How to Add a Product Category Filter in WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms for WordPress, offering powerful tools to build and manage an online store with ease. One essential feature for improving the user experience and helping customers find products quickly is the ability to filter by category. If you’re unsure how to add a product category filter in WooCommerce, the process is simple.
To add a product category filter in WooCommerce, use the built-in “Product Categories” widget. Go to Appearance > Widgets and add it to your sidebar or shop page. For advanced filtering options, you can use 3rd-party plugins like “Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce” to customize and enhance the filtering experience.
The following article will provide you with step-by-step instructions and tips that will help you set up effective product category filters on your WooCommerce store. So stay with us.
How to Add a Product Category Filter in WooCommerce?
When you run an online store, it’s super helpful to make things easy for your customers. One great way to do that is by letting them filter products by category. This saves time and keeps things simple. So, if you’re wondering how to add a product category filter in WooCommerce, you’re in the right place. Let’s look at some easy ways to do it:
Using the Default Widget
WooCommerce comes with a built-in widget that shows product categories in your sidebar. You don’t need to install anything or change your site’s code. It lets your customers click on a category and see only those products. Let’s go through the simple process to set it up:
Go to your WordPress dashboard
Start by logging into your WordPress website. You’ll see a list of options on the left-hand side. This is your main control area for changing your website. We’ll use it to add the product category filter. Everything starts from here.
Click on Appearance > Widgets
Now, in the left menu, click on Appearance, then choose Widgets. Widgets are small blocks that show features on your site, like search bars or product lists. This page lets you move these blocks into areas like sidebars. We’ll be adding the filter in one of those areas.
Find the “Product Categories” widget
Look through the list of widgets and find one named Product Categories. This widget shows all your product categories in a list or dropdown. It’s a built-in feature that comes with WooCommerce. You don’t need to install anything new. It’s perfect for basic filtering.
Drag it to your sidebar or widget area
Once you find the widget, click and drag it to your Sidebar or Shop Sidebar area. These are common places where filters appear on a website. After dragging it there, the widget will show up on your shop page. Customers will see all your categories in one place.
Save your changes
After you place the widget, you’ll see some options like showing it as a dropdown or showing product counts. Pick the ones you like best. When you’re ready, click Save. Your filter will now appear on your store. Now your visitors can easily find what they’re looking for!
Using a 3rd Party Product Category Filter Plugin
If you want better design and more control, a plugin is a great option. One good plugin is Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce. It gives you more filter styles and lets people filter without reloading the page. Let’s see how to use it systematically:
Find the plugin
To get started, open your WordPress dashboard. Click on Plugins and then Add New from the side menu. In the search bar, type Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce. It should show up in the list of available plugins. This is the one you’ll need to install.
Install the free version
Once you find the product category filter plugin, click on Install Now next to its name. After a few seconds, the button will change to Activate — click it. Now the plugin is ready to use. It will add new filter options to your store. You can adjust them in the plugin settings.
Install the pro version
If you want more features, you can go for the Pro version. First, download the plugin ZIP file from the official site. Then go to Plugins > Add New, click Upload Plugin, and select the ZIP file. Click Install Now, then Activate it. The Pro version gives you more design and filter tools.
Install manually with FTP
You can also install the product category filter plugin using FTP if you like doing things manually. First, unzip the plugin file on your computer. Open an FTP app like FileZilla and connect to your site. Go to /wp-content/plugins/ and upload the plugin folder there. Then go to your dashboard and activate the plugin.
Set up the filters
After the plugin is active, go to its settings to choose where and how the WooCommerce product filter should show. You can place them on your shop page, sidebars, or anywhere else. Filters can also be rearranged and styled. Pick the options that fit your store best. Save your settings when you’re done.
Test your filters
Go to your shop page and try out the filters. Click on different categories and check how the products update. If something doesn’t work, go back to the settings and make small changes. Testing makes sure your filters work well. It also helps your store look better and work smoothly.
Benefits of Adding Category Filters to Your Shop Page
Your online store visitors want to find what they need quickly. If your shop has lots of products, searching can get confusing. That’s where product filters can really help. They make shopping faster and more fun. Let’s explore how they can make your shop better.
Saves time
Category filters help people find what they’re looking for quickly. Instead of scrolling through every product, they can click on a category and see just what they want. This is super useful when your store has many items. It saves both you and your customer time. A faster search means a happier shopper.
Easy to use
Using filters is very simple. With just one click, your visitors can choose what type of product they want. There’s no need to go back and forth between pages. It makes the shopping experience smooth and stress-free. People like websites that are easy to use.
Looks cleaner
When you have filters, your shop page looks more organized. Instead of showing everything at once, filters help show things in neat groups. This keeps your site from looking messy. A clean look also makes your store look more professional. And it helps customers stay focused.
Reduces confusion
Without filters, people may not know where to start. They might see too many choices and feel lost. Filters break everything down into simple parts. This helps people know exactly where to click. Clear steps make shopping easier for everyone.
Improves sales
People are more likely to buy things when they find them faster. Filters help them get to the product they want without getting tired or bored. If your shop is easy to use, more people will come back. This can help you sell more in the long run. Small changes like this can make a big difference.
Works on any device
Category filters also work well on phones and tablets. This is important because many people shop on their mobiles. The filters still look good and work the same way. This means your store will stay user-friendly no matter the screen size. It’s a smart way to keep all visitors happy.
Default WooCommerce Product Category Filters vs Third-Party Plugins – Which is Better?
Choosing between WooCommerce’s default product category filters and third-party plugins can be tricky. Both options help your customers find products faster, but they work in different ways. Here’s a simple table to compare them and help you decide what’s best for your store.
| Feature / Point | Default WooCommerce Filters | Third-Party Plugins |
| Easy to Set Up | Yes, very simple and quick | Needs installation and setup |
| Built-in Support | Comes with WooCommerce by default | Not included, needs a separate plugin |
| Customization Options | Very limited | Offers many layout and style choices |
| Design Flexibility | Matches basic themes only | Works with various themes and styles |
| Filter Types | Only by categories | Categories, price, tags, ratings, and more |
| Speed and Performance | Lightweight and fast | May slow the site if too many features are used |
| Mobile Friendly | Yes, but with a basic look | More responsive and cleaner on mobile |
| AJAX Support | Not available (page reload needed) | Yes, loads products without refreshing |
| Extra Features | None | Includes advanced filter rules and search |
| Best For | Small stores with basic needs | Larger stores need powerful filtering |
Common Product Category Filter Plugin Conflicts and How to Solve Them
Product category filter plugins are super helpful, but sometimes things don’t work as they should. A plugin may clash with something else on your site and cause small problems. These issues can be confusing if you don’t know what to look for. But don’t worry, most of them are easy to fix. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:
Theme not compatible
Some themes don’t work well with certain filter plugins. This can cause the filters to look broken or not show up at all. If this happens, try switching to a default theme like Storefront. You can also check if your theme needs an update. Always use themes that are made for WooCommerce.
Plugin conflicts
Sometimes one plugin can fight with another. When this happens, your product filters might stop working or act weird. Try turning off other plugins one by one to find the problem. Once you find the one causing trouble, look for a different plugin or contact support. Keep your site as simple as possible.
JavaScript errors
Filters often use JavaScript to work smoothly. If there’s an error in the code, your filters might stop working. You can check for errors using your browser’s developer tools. Most of the time, these errors come from other plugins or the theme. Fixing or updating the problem plugin usually solves it.
Caching problems
Caching helps your site load faster, but it can also stop filters from updating correctly. If filters don’t change the product list, try clearing your site’s cache. You might also need to turn off caching on your shop page. Some caching plugins let you choose where to turn it off. This keeps your filters working right.
Wrong filter settings
Sometimes the filter plugin is fine, but the settings are not right. Maybe it’s not connected to the right category or page. Go to the plugin settings and double-check everything. Make sure the filter is set to show on the shop page or where you want it. Small setting changes can fix big problems.
Outdated plugins
Old plugins may not work with the latest version of WordPress or WooCommerce. This can break your filters or cause bugs. Always keep your plugins updated to avoid these issues. Check the plugin page to see when it was last updated. If it hasn’t been updated in a long time, try using a better one.
Final Thoughts
Adding category filters might seem like a small change, but it can have a big impact on how people use your store. When shoppers can find what they want quickly, they’re more likely to stay longer and make a purchase. It also makes your site look cleaner and more organized.
Learning how to add a product category filter in WooCommerce doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you use the built-in widget or a powerful plugin, both methods can improve your shop in just a few steps. The choice depends on your needs—a simple setup or more features.
So, take a little time to try it out and see the difference it makes. With the right filters in place, your store will feel easier to use and much more customer-friendly.
