How Do I Hide a Product on Shopify? A Comprehensive Guide for Merchants

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Product Visibility in Shopify
3. Methods to Hide Products on Shopify
4. Case Study: A Practical Example
5. Best Practices for Managing Product Visibility
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that over 50% of Shopify merchants are using their stores not just for retail, but also for educational purposes? With the rise of the creator economy, many businesses are looking to diversify their revenue streams through online courses and digital products. As e-commerce continues to evolve, the ability to manage your offerings effectively becomes paramount.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you want to offer exclusive products or pre-orders to a select group of customers while keeping them hidden from the general public? Perhaps you’re planning a special collection launch, and you want to ensure only your loyal subscribers have access to it. This is where the question arises: how do I hide a product on Shopify?

In this blog post, we will dive deep into the various methods for hiding products in your Shopify store. We’ll explore both straightforward techniques and more advanced coding solutions, ensuring that you can tailor your store to meet your business needs. We’ll also touch upon how Tevello can support your e-commerce journey by integrating course offerings and community-building features directly into your Shopify store.

By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of how to manage product visibility effectively, empowering you to make better decisions for your e-commerce business. Let’s get started!

Understanding Product Visibility in Shopify

Before we delve into the specifics of hiding products, it’s essential to understand why product visibility is a crucial aspect of managing your Shopify store.

The Importance of Managing Product Visibility

1. Customer Experience: Hiding products can help create a more streamlined shopping experience. When customers only see what is relevant to them, they are more likely to make a purchase.
2. Exclusive Offers: If you’re planning to launch a product exclusively for certain customers (like a pre-order for your loyal subscribers), you want to ensure it remains hidden from the broader audience until the official launch.
3. Inventory Management: Sometimes, you might have products that are out of stock or temporarily unavailable. Hiding these items can prevent customer frustration and maintain a professional appearance for your store.

How Tevello Enhances Product Management

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to build meaningful connections with their audience. Our app allows you to create and manage online courses and digital products seamlessly. By integrating these elements, you can offer exclusive training sessions or workshops, further enhancing the customer experience.

If you’re ready to explore how Tevello can elevate your Shopify store, start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today.

Methods to Hide Products on Shopify

There are several methods to hide products in your Shopify store. We’ll break down these techniques into straightforward steps that you can implement based on your comfort level with Shopify’s features and coding capabilities.

Method 1: Hiding Products via Collections

The simplest way to hide products is by using collections. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create a New Collection:
   • Go to your Shopify admin panel and click on "Products."
   • Select "Collections" and then click on "Create Collection."
   • Name your collection (for example, "Exclusive Pre-Order Collection").
2. Set Visibility:
   • In the "Visibility" section, make sure to uncheck "Online Store." This will prevent the collection from being visible on your main store page.
3. Add Products:
   • Search for the products you want to include in this exclusive collection and add them.
4. Share the Link:
   • Once your collection is set up, share the link directly with your subscribers via email or your preferred communication channel.

This method ensures that only those with the link can view the products, effectively hiding them from the general public.

Method 2: Hiding Products from the 'Shop All' Section

To hide products from the 'Shop All' section while keeping them available in specific collections, you will need to apply a bit of code. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Access Theme Code:
   • In your Shopify admin, go to "Online Store" > "Themes."
   • Click on "Actions" next to your current theme and select "Edit Code."
2. Find the 'Shop All' Template:
   • Locate the template file that controls the 'Shop All' collection. This can typically be found under the "Sections" or "Templates" folder.
3. Add Conditional Code:
   • Insert the following Liquid code snippet to exclude products tagged as ‘hidden’:

   {% for product in collections['shop-all'].products %}
       {% unless product.tags contains 'hidden' %}
           <!-- Your code to display the product -->
       {% endunless %}
   {% endfor %}
   

   By using this code, products that have the 'hidden' tag will not appear in the 'Shop All' section, while allowing you to keep them visible in other collections.

Method 3: Using Tags to Manage Visibility

Another effective way to manage product visibility is through tagging. Here’s how to implement this method:

1. Tag Your Products:
   • Go to the Products section in your Shopify admin.
   • Select the products you want to hide and add a tag like ‘hidden.’
2. Modify Collection Rules:
   • If you’re using automatic collections, go to the collection settings and set rules to exclude products with the ‘hidden’ tag.

This method allows you to manage visibility dynamically, as you can easily add or remove the tag as needed.

Method 4: Temporarily Hiding Products

If you need to temporarily hide a product without deleting it, you can simply set the product's status to "draft":

1. Set Product to Draft:
   • Navigate to your product list in the Shopify admin.
   • Select the product you want to hide and change its status from "Active" to "Draft."

This will remove it from your store without deleting any product information.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Apps

If you find that you need more advanced features for managing product visibility, consider using third-party apps available on the Shopify App Store. Apps can provide functionalities like:

• Advanced visibility rules
• Custom permissions for customer groups
• Enhanced reporting on product performance

At Tevello, we are committed to providing an all-in-one solution that integrates seamlessly into the Shopify ecosystem. By using our app, you can also create exclusive courses and communities around your products, enhancing customer engagement.

If you're interested in exploring our features, explore our powerful, all-in-one feature set for course creation, communities, and digital products.

Case Study: A Practical Example

Let’s consider a hypothetical case study to illustrate how hiding products can be beneficial.

Scenario: Launching a Spring Collection

Imagine you run an online store selling craft supplies. You plan to launch a new line of seasonal products in September, but you want to offer your loyal subscribers a chance to pre-order these items in August.

1. Create an Exclusive Collection: Set up a collection titled "Spring Collection Pre-Order" where you add the new products.
2. Hide from 'Shop All' Section: Use the Liquid code method mentioned earlier to ensure these products do not appear in the general store view.
3. Send Out a Newsletter: Inform your subscribers via email, providing them with a direct link to the exclusive collection.

By implementing these strategies, you not only maintain exclusivity for your subscribers but also create a sense of urgency, encouraging them to act quickly and secure their pre-orders.

Best Practices for Managing Product Visibility

To ensure you’re effectively managing product visibility in your Shopify store, keep these best practices in mind:

• Regularly Review Product Visibility: Make it a habit to regularly check which products are visible and whether they align with your current marketing strategies.
• Use Tags Wisely: Tags can be a powerful tool for managing visibility. Develop a tagging system that works for your store and stick to it.
• Communicate with Your Customers: Make sure your subscribers are informed about exclusive products and collections. Clear communication can enhance customer loyalty.
• Backup Your Theme: Before making any changes to your theme’s code, always create a backup to prevent any loss of data.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored in this extensive guide, understanding how to hide products in your Shopify store is essential for effective product management and customer engagement. Whether you choose to create exclusive collections, modify your theme’s code, or utilize tags, each method offers unique advantages that can align with your business goals.

At Tevello, we are dedicated to helping Shopify merchants not only manage their products effectively but also unlock new revenue streams through online courses and vibrant community-building. By integrating our app into your store, you can create engaging experiences that resonate with your audience.

Ready to elevate your Shopify store? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and explore how we can support your journey.

FAQ

Q1: Can I hide products from search results?
Yes, by using tags and modifying your theme code, you can prevent specific products from appearing in search results.

Q2: Will hiding a product affect my inventory?
No, hiding a product will not affect your inventory levels. The product will remain in your dashboard, and you can unhide it whenever necessary.

Q3: How do I communicate exclusive offers to my subscribers?
Consider using email newsletters or social media posts to inform your subscribers about exclusive offers and collections.

Q4: What if I need help with coding?
If you’re not comfortable with coding, consider hiring a Shopify expert or using third-party apps that simplify visibility management.

Q5: Can I hide products based on customer groups?
Yes, with certain third-party applications, you can create rules that allow only specific customer groups to see certain products.

By following the strategies outlined in this blog post, we are confident that you will effectively manage product visibility in your Shopify store, enhancing your customer experience and driving sales.