likely to trust the experiences of others, and sorting by the highest-rated products can boost confidence in the quality of your offerings.
Benefits of sorting by customer ratings and reviews include:
- Showcasing your highest-rated items, building trust and credibility.
- Helping customers quickly find products that are widely appreciated by their peers.
» Need more effective product organization? Rely on these Shopify organization tips to get it done
How Often Should You Review Your Product Sorting Strategies?
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your product sorting strategy is crucial for staying relevant in a fast-paced e-commerce environment. The frequency of these adjustments will largely depend on the type of store you run and your specific business goals. Here are some general guidelines:
» Did you know? You can add Shopify collections within collections
Fashion stores: It’s essential to reevaluate product sorting around key seasons, such as spring and summer, when new collections are typically launched. Timing adjustments before major shopping events like Black Friday can also help prepare your store for peak traffic periods.
Smaller stores: Smaller businesses should consider reviewing sorting strategies before launching new collections or seasonal items. Even a small tweak can significantly impact sales during these critical periods.
Regular analytics check: Make it a habit to check your analytics at least once a week. Look at which sorting options drive the most customer engagement and test different approaches to stay ahead of shifting trends.
Split testing: Running a split test over a week can offer valuable insights. You can experiment with sorting options, such as sorting by revenue-generating products rather than by units sold.
Emphasize testing: Testing is key for stores of all sizes. It’s impossible to know what will work best without trial and error. Following the scientific method—hypothesize, test, and iterate—ensures you can continuously optimize your sorting strategy based on results.
» Discover the difference between collections and categories, as well as how to organize collections in Shopify
Maximizing ROI Through Strategic Product Sorting
When improving ROI through product sorting, focus on what sells best and has the highest margins. These should be at the top for maximum visibility. Keep in mind your customer's preferences. If they seek inexpensive products and you can't afford to be a loss leader, consider repositioning. Prioritize what sells best and has the best profit margin to enhance ROI. What's seen at the top of the page is what customers are more likely to click on and buy.
» Need an easy way to organize your stock? Manage your inventory automatically with our Shopify automation apps