How to Hide SKUs in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

Showing SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) on your WooCommerce store can look unprofessional and detract from the overall shopping experience. While SKUs are vital for inventory management, your customers don’t need to see them. This article will guide you through several methods to effectively hide SKUs in WooCommerce, improving your store’s aesthetic and user experience.

Why Hide SKUs?

Imagine walking into a high-end boutique. Would you expect to see product codes plastered everywhere? Probably not. Similarly, displaying SKUs on your WooCommerce store can make it look cluttered and less appealing. Hiding SKUs enhances the visual appeal of your product pages, creating a more professional and polished look for your brand. This subtle change can significantly improve the customer experience, leading to increased sales and brand loyalty.

Methods to Hide WooCommerce SKUs

There are several ways to hide SKUs, ranging from simple plugins to code snippets. Let’s explore the most effective methods:

1. Using a Plugin: The Easiest Way

The simplest and often most recommended way is to use a plugin. Many free and premium plugins are available that offer this functionality. Plugins are generally the easiest method for beginners, as they require no coding knowledge.

Benefits: User-friendly, often includes other helpful features, avoids potential coding errors.
Drawbacks: Requires installing and activating a plugin, which can occasionally slow down your website (though usually negligibly).
Example: Search for “WooCommerce hide SKU” in your WordPress plugin directory. Many plugins will offer this feature, alongside others to improve your WooCommerce store’s appearance and functionality.

2. Using a Code Snippet: For the Technically Inclined

If you’re comfortable with adding code snippets to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin, you can achieve this with a few lines of code. This method requires some technical knowledge. Always back up your files before making any code changes.

Here’s a simple code snippet you can use:

add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_get_sku', 'hide_sku_on_frontend' );
function hide_sku_on_frontend( $sku ) {
return ''; // Returns an empty string, effectively hiding the SKU
}

Benefits: Clean and efficient, doesn’t rely on third-party plugins.
Drawbacks: Requires coding knowledge, incorrect code can break your website, not as beginner-friendly.
Important Note: This code snippet hides the SKU from all frontend displays. You’ll still see the SKU in the backend of your WordPress admin area.

3. Customizing Your Theme (Advanced Method)

Some WooCommerce themes allow you to customize the display of product information through their theme options. Check your theme’s documentation to see if it offers an option to hide or remove the SKU from product pages. This is a theme-specific solution, so the method will vary depending on your chosen theme.

Benefits: Clean solution if your theme supports it, no plugins or code snippets needed.
Drawbacks: Not all themes offer this functionality.

Choosing the Right Method

For most users, especially beginners, using a plugin is the recommended approach. It’s the easiest, safest, and most user-friendly method. If you’re comfortable with code, the code snippet method is a viable alternative. Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes.

Conclusion

Hiding SKUs in WooCommerce improves your store’s aesthetic and enhances the customer experience. By following the methods outlined above, you can easily remove these unnecessary product codes, creating a more professional and visually appealing online store. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and comfort level. Remember to prioritize a clean and professional look for your customers.

How To Hide Sku In Woocommerce