Out of Stock Text in Woocommerce – How to remove it

Stock status (In Stock, Out of Stock text) in WooCommerce indicates product availability (in stock, out of stock, on backorder) on product pages. Store owners may want to remove stock status for aesthetic reasons, to enhance customer experience, simplify inventory management, or implement specific marketing strategies. Custom code snippets can be used to hide or customize stock status display.

WooCommerce is a powerful, open-source e-commerce plugin designed for WordPress. Launched in 2011 by WooThemes and later acquired by Automattic, WooCommerce has quickly become one of the most popular e-commerce solutions worldwide. Its flexibility and extensive customization options make it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

At its core, WooCommerce transforms a standard WordPress website into a fully functional online store. It provides essential features such as product listings, shopping cart functionality, secure checkout processes, and various payment gateway integrations. WooCommerce also supports a wide range of product types, including physical goods, digital downloads, subscriptions, and even bookings.

WooCommerce’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation make it accessible to website developers. Its strong community support further aids users in troubleshooting issues and finding creative solutions to their e-commerce challenges.

Understanding Out of Stock text and Stock Status in WooCommerce

Explanation of Stock Status and Its Default Appearance on WooCommerce Product Pages

Stock status in WooCommerce is a feature that helps store owners and customers keep track of product availability. By default, WooCommerce displays stock status on product pages, providing information on whether a product is in stock, out of stock, or available on backorder. This status appears prominently near the product description, typically below the price.

The stock status serves several purposes:

• In Stock: Indicates that the product is available for immediate purchase.
• Out of Stock: Signals that the product is currently unavailable, preventing customers from placing orders.
• On Backorder: Shows that the product is not currently in stock but can be ordered and will be shipped once available.

This information is crucial for managing customer expectations and inventory. However, there are scenarios where store owners might want to remove or hide the stock status from their product pages.

Common Reasons for Wanting to Remove Stock Status

1. Aesthetics:
   • Stock status indicators can clutter the product page, disrupting the visual flow and design. By removing them, store owners can create a cleaner, more streamlined look that enhances the overall user experience.
2. Customer Experience:
   • Displaying out-of-stock messages can deter potential customers, leading to abandoned carts and lost sales. Some store owners prefer to manage stock notifications more discreetly, using email alerts or alternative methods to inform customers when products are back in stock.
3. Inventory Management:
   • For businesses with complex inventory systems or high-turnover items, constantly updating stock statuses can be cumbersome. Removing the stock status display simplifies product management, especially for stores that frequently restock items or rely on dropshipping.
4. Marketing Strategies:
   • Some businesses use stock status as part of their marketing strategy, creating a sense of urgency when items are low in stock. Conversely, others might want to avoid this tactic and keep the focus on the product features and benefits instead.
5. Custom Sales Tactics:
   • In certain cases, hiding stock status allows store owners to implement custom sales tactics. For example, exclusive or limited-edition products might benefit from a more personalized approach to inventory communication. Or, as in the case demonstrated below, to use this location to provide a link to another page

By understanding the role of stock status in WooCommerce and the reasons for modifying its visibility, store owners can make informed decisions about how to best present their products and manage customer expectations.

Using Code to Remove Stock Status

Add this code snippet to your functions.php file

// Remove stock status from WooCommerce product pages
add_filter('woocommerce_get_stock_html', '__return_empty_string');

Or, if you want to replace this the text with an alternative button or text

add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_stock_html', 'ns_show_new_text', 10, 2 );
function ns_show_new_text(){
	echo '
	<p style="padding:20px 0 0">
		This is the new text
	</p>';
}

Or, if required, make text specific to 1 product, or category

add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_stock_html', 'ns_show_new_text', 10, 2 );
function ns_show_new_text(){
if ( 15 === $product->get_id() ) { //Only Product ID 15
	echo '
	<p style="padding:20px 0 0">
		This is the new text for Product id 15
	</p>';
	}
elseif ( has_term( 'books', 'product_cat' ) ) { //Only Products in the Book Product Category
echo '	<p style="padding:20px 0 0">		
		This is the new text for Book Category Product</p>';
	} 
}

Customizing WooCommerce can significantly enhance your online store, improving user experience and boosting sales. If you need help with tailoring your WooCommerce store to better suit your business needs, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Whether you’re looking to hide stock status, integrate new features, or redesign your product pages, expert Woocommerce assistance can make the process smoother and more efficient.