How To Display Product Categories In Menu Woocommerce

# How to Display Product Categories in Your WooCommerce Menu: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you’ve got a thriving WooCommerce store, but your menu is looking a little… bare. Customers can’t easily find what they’re looking for if your product categories aren’t clearly displayed. This article will show you how to seamlessly integrate your WooCommerce product categories into your WordPress menu, improving navigation and boosting sales.

Why Display Product Categories in Your Menu?

Think of a physical store – would you walk in and expect to find everything randomly placed? Of course not! You expect a clear layout, possibly with signs directing you to different departments (like clothing, electronics, groceries). Your online store needs the same clear organization. Displaying product categories in your menu provides:

• Improved User Experience: Customers can quickly find the products they want.
• Increased Sales: Easier navigation leads to more browsing and ultimately, more purchases.
• Better Site Structure: A well-organized site improves your SEO.
• Professionalism: A clean, well-structured menu reflects positively on your brand.

Method 1: Using the WordPress Menu System (Easiest Method)

This is the simplest and most recommended method. No coding required!

1. Navigate to Appearance > Menus: In your WordPress dashboard, find the menu settings.

2. Create a New Menu (or Edit an Existing One): If you don’t have a menu already, create one. Give it a descriptive name like “Main Menu.”

3. Add a Menu Item: Click “Add menu items.”

4. Select “Product Categories”: You’ll see “Product categories” listed under “WooCommerce.” Select this option.

5. Choose your Categories: Select the categories you want to display in your menu. You can choose all, or just specific ones. You might want to show your top-selling categories first. Think of it like strategically placing your most popular items in the most visible spots in a physical store!

6. Arrange Menu Items: Drag and drop the categories to arrange them in the order you prefer. For example, you might want “New Arrivals” before “Sale Items”.

7. Save Menu: Click “Save Menu” to apply your changes.

Now your product categories should be beautifully integrated into your menu!

Method 2: Using a Plugin (For Advanced Customization)

If you need more control over the display or want to add extra features, a plugin might be helpful. Many plugins offer advanced menu management, including options for custom category layouts, icons, and more. Popular options include:

• Mega Menu Plugins: These create dropdown menus that display many categories in an organized grid, ideal for sites with a lot of categories.
• Custom Menu Plugins: These plugins allow more advanced customization of menu appearance and functionality.

Important Note: Always research and choose plugins from reputable sources to avoid security issues.

Method 3: Customizing with Code (For Developers)

For advanced users comfortable with code, you can directly modify your theme’s `functions.php` file or create a custom plugin. This offers the ultimate flexibility but requires more technical knowledge. Proceed with caution, and always back up your files before making any changes.

Here’s a basic example of adding a custom menu item for a specific category (e.g., “Shirts”):

function add_shirts_to_menu( $items, $args ) {
if ( $args->theme_location == 'primary' ) { // Replace 'primary' with your menu location
$shirts_category = get_term_by( 'slug', 'shirts', 'product_cat' ); // Replace 'shirts' with your category slug
if ( $shirts_category ) {
$shirts_item = array(
'title' => $shirts_category->name,
'url' => get_term_link( $shirts_category->term_id, 'product_cat' ),
);
$items[] = $shirts_item;
}
}
return $items;
}
add_filter( 'wp_nav_menu_objects', 'add_shirts_to_menu', 10, 2 );

Remember to replace `”primary”` and `”shirts”` with your actual menu location and category slug. This code adds a menu item for the “Shirts” category to the “primary” menu location.

Conclusion

Displaying your product categories clearly in your WooCommerce menu is crucial for a positive user experience and increased sales. Use the method that best suits your technical skills and needs. Start with the simple WordPress menu system and only consider plugins or custom code if you require advanced features. Remember – a well-organized website is a successful website!