How to Edit Product Numbers on Your WooCommerce Shop Page: A Beginner’s Guide
Showing product numbers on your WooCommerce shop page might seem unnecessary at first glance. But for inventory management, internal referencing, or even advanced customization, having them visible (or hidden strategically) can be incredibly useful. This guide will show you how to easily edit or remove product numbers from your WooCommerce shop pages, even if you’re a complete newbie to coding.
Why Would You Want to Edit Product Numbers?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s discuss *why* you might want to change how product numbers appear on your WooCommerce shop page:
- Inventory Management: Easily identify products during stocktaking or internal processes. Imagine a warehouse worker needing to quickly locate “SKU12345” – a clear product number makes this significantly easier.
- Internal Referencing: Your team might use product numbers for internal communications, orders, and reporting. Displaying them internally can streamline these processes.
- Customization: Sometimes, you might want to display a more user-friendly product code alongside the SKU. For instance, instead of “SKU-ABC123,” you might want to show “Product Alpha 123” to customers.
- Removing Clutter: Sometimes, product numbers simply clutter your shop page and detract from the overall aesthetic. Removing them can create a cleaner and more visually appealing experience for your customers.
- Navigate to each product: Go to your WooCommerce dashboard, then *Products* > *All Products*.
- Edit the product: Click on the product you want to modify.
- Look for the product SKU field: In the product data tab, you should find a field labelled “SKU” (Stock Keeping Unit). This is your product number.
- Edit or remove: You can change the SKU or leave it blank.
- Show or hide product SKUs globally: Enable or disable the display of product numbers across your entire shop.
- Customize the position of product numbers: Control where the product number appears on the product page and shop archives (e.g., above the title, below the price, etc.).
- Modify the text label: Instead of just “SKU,” you might display “Product Code” or even customize it further.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce’s Built-in Features (The Easiest Way)
If you’re looking for a simple solution, and you don’t want to touch any code, you might be able to manage product numbers directly within your WooCommerce product settings.
Important Note: This method only changes the *individual* product’s number. It doesn’t affect how the numbers are displayed on the shop page *globally*. If you want to change the display of all products, you’ll need a more advanced approach.
Method 2: Using a Plugin (The Quick and Easy Solution for Global Changes)
There are numerous plugins available that can give you more control over how product numbers appear on your WooCommerce shop page. Searching for “WooCommerce product number display” in your WordPress plugin directory will reveal several options. These plugins usually provide easy-to-use settings to:
This is usually the most efficient solution for beginners who need to make global changes without coding. Always check the plugin’s reviews and documentation before installing it to ensure compatibility and understand its functionalities.
Method 3: Customizing the Code (For Advanced Users)
This method requires some familiarity with PHP and WooCommerce’s template structure. It offers the most control but is more complex. Proceed with caution, and always back up your website before making any code changes.
You’ll likely need to edit your `archive-product.php` file (or a child theme’s version) to modify how product numbers are displayed. You could add, remove, or change the positioning of the SKU using the following example (adapt it to your theme’s structure):
<?php /**
function display_sku_after_title() {
global $product;
if ( $product->get_sku() ) {
echo ‘Product Code: ‘ . $product->get_sku() . ‘‘;
}
}
?>
This code snippet adds the SKU after the product title. You might need to adjust the `add_action` hook and the CSS class (`product-sku`) to fit your theme. Always remember to test thoroughly after making code changes.
Conclusion
Editing product numbers in WooCommerce can greatly enhance your site’s functionality and user experience, depending on your needs. Choose the method that best suits your comfort level and technical skills, whether it’s using WooCommerce’s built-in settings, a user-friendly plugin, or directly modifying the code. Remember to always back up your website before implementing any code changes.
