Choosing a bundle
Bundle Builder offers two bundle types:
- Single SKU bundles
- Multiple SKU bundles
The type you choose will affect how individual products contained within bundle orders are processed and fulfilled.
This guide provides information about both options to help you make the best decision for your bundles, including:
Watch our quick video to learn more about bundle types
What is a Single SKU bundle?
A Single SKU bundle is when a bundle product is created by the Bundle Builder app, and then shown in the cart, order email, and Orders section of your store as a single product.
As the bundle has just one SKU, the contents of each bundle sale are listed as line item properties - and Shopify recognizes the bundle like any other product.
Example:
Note: Line item properties are a system controlled by Shopify. They are used to collect information about items added to the cart.
Is a Single SKU bundle right for me?
A Single SKU bundle is a great choice if:
- ✅ You want a unique SKU for your bundle.
- ✅ You fulfill your own orders and aren't using any third-party fulfillment apps.
- ✅ You want to offer discount codes with your bundles.
- ✅ You use an app that uses draft orders already.
What is a Multiple SKU bundle?
A Multiple SKU bundle is a bundle product that's created by the Bundle Builder app, and then shown in the order email, and Orders section of your store as separate products.
Example:
Is a Multiple SKU bundle right for me?
A Multiple SKU bundle is great if:
- ✅ You use third-party services, such as inventory and fulfillment companies.
- ✅ You drop ship your products.
- ✅ You need to transfer bundle order data to third-party apps.
- ✅ You sell non-physical products, such as digital services.
- ✅ You don't offer discount codes.
Comparing bundle type features
Below, you'll find a breakdown of all the different features of Single SKU and Multiple SKU bundles. You can use both bundle types for different bundles on your store if necessary.
Feature |
Single SKU bundle |
Multiple SKU bundle |
|
Requires cart integration |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Uses Shopify’s draft orders functionality |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Creates a bundle product with a unique URL in the Product section of your admin |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Creates variants |
A variant is created each time a new bundle is purchased. |
❌ |
|
Inventory is synced |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Discount codes can be used |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Works with third-party fulfillment apps |
Works with some apps |
✅ |
|
Works for pre-set bundles |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Works for fixed price bundles where products are all $0 |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Can set a unique SKU for your bundle product |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Can choose whether you require shipping for the bundle or not |
✅ |
Shipping will be determined by the individual product settings. |
|
Uses Line item properties or Shipping scripts |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Requires installation steps |
❌ |
Bundle Builder app versions released prior to July 2022: ✅ Bundle Builder app versions released since July 2022: ❌ |
FAQs about bundle types
Q: I want to offer discount codes with my bundle - which bundle type should I use?
A: Single SKU bundle. This is because the Multiple SKU bundle type uses the Shopify Draft Order system as a basis. As soon as this system is used in any given transaction, the Shopify platform will automatically disable the Discount Code bar and only give discount control to the system related to Draft Orders (which, in this case, is the Multiple SKU Bundle type). Therefore, if you would like to offer discount codes with a bundle, please use the Single SKU bundle type.
Question: I want an itemized breakdown of each product in my bundle - which bundle type would you recommend?
Answer: Multiple SKU bundle. While Single SKU bundles display the items in the bundle as line item properties in the Order Details, Multiple SKU Bundles offer an itemized breakdown that clearly presents all the product details, quantities, and SKUs.
Question: Can a Multiple SKU bundle be assigned its own SKU?
Answer: No. Shopify’s main platform works so that only a product can be added to the cart - therefore, Bundle Builder works around this by creating a proxy pseudo-product to represent the complete bundle. This is what we can see in the Cart and under Order Details for a Single SKU bundle - however, Multiple SKU bundles replace the proxy pseudo-product bundle with the real Shopify products (and their respective SKUs) at the checkout stage. Therefore, assigning a replacement SKU would be considered redundant.
Question: I'm selling non-physical products - which bundle type should I use?
Answer: Multiple SKU bundles. This is because non-physical products function by sending the customer a download link upon purchasing. As Single SKU bundles use line item properties instead of SKUs for each individual product, Shopify's platform does not have enough information to send and download the product links. Multiple SKU bundles do not face this issue, and will therefore send your customers the correct downloads as needed.