There are certain scenarios where you may need to create a SKU in your ecommerce backend that's just for use in a Zest Storefront or Concierge order. For example, a customized or special-order item you need to add to a private storefront but don't want to offer on your main DTC website. Here's how you can make that happen.
Creating Zest-only Products
You can offer products through Zest that are completely invisible on your public Shopify store — no separate system required.
Zest can access products in your Shopify database that have active or unlisted Product Status. To create a Zest-only product, we recommend the following formula: Unlisted in Shopify, but not published to any sales channel.
Here's how to set it up:
In Shopify, create a new product with a complete title, description, images, pricing, and inventory settings.
Set the Product Status to Unlisted
Deselect Online Store and all other channels in the Sales channels section. This builds redundancy around ensuring you're not not publishing the product anywhere.
Save the product in Shopify.
Return to Zest and import the product using the steps above.
The product will remain completely hidden from your public website and unsearchable via Google. Zest connects to your store through the Shopify Admin API, so it can access any product, regardless of status or channel publication. Once imported, you can add it to any storefront or concierge order.
For more information on importing products to your Zest Partners portal, check out this article.