Introduction

This article explains how product categories in TRAEDE synchronize to Shopify. You will learn the two different synchronization options, how product types are determined, and how categories can also be translated or sent as tags.

This guide is helpful for anyone managing product structures, navigation, or storefront organization in Shopify through TRAEDE.

Shopify’s product type field

Shopify has a field called Product type.
TRADE can synchronize categories into this field in two ways:

1. Using top categories

2. Using subcategories

This allows you to control how products are grouped in Shopify based on your TRAEDE category structure.

Using top categories as product types

In TRAEDE you define top categories such as:

• Accessories

• Clothes

• Food and beverages

• Interior design

To use a top category as a Shopify product type, follow these steps:

1. Open the category in TRAEDE

2. Click Edit

3. Mark: This category should be a product type in Shopify

4. Click Save

Once activated:

• Any product belonging to that top category

• → will receive the same product type in Shopify

Example:
Top category: Interior design
Shopify product type: Interior design

This is the most common method and fits most Shopify setups.

Using subcategories as product types

You can also use subcategories instead of top categories.

The setup is identical:

1. Edit the subcategory

2. Mark: This category should be a product type in Shopify

3. Save

If a product belongs to that subcategory, TRAEDE will send the subcategory name as the product type to Shopify.

Category translations

Both top categories and subcategories in TRAEDE support translations.

• If a category has translations

• And your Shopify store has the correct locale setup

• Then TRAEDE will synchronize the translated category name as the product type

To set this up correctly, see the guide How to set up translations.

Synchronizing categories as tags

Categories can also be synchronized to Shopify as tags.

In the Shopify integration settings, TRAEDE provides two options:

• Sync top categories as tags

• Sync subcategories as tags

If either option is activated, TRAEDE will:

• Send the category name as a tag in addition to the product type

• Useful for filtering, navigation, or collection automation in Shopify

Example:
Top category: Interior design
Tags synchronized to Shopify:

• Interior design

Subcategory: Lamps
Tags synchronized to Shopify:

• Lamps

This allows more flexible storefront filtering while keeping product types clean.