Attribute filters in WooCommerce help customers sort products based on specific details like color, size, or brand. They quietly work in the background to improve how people shop. If you’re building or managing a store, there’s a good chance you’ve wondered how to add filter by attribute in WooCommerce?
Add an attribute filter in WooCommerce by creating global product attributes, assigning them to products, and using the Dynamic AJAX Product Filters plugin. Enable attribute filters in plugin settings, style the filter, and display it using the “plugincy_filters” shortcode inside the square brackets [ ].
Are you curious about setting it up the right way or wondering which filters work best for mobile or SEO? Keep reading because this article includes everything you need to know from setup to optimization—all in one place.
How to Add Filter by Attribute in WooCommerce?
Adding filters by attribute in your WooCommerce store makes it easier for customers to quickly find the exact products they’re looking for. Whether it’s filtering by color, size, brand, or any custom attribute, this feature can greatly improve the shopping experience. Follow these steps to add this by attribute in WooCommerce.
Step 1: Understand and Choose the Right Product Filter Plugin
Filters in WooCommerce help users refine products based on attributes, price, categories, tags, and ratings. To make filtering smooth and responsive, you need a plugin that supports AJAX (no page reload) filtering.
There are several filter plugins available, but one of the most popular and reliable choices is Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce. This plugin provides:
- Lightning-fast filters using AJAX
- Full support for filtering by attributes, categories, tags, price, and ratings
- Stylish options like checkboxes, color swatches, dropdowns, and images
- Easy shortcode integration anywhere on your site
Installation Guide for Dynamic AJAX Product Filters
To get started with the plugin:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- In the search bar, type: Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce
- Find the correct plugin and click Install Now.
- After installation, click Activate.
- Once activated, a new Product Filters menu will appear in the dashboard.
- You can now access filter settings via Admin > Product Filters.
Recommended Requirements
To ensure smooth operation, make sure your site meets these:
- WordPress 5.0 or higher
- WooCommerce 3.6.0 or higher
- PHP 7.0 or higher
Step 2: Create Global Product Attributes and Add Terms
- Go to Products > Attributes.
- Under Add new attribute:
- Name: e.g., Processor, Color, Size
- Slug: URL-friendly name (e.g., processor)
- Enable Archives: Check this if you want a page for this attribute (optional).
- Type: Usually keep as “Select”.
- Click Add Attribute.
Add Terms to the Attribute:
- Click Configure terms next to the newly created attribute.
- Under Add new term, fill in:
- Name (e.g., Intel i5)
- Slug (optional)
- Click Add new “Attribute”.
- Repeat for all values (e.g., Ryzen 5, Intel i7).
Step 3: Assign Attributes to Products (Use Global, Not Custom Attributes)
Don’t create attributes directly inside products — always use global attributes created in Step 2.
- Go to Products > All Products.
- Edit or add a product.
- In the Product data section, go to the Attributes tab.
- Select the global attribute (e.g., Processor) from the dropdown, then click Add.
- Check the appropriate terms (e.g., AMD Ryzen 5).
- Check the box “Visible on the product page” if needed.
- Click Save attributes.
- Click Update or Publish the product.
Step 4: Create and Manage the Filter Form
- Go to Product Filters > Form Manage.
- Either edit the default form or click “Add New” to create a filter form.
- Use the + Add Filter button to:
- Choose Filter by Attribute.
- Select the specific attribute (e.g., Processor).
- Choose filter type (Checkbox, Select dropdown, etc.).
- Set Query Type (AND / OR based on how you want the filter logic to behave).
- Set a Label if needed.
- Click Save Changes.
Step 5: Style the Attribute Filter Widget
- Go to Product Filters > Form Style.
- Choose your filter form from the dropdown.
- Under Select Attribute, pick the one you want to design (e.g., Color).
- Choose a style:
- Checkbox
- Color Swatch
- Image
- Select Box
- Depending on your choice:
- Upload images for terms (for image style).
- Assign hex colors (for color style).
- Click Save to apply styling.
Step 6: Add the Filter to a Page or Sidebar
- Go to Pages > All Pages and edit your Shop or custom product listing page.
- Paste this shortcode inside the square brackets [ ]: “plugincy filters”
- (You can place this inside a block or widget area.)
- (Optional) Add product display shortcode: “products”. Make sure you paste the shortcode inside the square brackets
- You can also go to Appearance > Widgets and add the filter to a sidebar.
Step 7: Test and Verify the Filter
Visit your shop and try the filters. Products should reload instantly when a filter is selected. If they don’t work, double-check if global attributes are used, not custom ones. Also, make sure the form is assigned correctly. Plugins like AJAX product filters for WooCommerce make dynamic filtering possible—no page reloads, just smooth and fast results.
With just a few simple steps, you can turn your WooCommerce store into a more organized, user-friendly platform. The Dynamic AJAX Product Filters plugin gives you all the flexibility and design options needed to make product filtering effortless and professional. Set it up once, and let your filters do the work!
How to Let Customers Filter by Multiple Attributes at Once in WooCommerce?
Giving your customers the ability to apply multiple filters at once creates a smoother and more efficient shopping experience. It helps users quickly narrow down product options based on what matters most to them, without the need to reload or backtrack. Here’s how to let customers filter by multiple attributes in WooCommerce.
Step 1: Enable Attribute Filters in the Filter Form
- Go to Product Filters > Form Manage.
- Click to edit your existing filter form or create a new one.
- Use the + Add Filter button multiple times to add several attribute filters:
- Example: Add one for Color, another for Size, and so on.
- For each attribute:
- Set the Filter by Attribute type.
- Choose a Checkbox or select the layout for easy multi-selection.
- Make sure “Query Type” is set to OR if you want flexible matches within the same filter (e.g., Blue or Red), or AND for strict filtering across attributes (e.g., Blue AND Large).
- Click Save.
Step 2: Use AJAX Filtering Mode
To allow real-time filtering (without reloading the page):
- In the same Form Manage panel, scroll to Use URL-Based Filter.
- Select the With AJAX option to enable a smooth user experience.
- This ensures users can combine multiple filters (e.g., Blue + Large + In Stock) and see results instantly.
Step 3: Test Multi-Attribute Filtering on Your Site
- Go to your product page where the “plugincy_filters” shortcode is placed.
- Select multiple attribute filters (e.g., Blue + Large).
- Confirm that products update correctly based on all active filter selections.
- If filters don’t combine properly:
- Double-check that your products actually have those attribute combinations.
- Ensure the filter logic (AND/OR) is configured correctly in the form.
Tips for Better Multi-Attribute Filtering
- Always use global attributes, not custom per-product attributes.
- Choose Checkboxes over dropdowns for faster multi-selection.
- Consider enabling Stock Status filters to avoid empty result sets.
- Use clear labels for each attribute (e.g., “Select Size,” “Choose Color”).
Adding multi-attribute filters isn’t just a feature — it’s a conversion tool. With the right setup using plugins like Dynamic AJAX Product Filters, you give your shoppers complete control over their search, reduce frustration, and drive more sales. It’s a smart upgrade for any growing WooCommerce store.
How to Make Attribute Filters Mobile-Friendly for WooCommerce Shoppers?
Attribute filters help people sort products by things like size, color, and style. They’re super useful, especially when a store has a lot of items. But on mobile, filters can get messy if not set up the right way. Want to make shopping easier for your mobile users? Let’s look at some simple tips to improve mobile filters and keep visitors happy.
- Use a Collapsible Filter Panel: Show filters inside a slide-out or dropdown panel so they don’t take up space. This keeps the product list clean and easy to scroll.
- Add a Clear “Apply Filters” Button: Give shoppers a big, easy-to-tap button to apply all filters at once. This helps them avoid too many screen taps.
- Keep Filter Options Short and Simple: Use short labels like “Color” or “Size” to avoid clutter. Simple words load faster and look better on small screens.
- Show Active Filters Clearly: Make it easy to see and remove selected filters. A small “X” icon or clear button can help users reset anytime.
- Place Filters at the Top or in a Tab: Put filters where users can easily find them, like above the product list or in a clearly marked tab.
- Make Buttons and Text Easy to Tap: Make sure all clickable items are big enough for fingers. Tiny buttons are hard to press on mobile screens.
- Test Filter Layout on Real Phones: Always check how filters look and work on different phones. Just resizing your desktop browser isn’t always enough to find problems.
When filters work well on mobile, shopping feels smooth and stress-free. Users can quickly find what they want without getting stuck. Clean design and smart filter tools can really boost your sales. Try these tips and watch your store feel more user-friendly right away.
Top Attribute Filters That Improve Customer Shopping Experience in WooCommerce
A good shopping experience depends a lot on how easily someone can find the product they’re looking for. That’s why attribute filters matter so much in an online store. With the right filters, your WooCommerce shop becomes faster and easier to use. Curious to know which filters actually make a difference? Let’s break down the most useful ones below so you can get started.
Color and Style
Visitors often search based on how something looks. That’s where color and style filters help a lot. They let people quickly pick their favorite shade or design instead of scrolling forever. For example, someone looking for a black jacket doesn’t need to scroll through ten pages—they just check the right box. These filters make the shopping process faster and more fun, especially when choices feel too overwhelming on a large product list.
Size Selection
Sometimes people find the perfect product, but it’s not available in their size. A size filter solves this instantly. It helps users skip items that won’t work for them and focus on what fits. Whether it’s shoes, shirts, or accessories, this filter gives shoppers exactly what they need. It also saves time and keeps them from getting frustrated when their preferred size isn’t available after clicking on a product.
Material and Quality
People care about what things are made of, especially when buying clothes, furniture, or even bags. Filters that focus on material or quality level help users choose based on comfort or durability. Someone looking for leather, cotton, or metal can easily sort products without needing to check each item. When a store offers detailed filters, it shows the shop really cares about the shopper’s comfort and product choice.
Brand Preference
Using brand filters in stores with lots of products from different companies makes searching much easier. Some users only shop at brands they already trust or love. Some users only shop from brands they already trust or love. So, one of the most helpful filters to add is a brand filter in WooCommerce, especially for stores with multiple product lines or suppliers. Without this, users may give up before finding what they want. It’s a simple filter, but it can truly improve how the store feels.
Price Range
Budget matters for most shoppers, and no one wants to see items they can’t afford. That’s why a filter that sorts by price is super useful. Shoppers can set their limit and explore options they can actually buy. This filter also gives a better shopping experience because it shows the store respects different spending levels. It’s also helpful when someone is trying to compare similar products within a fixed budget.
A great set of filters doesn’t just help users—it helps your store too. It keeps people from leaving and makes them more likely to buy. Easy sorting means less frustration and happier customers. Try adding these filters one by one and see the difference it makes.
SEO Tips for Using Attribute Filters Without Hurting Crawlability in WooCommerce
Search engines love clean, organized websites, but too many filters can cause problems if they aren’t set up right. Filters that help shoppers may also confuse crawlers if not handled properly. That’s why knowing how to use filters without hurting SEO matters. Want to keep your store searchable and user-friendly? Let’s walk through some useful tips that keep both people and search engines happy.
Use Noindex on Filter Pages
Many filtered pages don’t need to show up in search results. These pages often have the same products with slight changes, like size or color. Using the noindex tag helps hide them from search engines so they don’t count as duplicates. This keeps your important pages strong and stops low-value pages from filling up search listings. You can set this in your SEO plugin or use custom rules if needed.
Avoid Filter Links in Sitemaps
Sitemaps should only include your main product and category pages. Filtered pages don’t need to be crawled often and shouldn’t take up crawl budget. Keeping them out of your sitemap helps search engines focus on your most important content. Let your sitemap stay clean and useful by not listing every filtered version of your products. This way, your main pages stay in the spotlight.
Keep Filter URLs Clean
Some filter links can create very long and messy URLs. Search engines might treat each one as a separate page, even if they show the same items. You can fix this by using short and clear URLs for your filters. Clean links are better for users and much easier for search bots to understand. Also, avoid adding too many filters to one link.
Choose One Main Version
Let’s say the same product can show up on many filter pages—this can confuse search engines. To solve this, set one page as the main version using canonical tags. That tells search engines which one is the “real” version. When optimizing your product filters for SEO, it’s also smart to structure other filters, like the author filter in WooCommerce, in a way that avoids creating duplicate or low-value pages.
Avoid Thin Content
Filtered pages often don’t have enough text or useful information. That can make them look like weak pages to search engines. Try to avoid indexing pages that don’t offer anything unique. Always focus on strong content that brings value to users. It’s better to have fewer pages with good content than lots of weak ones that clutter your site.
Keeping your filters SEO-friendly doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps like blocking certain pages or using clean URLs make a big difference. Your store can stay search engine ready while still helping shoppers find what they need. Just set things up smartly and watch your site grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding filters can raise a lot of small questions while you’re setting things up. Even though the main steps are simple, there are still details that might confuse you. These FAQs are here to clear up the little things that often get missed. Let’s make your WooCommerce filters even better by solving these common doubts.
How to Remove an Attribute Filter If I Made a Mistake?
If you created the wrong filter or attribute, go to Products > Attributes in your dashboard. Find the one you want to remove and click Delete. This will only remove the attribute, not the products. Make sure to check that no product is using it before deleting to avoid errors.
Why Are My Attribute Filters Not Showing on the Product Page?
Sometimes filters don’t show because they’re not linked properly. First, make sure you used global attributes, not custom ones, inside the product. Then, check if the filter form is added to your page or widget area. Also, double-check the form settings to see if it’s saved and active.
Can I Hide Filter Options That Don’t Have Matching Products?
Yes, you can. Most filter plugins have a setting to hide empty terms. This means if no product matches a value, that option will not be shown in the filter. It keeps your filter list clean and avoids confusing users.
What Happens If I Use Too Many Attribute Filters?
Using too many filters might slow down your page or confuse users. Try to keep only the most useful ones, like color, size, or brand. Too many filters can also look messy, especially on mobile. It’s better to give fewer but more effective filter choices.
Can I Reorder How Attribute Filters Appear?
Yes, you can change the order. In the Form Manage section of your filter plugin, drag and drop the filters into the order you like. This helps highlight important filters at the top. For example, you might want “Color” to show before “Size”.
Will Attribute Filters Work With Variable Products?
Yes, they do. But make sure the variations use the same global attributes you created. If you used different custom ones, the filters won’t pick them up. Always match your variations with the filter values you set.
Can I Show Attribute Filters on a Custom Landing Page?
Yes, just use the plugin’s shortcode to place filters anywhere. Copy the shortcode from the plugin’s settings and paste it inside a block on your custom page. You can also add filters to the sidebar areas. This makes it easy to match filters with any product group or promotion.
How Do I Translate Attribute Filters Into Other Languages?
If your site is multilingual, you’ll need a translation plugin like WPML or Loco Translate. These tools help you translate filter labels, terms, and settings. Make sure your attribute terms are also translated. This way, users see filters in their selected language.
Can I Show Filters Based on Stock Status?
Yes, most filter plugins allow you to add a stock status filter. You can create one that shows “In Stock” or “Out of Stock” products. This helps users avoid clicking on items that are sold out. It also makes the shopping experience faster.
How to Make Filters Look Like Buttons or Swatches?
You can style your filters using the Form Style settings in your plugin. Choose styles like color swatches, images, or buttons instead of checkboxes. You can even upload icons or set hex colors for each term. This gives your store a more modern and fun look.
Final Considerations
Using attribute filters in WooCommerce helps your store feel more organized and user-friendly. From setting up global attributes to adding filter widgets, each step improves the way users shop. Now you clearly know how to add filter by attribute in WooCommerce.
To make your filter work even better, use clean labels, choose checkboxes for quick selection, and test your layout on mobile devices. Always keep things simple and easy to use. Best of luck as you upgrade your store’s shopping experience!