How to Sort Categories in WooCommerce for Better User Experience and SEO
Introduction:
WooCommerce, the leading e-commerce platform for WordPress, offers a robust system for organizing your products into categories. However, the default category sorting options might not always align with your business needs or provide the best user experience. A well-organized category structure is crucial for both customer navigation and SEO performance. This article will guide you through various methods on how to sort categories in WooCommerce, ensuring your customers can easily find what they’re looking for and search engines can better understand your site’s structure.
Main Part:
WooCommerce offers several ways to sort your product categories, from the simple drag-and-drop method to more advanced custom coding. Let’s explore the most effective options:
Sorting Categories Manually with Drag and Drop
The easiest way to reorder your WooCommerce categories is through the WordPress admin panel using a simple drag-and-drop interface.
1. Access the Product Categories Page: Go to Products > Categories in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Enable Drag and Drop: Ensure that the “Name” column is sorted alphabetically (ascending or descending). If it’s sorted by “Slug” or another column, click the “Name” header until it’s alphabetically sorted. This activates the drag-and-drop functionality.
3. Reorder Your Categories: Simply click and drag the category rows to your desired order. The order is saved automatically as you move them.
4. Verify the Changes: Visit your shop page or a category page to confirm that the categories are displayed in the new order.
This method is ideal for shops with a relatively small number of categories.
Sorting Categories by Name or Slug
WooCommerce allows you to sort categories alphabetically by their name or slug (the URL-friendly version of the name). This is a straightforward method for websites where alphabetical order makes sense.
1. Navigate to Product Categories: Go to Products > Categories in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click the Column Header: Click the “Name” or “Slug” column header to sort the categories in ascending or descending alphabetical order. The sorting will be reflected on your shop page.
While simple, this method offers limited control over specific category placement.
Using Category Order and Taxonomy Terms Order Plugins
For more precise control and advanced sorting options, consider using a plugin. Several excellent plugins are available, including:
- Category Order and Taxonomy Terms Order: This popular plugin allows you to sort categories, tags, and custom taxonomies using a drag-and-drop interface. It’s a powerful and user-friendly solution.
- Custom Taxonomy Order NE: Similar to the above, this plugin provides drag-and-drop reordering for taxonomies, including WooCommerce categories.
To use these plugins:
1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Install the chosen plugin from the WordPress plugin repository and activate it.
2. Locate the Sorting Interface: The plugin typically adds a new menu item or integrates into the existing Products > Categories page. Refer to the plugin’s documentation for specific instructions.
3. Drag and Drop to Reorder: Use the drag-and-drop interface to arrange your categories in the desired order.
4. Save Changes: Save your changes to apply the new category order.
These plugins often offer additional features, such as hierarchical sorting and the ability to apply custom ordering rules.
Custom Code for Advanced Sorting (For Developers)
For developers who require highly customized sorting logic, using custom code is an option. This involves modifying your theme’s `functions.php` file or creating a custom plugin. This method requires a strong understanding of PHP and WordPress development.
Here’s a basic example of how to modify the category query:
function custom_woocommerce_category_orderby( $args ) {
$args['orderby'] = 'menu_order'; // Order by menu order (drag and drop order)
$args['order'] = 'ASC'; // Ascending order
return $args;
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_categories', 'custom_woocommerce_category_orderby' );
Important considerations when using custom code:
- Back up your website: Before making any changes to your theme’s files, always back up your website to prevent data loss.
- Child Theme: Use a child theme to avoid losing your customizations when your theme is updated.
- Thorough Testing: Test your code thoroughly to ensure it doesn’t break any functionality on your website.
Why is Category Sorting Important?
- Improved User Experience: A logical and intuitive category structure makes it easier for customers to find the products they’re looking for, leading to increased sales.
- Enhanced SEO: Properly structured categories help search engines understand the organization of your website, improving your search engine rankings. Internal linking between categories and products can further boost your SEO.
- Increased Conversion Rates: When customers can easily navigate your website, they’re more likely to make a purchase.
Conclusion:
Sorting categories in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful way to improve user experience and boost your SEO. Whether you choose the drag-and-drop method, a dedicated plugin, or custom code, prioritizing category organization is a worthwhile investment for any online store. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can ensure your WooCommerce store is easy to navigate and optimized for success. Remember to regularly review and adjust your category structure to keep it aligned with your evolving business needs.
