How to Add Subcategories in WooCommerce: A Comprehensive Guide

Organizing your WooCommerce product catalog is crucial for a positive user experience and improved search engine optimization (SEO). A well-structured category system allows customers to easily find what they’re looking for, leading to higher conversion rates. This guide explains how to effectively add subcategories to your WooCommerce store, enhancing navigation and boosting your sales.

Understanding WooCommerce Categories and Subcategories

Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand the difference between categories and subcategories. Categories are the main groupings of your products, representing broad product areas. Subcategories are further divisions within these main categories, allowing for more granular organization. For instance, “Clothing” could be a category, with subcategories like “Men’s Clothing,” “Women’s Clothing,” and “Children’s Clothing.”

Methods to Add Subcategories in WooCommerce

There are two primary methods for adding subcategories in WooCommerce: through the WordPress admin dashboard and using plugins. Let’s explore both:

Method 1: Adding Subcategories via the WordPress Admin Dashboard

This is the standard method and doesn’t require any extra plugins. Follow these steps:

• Navigate to Products → Categories: Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Products > Categories.
1. Add a New Category: Click on “Add New” to create a new category. This will be your subcategory.
2. Name your Subcategory: Give your subcategory a descriptive and SEO-friendly name (e.g., “Men’s Shirts”).
3. Select the Parent Category: This is the crucial step. In the “Parent” dropdown menu, select the main category to which this subcategory belongs (e.g., “Men’s Clothing”). This establishes the hierarchical relationship.
4. Optional: Add a Slug and Description: The slug is the URL-friendly version of your subcategory name. A description can provide further context for both users and search engines.
5. Publish the Subcategory: Click “Publish” to save your new subcategory.

Method 2: Using WooCommerce Plugins for Enhanced Category Management

While the default method works well, some plugins offer advanced features for managing categories and subcategories. These plugins often provide better visual representation of the category hierarchy and additional organizational tools.

• Benefits of using plugins: Improved user interface, advanced filtering options, better control over category display.

Popular Plugins: Research plugins like YITH WooCommerce Categories Filter or similar options on the WordPress plugin repository.

Note: Always check reviews and compatibility before installing any plugin.

Organizing Your Products with Subcategories

Once you’ve created your subcategories, you need to assign your products to the correct ones. When adding or editing a product, you’ll find a “Product Category” field where you can select the appropriate main category and then the relevant subcategory.

Conclusion

Adding subcategories in WooCommerce is a simple yet effective way to improve your store’s organization and user experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a well-structured catalog that’s easier for customers to navigate and more appealing to search engines. Remember to use descriptive and relevant names for both your categories and subcategories to enhance your SEO efforts. Don’t hesitate to explore plugins for more advanced features and customization options.