This guide explains how to use the variable product setting so that the lowest price is shown only after the customer selects a variant, with optional placeholder text before selection.
Why use this?
For variable products, the main product has no sale dates or “on sale” state—only variants do. If the plugin is set to show the lowest price “only when product is on sale” or to count from “sale start”, the main product page can show an incorrect or misleading lowest price before any variant is chosen.
By deferring the lowest price until a variant is selected, you avoid that issue and show the correct lowest price for the chosen variant.
Steps
- Go to WooCommerce → Price History in the WordPress admin.
- Scroll to the Variable products section.
- Check “Show lowest price only after a variant is selected”.
- (Optional) In the text field below, edit the message shown next to the price before a variant is selected.
Default: “Select a variant to see the lowest price”. - Click Save Changes.
Result
- Before the customer selects a variant: the placeholder text (e.g. “Select a variant to see the lowest price”) is shown next to the price instead of a lowest-price value.
- After the customer selects a variant: the plugin shows the correct lowest price for that variant, using your usual “Minimal price text” and display options.
Turning it off
Uncheck “Show lowest price only after a variant is selected” and save. The plugin will then behave as before: the main variable product may show a lowest price (based on main product data), and variants will continue to show their own lowest prices where applicable.