If you've ever wished you could add more flexibility to your Shopify store without messing up your theme code — metafields are your new best friend. Whether you're looking to add ingredient lists, size charts, dynamic messages, or custom delivery instructions, Shopify metafields make it all possible.
In this guide, we’ll break down what metafields are, how to set them up, and how tools like Kite, Easy Bundles, Checkout Wizard, and more from Skai Lama can plug into your metafield game to personalize and power up your Shopify store.
What Are Shopify Metafields?
At their core, Shopify metafields are custom fields that allow you to store additional information about your products, collections, customers, orders, and more.
Think of them as Shopify’s way of saying, "Here’s your sandbox—go build something cool." You can use metafields to:
Add care instructions to product pages
Display dynamic bundle components
Store personalization messages for gifting
Tag orders with internal handling instructions
Metafields were once the domain of developers. But Shopify has come a long way — now, even non-techy merchants can use metafields directly in the Shopify admin.
Types of Shopify Metafields
Shopify lets you apply metafields across different resource types. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Product and Variant Metafields
Add custom info like fabric type, expiration dates, or even internal tags. Great for detailed product storytelling.
Collection Metafields
Use these for custom collection banners, SEO fields, or specific landing page messages.
Order & Customer Metafields
Internal use cases shine here — think of storing gift notes, delivery preferences, or membership tags.
Metaobjects vs Metafields
Metafields = custom fields. Metaobjects = reusable content blocks (think blog post-style data objects). You’ll likely use both — metafields for context, metaobjects for structure.
How to Add Shopify Metafields (No-Code & Developer Methods)
💻 In the Shopify Admin
Go to Settings > Custom data
Choose the resource (e.g. product) and click "Add definition"
Set field type, namespace, and validation rules
🧩 With Metafield Definitions
Definitions are templates that help ensure consistency (e.g., always using a date format or single-line text).
📥 Upload via CSV
For large catalogs, metafields can be added in bulk using Shopify’s bulk editor or tools like Matrixify.
👨💻 Using Liquid or APIs
For developers, Liquid lets you render metafields like this:
{{ product.metafields.custom.delivery_time }}
Need to trigger metafields during quiz logic? Skai Lama’s Byte lets you capture customer preferences and store them via metafields for later use across product recommendations and custom checkouts.
Displaying Metafields on the Storefront
Once your metafields are in place, it’s time to show them off.
🧑🎨 Theme Editor (No-Code)
If you're using an Online Store 2.0-compatible theme, just connect your metafields via the theme customizer under “Dynamic sources.”
🔧 Using Liquid
Need a custom layout? Liquid gives you full control to pull and style metafields however you like.
🔁 Best Practices
Only surface what enhances UX
Keep it consistent across products
Use schema-friendly fields (dates, text, ratings, etc.)
Real Use Cases of Shopify Metafields
1. Gift Messages with GiftLab
Add a metafield to collect personalized gift notes. With GiftLab, you can even pair these notes with wrapping preferences or delivery instructions, enhancing the unboxing experience.
2. Custom Bundle Descriptions with Easy Bundles
Use metafields to dynamically describe what’s in a “Build Your Own Box” bundle. Easy Bundles reads these fields to generate custom checkout flows.
3. Internal Flags for Fulfillment with Giftkart
Tag specific orders with metafields like “High Priority” or “Gift Included.” Sync this with Giftkart campaigns to reward VIP customers with store credits.
4. Dynamic Free Gift Messaging with Kite
Want to tell a shopper they’re eligible for a free gift? Use metafields to show real-time messages based on cart conditions powered by Kite.
5. Post-Purchase Custom Fields with Checkout Wizard
Customize your thank-you page or checkout with metafield-backed components like estimated delivery time or quiz-based suggestions using Checkout Wizard.
Top Shopify Apps for Shopify Metafields
While Shopify’s built-in metafield editor has come a long way, using third-party tools can make bulk editing, automation, and integration much easier — especially for stores managing hundreds or thousands of SKUs.
Here are some of the top-rated Shopify apps for metafields:
1. Matrixify
Formerly Excelify, Matrixify is great for importing/exporting metafields at scale. Especially handy if you’re managing thousands of products or custom bundles.
2. Metafields Guru
One of the OGs in the metafields space. It offers a clean UI, validation rules, bulk editing, and JSON support — great for developers and advanced merchants.
3. Custom Fields by Bonify
Ideal for stores that need custom field types like image pickers or WYSIWYG editors. It’s theme-aware and beginner-friendly.
4. Byte by Skai Lama
A quiz-builder that does more than collect preferences — it can store quiz responses as metafields, which you can then use in personalized post-purchase flows, email segmentation, or upsell logic.
5. Easy Bundles by Skai Lama
Enables you to build mix-and-match or dynamic bundles while syncing bundle logic to product or cart-level metafields for advanced logic and analytics.
How Shopify Plus Stores Use Metafields
Shopify Plus brands operate at scale, which means personalization and operational efficiency need to scale too. That’s where metafields become a secret weapon.
Here are a few high-impact ways Plus stores are using metafields:
1. Custom Checkout Messaging
Shopify Plus stores with Checkout Extensibility can display metafield-backed delivery times, VIP status, or gift notes at checkout using tools like Checkout Wizard.
2. Advanced Order Routing
Brands use order metafields to flag special handling (e.g., fragile items, regional fulfillment preferences) — these values are passed via API to fulfillment centers.
3. Dynamic Landing Pages
With metaobjects + metafields, brands can create highly dynamic landing pages tailored to campaigns or customer segments — without needing a dev team.
4. Quiz-Based Onboarding
Through apps like Byte, Plus stores deliver guided product journeys and use metafields to store answers, trigger dynamic offers, or personalize future emails.
5. Personalized Gifting
Combining metafields with apps like GiftLab and Giftkart, Plus stores allow gift senders to leave custom notes, select delivery dates, or even hide prices — elevating the unboxing experience.
💡 Pro Tip: Shopify Plus APIs allow bulk metafield edits at lightning speed — perfect for scaling personalization across multiple storefronts or international markets.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Skipping metafield definitions (leads to messy data)
❌ Using metafields when metaobjects are more scalable
❌ Displaying too much information
❌ Not syncing metafields with apps (like bundle builders or upsell flows)
Best Practices & Pro Tips
Use namespaces like custom.delivery_time for cleaner data
Automate updates via apps or Shopify Flow
Test on staging before rolling out metafields across the site
Pair metafields with conversion tools (like Fly Bundles or Byte) for richer personalization
Conclusion
Shopify metafields are an absolute game-changer for brands that want to break free from template constraints and deliver personalized, scalable content. Whether you’re a store owner looking for no-code tweaks or a developer building dynamic sections, metafields give you the power to do more — smarter.
And if you want to go even further, plug into the Skai Lama app suite to combine metafields with personalization, bundling, gifting, and upselling logic that actually drives conversions.
Ready to metafield your way to a better Shopify store? Let’s go. 🚀
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Pricing
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Monthly Plan
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Plus Plan
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Plus Plan
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FAQs on Shopify Metafields
What are metafield definitions in Shopify?
Do I need to code to use metafields?
Will metafields slow down my site?
Can customers see all metafields?
How many metafields can I have per resource?
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Sid B
Sid is the founder of Skai Lama and The Indian Dream Podcast. He is passionate about building SaaS and talks about eCommerce Growth, 0-1 Startups, Building Businesses and Brands, and Shopify.
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Transform your checkout with Checkout Wiz: Enjoy custom content blocks, upsell widgets, surveys, and full branding control for maximum conversions and revenue.
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