March 24, 2025

How to Restrict Access to Digital Products Based on User Roles in PrestaShop

In an online store, not all products should be available to every customer. Some digital products, such as exclusive e-books, software downloads, or premium courses, may need to be accessible only to specific users. Thankfully, PrestaShop allows you to restrict products by customer groups, ensuring that only certain customers can see and buy particular items.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to use PrestaShop to restrict products by customer groups and create a PrestaShop private shopping experience for your store.

Why Restrict Digital Products in PrestaShop?

Limiting access to digital products offers several benefits:

✔ Exclusive Access: Sell VIP content to premium members.
✔ Wholesale & Retail Separation: Show different products based on user type.
✔ Membership-Based Selling: Offer content only to subscribed users.
✔ Better User Experience: Avoid confusing customers with unavailable products.

By implementing PrestaShop restrict products by customer groups, you ensure a smooth and customized shopping experience.

How to Restrict Products by Customer Groups in PrestaShop

Restricting products for certain users in PrestaShop involves setting up customer groups and controlling product visibility. Follow these steps:

1. Create Customer Groups in PrestaShop

To restrict digital products, first, create different customer groups.

Steps to Create Customer Groups

  1. Log in to your PrestaShop Admin Panel.
  2. Go to Customers > Groups.
  3. Click Add New Group.
  4. Name the group, such as VIP Members or Wholesale Customers.
  5. Set any discounts if needed.
  6. Click Save.

Now, you have a customer group ready for restricted access.

2. Assign Customers to Groups

Once you have groups, assign customers to them.

Steps to Assign Customers to Groups

  1. Go to Customers > Customers in your PrestaShop dashboard.
  2. Find the customer you want to assign to a group.
  3. Click Edit next to their name.
  4. Scroll down to Group Membership.
  5. Select the appropriate group (e.g., VIP Members).
  6. Save the changes.

Now, this customer belongs to a restricted group, allowing you to control which products they can see.

3. Restrict Product Access by Customer Groups

Now, let’s limit product visibility to specific groups.

Steps to Restrict Product Access

  1. Go to Catalog > Products.
  2. Select the digital product you want to restrict.
  3. Click the Pricing tab.
  4. Scroll to Customer Group Restrictions.
  5. Choose which groups can see and buy the product.
  6. Save the settings.

Now, only selected customers will see and purchase the product.

4. Hide Restricted Products from Unauthorized Customers

If you want to completely hide restricted products from unapproved users, you can use PrestaShop private shopping experience settings.

Steps to Hide Restricted Products

  1. Go to Preferences > Products.
  2. Look for Display out-of-stock products.
  3. Set it to No to hide restricted items.
  4. Save changes.

Now, customers who are not in the selected group won’t even see the restricted product.

5. Use a PrestaShop Module for Advanced Restrictions

If you want more control over restricted products, consider using a module. Some popular PrestaShop modules include:

✔ PrestaShop Product Restriction by Customer Group – Allows advanced product visibility settings.
✔ Private Shop Module – Creates a PrestaShop private shopping experience.
✔ Membership & Subscription Module – Restricts access based on paid subscriptions.

To install a module:

  1. Go to Modules > Module Manager.
  2. Click Add New Module.
  3. Upload your downloaded product restriction module.
  4. Configure the settings.

These modules help in restricting products more efficiently.

6. Redirect Unauthorized Users to a Custom Page

Instead of showing a “Product Not Available” message, you can redirect unauthorized users to a custom page.

Steps to Redirect Unauthorized Users

  1. Use a PrestaShop redirect module (like “URL Redirect & 301 Redirects”).
  2. Set up a rule to redirect restricted users to a custom landing page.
  3. Display a message like: “This product is available only for VIP members. Upgrade your membership to access it!”

This improves user experience and encourages customers to upgrade.

7. Restrict Access to Entire Categories

Instead of restricting individual products, you can hide entire categories.

Steps to Restrict a Category

  1. Go to Catalog > Categories.
  2. Select the category you want to restrict.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Under Group Restrictions, select the allowed customer groups.
  5. Save changes.

Now, restricted users won’t see any products in that category.

Final Thoughts

Using PrestaShop restrict products by customer groups, you can easily control access to digital products. This feature is perfect for membership sites, wholesale stores, and exclusive content providers.

By following the steps above, you can create a PrestaShop private shopping experience tailored to different user roles. Whether you restrict individual products, categories, or use modules, you can ensure that only the right users have access to the right products.

Start customizing access today and improve your store’s exclusivity!