# How to Increase Products Per Page in WooCommerce: A Comprehensive Guide
WooCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform, but its default product display can sometimes feel a little sparse. Showing more products per page can significantly improve your website’s user experience and potentially boost sales. This guide will walk you through various methods to increase the number of products displayed on your WooCommerce archive pages (shop, category, tag pages), explaining the process and highlighting potential drawbacks.
Understanding the Default WooCommerce Product Display
WooCommerce, by default, uses a loop to display products. This loop is controlled by several factors, including your theme’s design and WooCommerce’s settings. Increasing the number of products shown involves modifying this loop, either by changing theme files or using plugins. Understanding the limitations of your theme is crucial before making any modifications. Forcibly increasing the number of products beyond what your theme can handle gracefully can lead to a poor user experience and negatively impact your site’s performance.
Methods to Increase Products Per Page
There are several ways to achieve a higher products-per-page count in your WooCommerce store. Let’s explore the most common approaches:
1. Modifying your theme’s `archive.php` file (Advanced Users)
This is the most direct method, but it requires familiarity with PHP and WordPress theme development. This method is not recommended for beginners, as incorrect modifications can break your website.
- Locate `archive.php`: This file usually resides in your theme’s directory. Find it using your FTP client or your hosting provider’s file manager.
- Locate the `woocommerce_loop` hook: This hook controls the product loop. You’ll likely find it within the “ loop.
- Adjust `posts_per_page`: Inside this loop, you’ll find a `wp_query` object. Modify the `’posts_per_page’` argument within this object. For example, to display 24 products per page:
24, // other query arguments... );
$loop = new WP_Query( $args );
if ( $loop->have_posts() ) {
while ( $loop->have_posts() ) {
$loop->the_post();
// your product display code here
}
wp_reset_postdata();
}
?>
- Save changes & Test: After making these changes, save the `archive.php` file and thoroughly test your site to ensure everything functions correctly. Always back up your files before making any modifications.
2. Using a WooCommerce Plugin (Recommended)
Using a plugin provides a safer and often easier way to control the number of products per page. Many plugins offer this functionality without requiring code editing. Search the WordPress plugin repository for “WooCommerce products per page” or similar keywords. These plugins typically provide a simple interface to adjust the number of products without touching any theme files.
3. Utilizing WooCommerce Settings (Limited Control)
WooCommerce itself offers some control over product display, but its options are generally limited. You might find a setting within your WooCommerce settings to adjust the number of products displayed on shop pages. However, this option may not be available in all themes or may only affect specific areas of your website.
Potential Downsides of Increasing Products Per Page
While increasing the number of products per page can seem beneficial, there are some drawbacks to consider:
- Page Load Speed: Displaying many products can significantly slow down your page load time, negatively impacting your SEO and user experience.
- Server Load: More products require more server resources, potentially leading to higher hosting costs or performance issues.
- User Experience: A cluttered page with too many products can be overwhelming for users, making it difficult to find what they’re looking for. Finding the right balance is key.
Conclusion
Increasing the number of products displayed per page in WooCommerce can offer advantages, but it’s crucial to proceed cautiously. While directly modifying your theme’s files offers the most control, it’s risky for those unfamiliar with PHP. Using a dedicated plugin is generally the safest and easiest approach. Remember to carefully consider the potential negative impacts on page load speed and user experience and to find the optimal balance between showcasing products and providing a smooth browsing experience for your customers. Always test your changes thoroughly to ensure everything works as expected.
