WooCommerce 3.3.1: Mastering Display Options for an Enhanced User Experience
WooCommerce is a powerful and versatile e-commerce platform built on WordPress. While the default settings often suffice for basic stores, customizing the display options is crucial for crafting a unique and engaging shopping experience for your customers. In this article, we’ll delve into how to edit display options in WooCommerce version 3.3.1, covering everything from product catalog customization to individual product page tweaks. Understanding these options allows you to present your products effectively and ultimately drive more sales. We’ll also address some of the limitations and considerations you might face.
Understanding WooCommerce Display Options in Version 3.3.1
WooCommerce 3.3.1 provides several avenues for modifying how your products are displayed. These options range from simple settings within the WordPress admin panel to more advanced customizations that require code snippets or theme modifications. Let’s explore some of the key areas:
#### 1. Catalog and Product Category Pages
These pages display your products based on categories or search results. Here’s how you can customize their display:
- Products per page: Adjust the number of products shown on each page. Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Display. The “Products per row” and “Rows per page” settings will determine the layout. A setting of 3 products per row and 4 rows per page would show 12 products.
- Default Product Sorting: Control the order in which products are displayed. Options include popularity, average rating, date, price (low to high and high to low), and default sorting. This setting is also found on the WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Display tab.
- Category Display Options: Choose how category pages are displayed. You can opt for “Show products,” “Show subcategories,” or “Show both.” Found under Products > Categories > Edit Category.
- Shop page display: Customize the shop page to show products, categories, or both. You can choose which one to display using the dropdown menu. Go to Appearance > Customize > WooCommerce > Product Catalog.
- Featured Image Display: The primary image of your product. Ensure high-quality images that showcase your product effectively. This is managed when creating or editing a product under the “Product Image” section in the right sidebar.
- Product Gallery: Add multiple images to showcase different angles and features of your product. Use the “Product gallery” section in the right sidebar when editing the product.
- Product Description and Short Description: The short description appears near the product title and price, while the full description is below. Use them strategically to highlight key features and benefits. These are found in the main content editor when editing a product.
- Related Products, Discover insights on How To Import Woocommerce Orders Upsells, and Cross-sells: WooCommerce automatically displays related products, upsells (higher-priced alternatives), and cross-sells (products to add to the cart). You configure upsells and cross-sells on the Linked Products tab when editing a product. Related products are usually automatically populated based on category and tags.
- Overriding Templates: WooCommerce allows you to override template files in your theme. Copy the template file from `wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/` to `wp-content/themes/[your-theme]/woocommerce/`. Then, edit the file in your theme to make changes. For example, to modify the product title display, you might edit `wp-content/themes/[your-theme]/woocommerce/single-product/title.php`.
- Using `woocommerce_before_single_product_summary`, `woocommerce_after_single_product_summary` and other action hooks: These hooks allow you to add content to specific areas of the product page without modifying the core template files.
#### 2. Single Product Pages
These pages display individual product details. Customizing these pages is essential for providing comprehensive information and enticing customers to buy.
#### 3. Advanced Customization (Theme Files & Code)
For more complex modifications, you might need to delve into your theme’s files or use custom code snippets. Always back up your website before making any code changes.
add_action( 'woocommerce_before_single_product_summary', 'add_custom_content_before_image', 10 );
function add_custom_content_before_image() {
echo ‘
‘;
}
- Custom CSS: Use CSS to style elements on your product pages. You can add custom CSS in your theme’s customizer (Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS) or through a child theme stylesheet. For example, to change the price color:
.woocommerce div.product p.price, .woocommerce div.product span.price {
color: #ff0000; /* Red */
}
Challenges and Considerations
While WooCommerce provides extensive display options, you may encounter certain challenges:
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes might have their own styling and template overrides that conflict with your customizations. Always test your changes thoroughly.
- Plugin Conflicts: Other plugins might interfere with WooCommerce’s display settings. Deactivate plugins one by one to identify any conflicts.
- Update Issues: When updating WooCommerce, ensure your customizations are compatible with the new version. Check the WooCommerce changelog for any breaking changes.
- Complexity: Advanced customization requires technical skills in HTML, CSS, and PHP. Consider hiring a developer if you’re not comfortable with code.
Conclusion
Customizing the display options in WooCommerce 3.3.1 is crucial for creating a visually appealing and user-friendly online store. By understanding the various settings and leveraging advanced customization techniques, you can optimize your product presentation, enhance the shopping experience, and ultimately drive more sales. Remember to back up your website before making any changes and to thoroughly test your customizations. Mastering these display options will empower you to create a unique and successful e-commerce platform. Remember to regularly review and update your display settings as your business evolves and customer preferences change.
