How to Hide Product Categories in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

WooCommerce is a fantastic platform, but sometimes you need more control over what your customers see. Maybe you’re preparing for a sale, phasing out a product line, or simply want a cleaner online storefront. Whatever the reason, hiding product categories can significantly improve the user experience and streamline your store’s navigation. This guide will walk you through several methods, explaining each step in simple terms.

Why Hide a WooCommerce Product Category?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” Hiding a product category can be beneficial for various reasons:

• Improve Site Navigation: A cluttered store can overwhelm customers. Hiding irrelevant or temporarily unavailable categories keeps things clean and focused.
• Manage Inventory: If you’re discontinuing a product line, hiding the category prevents customers from browsing outdated items.
• Create Exclusive Experiences: You might want to hide certain categories from general view and only reveal them to logged-in users or through specific links.
• Prepare for Sales and Promotions: Temporarily hiding categories allows you to build anticipation before launching a new product line or a sale event.

Method 1: Using the WooCommerce “Display” Setting (Easiest Method)

This is the simplest way to hide a category, perfect for beginners. It doesn’t completely remove the category, but prevents it from being displayed in your shop navigation and product archives.

• Step 1: Log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Products > Categories.
• Step 2: Find the category you want to hide.
• Step 3: Click on the category name to edit it.
• Step 4: Locate the “Display” option. Change it from “Show in menu” to “Hide in menu.” (or, if it is already “show in menu”
• choose “hide”)
• Step 5: Click “Update.”

That’s it! Your category is now hidden from the main navigation. Customers will still be able to access it via a direct link if they know it exists, but it won’t clutter your main shop page.

Method 2: Using a Plugin (For More Advanced Control)

For more granular control, consider using a plugin like “Category Order and Visibility.” These plugins often allow you to:

• Hide categories entirely (not just from menus).
• Show categories to specific user roles (e.g., only logged-in users).
• Customize category display based on various conditions.

These plugins offer greater flexibility, but require installation and may have a learning curve. Always choose reputable plugins from trusted sources.

Method 3: Hiding with Custom CSS (For Experienced Users)

This method requires some basic understanding of CSS and is not recommended for beginners. It involves adding custom CSS code to your theme’s stylesheet or a custom CSS plugin. This allows you to hide the category’s display in various contexts, such as within shop pages or widgets.

Caution: Incorrect CSS can break your website. Always back up your website before making these changes.

Example: Hiding an “Out of Stock” Category

Imagine your store has a category for “Discontinued Items.” These items are no longer available, and you want to prevent customers from seeing them and getting disappointed. Using Method 1, you can simply hide this category from the shop menu, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your technical skills and desired level of control. For a simple hide, Method 1 is perfect. For advanced features and customization, a plugin (Method 2) is the way to go. Method 3 is for experienced users comfortable with CSS. Remember to always back up your website before making any significant changes.