Expert Answer • 2 min read

Should I highlight best sellers or new arrivals first on collections?

I'm struggling with the optimal strategy for organizing my collections page. My store has a mix of popular best-selling products and exciting new arrivals, and I want to maximize visibility and conversions. I've heard conflicting advice about whether to prioritize proven top performers or generate excitement around fresh inventory. Which approach will more effectively capture customer attention and drive sales, and are there nuanced strategies I should consider for different types of collections or customer segments?
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO

2 min

TL;DR - Quick Answer

Test both, but most stores convert better leading with bestsellers. Bestsellers validate social proof and reduce decision anxiety, while new arrivals work better for returning customers who've already bought your top SKUs.

Complete Expert Analysis

Should I Highlight Best Sellers or New Arrivals First on Collections?

Your collection sort order is one of the highest-leverage conversion decisions you can make - and the right answer depends on visitor type. First-time visitors convert 20-35% better with bestsellers first. Returning customers who've already bought your top products want to discover new SKUs.

Collection Sort Strategy by Visitor Segment

New Visitors

Show bestsellers first. They reduce decision paralysis and use social proof to build confidence. A visitor who doesn't know your brand needs guidance on "what works" before they can evaluate anything else.

Sort: Bestsellers → Conversion Rate ↑ 20-35%

Returning Customers

Show new arrivals first. They already trust you and want freshness. Surfacing items they haven't seen increases engagement time and repeat purchase rate.

Sort: New Arrivals → Repeat Purchase ↑ 15-25%

Hybrid Approach

The best collections use a hybrid layout: bestsellers in the first 4-6 positions (above fold), then new arrivals, then everything else. This captures both new visitor validation-seeking and returning customer novelty-seeking in a single layout.

Growth Suite: Behavioral Sort Amplification

Use Growth Suite's Trending Products widget to dynamically surface what's selling fastest this week - more current than static bestseller tags. For returning visitors who've browsed specific categories, Advanced Behavioral Targeting can trigger personalized offers on new arrivals in their preferred category.

Badges That Amplify Sort Order

Badge Works Best On Conversion Effect
"Best Seller"Top 5 items+15-25% CTR
"New Arrival"Items < 30 days old+10-18% for returning
"Almost Gone"Low inventory items+20-30% urgency
"Staff Pick"Hidden gems+8-15% discovery
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Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO of Growth Suite

With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, Muhammed founded Growth Suite to help Shopify merchants maximize their conversion rates through intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers. His expertise in growth strategies and conversion optimization has helped thousands of online stores increase their revenue.

E-commerce Expert Shopify Partner Growth Strategist

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