How to Hide Product Variants in Shopify When There's One Option

Are you struggling with managing product variants in your Shopify store? Specifically, do you want to know how to hide product variants when there’s only one option and show the default title instead? You’re not alone. Many Shopify store owners face this challenge, but fortunately, there’s a simple solution. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring your product pages look clean and professional.

Understanding Product Variants in Shopify

Before we dive into the solution, let’s briefly discuss what product variants are and why they matter.

What are Product Variants?

Product variants are different versions of the same product. For example, a t-shirt might come in various sizes and colors. Each combination of size and color would be a separate variant.

Why Manage Variant Display?

Managing how variants are displayed is crucial for several reasons:

1. User Experience: A clean, uncluttered interface makes it easier for customers to make purchasing decisions.
2. Simplicity: For products with only one variant, showing a dropdown menu can be unnecessary and confusing.
3. Professionalism: Proper variant management contributes to a polished, professional-looking store.

The Solution: Conditional Liquid Code

The most effective way to hide product variants when there’s only one option is by using conditional Liquid code in your Shopify theme. Here’s how to implement it:

Step 1: Identify the Variant Selection Code

First, locate the code in your product template that handles variant selection. It typically looks something like this:

<select name="id" id="productSelect-{{ section.id }}" class="product-variants__ product-variants-{{ section.id }}">
  <option selected="selected" data-var-price="{{ product.price_min | money_with_currency }}">
    Select
  </option>
  {% for variant in product.variants %}
    {% if variant.available %}
      <option data-sku="{{ variant.sku }}" data-var-price="{{ variant.price | money_with_currency }}" value="{{ variant.id }}">
        {{ variant.title }}
      </option>
    {% else %}
      <option>
        Select
      </option>
      <option disabled="disabled">
        {{ variant.title }} - {{ 'products.product.sold_out' | t }}
      </option>
    {% endif %}
  {% endfor %}
</select>

Step 2: Implement the Conditional Code

To hide the variant dropdown when there’s only one option, wrap the existing code in a conditional statement. Here’s the modified code:

{% if product.has_only_default_variant %}
  <input id="remove_the_dis_cart_btn" name="id" value="{{ product.variants.first.id }}" type="hidden">
{% else %}
  <select name="id" id="productSelect-{{ section.id }}" class="product-variants__ product-variants-{{ section.id }}">
    <option selected="selected" data-var-price="{{ product.price_min | money_with_currency }}">
      Select
    </option>
    {% for variant in product.variants %}
      {% if variant.available %}
        <option data-sku="{{ variant.sku }}" value="{{ variant.id }}" data-var-price="{{ variant.price | money_with_currency }}">
          {{ variant.title }}
        </option>
      {% else %}
        <option>
          Select
        </option>
        <option disabled="disabled">
          {{ variant.title }} - {{ 'products.product.sold_out' | t }}
        </option>
      {% endif %}
    {% endfor %}
  </select>
{% endif %}

Step 3: Understanding the Code

Let’s break down the key parts of this solution:

1. {% if product.has_only_default_variant %}: This condition checks if the product has only one variant.
2. “: If there’s only one variant, we use a hidden input field to pass the variant ID.
3. The {% else %} block contains the original dropdown code, which will only be displayed if there are multiple variants.

Benefits of This Approach

Implementing this solution offers several advantages:

1. Improved User Interface: Products with a single variant will have a cleaner, more straightforward display.
2. Flexibility: The code automatically adapts to products with multiple variants, showing the dropdown when necessary.
3. SEO Friendly: By using the default title for single-variant products, you maintain consistent and relevant product information.

Best Practices for Product Variant Management

While implementing the above solution, consider these best practices:

Consistent Naming Conventions

Use clear, consistent naming for your variants across all products. This helps customers understand options quickly and easily.

Regular Audits

Periodically review your product catalog to ensure variant information is up-to-date and accurately displayed.

Mobile Optimization

Test your variant display on mobile devices to ensure a smooth experience for all users, regardless of the device they’re using.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems after implementing this solution, consider these troubleshooting steps:

Check Theme Compatibility

Some themes may require additional modifications. Always test changes in a development or staging environment first.

Verify Liquid Syntax

Ensure all Liquid tags are properly closed and syntax is correct. A single misplaced character can break the functionality.

Clear Cache

After making changes, clear your browser cache and Shopify theme cache to ensure you’re seeing the most recent version of your store.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to efficiently manage product variants in your Shopify store, creating a more streamlined and professional shopping experience for your customers. Remember, the key is to use conditional Liquid code to display variants only when necessary, keeping your product pages clean and user-friendly.