How to Show SKU on Product Page in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding SKU and Its Importance
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Display SKU on Product Pages
4. Best Practices for Utilizing SKUs Effectively
5. PowerCommerce: Elevating Your Shopify Experience
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

Introduction

Did you know that 70% of online shoppers consider product details, such as SKU (Stock Keeping Unit), essential for making purchasing decisions? In today’s highly competitive ecommerce landscape, providing potential customers with detailed product information can significantly enhance their shopping experience and boost your conversion rates. For ecommerce brands operating on Shopify, displaying SKU numbers on product pages is not just a matter of best practice; it's a strategic necessity.

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of showing SKU numbers on product pages, delve into the step-by-step process of implementing this feature on both sectioned and non-sectioned Shopify themes, and discuss some best practices for optimizing your Shopify store. By the end of this post, you'll not only understand how to show SKU on product pages but also how to leverage this information to improve your store's performance.

We will cover the following topics:

• The significance of SKU in ecommerce
• Step-by-step guide on how to display SKU numbers in Shopify
• Best practices for utilizing SKUs effectively
• How PowerCommerce can help enhance your Shopify store's performance

Let’s dive in and transform your Shopify store into a more informative and customer-friendly platform.

Understanding SKU and Its Importance

What is SKU?

A Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is a unique identifier assigned to each product and its variants in your inventory. It comprises alphanumeric characters and serves as a critical tool for tracking inventory, managing stock levels, and facilitating sales analysis. In essence, SKUs help streamline operations by simplifying product identification and categorization.

Why Show SKU on Product Pages?

1. Enhanced Customer Experience: Displaying SKU numbers allows customers to easily reference products when seeking support or making inquiries. This transparency can lead to improved customer satisfaction and trust.

2. Inventory Management: By showcasing SKU numbers, customers can quickly identify the specific product they are interested in, which simplifies the checkout process and minimizes potential cart abandonment.

3. Streamlined Communication: When customers have SKU details, they can communicate more effectively with your support team regarding specific products, leading to quicker resolutions and inquiries.

4. Professional Appearance: A well-organized product page that includes SKU information demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail, which can enhance your brand's image.

Step-by-Step Guide to Display SKU on Product Pages

Now that we understand the importance of SKUs, let’s walk through the steps to display SKU numbers on product pages in Shopify.

Step 1: Access Your Shopify Admin

• Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
• Navigate to Online Store and then click on Themes.
• Select the theme you want to edit and click on Actions, then Edit Code.

Step 2: Identify Your Theme Type

Before making any changes, identify whether your theme is sectioned or non-sectioned:

• Sectioned Themes: These themes allow for a more flexible layout and include files in the Sections directory.
• Non-Sectioned Themes: These were released before October 2016 and do not support sectioned layouts.

Step 3: Adding SKU for Sectioned Themes

1. In the Sections directory, locate the product-template.liquid or main-product.liquid file.

2. Find the Liquid tag that displays the product title. It typically looks like this:

   <h1>{{ product.title }}</h1>
   

3. Directly below this line, add the following code to display the SKU:

   <div class="product-sku">SKU: {{ product.variants.first.sku }}</div>
   

4. Save your changes.

Step 4: Adding SKU for Non-Sectioned Themes

1. In the Templates directory, locate the product.liquid file.

2. Similar to the sectioned themes, find the Liquid tag that renders the product title.

3. Below the product title, add the following code:

   <div class="product-sku">SKU: {{ product.variants.first.sku }}</div>
   

4. Save your changes.

Step 5: Ensure SKU Updates Dynamically with Variants

To enhance the user experience, you may want the SKU to update dynamically when customers select different product variants. For this, you’ll need to modify your theme’s JavaScript file:

1. In the Assets directory, find the global.js file.

2. Look for the onVariantChange() function, and within it, add a call to update the SKU:

   this.updateSku = function() {
       const skuElement = document.querySelector('.product-sku');
       skuElement.innerText = 'SKU: ' + this.currentVariant.sku;
   };
   

3. Ensure this update function is called within the onVariantChange() function.

4. Save your changes.

Step 6: Testing

Finally, navigate to your product page and test the functionality. Verify that the SKU displays correctly and updates dynamically when different variants are selected.

Best Practices for Utilizing SKUs Effectively

1. Consistency: Ensure that your SKU format remains consistent across your entire product range. This will aid inventory management and make it easier for customers to understand.

2. Descriptive SKUs: Consider using SKUs that provide insight into the product details, such as the category, color, and size. For example, a SKU like "SHIRT-BLUE-M" is more informative than a random alphanumeric code.

3. Integrate with Inventory Management: Use an inventory management system that syncs with your Shopify store to ensure that SKUs are always up-to-date. This will help prevent overselling and stockouts.

4. Educate Your Team: Make sure that your customer service team understands how to reference SKUs when assisting customers. This ensures quick resolutions and enhances customer trust.

5. Utilize Analytics: Leverage data analytics to monitor the performance of different products based on SKU. This can help you make informed decisions about stock levels and promotional strategies.

PowerCommerce: Elevating Your Shopify Experience

At PowerCommerce, we understand the challenges that ecommerce brands face in scaling their online operations and optimizing their digital presence. Our flagship offering, the PowerCommerce eStore Suite, is designed to empower ambitious ecommerce brands with cutting-edge, scalable solutions that drive conversion and optimize storefront performance.

With our AI-powered insights, customizable storefront designs, and seamless Shopify migrations, we ensure that your Shopify experience is not only efficient but also tailored to your specific business needs. If you're looking to enhance your store’s performance further, we invite you to explore our services, including storefront optimization, conversion rate optimization, and mobile commerce enhancements.

Conclusion

Understanding how to show SKU on product pages in Shopify is a crucial aspect of enhancing the customer experience and streamlining your ecommerce operations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively display SKU numbers, which will not only benefit your customers but also improve your inventory management and brand professionalism.

As you implement these changes, reflect on how well your current digital strategies are serving your business objectives. Are you providing the level of detail your customers expect? Are your operational processes streamlined?

For a comprehensive solution that encompasses innovative technology and strategic ecommerce growth, consider partnering with PowerCommerce. We’re here to help you thrive in today’s fast-paced digital marketplace.

FAQ

What is the purpose of SKU in ecommerce?

SKUs are unique identifiers for products that help businesses track inventory, manage stock levels, and facilitate sales analysis. They are essential for efficient inventory management and customer service.

Can I display SKU for products without variants?

Yes, you can display SKU numbers for products without variants by following the same steps to add the SKU code to your product template.

How do I ensure that the SKU updates when I change product variants?

You need to modify your theme's JavaScript file to include a function that updates the SKU display dynamically based on the selected variant.

What benefits come from showing SKU on product pages?

Displaying SKU numbers enhances customer experience, aids in inventory management, streamlines communication between customers and support, and gives a professional appearance to your product pages.

How can PowerCommerce help my Shopify store?

PowerCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of services focused on ecommerce growth, including storefront optimization, conversion rate optimization, and seamless Shopify migrations. By leveraging our expertise, you can enhance your store's performance and achieve sustainable growth.

For further assistance or to explore our offerings, don’t hesitate to contact us or check out the PowerCommerce eStore Suite.