How to Hide Unavailable Variants in Shopify for a Cleaner Shopping Experience

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Challenge of Unavailable Variants
3. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Hide Unavailable Variants in Shopify
4. The Power of a Clean Storefront
5. Conclusion
6. FAQ

Introduction

Did you know that approximately 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts due to confusion over product options? As ecommerce professionals, we understand that every detail matters in creating a seamless shopping experience. Among the many challenges we face, managing product variants effectively is crucial for maximizing conversion rates.

In this blog post, we will explore how to hide unavailable variants in Shopify, ensuring that only viable product options are displayed to customers. By the end of this article, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and strategies needed to streamline your Shopify store, enhancing user experience and reducing confusion.

We will cover the challenges posed by unavailable variants, the significance of managing variant visibility, and step-by-step instructions on implementing custom code to hide these variants. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of adopting a user-centric approach to improve your store's overall performance.

Let’s dive into the world of Shopify variants and discover how to optimize your product offerings for the best customer experience.

Understanding the Challenge of Unavailable Variants

The Problem with Unavailable Variants

When managing a Shopify store, product variants are a popular way to offer customers multiple options. For instance, a clothing store may have T-shirts available in different colors and sizes. However, if a customer selects a color that is only available in certain sizes, displaying other sizes that are not available for that color can lead to confusion and frustration.

Shopify’s default behavior shows all possible variants, including those that are unavailable. This clutter can diminish the overall aesthetic of your store and create a negative user experience. For example, if a customer sees a size option grayed out, it may lead them to think that the entire product is out of stock. This misconception can ultimately drive potential customers away.

Why Hiding Unavailable Variants Is Important

Hiding unavailable variants helps streamline the shopping experience, making it easier for customers to navigate product options. Here are a few key reasons why this is crucial:

1. Improved User Experience: By only displaying available options, customers can make quicker purchase decisions without confusion.
2. Higher Conversion Rates: Reducing the number of choices presented to customers can lead to higher engagement and, consequently, increased sales.
3. Enhanced Aesthetics: A cleaner product page layout creates a more professional and appealing storefront.

At PowerCommerce, we are dedicated to helping ecommerce brands optimize their storefront performance. By implementing effective strategies to manage product variants, we empower businesses to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Hide Unavailable Variants in Shopify

Step 1: Identify Your Theme

Before proceeding, it is essential to know which theme your Shopify store is using. The process may differ slightly depending on whether you are utilizing a free theme like Dawn or a paid theme. For this guide, we will focus on the Dawn theme, which is widely used and supports significant customization.

Step 2: Access the Theme Editor

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Online Store and select Themes.
3. Click on the Actions dropdown menu next to your active theme and select Edit Code.

Step 3: Add Custom Code to Hide Unavailable Variants

To hide unavailable variants, we will add a small snippet of custom JavaScript code to your theme. Here’s how to do it:

1. In the theme editor, look for the Assets folder and locate the global.js file. This file handles the primary JavaScript functionalities of your theme.
2. Add the following code snippet at the end of the global.js file:

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
    const variantSelectors = document.querySelectorAll('.product-form__input');

    variantSelectors.forEach(selector => {
        selector.addEventListener('change', function () {
            const selectedOptions = Array.from(variantSelectors).map(sel => sel.value);
            const allVariants = {{ product.variants | json }};
            
            allVariants.forEach(variant => {
                const isAvailable = selectedOptions.every((option, index) => {
                    return variant.options[index] === option;
                });

                const variantElement = document.querySelector(`[data-variant-id="${variant.id}"]`);
                if (variantElement) {
                    variantElement.style.display = isAvailable ? 'block' : 'none';
                }
            });
        });
    });
});

3. Save your changes.

Step 4: Test Your Changes

After adding the code, it is crucial to test the functionality on your storefront:

1. Navigate to the product page where you added the variants.
2. Select different product options and verify that only available variants are displayed.
3. Ensure that grayed-out options are hidden and that the user experience is improved.

Step 5: Customize Further as Needed

If your store features more complex variant structures, you may need to adjust the JavaScript code accordingly. For example, if you have multiple levels of variants (like color and size), ensure the code accounts for all possible selections.

The Power of a Clean Storefront

By hiding unavailable variants, we not only improve user experience but also present a more professional image for our brand. At PowerCommerce, we believe that utilizing advanced technology solutions can empower ecommerce brands to achieve scalable growth. Our flagship offering, the PowerCommerce eStore Suite, is designed to optimize storefront performance, enhance conversion rates, and provide businesses with the insights needed to thrive.

To learn more about how we can help you elevate your ecommerce operations, explore the PowerCommerce eStore Suite today.

Conclusion

Managing product variants effectively is an essential aspect of running a successful Shopify store. By hiding unavailable variants, we can significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers, leading to improved conversion rates and increased customer satisfaction.

In this blog post, we covered the challenges posed by unavailable variants, the importance of managing their visibility, and a detailed step-by-step guide on how to implement custom code to hide these variants in Shopify.

As ecommerce professionals, we must continually strive to optimize our digital strategies. We encourage you to reflect on your current product offerings and consider how a cleaner display of variants can positively impact your business.

FAQ

Q: Can I hide unavailable variants without coding?
A: Yes, there are third-party apps available in the Shopify App Store that can help you manage product variants without needing to write custom code. However, implementing custom code allows for greater flexibility and customization.

Q: Will hiding unavailable variants affect my SEO?
A: No, hiding variants does not negatively impact SEO. In fact, a cleaner storefront can enhance user engagement, which can positively influence your SEO rankings.

Q: Can I revert to the original setup if I don't like the changes?
A: Yes, you can always remove the custom code from the global.js file to revert to the original setup.

Q: What if I have a theme that doesn’t support this functionality?
A: If your theme doesn’t support the changes, consider contacting a Shopify Expert or exploring themes that offer better customization options, such as the Dawn theme.

Q: How can I ensure that the changes are mobile-friendly?
A: After making changes, test your storefront on multiple devices. Additionally, ensure that the code you implement is responsive and doesn’t disrupt the mobile shopping experience.

By following these insights and implementing the suggested strategies, we can transform our Shopify stores into user-friendly, conversion-focused platforms. Remember, at PowerCommerce, we’re here to support your journey toward ecommerce excellence.