Shop Visibility Settings
Configure shop visibility, access controls, and shop status settings
Understanding Shop Visibility
Shop visibility controls determine who can see and access your store. You can make your shop fully public, limit access to specific people, or keep it private while you prepare. Proper visibility settings protect your shop during setup and control your customer reach.
✅ Why Visibility Settings Matter
- Control when your shop goes live to the public
- Test your shop in private before launch
- Manage who can view your products
- Create exclusive access for VIP customers
- Protect incomplete shops from public view
- Enable/disable ordering at specific times
Shop Visibility Modes
1. Public Shop
Your shop is visible to everyone on the internet.
Characteristics
- Shop URL is searchable online
- Appears in search results (Google, Bing, etc.)
- Customers can browse and order freely
- Visible on social media when shared
- Anyone with the link can access
When to Use
- Shop is fully set up and ready
- You want to maximize reach and sales
- Products are complete and accurate
- Contact information is correct
- You can handle customer inquiries
2. Unlisted Shop
Shop is accessible but not searchable. People can only find it with the direct link.
Characteristics
- Won't appear in search results
- Accessible via direct URL only
- Customers need the exact link
- Works great for shared links on social media
- Private but not password protected
When to Use
- Shop is nearly ready but not fully prepared
- Testing with limited audience
- Exclusive shop for specific customers
- Soft launch before public release
- Sharing with WhatsApp/Instagram followers only
3. Private/Password Protected
Shop requires a password to access. Maximum privacy and control.
Characteristics
- Requires password to view shop
- Not searchable at all
- Maximum privacy and control
- Perfect for development/testing
- Customers can share password
When to Use
- Shop is still under heavy development
- Exclusive preview for select customers
- VIP/members-only shop
- Seasonal or temporary pop-up shop
- Testing with team members
4. Maintenance Mode
Shop is temporarily closed for updates. Customers see a notice but can't browse.
Characteristics
- Shop appears offline to customers
- Shows custom maintenance message
- Can provide reopening date
- Still allows admin access
- Preserves shop data
When to Use
- Major updates or redesign
- System maintenance needed
- Temporary closure for inventory
- Database migration or backup
Changing Visibility Settings
Step-by-Step: Launch Your Shop
- Start in Private Mode - Keep shop hidden while setting up
- Add Products - Create at least 5-10 quality product listings
- Complete Shop Info - Add branding, description, contact details
- Switch to Unlisted - Test with friends and family via direct link
- Test Everything - Check navigation, checkout, product pages
- Gather Feedback - Ask test users for honest feedback
- Make Final Adjustments - Fix any issues found during testing
- Switch to Public - Launch your shop to the world
Pre-Launch Checklist
Before Going Public, Verify:
Product-Level Visibility
Product Status Settings
Beyond shop visibility, individual products have their own visibility settings:
Published
Product is live and visible to customers on your shop. Can be purchased.
Draft
Product is saved but not visible to customers. Good for work in progress.
Hidden/Archived
Product exists in your system but is completely hidden from customers. Useful for discontinued items.
Out of Stock
Product is visible but customers cannot order it. Shows availability status.
Managing Product Visibility
- Keep incomplete products in Draft until ready
- Publish only products you actually have in stock
- Mark products out of stock rather than deleting
- Hide discontinued products instead of removing them
- Review product status regularly
- Update status immediately when stock changes
SEO & Search Visibility
Improving Shop Discoverability
Once public, help customers find your shop:
Use Descriptive Shop Name
Include keywords customers search for: "Electronics Shop Lagos" vs "E-Shop"
Optimize Shop Description
Include relevant keywords naturally in your shop description
Use Good Product Titles
Product names should include keywords: "Blue Cotton T-Shirt Large" instead of "Shirt"
Share on Social Media
Link to your shop from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp
SEO Best Practices
- Use keywords customers search for in product titles
- Include location keywords if local (your city, region, country, etc.)
- Write detailed product descriptions with keywords
- Use categories to organize content logically
- Ensure shop loads quickly
- Mobile optimization is crucial
- Get backlinks from social media
Access & Permissions
Managing Shop Admin Access
Control who can manage your shop:
Admin/Owner
Full access to all shop settings, products, and orders. This is you.
Editor
Can add/edit products and manage inventory, but cannot change shop settings.
Manager
Can manage orders and customer inquiries. No product editing.
Viewer
Can view shop data and reports, but cannot make changes.
Security Tips for Shop Access
- Use strong, unique passwords for your admin account
- Enable two-factor authentication if available
- Only give access to trusted team members
- Remove access immediately when someone leaves
- Change password regularly (every 3 months)
- Don't share your password - use access permissions instead
- Monitor admin activity and changes
Seasonal & Temporary Changes
Managing Seasonal Visibility
Control visibility for seasonal products:
- Hide seasonal products when out of season (instead of deleting)
- Create seasonal categories that appear/disappear by season
- Set reminders to publish seasonal items at the right time
- Use maintenance mode for major seasonal transitions
- Archive old seasonal collections for future reference
Holiday & Event Closures
Plan visibility around holidays:
- Update contact info before holidays (response times)
- Add banner about holiday closures
- Consider maintenance mode if you'll be unreachable
- Process orders before closure dates
- Update shop description with holiday hours
- Use auto-replies on all contact channels
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Going Public Too Early
Launching with incomplete products or info damages your credibility.
🚫 Forgetting to Test First
Always test in private/unlisted mode before going public.
🚫 Inconsistent Visibility
Don't constantly switch between public/private - confuses customers.
🚫 Sharing Password Protected Link
If using password protection, don't share the password publicly.
🚫 Forgetting to Update Status
Showing published products you don't actually have hurts trust.
🚫 Poor Access Control
Giving everyone admin access is a security risk.
Tips for Success
🧪 Test Thoroughly
Use private/unlisted mode to test everything before going public.
📋 Plan Your Launch
Have a clear launch plan with timeline and checklist.
📢 Announce Your Launch
Share your shop with friends, family, and social media.
🔄 Keep It Updated
Regularly review and update product visibility and status.
Next Steps
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