SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) numbers are unique identifiers used to track inventory within your store. While not always displayed publicly, they can be helpful for both you and your customers. Fortunately, Shopify allows you to easily Show SKU numbers on your product pages, potentially improving your organization and offering additional product information for your customers.

This guide explores two main methods for showing SKU numbers on your Shopify product pages:

• Using the Product Information Section (For Beginners): This method leverages a built-in feature within the Shopify admin panel, requiring no coding knowledge.
• Editing Theme Code (For Users Comfortable with Code): This approach offers more flexibility in terms of placement and styling, but requires some understanding of Liquid (Shopify’s templating language).

By following the steps outlined for each method, you can choose the approach that best suits your comfort level and desired level of control.

Show SKU Numbers Using the Product Information Section (For Beginners)

The product information section within the Shopify admin panel allows you to display various product details, including SKUs. Here’s how to activate it:

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin Panel.
2. Navigate to the “Products” section and select a product.
3. In the product editing screen, scroll down to the “Inventory” section.
4. Locate the field labeled “SKU” and enter your product’s SKU number. If your product has variants with different SKUs, you’ll need to enter the SKU for each variant.
5. Scroll down further and find the “Product Information” section.
6. Ensure the checkbox next to “SKU” is ticked. This will instruct Shopify to display the SKU number on the product page.
7. Save your changes.
8. View your product page to confirm the SKU number is displayed.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface, no coding knowledge required.
• Suitable for beginners comfortable navigating the Shopify admin panel.
• Easy to activate and manage SKU display for individual products.

Cons:

• Limited control over the SKU number’s placement and styling on the product page.
• Might not be ideal if you want the SKU number to display consistently across all your product pages.

Showing SKU Numbers by Editing Theme Code (For Users Comfortable with Code)

For more control over the placement and styling of your SKU numbers, consider editing your theme code. Here’s a basic overview:

1. Back up your Theme: Before modifying any code, create a duplicate of your current theme. This allows you to revert to the previous version if any edits cause unintended consequences. You can duplicate your theme by clicking on “Duplicate” under the “Actions” menu for your theme within the Shopify admin panel.
2. Download Your Theme Code: Within the Shopify admin panel, navigate to “Online Store” > “Themes” and click on “Actions” > “Download” for your chosen theme.
3. Locate the Relevant Code: Open the downloaded theme code files and search for the product template file. This file name can vary depending on your specific theme, but common names include “product.liquid” or “product-template.liquid.”
4. Find the Product Information Section: Within the product template file, locate the section responsible for displaying product information. Keywords like “product.title” or “product.description” might be helpful clues.
5. Insert the SKU Code Snippet: At the desired location within the product information section, insert a code snippet to display the SKU number. The exact code snippet might vary slightly depending on your theme, but a common example is:

Code snippet

<p>SKU: {{ product.variants[0].sku }}</p>

Use code with caution.content_copy

This code snippet retrieves the SKU number for the first variant of the product and displays it with the label “SKU:”. If your product has multiple variants with different SKUs, you might need to adjust the code to iterate through all variants and display their respective SKUs.

6. Upload the Modified Theme Code: Within the Shopify admin panel, navigate to “Online Store” > “Themes” and click on “Actions” > “Upload” for your chosen theme. Select the modified theme code files you downloaded and edited earlier.
7. Preview your product page to view the displayed SKU number. Make further adjustments to the code or its placement if necessary.

Pros:

• Offers more control over the placement and styling of the SKU number.
• Allows for consistent SKU display across all your product pages if implemented within the main product template.

Cons:

• Requires some understanding of Liquid code and theme structure.
• Mistakes in code editing can potentially break your website’s functionality.

Additional Considerations for Displaying SKU Numbers on Product Pages

Here are some additional factors to keep in mind when displaying SKU numbers on your Shopify product pages:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure the SKU number is presented clearly and concisely. Consider using a label like “SKU:” to provide context for visitors unfamiliar with the term.
• Placement: Choose a placement for the SKU number that’s easy for customers to find but doesn’t detract from the overall product presentation. Common locations include near the product description, specifications, or inventory details.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Test your product pages on various devices, especially mobile phones, to ensure the SKU number displays correctly and doesn’t cause any layout issues.
• Theme Documentation: The documentation for your specific Shopify theme might provide guidance or code snippets for displaying SKU numbers. Consult this resource for additional information.
• Professional Help: If you’re uncomfortable with code editing, consider hiring a Shopify developer to assist you with implementing SKU number display and potentially achieving further product page customizations.

When to Consider Displaying SKU Numbers

While displaying SKU numbers can offer benefits, it’s not always necessary for every store. Here are some scenarios where SKU numbers might be helpful:

• Inventory Management: SKU numbers can be particularly useful for businesses that manage a large inventory with various product variations.
• Customer Inquiries: Displaying SKUs can expedite communication with customers who might reference the SKU number during inquiries about specific products.
• Internal Reference: Even if not displayed publicly, having SKUs on product pages can serve as an internal reference for store owners and staff.

On the other hand, some stores might choose not to display SKUs for various reasons:

• Customer Focus: For stores with a strong focus on visual appeal and customer experience, displaying SKUs might not be aesthetically pleasing or clutter the product page.
• Limited Use for Customers: If your products are straightforward and don’t have many variations, customers might not find SKU numbers particularly helpful.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to display SKU numbers depends on your specific store’s needs and target audience.

As you implement SKU display, consider the additional tips provided to ensure clarity, proper placement, and a mobile-friendly presentation. Evaluate your specific store’s needs to determine if displaying SKU numbers aligns with your overall customer experience goals.