Shopify is a fantastic platform for small business owners to build and grow their online stores. However, it’s no secret that some features can be tricky to find or understand at first, like making your products “view-only.” If you’re wondering what that means or how it could help your store, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down together.
What Is the Purpose of View-Only Products on Shopify?
Making a product view-only on Shopify means customers can see the product details but can’t add it to their cart or buy it right away. This might sound odd at first, since it seems counterintuitive to show something if you don’t want people to buy it. But this feature has some smart uses, especially for the earlier steps of a product launch.
For example, if you create a “Coming Soon” page for an upcoming product launch, you give customers an exclusive sneak peek without the option to buy just yet. This builds excitement and anticipation, encouraging visitors to share and talk about the new product, giving your marketing a powerful boost before the official release.
It’s also perfect for products that are currently out of stock. Instead of removing them completely, you can keep the product page live for browsing. This way, your customers stay informed and interested without feeling frustrated by a missing product.
How Do You Create View-Only Products on Shopify?
Shopify doesn’t have a simple one-click setting called “view only,” but you can achieve this effect by tweaking your product settings and theme. Here’s how to make it happen:
- Remove the “Add to Cart” button:
You can either edit your Shopify theme’s code or use an app to hide the add-to-cart button on the product page. - Set Inventory to Zero:
Mark the product as out of stock by setting the inventory quantity to zero. Shopify will then display it as unavailable for purchase. - Disable Checkout for This Product:
For added control, some apps or custom coding can disable checkout when customers attempt to add the product, ensuring it remains view-only. - Use Product Tags or Collections:
Organize your view-only products into a special collection or tag them. This helps customers, and you keep track of which products are currently non-purchasable.
This setup is a great way to see if your customers are still visiting these product pages and engaging with the content.
How To Make View-Only Products Work for You on Shopify
As a new online store owner, using view-only products strategically can elevate your store and marketing. You can create buzz around new product lines, inform customers about upcoming restocks, or build a waiting list for popular items. Making view-only products on Shopify is especially effective when followed up with pre-order options. This powerful duo can be utilized best by using a pre-order system.
The Pre-Order Now app from Website on Demand is built to make pre-order setup easy and seamless. Instead of simply hiding the buy option, this app allows your customers to place pre-orders right from your Shopify store. This way, you can start turning interest gained from your view-only page into actual sales. Boost your sales and capture demand early. Install Pre-Order Now today.
