Finding the right product on a WooCommerce Site becomes much easier with product filters. One of the most effective options the store owner can utilize in their WooCommerce Site is the product category filter, which makes shopping easier. If you’re unsure why stores use them, you might be interested in learning about the benefits of using product category filter in WooCommerce site and why it’s so important for your store.
The product category filter lets shoppers quickly view only the types of products they’re interested in. It helps them find what they need faster, reduces unnecessary scrolling, and creates a more enjoyable shopping experience. This feature also makes your site look clean, saves time, reduces scrolling, and can help increase your sales. It works well on any kind of WooCommerce store.
Are you curious to know more about how this small feature can help your online store grow? If yes, then keep reading this article because you’ll find everything you need to know about this useful feature right here.
Benefits of Using Product Category Filter in WooCommerce Site
Making things easy for visitors is vital when running an online store. A product category filter can help your store feel more organized and easier to use. It’s like showing people the exact shelves they need in a shop. Let’s see why this small feature can make a big difference.
Easy to Find Products
When you have hundreds of items in your store, it can feel like a mess. A product category filter lets people choose what type of item they want to see. Instead of scrolling forever, they can get straight to what they need. This saves time and keeps people happy. It makes shopping less stressful and more fun.
Clean Store Layout
A filter makes your store look neat and tidy. Customers don’t have to look through pages and pages of random items. They can simply click on a category and see only related products. This also helps your site look more professional. A clean layout gives people a better shopping experience.
Faster Shopping Time
People don’t like wasting time. When someone visits your store, they want to find things quickly. The category filter lets them pick what they want and skip the rest. This means they can buy faster and leave with a good experience. Happy visitors are more likely to come back.
Better Product Choices
With filters, shoppers can compare only the things they care about. For example, someone looking for shoes doesn’t want to see shirts or bags. By narrowing it down, they make better choices. This also helps reduce confusion. And it makes them feel more confident in what they buy.
Less Page Scrolling
Scrolling through too many products is boring. A filter lets visitors cut down the extra scrolling. They see only what they want, and that makes things easier. It also works better on mobile phones, where scrolling can be even more annoying. This small change makes a big difference.
Helps in Sales
Shoppers are more likely to make a purchase when they are able to find products quickly. A good filter keeps people on your site longer and pushes them toward checkout. This can increase your store’s sales. Simple tools like filters can do a lot without being complicated. It’s a win for both you and your buyers.
Makes Store Feel Smarter
Even a small feature like a category filter makes your store feel well-planned. It shows that you care about the shopping experience. People enjoy sites that help them without making things hard. This can also help build trust in your store. A little smart setup goes a long way.
Works for Any Store
No matter what kind of products you sell, a category filter can help. Whether it’s clothes, gadgets, books, or something else, it works just the same. It’s easy to set up and doesn’t take much time. Yet, the results are really helpful. Any online store can benefit from it.
Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up Product Filters in WooCommerce Site
Setting up product filters in a WooCommerce site can make shopping simple and fun. But if it’s not done the right way, it can confuse people and cause problems. A few small mistakes can turn a good store into a messy one. Let’s look at what you should not do and how to avoid it.
Using Bad Plugins
Not all plugins are safe or work well with your site. If you use the wrong one, it can break your store or slow it down. Always pick plugins that are trusted and tested by many users. A reliable plugin that many WooCommerce site owners trust is Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce, which helps set up product category filters easily on your site. Choosing the right plugin keeps your store running smoothly and makes filtering work better.
Too Many Filters
Adding too many filters can overwhelm shoppers. When there are too many choices, people don’t know where to start. It also makes your site look crowded and hard to use. Keep only the filters that really matter. A clean filter list is always better.
Wrong Filter Labels
If your filter labels are confusing or unclear, people won’t know what they mean. Use simple and common words that everyone understands. For example, say “Size” instead of “Dimensions.” Clear labels help people find what they want faster. Bad labels can lead to fewer sales.
Filters Not Working
Sometimes filters don’t work the way they should. They may show the wrong items or nothing at all. This can annoy shoppers and make them leave your site. Always check that your filters are working properly. Test them before your site goes live.
No Mobile Support
Many people shop on their phones now. If your filters don’t work well on mobile, users will get frustrated. Make sure the filter menu fits nicely on small screens. It should be easy to open, use, and close. A mobile-friendly site helps keep more visitors.
Filters Load Slowly
If filters take too long to load, people may not wait. Slow loading makes the site feel broken or old. You can fix this by using good plugins and keeping your site light. Speed matters a lot when it comes to online shopping. Fast filters keep people happy.
Not Updating Filters
As your store grows, your filters should grow too. Some products may no longer fit into old filter settings. If filters are not updated, they might hide new items or show the wrong ones. Keep checking your filters from time to time. Update them to match your latest products.
Top Plugins for Adding Product Category Filters in WooCommerce
Adding product filters to a WooCommerce site can make shopping simple and fun. But to do that right, you need the right plugins that do the job well. Some plugins are better than others and easier to set up. Let’s look at the top options that can help you filter products with ease.
Dynamic AJAX Product Filters
Dynamic AJAX Product Filters is a plugin that many WooCommerce store owners use. It has a free version and a pro version with more features. It’s easy to set up and works with most themes. It’s good for both small and big stores. Many people like the benefits of Using Dynamic AJAX filters Plugin because it’s fast and easy to use.
Features:
- Filter by category, price, tags, attributes, and more
- Ajax-based filtering (no page reload)
- Mobile responsive
- Easy drag-and-drop setup
- Works with most WooCommerce themes
- Unlimited filters and layout options
- Customizable filter styles (checkboxes, sliders, dropdowns, images)
- SEO-friendly URLs and permalink support
- Shortcode and widget ready
- Fast loading with smart widget caching
- Elementor advanced styling options
- Supports custom fields and dynamic rating styles
YITH WooCommerce Ajax Product Filter
This plugin gives a clean and fast filtering system. It’s very user-friendly and easy to set up. You can control how filters look and where they show on the page. Great for stores with different types of products.
Features:
- Custom layout and design options
- Ajax filtering for quick results
- Works well with any theme
- Easy widget or shortcode placement
- Filter by category, color, size, price, and more
WOOF – Products Filter for WooCommerce
WOOF is powerful and flexible. It supports many filter types and gives you full control over the design. You can even use shortcodes to place filters where you want.
Features:
- Display filters as checkboxes, dropdowns, or buttons
- Ajax and traditional filtering
- Filter by category, price, tags, and attributes
- Shortcode support
- Good for large stores
Premmerce Product Filter
Premmerce is perfect for big stores with many products. It offers fast filtering even with a huge product list. The setup is quick, and the design is clean.
Features:
- Filter by category, brand, price, and tags
- Fast performance even with large product catalogs
- Simple to use interface
- Mobile-friendly layout
- Works with WooCommerce themes smoothly
Product Filter by WBW
This plugin offers a smooth and modern filter experience. It’s packed with features and works well with lots of products. You can customize how filters work and look.
Features:
- Search boxes and range sliders
- Ajax filtering support
- Customizable layout and styles
- Filter by category, tags, price, and attributes
- SEO-friendly structure
Themify – WooCommerce Product Filter
Themify’s plugin is simple but powerful. You can choose how filters are shown and where they appear. It gives fast results and works on all screen sizes.
Features:
- Filter by category, price, tags, and attributes
- Vertical and horizontal filter layouts
- Live search and instant results
- No page reloads needed
- Works with Themify themes and others
When to Utilize Product Filters in Your WooCommerce Site?
Product filters can make a big difference in how easy and fun your store feels to visitors. But not every store needs them right away, and using them at the right time matters. Knowing when to add filters can help you avoid confusion and keep things simple. Let’s look at when it’s a smart idea to use product filters in your WooCommerce store.
Large Number of Products
If your store has many products, filters become super helpful. They let people narrow down what they want without scrolling through pages. For example, if you sell clothes, filters can sort items by size, color, or type. This saves time for the buyer. It also keeps your store from looking messy.
Different Product Types
Stores with many kinds of products should always use filters. If you’re selling shoes, bags, and clothes together, filters help users find what they came for. Without filters, everything looks mixed up. Shoppers will leave if they can’t find things fast. Filters keep things organized and easy to pick from.
Repeated Customer Complaints
If people say your site is hard to use, it may be time for filters. Some visitors may leave because they can’t find what they need. Adding filters can fix that problem right away. They help customers get to the right products faster. This makes them more likely to buy.
Slow Shopping Experience
The longer it takes shoppers to find products, the more likely they are to give up. If you see this happening, adding filters is a good step. Filters make browsing quicker and less tiring. They take people straight to the products they want. That means faster shopping and happier visitors.
Mobile Visitors Increase
If more visitors are using your site on their phones, filters can really help. Mobile screens are small, so scrolling through everything can be hard. Filters let mobile users pick only what they want to see. This makes your store easier to use on small screens. It also makes people stay longer.
Seasonal or Sale Products
When your store runs sales or adds seasonal items, filters can highlight them. You can add filters for “On Sale” or “New Arrivals.” This helps shoppers find the best deals fast. It also helps you sell these items quicker. Filters are perfect for guiding attention to special products.
Types of Product Filters WooCommerce Site Owners Can Combine With Product Category Filter
Using a product category filter is a great start, but combining it with other filters can make your store even better. These extra filters help customers find what they want faster and shop without confusion. Choosing the right mix of filters depends on your store and the products you sell. Let’s explore the different filter types you can add to make things easier for your visitors.
Price Filter
The price filter lets shoppers set how much they want to spend before they start browsing. One of the benefits of using WooCommerce Price Filter is that it shows only the products that match their budget, making shopping quicker and easier. It also helps reduce confusion by hiding items that cost too much. This filter is great for keeping things clear and helping people make faster choices.
Size Filter
This filter is perfect for clothing, shoes, and other items that come in different sizes. Shoppers can pick their size and skip the rest. It saves them from clicking on items that don’t fit. When people find the right size quickly, they’re more likely to buy. It makes shopping smoother and faster.
Color Filter
Many people shop based on color, especially when buying clothes, accessories, or home items. A color filter lets them pick their favorite shades. This makes the store more fun and helps users find matching items. You can show colors using swatches or names. It’s simple but very helpful.
Rating Filter
The rating filter helps users choose products based on customer reviews. If someone only wants to see 4-star or 5-star items, this filter makes it possible. It builds trust because people feel safer picking highly-rated products. It’s also a great way to highlight your best items. Happy reviews lead to happy buyers.
Brand Filter
If your store sells products from different brands, this filter is a must. Some shoppers only want to buy from specific brands they trust. A brand filter lets them choose what they prefer right away. It keeps things organized and easy to follow. It also helps promote popular brands in your store.
Attribute Filter
This filter is used for product features like material, length, pattern, or style. For example, if you sell furniture, people might want to filter by wood type or design. It gives more control to the shopper. When users can filter by these details, they find exactly what they want. This keeps them on your site longer.
Tag Filter
Product tags are great for sorting items in fun or useful ways. You can create tags like “bestseller,” “new,” or “eco-friendly.” The tag filter lets users find these groups quickly. It’s simple but makes browsing feel more personal. You can also use tags to run small promos or seasonal highlights.
Tips for Combining Product Category Filters With Other Product Filters
Combining product category filters with other filter types makes your WooCommerce store easier to use and more helpful for visitors. This setup helps customers find what they’re looking for faster without going through every product. Here are some simple tips to make your filters work better together.
- Group Filters Logically: Place filters in a clear order so shoppers can easily follow them without feeling lost or confused while browsing your store.
- Use Limited Filter Options: Too many choices can be overwhelming. Keep only the filters that matter most to help users make faster buying decisions.
- Match Filter to Product: Each filter should connect with your products. Don’t add filters that don’t apply to what you actually sell online.
- Always Test on Mobile: Make sure filters work well on small screens. Mobile users need quick and simple options without too much scrolling.
- Name Filters Clearly: Simple names like “Size” or “Color” are better. Avoid technical words that confuse people and slow down their shopping.
- Allow Multiple Selections: Let users pick more than one filter option at a time. It helps them narrow down results more accurately and faster.
- Combine with Search Box: Filters work better when paired with a search box. This helps users jump straight to what they’re looking for easily.
- Highlight Active Filters: Show users what filters are active. This avoids confusion and lets them change or remove filters without refreshing the page.
Commonly Asked Questions
Product category filters play a key role in improving the shopping experience on a WooCommerce store. If you’re still unsure about how useful they are or how they really help your store, the FAQs below will give you clear and helpful answers.
How Does a Product Category Filter Improve User Experience?
A product category filter helps users avoid the clutter of too many options. It lets them go straight to the product group they want, saving time and effort. This makes shopping faster and less frustrating, which leads to a better overall experience.
Can Product Category Filters Help With Site Engagement?
Yes, they can. When people can find what they need quickly through category filters, they tend to stay on your site longer. This increases page views and lowers bounce rates, which is great for both user engagement and SEO performance.
Do Category Filters Work With All WooCommerce Themes?
Most product category filters are built to work with a wide range of WooCommerce themes. They easily blend with the layout and style of your site. As long as your theme is updated and WooCommerce-compatible, filters should work without problems.
Which Stores Benefit the Most From Category Filters?
Stores with many products or multiple types of products benefit most from category filters. These include clothing shops, tech stores, furniture sellers, and marketplaces. Filters help keep things clear when there’s a large catalog to explore.
Why Should You Use Product Category Filters Instead of Just Search Bars?
While search bars are useful, category filters offer structured browsing. They allow users to explore even if they don’t know exactly what they want. Filters help them find what they need by narrowing down product types with a few clicks.
What Happens If You Don’t Use Product Category Filters?
Without category filters, your store may feel disorganized. Shoppers can get lost in too many products, leading to frustration. This often causes them to leave your site without buying anything, which can hurt your sales and brand image.
Which User Behavior Improves Due to Category Filtering?
Click-through rates improve because filters help users find what they’re truly interested in. Users also explore more items within a category. It leads to fewer bounces and more time spent looking at products they’re likely to buy.
Bottom Line
Running an online store isn’t just about having great products — it’s about making those products easy to find. Shoppers don’t want to scroll endlessly or feel lost while browsing. That’s where smart filters come in.
The benefits of using product category filter in WooCommerce site go beyond just sorting products. It helps create a smoother shopping experience, saves time for visitors, and even boosts sales by guiding customers to the right items faster. It also keeps your store clean, organized, and easier to manage.
If you want your WooCommerce store to feel simple, helpful, and ready for more happy customers, adding a product category filter is a great move. It’s a small feature that brings big results for both you and your visitors.