How to Sort WooCommerce Products by Newest: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve got a fantastic WooCommerce store brimming with awesome products. But is it as user-friendly as it could be? A common challenge new store owners face is ensuring their newest arrivals are front and center. Most users instinctively look for the latest offerings, and having them easily accessible can dramatically improve your sales and user experience.
This guide will walk you through how to sort your WooCommerce products by newest first. Think of it like organizing your groceries; you usually put the freshest produce on top so it’s easier to grab. Similarly, displaying new products prominently encourages clicks and boosts sales.
Why Sort by Newest First?
Imagine you’re launching a brand new collection of hand-knitted sweaters. Wouldn’t you want customers to see them immediately when they visit your store? Here’s why sorting by newest is beneficial:
- Highlights New Arrivals: Showcases your latest products, encouraging immediate interest.
- Improves User Experience: Customers quickly find what’s new and trending, reducing browsing time.
- Boosts Sales: Increased visibility of new products can lead to higher conversion rates. Think about it: someone searching for “winter sweaters” might be more inclined to buy your *newest* hand-knitted creation.
- Keeps Your Store Fresh: Regular updates keep returning customers engaged and interested in what’s new.
Method 1: WooCommerce Default Settings (The Easiest Way!)
WooCommerce has built-in options to control the default product sorting. This is the recommended approach for most users as it requires no coding.
1. Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Customize.
3. Click on “WooCommerce” > “Product Catalog”.
4. Look for the “Default Product Sorting” dropdown.
5. Select “Sort by newness“.
6. Click the “Publish” button at the top to save your changes.
That’s it! WooCommerce will now display your products sorted by date, with the newest additions appearing first. This method is a great starting point and works well for most basic online stores.
Method 2: Custom Code Snippet (For More Control)
If you need more granular control over the sorting options, or if your theme overrides the default settings, you can use a custom code snippet. Be cautious when adding custom code, as errors can break your website. It’s always a good idea to back up your website before making changes.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Access your theme’s `functions.php` file. You can do this by navigating to Appearance > Theme Editor within your WordPress dashboard. (Note: Be EXTREMELY careful when editing theme files. A single mistake can break your site. Consider using a code snippets plugin, described below, as a safer alternative.)
2. Alternatively, use a code snippets plugin. Plugins like “Code Snippets” are a safer and easier way to add custom code to your website without directly editing theme files. Install and activate the “Code Snippets” plugin.
3. Add the following code snippet:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_default_catalog_orderby', 'custom_default_catalog_orderby' );
function custom_default_catalog_orderby( $sort ) {
return ‘date’; // This sets the default sorting to ‘date’ (newest first)
}
add_filter( ‘woocommerce_catalog_orderby’, ‘custom_woocommerce_catalog_orderby’ );
function custom_woocommerce_catalog_orderby( $sort ) {
$sort[‘date’] = ‘Sort by newness’; // Renames the “Sort by newness” option
return $sort;
}
4. If you’re using the Code Snippets plugin, activate the snippet. If you directly edited `functions.php`, save the file.
Explanation of the Code:
* `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_default_catalog_orderby’, ‘custom_default_catalog_orderby’ );` – This line hooks into the WooCommerce filter that determines the default sorting method.
* `function custom_default_catalog_orderby( $sort ) { return ‘date’; }` – This function sets the default sorting to ‘date’, which means newest first.
* `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_catalog_orderby’, ‘custom_woocommerce_catalog_orderby’ );` – This hooks into the filter that generates the sorting options dropdown.
* `function custom_woocommerce_catalog_orderby( $sort ) { $sort[‘date’] = ‘Sort by newness’; return $sort; }` – This renames the “date” sorting option (which WooCommerce uses internally) to “Sort by newness” for the user. This makes it clearer what the option does. You can change `’Sort by newness’` to anything you like, such as “Newest First”.
Important Considerations
- Caching: If you’re using a caching plugin, you might need to clear your cache after making these changes to see the updated product sorting on the front end.
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes might override WooCommerce’s default sorting options. If you’re having trouble, contact your theme developer for support.
- Product Visibility: Ensure your new products are set to “Published” and have a future date. Products with a future date won’t show up until that date is reached.
- Testing: Always test your changes thoroughly on a staging environment before implementing them on your live website. This helps prevent any unexpected issues.
Conclusion
Sorting your WooCommerce products by newest is a simple yet powerful way to enhance the user experience and boost sales. Whether you choose the easy route with WooCommerce’s default settings or opt for a custom code snippet for more control, prioritizing new arrivals will keep your customers engaged and coming back for more. Remember to always back up your website before making changes, and happy selling!
