How to Create a Hidden Product on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Hide Products?
3. How to Create a Hidden Product on Shopify
4. Best Practices for Managing Hidden Products
5. Leveraging Tevello for Enhanced Customer Engagement
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that the creator economy is projected to reach over $100 billion in value by 2025? This astonishing growth is reshaping the way businesses approach e-commerce and the digital marketplace. As Shopify merchants, we understand that diversifying revenue streams is more crucial than ever. What if we told you there’s a powerful feature within Shopify that allows us to create exclusive offerings for specific customer groups, all while keeping our main product lines visible and accessible?

In this post, we will explore how to create hidden products on Shopify—an invaluable tool for launching exclusive collections, pre-order products, or special promotions. By effectively managing product visibility, we can create a sense of exclusivity, enhancing customer engagement and potentially increasing sales.

We'll delve into the technical steps involved in hiding products, the best practices for using this feature, and how tools like Tevello can help us create and manage exclusive digital products and courses within our Shopify stores. Our aim is to empower us, the merchants, to leverage the full potential of our Shopify stores without the hassle of using multiple platforms.

By the end of this article, we hope to have equipped you with all the knowledge necessary to seamlessly implement hidden products in your Shopify store, boosting customer retention and satisfaction. Let’s dive into the details!

Why Hide Products?

Before we get into the "how," let's discuss the "why." Hiding products can serve several strategic purposes:

1. Exclusivity: By hiding certain products and only allowing select customers access, we can create a sense of exclusivity. This is particularly effective for limited edition releases or pre-order items.
2. Targeted Marketing: Hiding products allows us to target specific customer segments. For instance, we may want to offer early access to loyal customers or newsletter subscribers.
3. Simplifying Navigation: A cluttered online store can overwhelm customers. By hiding products that are not meant for general sale, we can create a cleaner shopping experience.
4. Testing Markets: If we’re unsure about a product's potential, hiding it initially allows us to test the waters with a select audience without impacting our broader catalog.

How to Create a Hidden Product on Shopify

Creating a hidden product on Shopify involves a few straightforward steps. Here's a comprehensive guide to help us with the process.

Step 1: Create a New Collection

1. Log into Your Shopify Admin: First, we need to log into our Shopify dashboard.
2. Navigate to Collections: In the left-hand menu, click on “Products” and then select “Collections.”
3. Create a New Collection: Click on “Create collection.” Here, we can name our collection (for example, "Exclusive Pre-Orders") and add a description if desired.
4. Set Collection Visibility: In the “Visibility” section, uncheck the “Online Store” option. This action ensures that the collection is not publicly accessible.
5. Save the Collection: Once we’ve configured the necessary settings, click “Save.”

Step 2: Add Products to the Collection

1. Select Products: In the collection page, we can search for and select the products we want to include in this collection.
2. Add Products: Click on the checkbox next to the product(s) we wish to add, and then click on the “Add” button.
3. Save Changes: Don’t forget to save our changes after adding products to the collection.

Step 3: Share the Link with Subscribers

1. Copy the Collection URL: Once our collection is created, we can copy the URL link for this collection.
2. Share Exclusively: This link can then be shared via email or other communications to the targeted group of customers. Ensure that we communicate the exclusivity of this offer.

Step 4: Hide Products from the ‘Shop All’ Section

Here comes the crucial part—ensuring that the products we want to keep hidden do not appear in the “Shop All” section. To achieve this, we will modify our theme’s code.

1. Go to Online Store > Themes: In the left-hand menu, select “Online Store,” then click on “Themes.”
2. Edit Code: Find the theme we’re currently using, and click on “Actions,” then select “Edit code.”
3. Locate the File: Search for the file that controls the “Shop All” collection. This file is typically titled collection.liquid or collection-template.liquid.
4. Insert Code: Add the following code snippet to exclude products tagged with "hidden" (or another identifier of our choice):

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

5. Save Changes: Make sure to save the changes made to the code.

Step 5: Test the Changes

After implementing these changes, it’s crucial to test them:

• Navigate to your store as a customer would and check the “Shop All” section to ensure that the hidden products do not appear.
• Click on the exclusive collection link to ensure that the products are accessible only to the intended audience.

Best Practices for Managing Hidden Products

While hiding products can be beneficial, we must also consider how to manage them effectively:

Use Tags Wisely

Using tags to manage product visibility is a powerful strategy. By consistently tagging products we want to hide, we can streamline our inventory management and ensure that we don’t inadvertently expose hidden items.

Communicate Clearly with Customers

When sharing links to hidden products or collections, make sure our communication emphasizes the exclusivity and limited nature of the offer. This creates urgency and encourages our customers to take action.

Monitor Customer Engagement

Keep track of how many customers are accessing the hidden products and gathering insights from their behavior. This data can inform future product launches or marketing strategies.

Leveraging Tevello for Enhanced Customer Engagement

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams and build meaningful connections with their audience. Our all-in-one solution allows us to create and manage online courses and digital products, along with vibrant online communities—all directly within our Shopify store.

Imagine combining hidden product strategies with online course offerings. By creating exclusive educational content for our customers, we not only elevate their shopping experience but also establish ourselves as industry experts.

If you’re ready to take the next step in enhancing your Shopify store, consider exploring our powerful features that enable seamless course creation and community building. Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and discover how we can help you elevate your business.

Conclusion

Creating hidden products on Shopify presents a unique opportunity for us, the merchants, to enhance our e-commerce strategy. By following the steps outlined above, we can effectively manage product visibility, engage specific customer segments, and create a more streamlined shopping experience.

As we continue to explore the capabilities of our Shopify stores, remember that innovative tools and features—like those provided by Tevello—can empower us to unlock new revenue streams and build lasting connections with our audience.

Don’t hesitate to install the all-in-one course platform for Shopify today and start your journey toward creating exclusive offerings that resonate with your customers.

FAQ

Q: Can I hide products from specific customer segments?
A: Yes, by using Shopify tags and modifying your theme’s code, you can control which products are visible to different customer segments.

Q: Will hiding a product affect its SEO?
A: Hiding a product doesn’t directly impact its SEO, but if the product is not indexed by search engines, it will not appear in search results, helping to maintain a clean storefront.

Q: How can I create a sense of urgency around my hidden products?
A: Communicate exclusivity in your marketing materials and consider setting a deadline for access to the hidden products to create urgency.

Q: Can I track sales from hidden products?
A: Yes, even hidden products can be tracked in Shopify's analytics. This allows you to monitor customer interaction and sales performance.

Q: What happens if I accidentally hide a product I didn’t mean to?
A: You can easily unhide products by adjusting their visibility settings in the Shopify admin panel.

By embracing these strategies and tools, we can transform our approach to e-commerce, ensuring a more engaging and profitable experience for both ourselves and our customers.