How to Change WooCommerce Default Sort Order: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you tired of your WooCommerce products always displaying in the default order? Want to boost sales by showcasing your best-selling items or newest arrivals first? Then you’ve come to the right place! This guide will show you how to easily change the WooCommerce default sort order, allowing you to optimize your storefront for better conversions and a more engaging user experience.
Understanding WooCommerce’s Default Sorting
By default, WooCommerce typically sorts products by date, meaning the newest products appear first. While this might seem logical, it doesn’t always benefit your business. Showing popular or discounted items upfront can significantly increase sales. Fortunately, WooCommerce offers several ways to alter this default behavior, catering to your specific needs.
Methods to Change the WooCommerce Default Sort Order
There are several approaches to modifying the default product sorting. We’ll cover the most common and user-friendly options:
#### 1. Using the WooCommerce Settings
This is the easiest method for most users, requiring no coding skills.
- Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Display.
- In the “Default product sorting” section, select your preferred sorting option from the dropdown menu. Learn more about How To Connect Shippo To Woocommerce Options typically include:
- Popularity (sorts by number of sales)
- Rating (sorts by average customer rating)
- Newest (sorts by upload date, the default)
- Price (low to high)
- Price (high to low)
- Name (A-Z)
- Name (Z-A)
- Save changes.
- WooCommerce Sort By: This plugin provides more granular control over sorting options, potentially allowing you to sort by custom fields or attributes.
- YITH WooCommerce Product Sorting: Another robust plugin offering various sorting criteria and customization options.
This simple tweak immediately alters the default product ordering across your entire store.
#### 2. Customizing the Sort Order with a Plugin
If the built-in options aren’t sufficient, several plugins offer advanced sorting capabilities. Popular choices include:
Installing and configuring a plugin usually involves uploading the plugin file through your WordPress admin panel and activating it. Remember to consult the specific plugin’s documentation for detailed instructions.
#### 3. Using a Child Theme and Custom Code (Advanced Users)
For advanced users comfortable with PHP, modifying the `woocommerce_get_catalog_ordering_args` filter can offer the most customized solutions. This allows for highly specific sorting logic.
Here’s an example code snippet to sort products by price, high to low:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_catalog_ordering_args', 'custom_woocommerce_get_catalog_ordering_args' ); function custom_woocommerce_get_catalog_ordering_args( $args ) { $args['order'] = 'DESC'; $args['orderby'] = 'meta_value_num'; $args['meta_key'] = '_price'; return $args; }
Remember: Always use a child theme to implement code changes to avoid losing your customizations upon theme updates. Thoroughly test your changes after implementation.
Conclusion
Changing the WooCommerce default sort order is crucial for optimizing your online store. Whether you utilize the built-in settings, a dedicated plugin, or custom code, you can significantly impact your sales and user experience. Choose the method best suited to your technical skills and desired level of customization. Remember to monitor your results and adjust your sorting strategy as needed to maximize your online store’s potential. By implementing these strategies, you can improve your conversion rates and create a more enjoyable shopping experience for your customers.