# How to Change Product Category Order in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve got a thriving WooCommerce store, but your product categories aren’t displaying in the order you’d like? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem with a surprisingly simple solution. This guide will walk you through several methods to change product category order in WooCommerce, from the easiest drag-and-drop method to using custom code for more advanced control.
Why Change Your Category Order?
The order of your product categories significantly impacts the user experience. Imagine a clothing store where “Women’s Dresses” is buried at the bottom of the page after “Men’s Socks.” This is poor navigation and could cost you sales. By strategically ordering your categories, you can:
- Improve navigation: Guide customers to your most popular or important items first.
- Boost sales: Feature seasonal or sale items more prominently.
- Enhance the user experience: Make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
- Reflect your brand’s organization: Maintain a clear and logical structure for your product catalog.
Method 1: The Easy Drag-and-Drop Method (Using WordPress Admin)
This is the simplest and recommended method for most users. No coding skills required!
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Products > Categories. This will display a list of all your product categories.
3. Notice the “Quick Edit” links: next to each category. These allow for quick edits.
4. Edit the `Order` number of your categories: This number determines the order of the display. You can add a number next to the respective category names and it will appear as the order you inputted. It’s that simple.
5. Save changes: To save these changes, simply click “Update” or “Save changes”.
Example: If you want “Summer Dresses” to appear before “Winter Coats,” give “Summer Dresses” a lower order number (e.g., 1) and “Winter Coats” a higher number (e.g., 2).
Method 2: Using a Plugin (for more control)
If the drag-and-drop method doesn’t offer enough flexibility, consider using a plugin. Many plugins offer advanced category management features. Search the WordPress plugin repository for “WooCommerce Category Ordering” – you’ll find several options. These plugins often provide a more visual interface and extra features, but remember to always choose reputable plugins from trusted developers.
Method 3: Custom Code (for advanced users)
This method requires some familiarity with PHP and child themes. Use this method only if you’re comfortable with coding. Modifying core files can break your site if done incorrectly. Always create a backup before making code changes.
This code snippet will modify the `woocommerce_product_categories` function to change the order of categories based on a custom array. You would need to replace the array with your category slugs in the desired order. Add this code to your `functions.php` file within your active theme’s child theme:
function custom_woocommerce_product_categories( $categories ) {
$ordered_categories = array(
'summer-dresses', // Replace with your category slug
'winter-coats', // Replace with your category slug
'spring-shoes' // Replace with your category slug
);
$new_categories = array();
foreach( $ordered_categories as $slug ) {
foreach( $categories as $category ) {
if( $category->slug === $slug ) {
$new_categories[] = $category;
break;
}
}
}
return $new_categories;
}
add_filter( ‘woocommerce_product_categories’, ‘custom_woocommerce_product_categories’ );
Remember to replace the example slugs (`summer-dresses`, `winter-coats`, `spring-shoes`) with the actual slugs of your categories. You can find the slug in the URL when viewing a specific category page (e.g., `/product-category/summer-dresses/`).
This approach gives you ultimate control, but it’s crucial to back up your site before implementing this code.
Conclusion
Changing the order of your product categories in WooCommerce is essential for improving navigation and boosting sales. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and needs. The drag-and-drop method is ideal for beginners, while plugins and custom code offer more advanced options for experienced users. Remember to always prioritize a positive user experience!
