WooCommerce: Allow Only Simple Products

WooCommerce stores that exclusively sell simple products can benefit from a cleaner backend by removing unused product types like variable, grouped, and external products. Simplifying the product editor and backend product listings not only declutters the interface but also reduces the chances of store managers making mistakes when adding or managing products.

With fewer options to navigate, the product management workflow becomes more efficient and user-friendly. Store managers can focus solely on the essentials, without being distracted by unnecessary settings or product types that aren’t relevant to the store. This is especially useful for teams managing a high volume of products or multiple users accessing the store backend.

By restricting WooCommerce to simple products only, you can create a focused environment that improves accuracy and reduces confusion. Below, we’ll share useful snippets to help you remove unnecessary options and tailor WooCommerce to simple products exclusively.

PHP Snippet 1: Remove All Product Types Except “Simple product” @ Edit Product > Product Data > Product Type Selector

This snippet alone handles 95% of the work. For new and edited products, store managers can now select only “Simple product” from the Product Type dropdown.

This code also removes all product types but “Simple product” from the “Filter by product type” dropdown you find under Products > All Products.

Of course, if you previously created Variable or Grouped products, you will need to resave them to switch them to Simple.

/**
 * @snippet       Keep Only "Simple" @ Product Type Dropdown
 * @how-to        businessbloomer.com/woocommerce-customization
 * @author        Rodolfo Melogli, Business Bloomer
 * @compatible    WooCommerce 9
 * @community     https://businessbloomer.com/club/
 */

add_filter( 'product_type_selector', 'bbloomer_simple_products_only' );

function bbloomer_simple_products_only( $types ) {
    return array( 'simple' => $types['simple'] );
}

PHP Snippet 2: Hide Product Type Selector @ Edit Product > Product Data

Now that the dropdown only comes with a single option, let’s hide it!

/**
 * @snippet       Hide Product Type Dropdown
 * @how-to        businessbloomer.com/woocommerce-customization
 * @author        Rodolfo Melogli, Business Bloomer
 * @compatible    WooCommerce 9
 * @community     https://businessbloomer.com/club/
 */

add_action( 'admin_head', 'bbloomer_hide_product_type_selector' );

function bbloomer_hide_product_type_selector() {
    ?>
    <style>
        label[for="product-type"] {
            display: none !important;
        }
    </style>
    <?php
}

Where to add custom code?

You should place custom PHP in functions.php and custom CSS in style.css of your child theme: where to place WooCommerce customization?

This code still works, unless you report otherwise. To exclude conflicts, temporarily switch to the Storefront theme, disable all plugins except WooCommerce, and test the snippet again: WooCommerce troubleshooting 101

Related content

Rodolfo Melogli

Business Bloomer Founder

Author, WooCommerce expert and WordCamp speaker, Rodolfo has worked as an independent WooCommerce freelancer since 2011. His goal is to help entrepreneurs and developers overcome their WooCommerce nightmares. Rodolfo loves travelling, chasing tennis & soccer balls and, of course, wood fired oven pizza. Follow @rmelogli

Questions? Feedback? Customization? Leave your comment now!
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