Hiding Ships From Option in Shopify Dropshipping Stores

Are you a Shopify store owner using dropshipping apps like Oberlo or DSers? You may have noticed the “Ships From” option appearing on your product pages, potentially revealing your sourcing strategy to customers. This article will guide you through the process of removing or hiding this option to create a more professional appearance for your store.

Understanding the “Ships From” Option

What is the “Ships From” Option?

The “Ships From” option is a product variant that appears when importing items from AliExpress using dropshipping apps. It shows different shipping locations for products that can be sourced from multiple warehouses.

Why Does It Appear?

This option is automatically imported from AliExpress suppliers who offer shipping from various locations. While it can be useful for inventory management, it may not be ideal to display this information to your customers.

The Challenge for Store Owners

Many store owners find this option problematic as it can:

1. Reveal your dropshipping strategy
2. Confuse customers
3. Potentially impact conversion rates

Solutions to Remove or Hide the “Ships From” Option

Method 1: Renaming the Variant (Recommended)

The most effective solution is to rename the “Ships From” variant. This method allows you to maintain synchronization with your dropshipping app while presenting a more professional appearance to customers.

Steps to Rename the Variant:

1. Go to your Shopify admin and navigate to “Products”
2. Select the product you want to edit
3. In the “Variants” section, click “Edit”
4. Change “Ships From” to a more neutral term like “Collection” or “Option”
5. Rename the location options (e.g., change “China” to “Standard” or “2023 Edition”)

This approach keeps your product in sync with your dropshipping app while hiding the shipping origin from customers.

Method 2: Deleting Unnecessary Variants

If you only want to offer shipping from one location, you can delete the other variants.

Steps to Delete Variants:

1. In your Shopify admin, go to “Products”
2. Select the product you want to edit
3. In the “Variants” section, delete all but one “Ships From” option
4. Rename the remaining variant as described in Method 1

Important: Always keep at least one variant to maintain synchronization with your dropshipping app.

Method 3: Using Custom Code (Advanced)

For those comfortable with coding, you can use custom Liquid code to hide the variant selector on your product pages.

Sample Code:

{% unless product.options_with_values.size == 1 and product.options_with_values.first.name == 'Ships From' %}
  <!-- Your existing variant selector code here -->
{% endunless %}

Note: Always test code changes in a development environment before applying them to your live store.

Best Practices for Managing “Ships From” Options

Maintain Inventory Accuracy

While hiding the “Ships From” option improves your store’s appearance, it’s crucial to maintain accurate inventory tracking. Use your dropshipping app’s features to manage stock levels across different warehouses.

Optimize Order Fulfillment

When fulfilling orders, you may need to manually select the appropriate shipping location. Most dropshipping apps offer an “override” feature for this purpose.

Communicate Clearly with Customers

If shipping times vary significantly between locations, consider adding this information to your product descriptions or shipping policy to set appropriate expectations.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

Syncing Issues

If you accidentally delete all variants, your product may become unsynced from your dropshipping app. Use the app’s “override” or “resync” feature to reconnect the product.

Customer Location Considerations

For stores serving multiple regions, consider using Shopify’s shipping profiles to restrict certain products to specific countries based on availability.

App-Specific Considerations

Different dropshipping apps may have slightly different processes for managing variants. Always refer to your specific app’s documentation for the most accurate guidance.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively remove or hide the “Ships From” option in your Shopify store, creating a more polished and professional appearance for your customers while maintaining the functionality of your dropshipping operations.