How to Exclude Multiple Categories from Your WooCommerce Shop Page
Are you tired of seeing a cluttered WooCommerce shop page with categories you don’t want prominently displayed? A streamlined shop page improves user experience and conversion rates. This article will guide you through several methods to effectively exclude multiple categories from your main WooCommerce shop page, enhancing its overall appeal and efficiency.
Understanding the Problem: Why Exclude Categories?
A cluttered shop page can overwhelm customers, hindering their ability to quickly find what they’re looking for. Showing only relevant categories on your main shop page focuses attention on your most important products and improves site navigation. This is particularly useful if you have a large catalog with many categories, some of which are less important or need to be hidden for specific reasons (e.g., seasonal items, out-of-stock products). Excluding certain categories can lead to:
- Improved User Experience: A cleaner, more focused shop page is easier to navigate.
- Increased Conversion Rates: Customers are more likely to find and purchase products when presented with a curated selection.
- Better SEO: A well-organized shop page improves your site’s structure and readability for search engines.
Methods to Exclude Multiple WooCommerce Categories from the Shop Page
Several approaches exist to achieve this, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We’ll cover the most effective and widely used methods:
#### 1. Using a Plugin: The Easiest Option
The simplest method is often using a dedicated WooCommerce plugin. Many plugins offer features to manage and filter product display, including the ability to exclude specific categories from the shop page. Search the WordPress plugin repository for plugins with terms like “WooCommerce category filter” or “WooCommerce shop page customization.” These plugins often provide a user-friendly interface, avoiding the need for code modifications. Choosing a reputable plugin with positive reviews is crucial to ensure compatibility and stability.
#### 2. Customizing the `pre_get_posts` Hook (Advanced Method):
For those comfortable with PHP and WordPress’s function hooks, customizing the `pre_get_posts` hook offers a powerful and flexible solution. This allows you to directly control the query that fetches products for your shop page. This method requires adding custom code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. Caution is advised, as incorrect code can break your website. Always back up your files before making changes.
Here’s an example of how to exclude categories with IDs 1 and 2:
function Explore this article on How To Get Product Price In Woocommerce exclude_categories_from_shop( $query ) { if ( $query->is_main_query() && $query->is_shop() ) { $excluded_categories = array( 1, 2 ); // Add your category IDs here $query->set( 'category__not_in', $excluded_categories ); } } add_action( 'pre_get_posts', 'exclude_categories_from_shop' );
Remember to replace `1` and `2` with the actual IDs of the categories you want to exclude. You can find the category IDs in the WordPress admin panel under Products > Categories.
#### 3. Using a Child Theme (Recommended for Code Modifications):
Always use a Explore this article on How To Change Email Template Woocommerce child theme when adding custom code to your WordPress installation. This preserves your theme customizations when updating the parent theme. This is particularly important when using the `pre_get_posts` hook method mentioned above.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Approach
The best method for excluding multiple categories from your WooCommerce shop page depends on your technical skills and comfort level. Plugins offer the easiest solution for most users, providing a user-friendly interface and minimal risk. The `pre_get_posts` hook method provides more control but requires coding expertise and carries a higher risk of errors if not implemented correctly. Regardless of your chosen method, remember to always back up your website before making any changes. Prioritize a clean and organized shop page to enhance the shopping experience and drive sales. By carefully selecting and implementing one of these methods, you can significantly improve the effectiveness of your WooCommerce shop.
