Use Case
Prerequisites
Before creating the "Use Case" metafield, ensure:
You have admin access to your Shopify store
Accentuate Custom Fields app is installed and activated
You have at least 3-5 product examples ready where you'll want to assign use cases (helps with testing)
Your theme supports Liquid code (most modern Shopify themes do)
You understand your product's primary use cases or applications (e.g., "Home Office", "Travel", "Gaming", "Professional Use")
Key Concepts to Know First
Scope: This metafield will be attached to your Products object, meaning each individual product can have its own use case data.
Namespace & Key: We'll create a metafield with:
Namespace: custom
Key: use_case
Full identifier: custom.use_case
Field Data Type Options:
Single Select - Choose this if each product has ONE primary use case (e.g., a laptop is for "Business" OR "Gaming")
Multi Select - Choose this if products can serve MULTIPLE use cases (e.g., a tool set works for "DIY", "Professional", and "Home Repair")
Multi-line Text - Choose this if you want to provide detailed descriptions of use cases
Rich Text - Choose this if you want formatted descriptions with bold, italics, or links
For most Mixed/Other category products, Multi Select is recommended because products typically serve multiple purposes.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open Accentuate Custom Fields
Log into your Shopify admin dashboard
Find and click on the "Accentuate" app in your apps list (left sidebar)
This opens the Accentuate Custom Fields dashboard
Step 2: Navigate to Metafield Definitions
In the Accentuate app, locate the "Metafield Definitions" section
Click on "Create New Metafield Definition" or the "+" button
This opens the metafield creation form
Step 3: Set Basic Information
Name: Type "Use Case" (this is the display name in your admin)
Description: Enter "The intended use case or application for this product (e.g., Business, Gaming, Travel, Home, Professional)"
Namespace: Keep as "custom"
Key: Type "use_case" (no spaces, lowercase)
These settings ensure your metafield is properly identified in Shopify's system
Step 4: Choose Your Field Data Type
Click the "Data Type" dropdown
Select "Multi Select" (recommended for versatility)
If you prefer single selection, choose "Single Select" instead
This determines how users will input use case values
Step 5: Configure Your Metafield Options
In the options section, add your use case values:
Home Use
Professional Use
Business Use
Travel / Portable
Outdoor Use
Gaming / Entertainment
DIY / Hobbyist
Educational
Emergency / Backup
Premium / Luxury Use
You can add more or fewer options based on your product catalog
The order you list them will appear in the dropdown for staff to select
Step 6: Save and Apply to Products
Click the "Save" button to create the metafield definition
The system confirms "Metafield Definition Created Successfully"
The metafield is now available for use across all products in your store
Populating Values on Products
Method 1: One-by-One Entry
Go to Products in your Shopify admin
Click on any product to open its detail page
Scroll down to find the "Accentuate Custom Fields" or "Metafields" section
Locate the "Use Case" field
Click on the Multi Select dropdown
Select all applicable use cases for that product (e.g., check "Home Use" AND "Professional Use" AND "DIY / Hobbyist" if all apply)
Click "Save" to apply the metafield value
This method is best for small product catalogs or when each product needs thoughtful, individual attention.
Method 3: CSV Import
Export your products to CSV from your Shopify admin
Add a column named metafields.custom.use_case to your CSV
In this column, enter use cases as a semicolon-separated list (e.g., Home Use;Professional Use;Travel / Portable)
Save the CSV file
Import the file back into Shopify using the Products import feature
Shopify automatically maps the metafield values based on the column header
This method is ideal for large catalogs or when migrating data from another system.
Displaying on Storefront
Method 1: Using Theme Editor
Go to Sales Channels → Online Store → Themes
Click "Customize" on your active theme
Navigate to a product template or product detail section
Look for a "Metafield" or "Custom Field" block
Select "Use Case" from the available metafields
Customize the display label (e.g., "Best For:" or "Ideal For:")
Save your changes
Method 2: Using Liquid Code
If your theme allows custom Liquid code, add this to your product template:
{% if product.metafields.custom.use_case %}
<div class="product-use-cases">
<h4>Ideal For:</h4>
<ul>
{% for use_case in product.metafields.custom.use_case %}
<li>{{ use_case }}</li>
{% endfor %}
</ul>
</div>
{% endif %}
For displaying with styled badges:
{% if product.metafields.custom.use_case %}
<div class="use-case-badges">
{% for use_case in product.metafields.custom.use_case %}
<span class="badge badge-usecase">{{ use_case }}</span>
{% endfor %}
</div>
{% endif %}
Add corresponding CSS for styling:
.use-case-badges {
margin: 15px 0;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 10px;
}
.badge-usecase {
background-color: #f0f0f0;
padding: 8px 12px;
border-radius: 20px;
font-size: 14px;
color: #333;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
Method 3: Using Storefront API
If you're building a custom storefront:
query {
product(handle: "your-product-handle") {
metafields(first: 10) {
edges {
node {
namespace
key
value
}
}
}
}
}
This retrieves the use case data to display in your custom frontend.
Tips & Best Practices
Keep Use Cases Clear and Consistent: Use the same terminology across all use case options. For example, don't mix "Home Use" with "Household" or "Personal Home Use."
Limit Your Options: Don't create more than 10-12 use case options. Too many choices confuse customers and staff. Focus on the most relevant distinctions for your product catalog.
Think About Your Customer Journey: Choose use cases that match how customers search and think about products. If customers ask "Is this good for travel?", make sure "Travel / Portable" is an option.
Use Customer Language: Use the words your customers use, not industry jargon. "Travel / Portable" is better than "High Mobility Configuration."
Group Related Use Cases: If you have 10+ use cases, consider grouping them in your internal documentation (e.g., "Work Use Cases" group: Business, Professional, Home Office).
Make It Filterable: If your theme or app supports it, expose use cases as product filters on your collection pages so customers can narrow results by use case.
Update Regularly: Review your use case options quarterly. Remove ones that are rarely used and add new ones that match emerging customer needs.
Train Your Team: Make sure warehouse, customer service, and content teams understand which products should have which use cases assigned. Create a quick reference guide.
Combine with Other Metafields: Use the "Use Case" metafield alongside others like "Product Type," "Compatibility," or "Certifications" to create comprehensive product profiles.
Test Before Going Live: Assign use cases to 3-5 test products and verify they display correctly on your storefront in different screen sizes (mobile, tablet, desktop).
Use in Product Recommendations: Some apps allow you to create recommendations based on metafields. Use "Use Case" to recommend related products that serve the same purposes.
Consider SEO: Use case information can be displayed in product descriptions and meta tags to improve search visibility. Products for "Gaming" use cases might rank for gaming-related searches.
Analytics Tracking: If your theme supports it, track which use cases are viewed most often. This data helps inform future product development and marketing.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure use case badges or lists display well on mobile devices. Consider stacking them vertically or limiting display to the top 3-4 use cases on small screens.
Localization: If you sell in multiple languages, remember that use cases may need translation. Plan ahead for this if you're expanding internationally.
Quick Reference Summary Table
Aspect
Details
Metafield Name
Use Case
Namespace
custom
Key
use_case
Full ID
custom.use_case
Data Type
Multi Select (recommended) or Single Select
Scope
Products
Required?
No (optional for products)
Example Values
Home Use, Professional Use, Business Use, Travel / Portable, Outdoor Use, Gaming / Entertainment, DIY / Hobbyist, Educational, Emergency / Backup, Premium / Luxury Use
Display Method
Theme Editor block or Liquid code with list or badge styling
Best For
Products with multiple or varied applications (tools, electronics, furniture, accessories)
Editing Method
Individual, Bulk Edit, or CSV Import
Storefront Display
Product detail page, collection filters, product recommendations
Character Limit
Each use case option up to 255 characters
API Accessible
Yes, via Storefront API and Admin API
This "Use Case" metafield is particularly valuable for Mixed/Other category products because it helps customers immediately understand whether a product fits their needs, regardless of the product type. It bridges the gap between product categories and real-world applications.
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