Collection updates on the horizon

[Scott]

Hey everyone, we wanted to let you know about something exciting that you'll be seeing real soon. We posted an article in the News section (link), but figured that we'd start a discussion here so that everyone was aware. When we have more information we'll be sure to share it!

Edit July 24th: We've opened a new discussion forum for conversation relating to Collections Types: https://community.zazzle.com/t5/new-collection-types-information/bd-p/collections

[Pixelan]

I hope those orange [i]'s are a bug, otherwise I don't understand why they're there. Must be if others have the same thing.

The new email feature is nice, for now I leave it at the default message. Not sure yet what kind of custom message I should add, also depends on the collection.

[GraphicAllusion]

Yes, I'm waiting to see what happens before I put in my custom message too. There just seems to be so many glitches at the moment. I'm assuming that Z must have had a Beta testing group first - but there are so many buggy things going on I'm starting to wonder if they actually did. 🤔 

[Sara_H]

Still quite buggy for me - I can't click through the product page from the edit collection page (may be expected behavior) and the only way to close it is to hit the back button on my browser. (vivaldi/chrome based)

Also not seeing the fancy collection hub thing - may have not rolled out yet

[angelafuller729]

Just finished reading the guide and am SO happy to see "Add Compelling Cover Photos to Collections".  I've been waiting for this! 

[Barbara]

What is a "compelling" cover photo? We already have banners and covers. Is this something different?

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[angelafuller729]

we don't have cover photos for collections. the long banners were previously the only option and they don't show on Pinterest. Now I can create a square cover with text that adds a top section for a pin so it looks like this 

[Cat]

I'm confused about how/where these cover photos will be displayed. Is this just for when you share a collection or do they appear somewhere to the customer?

[Connie]

Cover photos for collections have always been available. But I DON'T like the fact that they are emphasizing them now! I would like to sleep sometimes- I've still got thousands of PRODUCTS to add cover photos to, and now we have to do collections, too?!

[Sara_H]

Can anyone shine a light on the difference between "Holidays - Christmas" and "Holiday Season" under 'Event or Occasion' or does it not matter?

[KeegansCreation]

I have been using Holiday-Season for those holidays that didn't get a specific marker e.g. Mardis Gras.

[Sara_H]

@KeegansCreation thanks 🙂 I have a lot of collections that don't have a specific marker eg - phone cases for everyday use not necessarily a gift for anyone. Getting confused with it all 😭

[Barbara]

@Sara_H  I'll trade some of my doom for some of your confusion.

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[KeegansCreation]

For a phone case collection I'd use Different Styles/Themes. It's meant for when you have many designs on similar products. Then I'd also give it Home and Living because it's Living. I've been using that for clothes, accessories and electronics that aren't meant as gifts.

[angelafuller729]

I'd use Holiday Season for winter designs that might not be specifically Christmas (like Nordic Sweater patterns, red/green plaid etc.)

[klstock]

I have several collections where I use one design for many occasions. For example, the artwork is a wave and surfboards - but there are versions for a 1st Birthday or 50th birthday with lettering that says "The Big One". Then there is a version that says "Surf's Up" for all other birthdays, and there is a version that says "Baby On Board" for baby showers. These are all in the same collection, with corresponding napkins, paper plates, signs, etc....

Do I have to make a separate collection for each of those now? 

This is why I have been requesting something like "tabs/sections" within a collection. So if the customer is searching for birthday, they can click on birthday and see just the birthday item. If they are looking for baby shower, they could click on baby shower, etc. I think it would look a little tedious to make 4 different collections all using the same design. 

In addition, I have many Pinterest pins out there pointing to that collection or individual items within it and it is a good selling collection. If I had to make new collections to divide them by specific categories (kid's birthday, 50th birthday, baby shower) the pins I have already done would not be relevant.

Anyone have a similar issue or know what to do?

[angelafuller729]

I personally would split up collections for the artwork as you described.  So all funny/snarky adult birthday cards I put together. All Thank You cards etc.  That's one type of collection (event or occasion).   

I already created 50+ collections in another store for products that are similar theme (tartan) and changed the category on the new collection edit to Home & Living (event or occasion).  Then made a new cover photo featuring a 4-pack of products (mug, keychain, throw pillow, coaster) and rearranged products within the collection so those 4 items don't show first...  what you end up with when you use the share/Pinterest button is a LONG pin that shows 8 of the items (there's 15-35 in each usually)  

I don't think tabs is a workable solution as many people are using mobile devices/apps 

[Laura]

Spent some time reordering my collections and it didn't work 😕

Also: I had my store collections sorted the way I wanted but it seems to have reverted to my member collections sort order which I wasn't bothering to sort (I only have one store at the moment).

[Laura]

Still trying to gain an understanding of how these new collection features will work. I definitely like the recommended products section! I did notice for some product types, can coolers for example, the department is a bit too specific in order to fit in the recommended product types. I had some set for bridesmaid favors yet it seems best to put them under wedding favors instead. Another would be envelopes as some are more generic (so they're not in the wedding department tree) yet definitely fit in with the wedding suite.

[Laura]

I've discovered the following: 

I have my envelopes under Wedding > Invitations & Stationery > Mailing Accessories > Envelopes however when I go to add envelopes to the recommended products section it wants to pull them from Weddings > Invitations & Stationery > Day-of Stationery > Menus so I believe it's a bug.

Adding, matches are also not pulling from the proper department tree category. Instead of Weddings > Gifts & Favors > Favors > Wedding Matches it wants to pull them from Weddings > Gifts & Favors > Packaging > Wedding Matches which doesn't exist.

Also for candy and drink mixes, instead of Weddings > Gifts & Favors > Favors > Candy Favors & Drink Mixes it wants to pull them from Weddings > Gifts & Favors > Packaging > Candy Favors & Drink Mixes which also doesn't exist.

Another is baked goods, it wants to pull them from Home & Living > Food & Drink > Baked Goods which doesn't exist either.

And can coolers, instead of Weddings > Gifts & Favors > Favors > Wedding Can Coolers it wants to pull them from Weddings > Gifts & Favors > Packaging > Wedding Can Coolers which doesn't exist.

[Barbara]

Herein spells my doom:

Other

Use this type for collections with no clear purpose or intent. Can be useful if you’re looking for a temporary place to group many products.

• Products, design styles and themes are different

*Note, these collection types aren’t eligible for most channels and onsite experiences. We recommend using one of the other featured types when possible.

---

I'm well planted in the Other category. I've no idea what a "channel" is, but I suspect "onsite experiences" refers to being in any way featured by Zazzle. I sure hope the artisans who buy my products will still be able to find them and that goes for all the musicians too. The only events I cater to are reunions, the invites being on postcards.

Yup, I'm seeing doom ahead. Then again, Zazzle has never showcased anything of mine, not that I know of anyway.

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[angelafuller729]

Barbara, what tags are you using for your collections?  I looked thru a bunch of yours. Found this one (which could be optimized with a better description & tags) https://www.zazzle.com/collections/art_nouveau_lady-119760632090941280  which would fit in the Home/Living category, especially if you add a few more home decor/accent items like trays, coasters, tabletop plaques etc.

Just a thought 😉

[Barbara]

@angelafuller729: Thank you for taking the time to look through some of my collections, and also, thank you for your suggestions for the Art Nouveau collection. What you're seeing is my reaction to Zazzle having some time ago eliminated customer searches for collections. It said to me that tags were of no use.

Tomorrow when I'm more alert, I'll have to meander through the new items we're to choose for our collections to see if I can get an understanding of what they've done and what their goal and therefore our goal is. That's where I'm stumbling. I can't see the end of the road.

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[JulieV]

Most of my collections are showing the "Other" slot as well. I'm at a loss as how to use this new Collections feature. I'm hoping it will become clearer as this rolls out and more people share how they are using it. I do not create events items, wedding notices or baby showers, etc. I feel like I need a full-time personal assistant to take care of all these backend duties. 
It's good to see some Zazzlers are excited by these changes so maybe there is hope that I, too, will figure out what it all means. For now, though, I'm like a deer caught in the headlights. 
If anyone wants to take a look at my store and give a tip as to how I should proceed, that would be very kind and much appreciated. 😊

[Barbara]

It appears you and I are in the "poor relation" area, but I suspect a lot of other people are also there. We do sell our products regardless, so my single hope is that we don't get swept aside.

If we aren't going to be featured in any way, should we simply not bother?

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[JulieV]

Yep, we are the poor cousins for sure! I am coming to the sad realisation that unless I win the lotto (to free me from my day time biz) I may have to wave bye bye to Zazzle. Not ready to make the cut yet but am close to it. I am going to focus where I actually make sales without all these hoops to jump through, which is KDP. I've neglected that in favour of Zazzle. Time to prioritise my time and effort to the areas I actually make money. I will come back to Zazzle but only when I have time to lose (which is hardly ever). 

[Barbara]

@JulieV: How interesting. A few years ago, I was designing covers for KDP and then got so involved with Zazzle that I let cover design slack off completely. Just a couple days ago I sold a cover still on the book cover web site. I should probably at least divide my time better, performing a bit of triage. LOL

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[JulieV]

Hi Barbara, 

DIviding your time between Zazzle and KDP might be a wise move. Just depends which platform works better for you. Great to hear about your KDP sale and wish you many more!

[igiftcenter]

Channels is a marketing term; depending on your industry. For example: paid, free, digital, and traditional channels. Another example are websites, email, targeted digital advertising, and events.

I guess you can consider channels in our case as where our collections point to in order for customers to see them?

[Marcia]

I've started checking the migration of all my collections & making changes as needed. I've noticed that when I'm viewing the collections in list form as "profile management", under my store name, it's in the order of my personal profile page, NOT my store page. However when I view collections in "public profile" under my store name, they're exactly the way I left them before the update. Will the "public profile" order (under my store name) end up reverting to the "profile management" and/or my personal profile order? Or stay how I already have it and prefer. And to get them both in the same order so the list form matches my store, I now have to move the list icons manually so they're synced up in order to my store's "public profile", which I prefer? 

Can't say I'm happy about this. I'm almost to the point where I'm somewhat done with making product mockups for my preferred products & now THIS??? I've finally just started making new products/designs again after 3 or 4 months of concentrating on mockups. I'm only 1 person & already spend hours upon hours of trying to make my store stand out.  I really don't need this. Sure hope this new addition will help sales & is not a total time suck for all of us.

[wheresthekarma]

I hope I am not the only one panicking about these collection changes. I usually like some of Zazzle's changes. Not so much the cover photo rules, and now this. 

I read the article about it and just felt even more confused AFTER reading it. I just don't get what this is doing for us and it seems like a ton of more work we now have to do. I have hundreds of collections, so far every one I clicked on seems to have weird things I'm supposed to do or it says Migration ready.. what is happening?? Do I have to go into every collection I have ever made and change things now? It says some have migrated but it appears most have not.

Also, in my wedding collections for some reason none of the Save the Dates appear in the slots for Save the Dates. I saw someone say you can drag and drop them but mine won't move.  In one collection I have two Save the Dates and neither appear and that seems to be in every wedding collection. I looked to make sure it was in the right category and it is.

Ugh, sigh. Zazzle used to be my favorite, now I feel like I need to take classes to understand all the new changes.

Feeling defeated.

[SheaPrints]

I had the same problem with my wedding 'Save the date' designs, but when I checked the 'Marketplace Department', I had put my designs in:
Invitations & Stationery > Invitations & Announcements > Save the Dates
instead of:
Weddings > Invitations & Stationery > Save the Dates
When I changed it, the designs moved to the slot.

[JLynnW]

I am not been able to "click" and change, delete, etc on new media management. Now I am not able to do the same when in collections. I have to admit, I have added "images" in error and can do nothing to correct/delete. Is there anything that can assist a tablet user with these issues?  Thank you, forever hopeful, JLynn of JLW_Photography.

[Cat]

I'm wondering if we could maybe get some examples of how these new features are supposed to work - like how changing the settings changes what the customer sees. At the moment I'm just super confused because as far as I can tell, the collections look exactly the same to the customer no matter how we change the settings... Like I love the idea of wedding collections being broken into sections, but I don't see that reflected when I sign out and look at it.

[Kate3]

Guest of Honor T-Shirt
Can't add baby bodysuits and toddler t-shirts!

''Matching results from: Clothing & Shoes > Kids > Girls > Clothing > Tops & T-Shirts > Girls' T-Shirts
Matching results from: Clothing & Shoes > Kids > Boys > Clothing > Tops & T-Shirts > Boys' T-Shirts
Matching results from: Clothing & Shoes > Baby (0-24M) > Baby Tops & T-Shirts''

Candy Favors
''Matching results from: Home & Living > Food & Drink > Candy & Favors''
the Food and drink doesn't exist!

Orange ''i'' under the pictures - Make a preferred collection.....it is just 1 and onely collection.... so?

Hope it it will improve soon until then there is simply no point in working on it.

[ilonagarden]

I really like this innovation. It helps me make sense of collections, which I don't believe I ever truly understood. Lots of work for me, but worth it to utilize this feature in the best way. I think it will make more sense to customers, as well.

[Fiorenzo]

Just seen. At first sight, it looks nice, now I need time to digest and check it (this in the middle of Summer and Xmas in July sales 😉 ). One note in the meantime:

Missing collection type for (or: what one to take, except the handicapped "others"):

• Design & design series collections  - a) all or selected products with the same design (and variants where available), b) selected products with a design series for collectibles etc (e.g. big cats mugs collection + matching tea pots, or shot glass collectibles of US cities)
• Product & product sets collections - a) all or selected designs on a specific product and variants, e.g. Blankets collection (including fleece/sherpa/throw blankets); Pillows collection (incl square, round, accent); b) sets of matching products & designs, e.g. pillows, blankets & duvet covers with matching/same design, or tableware sets (e.g. mugs, pots, plates, glasses)

I know, there is the "others" type, but it seems to be handicapped. I also know there are categories, but they lack important features, such as custom order, banners, descriptions, and the possibility to place one product in multiple categories.

[Barbara]

We need Zazzle to give us an in-depth description of the end game, how they'll be using whatever it is we're supposed to do. We need to know the details of how to navigate the re-working and re-categorizing. Specifics, best practices, a list of do this, do that, do whatever. I'll wait until the time comes when I can see the beginning, middle, and end. Right now I'm utterly lost when it comes to what I should do and why I should do it.

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[LMGildersleeve]

Ah Barb you have a short memory. Remember back in the day when Z would drop these big changes on a Friday for us to beat our heads against the wall for three days? I feel like a beta tester. Remember those guys? The ones who would test big changes before going live? Ahhhh, those were the days.

[LemicheStudio]

Can someone from Zazzle please confirm that all these new collection types are made EXCLUSIVELY for event/holiday supplies and all other products land in "Other" collection type?
So that we (sellers that design those "other" products) don´t waste our time trying to figure this out....

[Barbara]

That's my impression, but it stands to reason, given that events, not everyday activities, are what Zazzle always focuses on. I am firmly in the "Other" category, which they never feature, and why would they? Just how many musicians, potters, coin dealers, candy makers, writers, and so on are their customers?

I keep wondering, if a designer is, say, a cat person, should they divide up their cat collections according to cats at weddings, cats in the kitchen, cats on the beach? If they could do this, I seriously doubt it would help their sales and might, in the long run, deplete their sales. I'm thinking, since Zazzle has stated we won't be considered much if at all, those of us in the Other category shouldn't bother.

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