1/25/2025

Shopify Product Limit Issues: Troubleshooting the 30-Product Cap

When embarking on an eCommerce adventure through Shopify, many entrepreneurs quickly discover an unexpected hurdle: the infamous 30-product cap. This limitation can throw a wrench into the gears of startups eager to present a robust product line or diverse inventory. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of the Shopify product limit issues, particularly focusing on the 30-product cap, the troubleshooting steps you need to know, & how to work around these restrictions effectively.

The Dreaded 30-Product Limit

Imagine this: You've created your Shopify store, crafted beautiful product listings, & initiated your marketing. Suddenly, you realize your passion project is shackled by a seemingly arbitrary limit of just 30 products on that entry-level plan. Why does Shopify impose such a limitation? Here’s the need-to-know:

Entry Level Plans: Shopify has designed its pricing tiers for various business scales. The most basic plan allows only 30 products. However, upgrading your plan can give you more product flexibility.
Shopify Plus: If money’s no object, you may consider upgrading to Shopify Plus, which permits an unlimited number of products. But let’s face it; most budding entrepreneurs are constrained by budget.

The notion of restricting a business's product range frustrates many. So how can you overcome this limitation?

Troubleshooting the 30-Product Cap

1. Assess Your Needs

Before diving into workarounds, assess whether the 30-product limit is genuinely a bottleneck for your business model. Are you targeting a niche market? Or do you have a large catalog in mind? Clarity on your business vision will help you decide your next steps.

2. Upgrade Your Plan

If your business model demands an expanded product range, consider upgrading beyond the basic $29 plan. Shopify's pricing page gives a breakdown of plans, but it’s essential to keep such costs in mind & weigh them against your revenue projections.

3. Use Digital Products

If physical products aren’t your only offerings, consider adding digital products like PDFs or E-books. Since these can also count against your product limit, they could be a workaround to make your catalog seem larger. Add digital codes or instructions for downloadable content, which take up no physical space.

4. Utilize Variants Wisely

Shopify allows you to create variants under a single product listing. Each product can have multiple options (like size, color, etc.), allowing you to essentially maximize the product limit.

Note: Just ensure that each product listing remains under 100 variants maximum, as Shopify also restricts the number of variants per product.

5. Create Collections Wisely

Instead of adding numerous individual products, think about creating collections. Group related products together. Sure, this won’t circumvent the product limit, but it will allow you to display a wider variety of products under fewer listings.

6. Sell Through a Different Platform

While Shopify is reliable & user-friendly, sometimes it’s worth considering other sales channels; Amazon, eBay, or even beginning your journey with Etsy can present alternatives. Such platforms could complement your Shopify store & offer larger catalog flexibility.

A Common Complaint: The API Rate Limits

Another significant concern alongside the product cap often emerges from users experiencing issues with product uploads & updating through the API. Shopify's API rate limits may inhibit quick product management, causing products to get rejected due to the daily variant limits.

Imagine having up to 119,000 product variants, but you hit a daily limit for uploading newer products.
Maintaining a patience level under such constraints can be tough, especially for businesses looking to scale a catalog quickly.

Inventory Management with Shopify

Managing your inventory can be another hurdle when facing these product limits, especially if you're reluctant to upgrade your plans. Sure, you could segment your inventory into multiple stores, but this approach often complicates your operations instead of simplifying them.

If your business relies heavily on complex inventory tracking, consider integrating apps from the Shopify App Store geared towards inventory management.

CRM Integration

Tying in a solid Customer Relationship Management system can help streamline operations. Through Shopify's API, track your customers’ buying patterns and inventory needs. While this doesn't directly lift your product cap, it helps you make smarter inventory choices to maximize what you can sell.

Reflection: Embrace the Challenge

Hurdles like the Shopify 30-product limit can indeed feel like a wall standing between you & your entrepreneurial mission. But with a little ingenuity & the right strategies in place, you can navigate these limitations & build your brand effectively.

Final Promotion: Boost Engagement with Arsturn

As you continue on your eCommerce journey, it’s essential to find ways to enhance customer engagement & streamline your operations. That's where Arsturn comes in! Arsturn is an incredible platform that lets you create custom ChatGPT chatbots for your store. These chatbots can help boost engagement & conversions—making it easier for your customers to find the products they want.

Instant Setup: Create your custom AI chatbot within minutes–no coding skills required!
Engagement: Use it to assist customers by answering questions, providing info about products, & even guiding them through installations.
Customization: Adapt the chatbot to reflect your brand's voice & personality effortlessly.

With Arsturn's tools, you can turn potential roadblocks into opportunities. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy a free trial with no credit card required. Start optimizing your customer interactions now!

Conclusion

Yup, the Shopify 30-product limit can be troublesome, but we’ve outlined ways to tackle these issues and expand your eCommerce capabilities. Whether through strategic inventory management or elevating your customer experience with AI technology, the possibilities are endless. Embrace challenges in this journey; overcoming each one strengthens your entrepreneurial spirit!

Happy selling!