Shopify Product Display Apps: ST: Product & Collection Sort vs Subcollection Category Surf

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. How Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Work?
3. How Does Subcollection Category Surf Work?
4. How Much Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Cost?
5. How Much Does Subcollection Category Surf Cost?
6. Cost Analysis: ST: Product & Collection Sort vs. Subcollection Category Surf
7. User Reviews & Customer Support Insights
8. Integration and Compatibility Comparison
9. Conclusion

Introduction

In an era where online shopping has become the norm, product display plays a crucial role in shaping customer experience and boosting sales. Research shows that over 80% of consumers are influenced by product display and merchandising strategies when making a purchase decision. Product display apps help to optimize the layout and organization of products on e-commerce platforms, enhancing user experience and potentially boosting conversion rates.

In this blog, we will explore two Shopify apps designed to improve product display: ST: Product & Collection Sort and Subcollection Category Surf. Each of these apps provides various capabilities to enhance how products are showcased, integrate seamlessly into Shopify, and ultimately influence user satisfaction and business outcomes.

How Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Work?

ST: Product & Collection Sort is a powerful merchandising tool that automates the sorting of products on collection pages based on advanced data analytics. This app serves to simplify the often labor-intensive task of managing product displays, effectively combining multiple sorting strategies into a single user-friendly interface.

One of the standout features of ST: Product & Collection Sort is its ability to sort products based on various metrics including revenue, inventory levels, and even Google Analytics data like views and cart conversion rates. This makes it not only useful for startups and small to medium businesses but also appealing for large enterprises looking to maximize their merchandising efforts.

Key Features Include:

• Automated Sorting: ST: Product & Collection Sort eliminates the manual effort of sorting products, allowing you to focus on strategic decisions instead of day-to-day management.
• Advanced Sorting Options: With options to sort by revenue, inventory, and even tags—this app provides an extensive range of customizable rules to tailor product displays to specific business needs.
• Pinning and Demotion: The capability to pin specific products to the top of a collection or push sold-out items down ensures the most engaging options are visible to customers, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

For example, a growing online apparel store can leverage this app to automatically push new arrivals to the top of their collection page, while relevant seasonal promotions can be featured prominently. This dynamic display not only enhances visibility but also encourages engagement by ensuring customers see the most relevant products.

How Does Subcollection Category Surf Work?

In contrast, Subcollection Category Surf focuses on automating the generation of subcollection blocks based on product associations. While the app offers a level of customization for organizing collections, its capabilities are somewhat limited compared to ST: Product & Collection Sort.

The app generates blocks that categorize products into related groups, enhancing navigation and potentially improving SEO through on-site links. Here’s a look at its main features:

• Automated Subcollection Blocks: This feature simplifies the organization of products by grouping them algorithmically, making it easier for customers to navigate through related items.
• SEO Enhancement: By providing on-site links to related collections, the app aims to boost SEO, assisting businesses in getting more visibility in search results.

While the idea behind automating the generation of subcollections is appealing, the relatively basic nature of Subcollection Category Surf may pose limitations for businesses that require more robust sorting options and a deeper level of customization.

How Much Does ST: Product & Collection Sort Cost?

Cost-effective solutions are essential for businesses looking to grow within e-commerce. ST: Product & Collection Sort offers a variety of pricing tiers to suit different needs and scales of operations.

1. Free Plan:

   • Price: Free
   • Features: Up to 250 sorts/month, suitable for Shopify Basic and Professional plans with stores processing fewer than 250 orders.
   • Limitations: Limited sorting capacity may not meet the needs of growing businesses.
   • Target Audience: Ideal for startups testing product display strategies without upfront investment.

2. Basic Plan:

   • Price: $19/month
   • Features: 1000 sorts/month and sort by multiple criteria including revenue and inventory.
   • Limitations: A significant upgrade from the free tier but may still fall short for larger businesses.
   • Target Audience: Suitable for growing e-commerce stores needing more sorting capabilities.

3. Business Plan:

   • Price: $49/month
   • Features: Includes 5000 sorts/month with the same extensive sorting criteria as the Basic Plan.
   • Limitations: Higher price tier, but offers considerable utility for mid-sized firms.
   • Target Audience: Great for medium-sized businesses looking for scalable options.

4. Unlimited Plan:

   • Price: $179/month
   • Features: Unlimited sorts, product metafield sorting, premium onboarding, and dedicated account management.
   • Limitations: A premium option best suited for high-volume stores.
   • Target Audience: Targeted at large enterprises needing dedicated support and extensive capabilities.

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 Subcollection Category Surf Cost?

Like ST: Product & Collection Sort, Subcollection Category Surf offers a cost-effective option in its Standard Plan.

1. Standard Plan:
   • Price: $4.99/month
   • Features: Automated subcollection blocks and advanced selection by algorithm.
   • Limitations: Lacks the robustness and sorting flexibility offered by its competitor, which could hinder more complex merchandising needs.
   • Target Audience: Best suited for startups and small online stores looking for basic organization capabilities.

Although at a lower price point, the limited feature set may result in a lack of sufficient support for larger growth ambitions.

Cost Analysis: ST: Product & Collection Sort vs. Subcollection Category Surf

When weighing the pricing of both applications, distinct value propositions become apparent. ST: Product & Collection Sort offers a broader feature set across its tiers, catering to varying business sizes and needs, thereby providing better overall cost efficiency.

In addition to regular pricing, both apps may occasionally feature promotional offers. However, the extensive capabilities and flexibility found in ST: Product & Collection Sort present a stronger case for potential buyers, especially those looking to scale.

User Reviews & Customer Support Insights

Is ST: Product & Collection Sort good?

With an impressive average rating of 5 stars from 64 reviews, ST: Product & Collection Sort demonstrates high user satisfaction. Customers commend its intuitive features and ease of integration, underscoring its proven effectiveness in enhancing user experience and conversion rates.

Is Subcollection Category Surf good?

Conversely, Subcollection Category Surf has an average rating of just 3 stars across 2 reviews. Users might appreciate its simplicity and ability to automatically generate subcollection blocks. However, criticism may arise around its limitations in sorting capabilities and overall effectiveness in enhancing product display.

Effective customer support can significantly influence user satisfaction. While specific feedback on customer support for Subcollection Category Surf isn't available, the importance of reliable assistance is universally recognized.

User Preference: ST: Product & Collection Sort or Subcollection Category Surf?

With a stark difference in average ratings, ST: Product & Collection Sort stands out as the favored option among users. The app’s comprehensive feature set, intuitive interface, and positive outcomes may explain why it garners so much higher appreciation compared to Subcollection Category Surf.

Integration and Compatibility Comparison

ST: Product & Collection Sort Integrations

ST: Product & Collection Sort integrates seamlessly with various tools like Google Analytics, enhancing its capability to effectively utilize data for sorting. This feature empowers users to make informed decisions based on actual performance metrics.

Subcollection Category Surf Integrations:

Currently, Subcollection Category Surf does not seem to integrate with any specific tools, which may limit its effectiveness compared to its more robust competitor. This lack of integration capabilities can be a significant drawback for users seeking a comprehensive merchandising solution.

Conclusion

Both ST: Product & Collection Sort and Subcollection Category Surf offer valuable tools for enhancing product displays. However, ST: Product & Collection Sort emerges as the superior solution, boasting an impressive 5-star rating and a richer set of features across its pricing tiers. Its ability to automate sorting, coupled with robust analytics and customer support, positions it as a more effective and cost-efficient choice for businesses of all sizes.

When considering both options, ST: Product & Collection Sort clearly provides a more scalable, customizable solution that is better equipped to meet diverse e-commerce needs, making it a choice worth serious consideration for any Shopify merchant.