# How to Hide Product Categories in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve built your beautiful WooCommerce store, but some product categories just aren’t ready for prime time. Maybe they’re for internal use, part of a future launch, or simply need more work before public viewing. Whatever the reason, you need to know how to hide product categories in WooCommerce. This guide will show you how, even if you’re completely new to coding.
Why Hide WooCommerce Product Categories?
There are several valid reasons to hide a product category:
- Incomplete product lines: Imagine launching a “Winter Collection” in June. You might create the category, but don’t want customers seeing it until the fall. Hiding it prevents confusion and unmet expectations.
- Internal use only: You might have categories for stock management, wholesale items, or products not yet ready for sale. These shouldn’t be visible to the general public.
- Rebranding or restructuring: During a website overhaul, you might temporarily hide categories while you reorganize products. This keeps your site clean and professional.
- Specific customer groups: Perhaps you have a “VIP” category with exclusive products. You can hide this category from standard users but show it to your VIP customers via custom roles and permissions (a more advanced technique, beyond the scope of this beginner’s guide).
Methods for Hiding WooCommerce Product Categories
There are several ways to achieve this, ranging from simple plugins to a bit of code. Let’s explore the easiest and most effective options.
1. Using a Plugin: The Easiest Way
The simplest approach is using a plugin. Many free and premium plugins offer this functionality. Searching the WordPress plugin directory for “hide WooCommerce categories” will reveal numerous options. Choose a reputable plugin with good reviews and a clear user interface. Most plugins will allow you to simply select which categories to hide, making the process extremely straightforward. This is the recommended method for beginners.
2. Hiding Categories with Custom CSS (Advanced Users):
This method requires some familiarity with CSS. It’s less flexible than a plugin but can be a good option if you’re comfortable with code. The basic idea is to target the category’s CSS class and hide it using the `display: none;` property.
To find the correct CSS class, inspect your category page using your browser’s developer tools (usually by right-clicking and selecting “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”). You’ll find a class name associated with your category. Let’s assume, for example, the class is `category-winter-collection`.
Then, you would add this CSS code to your theme’s `style.css` file (or a custom CSS file):
.category-winter-collection {
display: none;
}
Caution: This method can break if your theme updates. It’s less reliable than a plugin.
3. Hiding Categories by Removing Menu Items (Simple, but limited):
You can hide categories from your menu navigation. This doesn’t actually hide the category itself—products remain accessible if you know the direct URL—but it removes the visible link from your menu. This is best suited for categories you want entirely removed from navigation but whose products might still be referenced elsewhere on your site.
To do this, simply go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard and remove the category from your chosen menu.
4. Using PHP Code (Advanced Users – Not Recommended for Beginners):
This is the most complex method and not recommended unless you’re comfortable with PHP and understand the risks involved. Incorrectly editing your theme’s functions.php file can break your website.
This example shows how to remove a category with the ID `123` from the shop loop. Replace `123` with your category’s actual ID.
add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_categories', 'hide_specific_category' );
function hide_specific_category( $categories ) {
unset( $categories[123] );
return $categories;
}
Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Method for You
Hiding product categories in WooCommerce is achievable through various methods. For beginners, a plugin is the safest and easiest way. More experienced users might consider CSS or PHP, but always proceed with caution and back up your website first. Remember to choose the method that best fits your technical skills and needs.
