How We Use Metafields and Metaobjects to Build Smarter Shopify Stores
At Vaan, we’re always looking for ways to make Shopify stores more dynamic, scalable, and easier to manage.Our clients are juggling many things at once and any efficiency we can help them achieve is our top priority. One of the most powerful tools we use to achieve this is Metafields and Metaobjects.
By structuring data intelligently, we streamline content management, enhance consistency, and create more flexible shopping experiences—all without unnecessary complexity. Here’s how we put these tools to work:
Reusable Ingredient Lists for Food Brands - Last Crumb
Manually adding ingredient lists to every product can be time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies. Instead, we use Metaobjects to create structured, reusable data entities that ensure accuracy across the store..
Metaobject Definition - Establishes ingredient details (name, description, and images)
Metaobject Entity - Stores reusable ingredient objects that can be applied across multiple products. (e.g butter, chocolate, sea salt, etc)
Metafields - Hold the ingredient list and display it dynamically.
This setup allows ingredient information to be presented as a simple list, a visual section with images, or even a clickable element that expands with more details, enhancing both usability and design flexibility.
Display Unique Award Badges - Hourglass Cosmetics
We also use Metafields and Metaobjects to create dynamic product page content allowing each product or variant to feature tailored information without the need for separate templates or complex tagging.
Utilizing metafields, you can have products display unique specs, descriptions, or marketing content. Metaobjects allow us to take this one step further, allowing consistent information for a specific type of content to be created and reused.
For example, Hourglass showcases product-specific awards that automatically display on PDPs.
Metaobject Definition - Defines the content for an award badge (title, image)
Metaobject Entity - Stores reusable award objects (e.g., "Allure Best of Beauty 2024").
Metafields - Associate award badges with products and display them dynamically on PDPs.
This approach ensures that awards are consistently formatted, easy to update, and integrated across multiple products.
Dynamic Upsells for Product Bundling - Hexclad
Hexclad uses Metaobjects to define upsell items that dynamically appear with relevant products, enhancing both the customer experience and sales potential.
Rather than generic suggestions, this approach ensures customers see items that truly complement their purchase. For some products, this means displaying the correct-fitting lid, while for cookware sets, it highlights additional pan styles and sizes giving home chefs more versatility in the kitchen.
Metaobject Definition – Establishes the upsell content and related product.
Metaobject Entity – Stores reusable upsell offers that can be applied across multiple products.
Metafields – Apply and display the appropriate upsell offer on the corresponding PDPs.
Bottom Line
With Metafields and Metaobjects, Shopify stores become more adaptable, scalable, and easier to manage. By structuring data in a way that prioritizes efficiency and consistency, brands can save time while creating richer shopping experiences.
From reusable ingredient lists to dynamic product content and upsells, these tools empower merchants to work smarter and provide a more engaging, informative experience for customers.