Getting Your WooCommerce Products to Shine on Your Homepage: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve set up your WooCommerce store, added some awesome products, and you’re ready to sell. But… your homepage looks a little *empty*, doesn’t it? You want to showcase your best sellers, latest arrivals, or special offers Learn more about Woocommerce How To Display Different Types Of Same Product right where everyone lands – on your homepage. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place! This guide will walk you through how to make WooCommerce products show up on your homepage, even if you’re a total beginner. We’ll use simple methods with clear explanations and real-life examples.
Why Show Products on Your Homepage?
Think of your homepage as your store’s front window. If it’s cluttered, confusing, or empty, customers might walk right on by. Displaying products prominently on your homepage has several key benefits:
- Improved User Experience: Visitors see immediately what you offer, leading to faster discovery and potential purchases. Imagine a clothing store’s window displaying the season’s hottest items – that’s what we’re aiming for.
- Increased Sales: By showcasing popular or discounted items, you’re directly encouraging clicks and purchases. Think of it like placing impulse buys near the checkout counter in a supermarket.
- Enhanced Website Navigation: Highlighting specific product categories or collections can guide visitors to relevant sections of your store. This is like directional signage inside a large store.
- Improved SEO: Strategically placed product displays can improve your homepage’s ranking for relevant keywords. This means when people search on Google, your shop will appear higher in the results.
- Show Recent Products: Display the most recently added products.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce Shortcodes (The Quick & Easy Way)
WooCommerce provides a set of “shortcodes” – little snippets of code that you can insert into your homepage to display different types of products. This is the simplest method for most users.
Step 1: Edit Your Homepage
Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Pages -> All Pages. Find your homepage and click “Edit” (or “Edit with [Your Page Builder]”).
Step 2: Insert a Shortcode Block
If you’re using the standard WordPress block editor (Gutenberg), add a “Shortcode” block. Search for it by typing “Shortcode” in the block search. If you are using a page builder (like Elementor, Beaver Builder, etc.), use a “Shortcode” or “Text Editor” block.
Step 3: Choose Your Shortcode
Here are some common WooCommerce shortcodes and how to use them:
[recent_products per_page="4" columns="4"]
- `per_page=”4″`: Shows 4 products. Change this number as needed.
- `columns=”4″`: Displays the products in 4 columns. Adjust this based on your layout.
Example: A new bakery might use this to show off their latest cake flavors.
- Show Featured Products: Display products you’ve marked as “featured.”
[featured_products per_page="4" columns="4"]
Example: A store running a holiday promotion can feature items that are especially seasonal.
- Show Products from a Specific Category:
[product_category category="clothing" per_page="4" columns="4"]
- `category=”clothing”`: Replace “clothing” with the *slug* of your category (more on that below).
Example: A fashion retailer could spotlight their “Summer Collection” by pulling in products in that category.
- Show Best Selling Products:
[best_selling_products per_page="4" columns="4"]
Example: A bookstore can showcase their bestsellers to new visitors.
Step 4: Find Your Category Slug (If Needed)
If you’re using the `product_category` shortcode, you need the *slug* of the category, not the name. Here’s how to find it:
1. Go to Products -> Categories in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Find the category you want to display.
3. Hover over the category name. You should see a link in the bottom left corner of your browser. The link will contain the category *slug* – usually the category name in lowercase with dashes instead of spaces. For example, for a category called “Men’s Shoes”, the slug might be “mens-shoes”.
4. Alternatively, click on the category and look at the URL in your browser. It should contain the slug.
Step 5: Save and View Your Homepage
After inserting and configuring your shortcode, save the page and view your homepage to see the products displayed. You might need to adjust the `per_page` and `columns` attributes to get the layout you want.
Method 2: Using a Page Builder (For More Control)
If you’re using a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Divi, you’ll have more control over the look and feel of your product displays.
Step 1: Edit Your Homepage with Your Page Builder
Open your homepage in your chosen page builder.
Step 2: Find the WooCommerce Product Element
Most page builders have dedicated WooCommerce elements that allow you to display products in various ways. Look for elements like “Products Grid,” “Product Carousel,” “Product List,” or similar names. Each page builder is slightly different, so refer to the documentation.
Step 3: Configure the Product Display
Drag the element onto your page and configure it. Most page builders will offer options to:
- Select the number of products to display.
- Choose the layout (grid, carousel, list).
- Filter products by category, tag, or featured status.
- Choose the order (by date, popularity, price, etc.).
- Customize the appearance (colors, fonts, button styles).
Example: In Elementor, you might use the “Products” widget and filter it to only show products from the “Sale” category, ordered by price (lowest to highest), to create a prominent sale section on your homepage.
Step 4: Save and Preview
Save your changes and preview your homepage to see the results. Adjust the settings until you are happy with the look and feel.
Method 3: Using WordPress Theme Options (If Available)
Some WordPress themes, especially those designed specifically for WooCommerce, include built-in options to display products on the homepage.
Step 1: Access Theme Options/Customizer
Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance -> Customize. Alternatively, your theme may have a dedicated “Theme Options” panel.
Step 2: Look for WooCommerce or Homepage Settings
Browse through the customizer options (or theme options panel) and look for settings related to WooCommerce or the homepage layout. There may be a section where you can choose to display products, select the number of products, and filter them by category or other criteria.
Example: A theme might allow you to simply check a box to “Display Featured Products on Homepage” and then choose the number of columns.
Step 3: Save and Preview
Save your changes and preview your homepage to see the product display.
Important Considerations:
- Mobile Responsiveness: Make sure your product displays look good on all devices (desktops, tablets, and smartphones). Page builders usually have built-in responsiveness features, but test thoroughly.
- Image Sizes: Use high-quality product images that are appropriately sized for your layout. Large images can slow down your site.
- Page Load Speed: Too many products on your homepage, especially with large images, can slow down your site. Optimize your images and consider using a caching plugin.
- Call to Action: Include clear call-to-action buttons (e.g., “Shop Now,” “View Details”) to encourage visitors to click through to product pages.
- A/B Testing: Experiment with different product arrangements, layouts, and filters to see what performs best for your store.
Conclusion
Displaying your WooCommerce products on your homepage is a crucial step in creating a successful online store. Whether you use shortcodes, a page builder, or theme options, the key is to present your products in a visually appealing and user-friendly way that encourages sales. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your specific store and audience! Happy selling!
