How to See Which Products Haven’t Sold in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’re running a WooCommerce store, that’s awesome! But are you keeping a close eye on *all* your products? Are some lingering on the digital shelves longer than others? Identifying those products that aren’t selling is crucial for a healthy and profitable online business. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! This guide will walk you through several methods, from basic WooCommerce tools to more advanced techniques, all explained in a simple, newbie-friendly way.
Why Track Unsold Products? Real-Life Examples
Imagine this: You own an online clothing boutique. You thought that bright orange polka-dot dress would be a hit, but it’s been hanging around (virtually, of course!) for months without a single sale. Tracking unsold products allows you to:
* Free up capital: The money tied up in that orange dress could be used to buy inventory that *will* sell.
* Optimize your product catalog: Maybe the product description is poor, the photos aren’t appealing, or the price is too high. Identifying unsold items gives you a chance to improve them.
* Identify trends: Are similar items also not selling? Maybe your customer base isn’t into bright colors this season. This information is vital for future purchasing decisions.
* Clean up your store: Get rid of those under-performing products.
* Improve user experience: Keeping only high-quality and valuable products that match your customers needs.
Ignoring unsold products is like leaving food in your refrigerator to rot. It wastes resources and can even negatively impact your entire business.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce’s Built-in Stock Management
This is the simplest and most accessible method for beginners. WooCommerce’s stock management features, when properly configured, provide a basic overview of product performance.
Steps:
1. Enable Stock Management: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory. Ensure the “Enable stock management” checkbox is ticked. You can also set a “Low stock threshold” here. This will alert you when products are running low, giving you another indirect indication of products that *are* selling.
2. Set Stock Quantities: For each product, go to the “Inventory” tab on the product edit page and set the initial stock quantity. *This is crucial!* If you don’t set a quantity, WooCommerce won’t track sales.
3. Monitor Stock Levels: Regularly check your Products page. Products with low or zero stock *aren’t necessarily unsold*, but if a product has been at the same stock level for an extended period, it’s a red flag.
Limitations:
* This method is very manual.
* It doesn’t directly tell you which products haven’t sold *at all*.
* It only works if you’ve diligently managed your stock levels from the beginning.
Method 2: Utilizing WooCommerce Reports (The Basic Approach)
WooCommerce offers basic reporting features that can give you insights into your best-selling and worst-selling products. While it doesn’t explicitly show *un*sold products, you can deduce them by looking at the other end of the spectrum.
Steps:
1. Go to WooCommerce > Reports.
2. Check the ‘Sales by product’ report. This shows you which products are selling well. Products *not* on this list, especially those with stock, are potential candidates for being unsold.
3. Adjust the date range. Check the last month, quarter, and year to get a comprehensive picture.
Reasoning:
If a product doesn’t appear on this list over a substantial period, and you know you have stock available, it’s a strong indicator that it hasn’t sold.
Example:
Imagine you’re reviewing your “Sales by product” report for the last 3 months. You sell t-shirts, mugs, and stickers. The report shows strong sales for your “Funny Cat” t-shirt and your “Keep Calm and Drink Coffee” mug. However, your “Motivational Quote” sticker doesn’t appear on the list at all. This suggests that the sticker is underperforming and hasn’t sold during that period.
Method 3: Using a SQL Query (For the Slightly More Technical)
If you’re comfortable with SQL, you can directly query your WooCommerce database to find products with zero sales within a specific time frame.
Important: *Back up your database before running any SQL queries!* This prevents data loss if something goes wrong.
The Query:
SELECT p.ID, p.post_title FROM wp_posts AS p LEFT JOIN wp_woocommerce_order_items AS oi ON p.ID = oi.order_item_id WHERE p.post_type = 'product' AND p.post_status = 'publish' AND p.ID NOT IN ( SELECT order_item_id FROM wp_woocommerce_order_items WHERE order_item_type = 'line_item' AND order_id IN ( SELECT post_id FROM wp_posts WHERE post_type = 'shop_order' AND post_date >= DATE(NOW() - INTERVAL 6 MONTH) ) );
Explanation:
* `wp_posts`: Contains product information (ID, title, status).
* `wp_woocommerce_order_items`: Links products to orders.
* The query selects products that are published but *not* present in any order within the last 6 months. Adjust the `INTERVAL 6 MONTH` part to change the time period.
* Change `wp_` if your database has a different prefix.
How to Use:
1. Access your database using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool.
2. Open the SQL tab.
3. Paste the query and run it.
Limitations:
* Requires SQL knowledge.
* Direct database manipulation can be risky if not done correctly.
Method 4: Using WooCommerce Plugins (The Easiest, Most Robust Option)
Several WooCommerce plugins are designed specifically for inventory management and reporting. These are often the easiest and most comprehensive solution, especially if you’re not comfortable with SQL or manual stock tracking.
Examples of Helpful Plugins:
* Advanced Reports for WooCommerce: Often include features for identifying non-selling products.
* Metorik: Powerful WooCommerce analytics platform.
* Stock Management Plugins: Some stock management plugins offer detailed reporting, allowing you to easily identify items that aren’t moving.
How to Choose a Plugin:
1. Read reviews: See what other users say about the plugin’s functionality and ease of use.
2. Check the feature list: Ensure the plugin offers the specific reporting capabilities you need (e.g., identifying unsold products, setting date ranges, exporting data).
3. Consider the price: Some plugins are free, while others are premium (paid). Choose one that fits your budget and requirements.
4. Check Support: Check if they have documentation and quick support channels.
Benefits of Using a Plugin:
* Automated reporting: Plugins automate the process of identifying unsold products, saving you time and effort.
* Detailed insights: Plugins often provide more detailed reporting than WooCommerce’s built-in tools.
* User-friendly interface: Plugins typically have a user-friendly interface, making it easy to access and understand the data.
Important Considerations:
* Plugin compatibility: Ensure the plugin is compatible with your version of WooCommerce.
* Plugin performance: Too many plugins can slow down your website. Choose plugins carefully and deactivate any that you’re not using.
Taking Action: What to Do With Unsold Products
Once you’ve identified your unsold products, don’t just leave them to gather digital dust! Here are some strategies to consider:
* Review Product Information:
* Are the descriptions accurate and compelling?
* Are the product images high-quality and representative of the product?
* Is the pricing competitive?
* Adjust Pricing: Try offering discounts or running promotions to incentivize sales.
* Improve Marketing: Target your marketing efforts toward potential customers who might be interested in the product. Consider using targeted advertising or email marketing campaigns.
* Bundling: Bundle the unsold product with a popular item to increase its appeal.
* Update images: Make the images eye-catching.
* Remove the product: If all else fails, consider removing the product from your store. It’s better to focus on items that are actually generating revenue.
In conclusion, identifying unsold products in WooCommerce is a critical step towards optimizing your online store. Whether you choose to use WooCommerce’s built-in features, SQL queries, or a dedicated plugin, taking action based on your findings will help you increase sales, improve profitability, and create a more successful online business. Good luck!
