4/13/2025
Managing Product Visibility by Variant on Shopify: A Practical Approach
Managing product visibility is CRUCIAL for any Shopify store, especially when you have multiple variants of a product. Whether it's size, color, or any other distinguishing feature, ensuring that the right products show up at the right times can elevate your customer experience significantly. Let’s dive into strategies & tools to streamline this process, so you can focus on what really matters – growing your business.
Understanding Shopify Variants
Variants in Shopify are different versions of a product that share the same product page but differ in certain attributes. For example, a t-shirt might come in various sizes (Small, Medium, Large) & colors (Red, Blue, Green). Each combination of these attributes creates a unique variant. Managing visibility on this level can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it comes to presenting only the relevant options to customers.
The Importance of Customized Product Visibility
Enhanced Customer Experience
When customers visit your store, they expect to see what’s CURRENTLY available. If they select a product to only find that certain variants are OUT OF STOCK, it can lead to frustration & ultimately drive them away. Customizing visibility ensures that your customers only see what they can buy, enhancing their shopping experience. Similarly, being able to hide specific variants also helps to minimize confusion, making the shopping process smoother.
Managing Stock Levels
Keeping track of stock levels is vital. Customers should not be able to select variants or items that you can’t fulfill. Therefore, utilizing Shopify’s built-in tools to manage inventory can streamline this process. When using multiple variants, you might also want to consider inventory management practices to avoid negative experiences for customers.
Complying with Exclusivity
Many businesses have exclusive lines or special promotions that only certain customers can access. By managing which variants are visible to whom, you can better adhere to your business model without alienating your other customers.
Tools & Apps to Help You Manage Visibility
Using Shopify’s Built-In Features
Shopify’s own platform has a robust set of tools that can help you manage product visibility based on variant attributes. Here are some options:
- Hide Sold-Out Variants: You can automatically hide variants that have stock levels of zero. This ensures customers don’t end up seeing unavailable products. To do this, Shopify suggests using custom code with their theme editor. Moreover, you can manually set rules for each product to manage its visibility.
- Location for Code: Go to Online Store > Themes > Edit Code. This is typically where you can look for the sections pertaining to your product listings.
Addify - Catalog Visibility
Another great tool is the Addify ‑ Catalog Visibility app. This app allows you to:
- Hide specific products and their prices based on customer tagging.
- Set password protections for certain products, creating an air of exclusivity.
- Use the app directly from your Shopify admin, making it easy to implement without technical skills.
- Follow your latest theme requirements, making sure it integrates seamlessly with your existing setup.
Addify’s pricing starts at just $2.99/month, making it a cost-effective solution for managing product visibility while providing great features.
Profile Clients & Customize Visibility
You might want to take it a step further & profile clients based on their purchasing behavior. With certain apps, you can create a profile that allows visibility of specific products & collections based on previous purchase history or preferences. This can be especially useful for
wholesale businesses or any business model that negotiates rates based on customer loyalty.
Practical Approach: Step-by-step Guide
So, how do you effectively manage product visibility by variant? Here are steps you can take:
1. Analyze Your Inventory
Before setting any visibility rules, perform a comprehensive review of your inventory. Use Shopify’s built-in reporting features to pinpoint which variants are underperforming & which are your bestsellers. This analysis will inform your visibility approach.
- Make use of the Analytics section to gain insights into which products need priority attention.
2. Set Visibility Rules That Work for You
Decide what rules you want to set for your products. Consider factors like:
- Price Changes: If you’re frequently altering prices, avoid manually editing each product. Look for apps that can help automate this.
- Seasonal Products: Predetermine visibility settings for seasonal variants. For instance, hide winter apparel during summer months.
3. Use an App Like Addify
Leverage tools like Addify to manage visibility based on customer behavior as well as product availability. With Addify, you can:
- Easily set up custom rules to determine what customers see.
- Use customer tags to segment your audience & customize visibility specifically for them.
4. Monitor Customer Feedback
Once implemented, make sure to monitor customer feedback to ensure that your visibility changes positively affect their shopping experience. Use surveys on your website or through email marketing to gather this information.
5. Iterate & Improve
Managing visibility is not a one-time task. Periodically review your settings & familiarize yourself with industry changes or customer preferences. Continuously A/B test the impact of your visibility changes on sales.
Conclusion
Managing product visibility by variant in Shopify is an ongoing process that can greatly improve your store's user experience. Whether by hiding sold-out items or showcasing specific variants based on customer segments, it’s about connecting your inventory with your customers' needs.
To simplify the process even more, consider integrating Arsturn into your strategy for customer engagement. With Arsturn, you can create smart chatbots that engage your customers, answer their inquiries, and improve overall satisfaction as they navigate your site.
Claim your free Arsturn chatbot today without the need for a credit card and explore how easy it is to streamline your Shopify store operations. It’s time to enhance engagement, boost conversions, & turn casual visitors into loyal customers!
Managing visibility doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right strategies & tools in hand, you can make your Shopify store serve your customers' needs while keeping your inventory organized. Start using these strategies today!