The Definitive Guide to Displaying SKU Numbers in Shopify

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why SKU Numbers Matter
  3. Displaying SKU Numbers in Shopify: A Step-by-Step Guide
  4. Conclusion
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In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, efficiency and clarity in product management are keys to a successful online store. One crucial element in this domain is the use of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs). SKUs not only streamline inventory management but also enhance the shopping experience for customers by providing detailed product information promptly. If you're running a Shopify store, you might wonder how exactly to display these critical SKU numbers on your product pages. This blog post is crafted to provide you with all the insights you'll need to execute this seamlessly.

Introduction

Imagine you’re browsing through an online store, and you find a product that catches your eye. However, you need specific details like the product model or version, perhaps because you want to ensure it’s the right fit or because you're considering buying it somewhere else to take advantage of a coupon. This is where SKU numbers can come in incredibly handy for both shoppers and shop owners.

Displaying SKU numbers on product pages not only meets this consumer need but also reduces the workload on customer service teams by preemptively answering potential queries. But how can this be implemented, especially on a Shopify platform known for its flexibility and customization options? This article will guide you through the process of displaying SKU numbers in Shopify, encompassing both sectioned and non-sectioned themes, and even dive into the peculiarities of managing this task in Shopify 2.0 themes like Dawn.

What You Will Learn:

  • The importance of SKU numbers in eCommerce.
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to display SKUs on Shopify product pages for different theme types.
  • Special considerations for Shopify 2.0 themes like Dawn.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to enhance your product pages by displaying SKU numbers, making your site more user-friendly and information-rich.

Why SKU Numbers Matter

SKU numbers are more than just random strings of characters. They are a powerful tool in the arsenal of retail management, serving a dual purpose: facilitating inventory tracking and enhancing customer experience. By showing SKU numbers on product pages, you're not only making internal processes more efficient but also empowering your customers with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions.

Displaying SKU Numbers in Shopify: A Step-by-Step Guide

Shopify accommodates a wide variety of themes, each with its own way of allowing customizations. Here, we’ll break down the process based on the type of theme you’re working with.

For Sectioned Themes:

  1. Navigate to Your Theme: In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
  2. Edit Code: Locate the theme you want to modify and choose Actions > Edit Code.
  3. Locate the Product Template: Find and click on product-template.liquid (or similar file name) in the Sections directory.
  4. Insert the SKU Display Code: Search for the code line that renders the product title. Directly below it, you'll want to add the code snippet responsible for displaying the SKU. This snippet varies but usually looks something like this:
SKU: {{ product.variants.first.sku }}
  1. Save Your Changes and preview a product page to ensure the SKU now displays as intended.

For Non-Sectioned Themes:

Older, non-sectioned themes might require you to delve into different files, such as theme.liquid, and the steps can slightly vary. However, the gist remains the same – locate the product title code block and add the SKU display code right after.

Special Considerations for Shopify 2.0 Themes like Dawn:

If you’re using Dawn or another theme based on Shopify’s Online Store 2.0 architecture, you might need to adjust product and variant templates directly in the theme editor or insert custom liquid blocks. The exact steps can vary, but commonly, you would:

  1. Access the Theme Editor: Through Online Store > Themes > Customize.
  2. Navigate to Product Pages and look for an option to add or edit blocks.
  3. Add a Custom Liquid Block (if available) and use it to insert your SKU display code.

Furthermore, the Dawn theme and similar ones offer JSON templates, providing even more flexibility for displaying dynamic data like SKUs.

Conclusion

In today’s eCommerce sphere, providing pertinent product information in the most accessible manner is crucial for overall customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Displaying SKU numbers on product pages in Shopify is a testament to this ideology. Regardless of the complexity of your store’s theme, integrating SKU numbers into your product pages is a straightforward process that can significantly impact your store's usability and efficiency.

Through detailed yet universally applicable instructions, this guide aims to empower Shopify store owners to enhance their product pages with essential SKU information, thereby fostering a transparent and informative shopping environment.

FAQs

  1. Why are SKU numbers important for my online store?

    • SKU numbers aid in inventory management and provide customers with important product details, facilitating better purchasing decisions and customer service.
  2. Can I display SKU numbers using any Shopify theme?

    • Yes, while the process may vary slightly between themes, all Shopify themes support the capability to display SKU numbers with some customization.
  3. Will displaying SKUs impact my store’s performance?

    • Displaying SKU numbers is a lightweight change that should not impact your store’s performance or loading times significantly.
  4. Can I customize the appearance of SKU numbers on my product pages?

    • Absolutely. With access to CSS and theme settings, you can style the SKU text to match your store’s design perfectly.
  5. Is it possible to display SKU numbers for product variants?

    • Yes. SKU numbers can be displayed for both main products and their variants, though this might require slightly more complex coding, especially in themes that support dynamic variant switching.

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