How To Edit Default Woocommerce Shop Page

# How to Edit Your WooCommerce Shop Page: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you’ve set up your WooCommerce store, and you’re ready to start selling. But your shop page looks… well, a bit basic. Don’t worry, customizing it is easier than you think! This guide will walk you through editing your WooCommerce shop page, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll cover everything from simple tweaks to more advanced customization.

Understanding the WooCommerce Shop Page

Before diving into the edits, let’s understand what makes up your shop page. It’s the central hub where customers browse your products. Think of it as the storefront of your online business. A poorly designed shop page can confuse customers and lead to lost sales. A well-designed one? That’s a sales booster!

A typical WooCommerce shop page includes:

• Product listings: Displays your products with images, titles, prices, and short descriptions.
• Shop Title: The main heading of the page
• Shop Description: A text block beneath the title
• Sorting and filtering options: Allows customers to refine their search (e.g., by price, popularity).
• Pagination: Helps customers navigate through large numbers of products.
• Sidebar (optional): Can display categories, tags, or other relevant information.

Method 1: Using the WooCommerce Shop Page Settings (Easiest Method)

The simplest way to customize your shop page is through WooCommerce’s built-in settings. This method is perfect for basic changes like adjusting the number of products displayed or changing the layout.

Here’s how:

1. Go to: WordPress Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Display.

2. Adjust settings: You’ll find various options here:

• “Shop page display”: Choose how many products are shown per page (e.g., 12, 24, 36). More products might overwhelm visitors; fewer might make it look empty. Experiment to find the sweet spot.
• “Columns”: Controls the number of columns used for product display. Three columns are usually a good balance between visual appeal and usability.
• “Default sorting”: Choose how products are initially displayed (e.g., by popularity, price, newest). Consider what makes the most sense for your products and customers.

Example: If you sell high-end furniture, you might choose fewer products per page (e.g., 9) and a single column layout to showcase each piece individually. For t-shirts, you’d likely choose more products per page and multiple columns.

Method 2: Using a WooCommerce Shop Page Template (For Intermediate Users)

For more advanced customization, you’ll need to use a child theme and create a custom shop page template (strongly recommended to avoid losing changes during theme updates).

1. Create a Child Theme: This protects your customizations. Numerous tutorials explain this process.

2. Copy the `archive-product.php` file: Locate this file in your active theme’s directory. Create a copy in your child theme’s directory.

3. Customize the code: This is where you make significant changes to the layout, add custom elements, or rearrange sections. Be cautious when editing code. Backup your files first!

Example: Adding a custom message above the products:

Find the loop that displays your products within `archive-product.php`. Above that loop, you could add something like this:

<?php
echo '
Welcome to our amazing shop!
';
?>

This will add a div with the message “Welcome to our amazing shop!” above your product listings. You can style this div using CSS.

Method 3: Using a Page Builder Plugin (For Beginners and Advanced Users)

Plugins like Elementor or Beaver Builder provide a visual interface for building and customizing your shop page without needing to write code. They are user-friendly and offer drag-and-drop functionality.

Advantages:

• Easy to use: No coding skills required.
• Flexibility: Huge customization options.
• Visual editing: You see the changes in real-time.

Disadvantages:

• Plugin dependency: Your page relies on the plugin. Updates or plugin conflicts could cause issues.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Method

The best approach depends on your technical skills and the level of customization needed. For simple adjustments, the WooCommerce settings are sufficient. For significant changes, a child theme and custom template or a page builder are more powerful options. Remember to always back up your website before making any significant changes. Happy selling!