How to Remove Default Sorting in WooCommerce: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction:
WooCommerce, the leading e-commerce platform for WordPress, provides a flexible system for displaying and managing products. By default, WooCommerce applies a sorting method to your product catalog, which might not always align with your desired presentation. Perhaps you want to showcase the newest items first, highlight sale items, or implement a custom sorting algorithm. This article will guide you through the process of removing the default sorting option in WooCommerce, enabling you to create a more tailored shopping experience for your customers. We’ll cover different methods, from simple code snippets to more advanced techniques, ensuring you find the solution that best suits your needs.
Why Remove Default Sorting?
While the default sorting options in WooCommerce are useful, there are several reasons why you might want to disable them:
- Control Over Product Display: You gain complete control over how your products are displayed, allowing you to prioritize specific items or collections.
- Branding and Marketing: Align product presentation with marketing campaigns or brand guidelines. For example, always showcasing new arrivals first.
- Improved User Experience: Tailor the product listing to match your target audience’s preferences.
- Simplified Navigation: Avoid confusing users with multiple sorting options, especially if you have a curated product selection.
- Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard.
- Locate the `functions.php` file in the list of theme files. Be cautious when editing this file, as errors can break your site. Consider using a code snippets plugin (see below).
Removing Default Sorting: Step-by-Step Methods
There are several ways to remove the default sorting option in WooCommerce. We’ll cover two popular approaches: using code snippets and using plugins (though plugins are less ideal for this simple task). Always back up your website before making any code changes.
Method 1: Using Code Snippets (Recommended)
This method involves adding a small code snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippets plugin. This is a lightweight and efficient way to achieve the desired outcome.
1. Access Your Theme’s `functions.php` File:
2. Add the Code Snippet:
Add the following code snippet to your `functions.php` file:
/**
function kia_remove_sorting_dropdown( $options ) {
unset( $options[‘menu_order’] ); // Removes “Default sorting”
unset( $options[‘popularity’] ); // Removes “Sort by popularity”
unset( $options[‘rating’] ); // Removes “Sort by average rating”
unset( $options[‘date’] ); // Removes “Sort by newness”
unset( $options[‘price’] ); // Removes “Sort by price: low to high”
unset( $options[‘price-desc’] ); // Removes “Sort by price: high to low”
return $options;
}
add_filter( ‘woocommerce_catalog_orderby’, ‘kia_remove_sorting_dropdown’ );
3. Explanation of the Code:
- `kia_remove_default_sorting()`: This function modifies the catalog ordering arguments.
- `$args[‘orderby’] = ‘date’;`: Sets the default ordering to ‘date’ (newest first). You can change this to other options like ‘popularity’, ‘rating’, ‘price’, ‘title’ etc.
- `$args[‘order’] = ‘DESC’;`: Sets the order to descending (newest first). Use ‘ASC’ for ascending order.
- `kia_remove_sorting_dropdown()`: This function removes specific sorting options from the dropdown.
- `unset( $options[‘menu_order’] );`: Removes the “Default sorting” option.
- The other `unset` lines remove other sorting options from the dropdown. Remove or comment out these lines to keep specific sorting options available.
- `add_filter()`: These lines apply the functions to the appropriate WooCommerce filters.
4. Update the File:
Click the “Update File” button to save your changes.
5. Using a Code Snippets Plugin (Recommended Alternative to Editing `functions.php`)
Installing a plugin like “Code Snippets” is a safer and easier way to add custom code without directly modifying your theme files.
- Install the plugin by going to Plugins -> Add New and searching for “Code Snippets”.
- Activate the plugin.
- Go to Snippets -> Add New.
- Paste the code above into the snippet editor.
- Give the snippet a descriptive title (e.g., “Remove WooCommerce Default Sorting”).
- Enable the snippet.
- Save changes.
Method 2: Using Plugins (Less Recommended for this Task)
While plugins offer a convenient way to modify WooCommerce behavior, using one solely to remove default sorting can be overkill. However, if you’re already using a plugin for other WooCommerce customization, it might include an option to disable sorting.
1. Search for WooCommerce Customization Plugins: Look for plugins that offer extensive WooCommerce customization options. Examples include “WooCommerce Customizer,” “YITH WooCommerce Customize My Account Page,” and similar plugins.
2. Check Plugin Settings: Explore the plugin’s settings panel for options related to product catalog customization. Look for settings that allow you to:
- Disable or hide the sorting dropdown.
- Set a specific default sorting order.
Important Considerations When Using Plugins:
- Plugin Compatibility: Ensure the plugin is compatible with your current WooCommerce version and other installed plugins.
- Performance Impact: Excessive plugins can slow down your website. Choose Discover insights on Listable Woocommerce Products How To Remove Page Hero Subtitles plugins carefully and avoid unnecessary additions.
Testing and Troubleshooting
After implementing either method, it’s crucial to test your changes thoroughly.
- Visit Your Shop Page: Check your shop page to confirm that the default sorting option is removed and that the products are displayed in your desired order.
- Clear Your Cache: Clear your browser and WordPress cache to ensure you’re seeing the latest version of your website.
- Check for Errors: Inspect your website’s console (usually accessed by pressing F12 in your browser) for any JavaScript or PHP errors that might be related to your changes.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Code Errors: If you edited the `functions.php` file directly, double-check the code for typos or syntax errors. Use a code validator if needed. If your site breaks, you may need to access the file via FTP and revert the changes. The code snippets plugin method is safer because it will alert you if there’s an error and not activate the faulty code.
- Plugin Conflicts: If you used a plugin, try temporarily deactivating other plugins to see if there’s a conflict.
- Theme Compatibility: In rare cases, your theme might be overriding the WooCommerce sorting behavior. Consider switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Three) to test for theme conflicts.
- Revert to Backup: If all else fails, restore your website from a recent backup to revert to a working state.
Conclusion
Removing the default sorting in WooCommerce allows you to create a more controlled and personalized shopping experience for your customers. By using the code snippet method, you can easily remove the default sorting dropdown and enforce Check out this post: How To Use Product Tags On Woocommerce a specific product order. Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can take control of your WooCommerce product presentation and optimize your store for conversions.
