How To Hide Woocommerce Out Of Stock Message

# How to Hide WooCommerce Out of Stock Messages (Without Losing Sales!)

Frustrated with those glaring “Out of Stock” messages on your WooCommerce store? They can kill your sales and leave customers feeling disappointed. This guide shows you how to elegantly hide or customize those messages, improving the customer experience and potentially boosting your bottom line. We’ll cover easy-to-implement methods, perfect for beginners.

Why Hide (or Modify) Out of Stock Messages?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s address the *why*. While displaying “Out of Stock” is honest, it can be detrimental. Imagine a customer browsing your beautiful website, finding the perfect item, only to be met with a discouraging message. This can lead to:

• Lost sales: The customer might move on to a competitor offering the same product.
• Negative user experience: A jarring message can break the flow and negatively impact your brand image.
• Missed opportunities: You might lose the chance to collect email addresses for back-in-stock notifications.

Instead of a blunt “Out of Stock,” you could:

• Hide the message completely: This is best for products you intend to restock soon.
• Show a “Notify Me” button: Collect customer email addresses and boost future sales.
• Display a pre-order option: Capitalize on demand even when items are unavailable.

Method 1: Using a Plugin (The Easiest Way)

The simplest way to handle out-of-stock messages is using a plugin. Several plugins offer sophisticated control over product availability displays. These plugins often provide features beyond simply hiding messages, such as:

• Customizing the message: Displaying friendlier alternatives like “Temporarily Unavailable” or “Back Soon.”
• Adding back-in-stock notifications: Automatically emailing customers when an item is restocked.
• Showing alternative products: Suggesting similar items the customer might be interested in.

Popular choices include:

• WooCommerce Product Availability: A free plugin offering basic control.
• Pre-orders for WooCommerce: If you want to offer pre-orders.

How to install a plugin (general steps):

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.

2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.

3. Search for your chosen plugin (e.g., “WooCommerce Product Availability”).

4. Install and activate the plugin.

5. Configure the plugin settings according to your preferences. This usually involves checking boxes or entering custom text.

Method 2: Customizing Your Theme’s `functions.php` File (For Developers)

This method is more technical and only suitable if you’re comfortable editing your theme’s files. Always back up your theme before making any changes! This method allows for greater control but carries a higher risk.

This code snippet will remove the “Out of Stock” text:

add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_availability', 'jk_hide_out_of_stock', 10, 2 );

function jk_hide_out_of_stock( $availability, $product ) {

if ( ! $product->is_in_stock() ) {

$availability[‘availability’] = ”; //Empty the availability string

}

return $availability;

}

Explanation:

• `add_filter`: This hooks into WooCommerce’s availability filter.
• `jk_hide_out_of_stock`: This is the custom function we create.
• `$product->is_in_stock()`: This checks if the product is in stock.
• `$availability[‘availability’] = ”;`: This sets the availability text to empty if the product is out of stock.

Important Note: This code completely removes the “Out of Stock” message. Consider adding a “Notify Me” button or alternative messaging using other methods if you don’t want to remove it completely.

Remember to replace `jk_hide_out_of_stock` with a unique function name.

Choosing the Right Method

For most users, installing a plugin is the recommended approach. It’s user-friendly, avoids potential risks associated with code editing, and often offers more advanced features. Only use the `functions.php` method if you are comfortable with code and understand the implications of modifying core files.

By hiding or customizing your WooCommerce out-of-stock messages, you can create a smoother, more positive shopping experience for your customers, ultimately leading to increased conversions and a healthier bottom line. Remember to choose the method that best suits your technical skills and desired outcome.