Do You Need SKUs to Use ProfitTree?
The short answer: No, SKUs are not required to use ProfitTree.
You can track profit, enter COGS, and review your shop performance even if your Etsy listings do not use a SKU system.
However, SKUs unlock several features that make ProfitTree more accurate and much easier to use — especially for shops with many products or variants.
Profit Tracking Without SKUs
ProfitTree still works if you do not use SKUs:
You can manually enter COGS in COGS Management
Your sales will still appear in Products Reports and Listing Reports
ProfitTree will calculate profit using the COGS you provide
This is enough to get started, and many new sellers begin this way.
Limitations When You Don’t Use SKUs
While SKUs are optional, there are important trade-offs:
1. ProfitTree cannot group listings without SKUs
If a product appears in multiple listings, ProfitTree will treat each listing as a separate product.
2. Variants appear as separate rows
Etsy sends variant-level data. Without SKUs to merge variants, each one shows individually.
3. You cannot bulk upload COGS
The bulk COGS uploader requires SKUs to match products.
4. You may see “Missing SKU” errors
Products that sell without SKUs will appear in the “Without SKU” filter in COGS Management.
5. POD auto-COGS depends on SKUs
Printify and Printful require SKUs for ProfitTree to match the correct product cost.
6. More manual work
Without SKUs, you must enter COGS manually for each listing or variant.
Why We Recommend Using SKUs
SKUs unlock major benefits inside ProfitTree:
Accurate product grouping
Clean, consolidated reporting
Automatic COGS matching
Ability to bulk upload COGS
Avoiding COGS conflicts
Easier analysis across listings and variants
SKUs also prevent common errors like:
Multiple COGS Error
Without SKU Error
Inconsistent tracking across duplicated listings
How to Track COGS Without SKUs
If you prefer not to use SKUs, you can still track costs manually:
Go to COGS Management
Select a product
Enter your COGS
Save your updates
Step-by-step video:
How to Build a SKU System for Your Etsy Shop
If you’re ready to start using SKUs:
Get your free SKU generator
Make your own copy
Watch the setup tutorial
Tutorial video:
Creating a SKU system will help ProfitTree deliver more accurate product grouping, COGS tracking, and reporting.