Shopify Product Display Apps: ST: Product & Collection Sort vs Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. How Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Work?
3. How Does Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock Work?
4. How Much Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Cost?
5. How Much Does Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock Cost?
6. Cost Analysis: ST: Product & Collection Sort vs. Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock
7. User Reviews & Customer Support Insights
8. Integration and Compatibility Comparison
9. Conclusion

Introduction

In the competitive landscape of e-commerce, how products are displayed can make or break a sale. According to recent insights, up to 60% of consumers are likely to abandon a shopping cart if they find out-of-stock items. Therefore, using effective product display apps is crucial for enhancing customer experience and driving sales. Product display applications not only streamline the merchandising process but also help in maximizing visibility and engagement efforts, ultimately improving conversion rates.

In this blog post, we explore two notable Shopify applications: ST: Product & Collection Sort and Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock. Both are designed to enhance product listings, yet they do so in fundamentally different ways. While Knockout focuses primarily on managing out-of-stock items, ST: Product & Collection Sort offers a broader suite of sorting options aimed at optimizing product visibility in diverse settings.

How Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Work?

ST: Product & Collection Sort serves as a comprehensive tool that automates and refines the way products are presented on Shopify collection pages. This application leverages advanced data analytics and historical order data to effectively sort products, minimizing the need for manual adjustments.

Main Features of ST: Product & Collection Sort

1. Automated Sorting: The app allows for rules-based sorting of products based on multiple criteria, such as revenue and inventory levels. This feature is particularly beneficial for growing businesses looking to maintain optimal product placement without significant manual labor.

2. Pinning and Demotion: Users can pin particular products to the top of their collections while automatically pushing sold-out items downwards. This capability enables businesses to highlight new arrivals or promotional items effectively.

3. Visual and Rule-Based Merchandising: Merchants can apply various merchandising strategies using a drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for startups and less tech-savvy users.

4. Customizable Sorting Frequency: The app allows for sorting to occur on-demand or at scheduled intervals to keep product displays fresh. This feature is valuable for large retailers with frequently changing inventories.

5. Multi-segment Sorting: Businesses can group products based on categories, thereby enhancing the shopping experience for customers seeking specific product types, deals, or collections.

Relevance for Various Business Sizes

For startups, the automated sorting capability saves time and reduces manual workloads, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on other key tasks. Small to medium businesses benefit from the visual merchandising tools and the ability to utilize data-driven insights for effective inventory management. Large enterprises can take advantage of the extensive sorting options and customizable features to maintain control over vast inventories and adapt to rapid market changes.

Moreover, the unique functionality of product demotion helps ensure that customers always see available items first, improving the overall shopping experience.

Hypothetical Scenarios

Consider a fashion retailer that frequently introduces new merchandise. With ST: Product & Collection Sort, the retailer can quickly highlight newly launched items at the top of collections, promoting fresh products. Conversely, if an item sells out, it can automatically shift to a lower position in the listing, thus maintaining a sleek and enticing shopping environment.

How Does Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock Work?

Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock is geared towards automating the management of sold-out products. The app's focus is on enhancing customer experience by ensuring that shoppers do not encounter frustrating out-of-stock messages during their search.

Main Features of Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock

1. Automatic Hiding of Out-of-Stock Products: This feature instantly removes sold-out items from view, preventing customer confusion and disappointment.

2. Restock Notifications: Once products are back in stock, they are automatically republished, enabling merchants to retain customer interest and encourage re-engagement.

3. Tag-Based Exclusion: Store owners can exclude specific products from being hidden by using tags, offering flexibility based on promotions or other strategies.

Relevance for Various Business Sizes

For startups, the app simplifies inventory management by hiding sold-out items without requiring constant oversight. For small to medium businesses, it provides essential tools to keep collections relevant and engaging. However, larger enterprises might find that running such a narrow focus on out-of-stock products limits broader merchandising opportunities.

While the app does offer valuable features, it lacks the robust decision-making tools present in ST: Product & Collection Sort, which may hinder larger operations.

How Much Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Cost?

Understanding the cost structure of ST: Product & Collection Sort is vital for businesses looking for cost-effective solutions in product display management.

1. Free Plan:

   • Price: Free
   • Features: 250 sorts per month, automated sorting, pinning products to the top, and pushing sold-out items down.
   • Limitations: Available for Shopify Basic and Professional plans only, and stores processing fewer than 250 orders.
   • Target Audience: Ideal for startups or very small businesses.

2. Basic Plan:

   • Price: $19/month
   • Features: 1000 sorts per month, sorting capabilities by revenue, inventory, and various other criteria, plus pinning functionality.
   • Limitations: Limited to a specific number of sorts.
   • Target Audience: Small to medium businesses looking for basic sorting functions.

3. Business Plan:

   • Price: $49/month
   • Features: 5000 sorts per month, extensive sorting options based on various metrics.
   • Limitations: Still confined to a cap on sorts.
   • Target Audience: Medium to large businesses needing more capacity.

4. Unlimited Plan:

   • Price: $179/month
   • Features: Unlimited sorts, product metafield sorting, premium onboarding, a dedicated account manager, and sandbox environment access.
   • Limitations: Priced for businesses with higher inventory needs.
   • Target Audience: Larger enterprises that require extensive sorting capabilities and support.

It is important to note that you can always reach out to our team, and we can create a custom pricing plan to suit your needs and your budget. Schedule a call via this link and we’ll come up with the best solution for you and your business.

How Much Does Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock Cost?

Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock offers a basic cost structure that appeals to businesses looking to manage out-of-stock products efficiently.

1. Basic Plan:

   • Price: Free
   • Features: Manual hiding of products up to 5000 items, basic support.
   • Limitations: Requires direct intervention for inventory updates.
   • Target Audience: Suitable for small operations that often manage a limited inventory.

2. Advanced Plan:

   • Price: $8/month
   • Features: Automatic hiding and publishing, the ability to exclude products by tags, and priority support.
   • Limitations: Comes at an ongoing cost, limiting potential scalability.
   • Target Audience: Small businesses that require basic automation for inventory management.

By comparing the pricing structures of both apps, it's evident that ST: Product & Collection Sort offers a more diverse range of options and greater scalability, especially for businesses seeking to maximize their display strategies.

Cost Analysis: ST: Product & Collection Sort vs. Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock

When comparing ST: Product & Collection Sort and Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock, it's important to consider the value each app delivers at various price points. The comprehensive feature set of ST: Product & Collection Sort, especially its automated sorting capabilities, presents a better long-term investment for businesses of all sizes.

Conversely, while Knockout provides useful features for hiding out-of-stock products, it may not meet the diverse needs of growing businesses looking for extensive display management options. Neither app offers promotional discounts or trial periods, making the decision closer to their functionalities than their prices.

User Reviews & Customer Support Insights

Is ST: Product & Collection Sort Good?

ST: Product & Collection Sort enjoys an impressive rating of 5 stars from 64 reviews. Users often praise its intuitive design and efficiency in automating product sorting. Launched in April 2021, the development team's commitment and responsiveness have contributed to high user satisfaction.

Is Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock Good?

In contrast, Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock has a rating of 0 stars based on no reviews; this absence hints at potential hurdles in user acceptance or satisfaction with its feature set. Given its recent launch in July 2023, it's likely that users have yet to fully adopt or evaluate it. If users compare its features with those of ST: Product & Collection Sort, they might find it lacking in essential capabilities.

Customer Support Feedback: Highlighting the importance of effective customer support, any existing feedback about app responsiveness can shape user perceptions significantly. With ST: Product & Collection Sort’s responsive support network, users tend to report satisfaction, whereas the lack of reviews for Knockout might suggest uncertain aid.

User Preference: ST: Product & Collection Sort or Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock?

Based on average star ratings, it is clear that ST: Product & Collection Sort is much more favored by users. This preference can be attributed to its comprehensive feature set, including advanced sorting options and a greater focus on user engagement. Users seem to appreciate the benefits of a well-managed product display, suggesting that ST: Product & Collection Sort likely delivers a more impactful experience compared to Knockout.

Integration and Compatibility Comparison

ST: Product & Collection Sort Integrations

ST: Product & Collection Sort integrates seamlessly with popular tools such as Google Analytics, enhancing visibility into performance metrics and providing businesses with vital insights into their product displays. The app works harmoniously alongside other merchandising solutions to offer a unified experience that supports data-driven decisions.

Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock Integrations

Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock, on the other hand, lacks prominent integration capabilities, primarily focused on its internal functionalities. This limitation may restrict the app’s utility and alignment with broader business objectives.

Conclusion

Both ST: Product & Collection Sort and Knockout ‑ Hide Out Of Stock offer robust solutions for managing product displays. However, ST: Product & Collection Sort clearly stands out with its user-friendly design, comprehensive features, and adaptable pricing structures. With an impressive 5-star rating and a deep understanding of its user base, it proves to be a more effective solution for various businesses looking to enhance product visibility. In terms of cost-effectiveness and functionality, ST: Product & Collection Sort makes a compelling case as the superior choice for many Shopify merchants.