How to Add a Clear Button to Your WooCommerce Product Filters: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction:
Enhancing the user experience on your WooCommerce store is crucial for driving conversions and customer satisfaction. One often overlooked but highly valuable feature is a clear button for product filters. This allows customers to quickly reset their selected filters and start their search anew, preventing frustration and encouraging further browsing. This article will guide you through the process of adding a clear button to your WooCommerce product filters, boosting usability and potentially increasing sales.
Main Part:
There are several ways to add a clear button to your WooCommerce product filters. We’ll explore two popular methods: using a plugin and using custom code.
Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Filter Plugin
This is the easiest and often the most recommended method, especially for those who are not comfortable with coding. Several WooCommerce filter plugins offer the clear button functionality as a standard feature.
1. Choose a Suitable Plugin: Research and select a WooCommerce filter plugin that includes a clear button option. Some popular choices include:
- WooCommerce Product Filter
- YITH WooCommerce Ajax Product Filter
- Filter Everything – WordPress Filter & WooCommerce Filter Plugin
2. Install and Activate the Plugin: Navigate to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Search for the plugin you chose, install it, and then activate it.
3. Configure the Plugin: Access the plugin’s settings page. This is usually found under WooCommerce or a separate menu item dedicated to the plugin.
4. Enable the Clear Button: Look for an option to enable the “Clear Filters” or “Reset Filters” button. The exact terminology might vary depending on the plugin.
5. Customize the Button (Optional): Many plugins allow you to customize the appearance of the clear button, such as its text, color, and placement.
6. Test the Functionality: Visit your WooCommerce shop page and test the filter functionality. Ensure the clear button resets all applied filters correctly.
Method 2: Adding a Clear Button with Custom Code (For Advanced Users)
This method requires some coding knowledge. It involves adding a custom function to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippets plugin. Always back up your website before making any code changes!
1. Access Your Theme’s `functions.php` File: This can be done via FTP or through the WordPress theme editor (Appearance > Theme Editor). Be extremely cautious using the theme editor, as incorrect edits can break your site. A code snippets plugin is generally a safer alternative.
2. Add the Following Code: Paste the following code snippet into your `functions.php` file (or code snippets plugin):
add_action( 'woocommerce_before_shop_loop', 'add_clear_filters_button', 30 );
function add_clear_filters_button() {
if ( isset( $_GET[‘filter_color’] ) || isset( $_GET[‘filter_size’] ) || isset( $_GET[‘min_price’] ) || isset( $_GET[‘max_price’] ) ) { // Customize this condition based on your filter attributes
echo ‘Clear Filters‘; // Customize the button text and class
}
}
add_action( ‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘enqueue_custom_styles’ );
function enqueue_custom_styles() {
wp_enqueue_style( ‘custom-styles’, get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . ‘/style.css’ ); // Or use a separate CSS file
}
3. Customize the Code:
- `$_GET[‘filter_color’]`, `$_GET[‘filter_size’]`, etc.: This part of the code checks for the presence of filter parameters in the URL. Replace these with the actual names of your filter attributes. You can find these names by inspecting the URL when a filter is applied.
- `remove_query_arg( array( ‘filter_color’, ‘filter_size’, ‘min_price’, ‘max_price’ ) )`: This removes the filter parameters from the URL, effectively resetting the filters. Make sure to include all your filter attribute names here as well.
- `class=”clear-filters-button”`: This assigns a CSS class to the button, allowing you to style it.
- `Clear Filters`: Customize the text of the button.
4. Add CSS Styling (Optional): Add CSS to your theme’s `style.css` file (or a separate CSS file) to style the clear button. For example:
.clear-filters-button {
background-color: #f00; /* Red background */
color: #fff; /* White text */
padding: 5px 10px;
text-decoration: none;
border-radius: 5px;
}
5. Test the Functionality: Visit your WooCommerce shop page and test the filter functionality. Ensure the clear button resets all applied filters correctly.
Pros and Cons of Each Method:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
| —————————
| Using a Plugin | Easy to implement, often includes advanced features, no coding required. | Can increase website load if the plugin is poorly coded, potential compatibility issues with other plugins. |
| Using Custom Code | More control over the implementation, lightweight (no extra plugin overhead). | Requires coding knowledge, can be more complex to implement and maintain. |
Conclusion:
Adding a clear button to your WooCommerce product filters is a simple yet effective way to improve the user experience and potentially increase sales. Whether you choose to use a plugin or implement the functionality with custom code, the result will be a more user-friendly and enjoyable browsing experience for your customers. Remember to test your implementation thoroughly and customize the button to match your store’s branding. By making it easier for customers to refine their searches, you’ll be one step closer to converting browsers into buyers.
