# Ditch That Default WooCommerce Sorting Dropdown: A Beginner’s Guide
Tired of that clunky default sorting dropdown on your WooCommerce storefront? It might seem harmless, but it can actually impact your user experience and even your sales. A cluttered storefront can confuse customers and lead them to abandon their shopping carts. This guide will show you how to easily remove that unnecessary element and create a cleaner, more user-friendly online store.
Why Remove the Default Sorting Dropdown?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” The default WooCommerce sorting dropdown, while functional, isn’t always aesthetically pleasing or intuitive.
- Clutter: It adds visual noise to your storefront, distracting from your products. Imagine a beautifully designed store with a jarring, out-of-place element – it’s disruptive!
- Redundancy: Many themes offer built-in sorting options (like filtering by price or popularity) making the default dropdown redundant. This leads to duplicate functionalities, causing confusion.
- Poor User Experience: Customers might find it overwhelming to choose from multiple sorting options. A simpler layout encourages exploration and purchasing.
Method 1: Using a Child Theme (Recommended)
This is the safest and most recommended method. Modifying your child theme ensures that your changes won’t be overwritten when you update your parent theme.
Step 1: Create a Child Theme
If you haven’t already, create a child theme. This involves creating a new folder (e.g., `my-child-theme`) within your `/wp-content/themes/` directory. Inside, create a `style.css` file with the following code:
/*
Theme Name: My Child Theme
Theme URI: http://yourwebsite.com/
Description: Child Theme for [Parent Theme Name]
Author: Your Name
Author URI: http://yourwebsite.com/
Template: [Parent Theme Name] // Replace with your parent theme’s name
Version: 1.0
*/
Replace `[Parent Theme Name]` with the name of your parent theme.
Step 2: Override the Template File
Create a folder named `archive-product.php` inside your child theme directory and copy the contents of the `archive-product.php` from your parent theme. Within this copied file, locate the code responsible for generating the default sorting dropdown. This code snippet varies depending on your theme, but it usually looks something like this (it might involve a function call):
woocommerce_catalog_ordering();
Simply delete or comment out this line:
// woocommerce_catalog_ordering();
This prevents the function from executing and therefore removes the dropdown.
Method 2: Using a Plugin (Less Recommended)
While plugins offer a quick solution, they can sometimes conflict with other plugins or your theme. This approach is less recommended than using a child theme, but it’s an option if you’re comfortable with plugins and understand the potential risks.
Search the WordPress plugin repository for plugins that allow you to customize WooCommerce’s archive pages. Many offer the option to disable the default sorting dropdown. Thoroughly review the plugin’s documentation and user reviews before installing it.
Choosing the Right Method
For beginners and those prioritizing stability, using a child theme (Method 1) Learn more about How To Add Coinpayment In Woocommerce is the safest and best practice. It allows for more control and prevents accidental theme overrides during updates. Method 2, using a plugin, should be a last resort – only if you’re comfortable with plugin management and understand the potential for conflicts.
Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes. If you encounter issues, consider seeking help from a WordPress developer. By removing the default sorting dropdown, you’ll improve the user experience and create a more streamlined and attractive online store.
