The WooCommerce categories filter makes it easier for shoppers to find what they want without having to scroll through everything. It keeps your store organized and helps people save time while browsing. If you’re working on your online shop, you probably have one thing in mind—how to add filter by categories in WooCommerce?
You can add a category filter using WordPress, but it usually needs custom code. This can be hard if you’re not a developer. A better and easier way is to use a plugin like Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce. It lets you add, customize, and display category filters without any coding. You just install the plugin, set up your categories, adjust the filter settings, and place the shortcode where you want.
Want to know how to set everything up from start to finish without getting stuck anywhere? If you’re curious about setting up category filters the right way, this article has all the steps, tips, and tools you need—so keep reading and explore everything in one place.
How to Add Filter by Categories in WooCommerce?
If you’re trying to let people browse products by category on your WooCommerce site, that’s a smart move. It helps users find what they’re looking for faster. But adding this filter isn’t as simple as clicking a button—unless you use the right tool. Let’s walk through it in the easiest way possible, no coding needed.
Easy Way to Add Category Filter
You can add a category filter directly through WordPress, but it’s tricky. It usually requires custom code, and that can get confusing for someone who’s not a developer. To avoid that hassle, most people go for a plugin solution like product filters for WooCommerce, which lets you add the filter without writing code, customize the design, and make everything mobile-friendly too.
One of the most popular tools is Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce, and it comes with some really helpful features:
- Allows users to filter products without page reloads using AJAX-powered results
- Works well with custom and premium themes, so no extra tweaking is needed
- Let’s you filter by category, price, rating, tags, color, size, and more
- Supports shortcodes, so you can place filters wherever you want on your site
- Offers multiple filter styles like dropdowns, checkboxes, sliders, or images
How to Install the Plugin
Free Version (From WordPress Dashboard)
- Go to WordPress Admin Dashboard > Plugins
- Click Add New Plugin
- In the search box, type Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Pro Version (Upload the ZIP File)
- Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin
- Click Upload Plugin
- Choose the plugin ZIP file
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Manual FTP Installation
- Download the plugin ZIP and unzip it
- Connect to your server using an FTP tool like FileZilla
- Go to /wp-content/plugins/
- Upload the unzipped plugin folder
- Go back to WordPress and activate it under Plugins > Installed Plugins
Step-by-Step: How to Add a Category Filter in WooCommerce?
Step 1: Create Product Categories
Before you can filter by categories, you need to create them:
- Go to Products > Categories
- On the left, you’ll see fields to create a new category:
- Name: Type the category name (e.g., “Laptops”)
- Slug: This is the URL version (e.g., “laptops”)
- Parent Category: If this is a sub-category, you can choose a parent (optional)
- Description: Add a short description (optional)
- You can add an image for the category if you want.
- Click Add New Category
Once added, the category will appear in the list on the right side of the page.
Step 2: Assign Categories to Your Products
Now you need to assign your products to the right categories:
- Go to Products > All Products
- Click on any product to edit it, or you can add a new product.
- On the right-hand side, you’ll see the Categories box. If you do not see the category option, scroll down a little bit and you’ll find the category option.
- Check the box of the category you want the product to appear under
(You can also click Add New Category from here) - Click Update or Publish to save changes
Repeat this for all your products to organize them properly.
Step 3: Enable the Category Filter in the Plugin Form
Now that your categories are ready, let’s enable them in the filter form:
- Go to Product Filters > Form Manage in your WordPress dashboard
- Choose the form you want to edit (or create a new one)
- In the form settings, find the Show Categories option
- Toggle the setting ON so your category filter appears on the frontend
- To make your website more efficient, you can check the “With Ajax” box.
- Save the form when done
This tells the plugin to display category filters in your shop.
Step 4: Customize the Filter Widget Design
You can style how the category filter looks and how users interact with it:
- Go to Product Filters > Form Style
- From the dropdown labeled “Category Options”
- Select a style option for the category filter:
- Checkbox – lets users tick categories
- Color – shows categories using colors
- Image – shows categories using images
- Select – creates a dropdown menu of categories
- Based on what you choose, you’ll get sub-options like layout, size, alignment, etc.
- Customize everything to match your store design
Your category filter now looks just the way you want!
Step 5: (Optional) Use Hierarchical Category Display
If you use parent and child categories, this setting helps organize them:
- In Form Style, find the Enable Hierarchical option
- Choose how you want to show the relationship:
- Disabled – shows all categories as one list
- Enabled – shows parent with children nested under
- Enabled & Separate – shows parents and children separately
- Enabled & Hide Child – hides child categories unless the parent is selected
- Save your settings
This helps users filter more efficiently using category levels.
Step 6: Show the Filter on Your Site
To actually display the filter form on your page:
- Go to the page or widget where you want the filters to show
- Paste this shortcode exactly where you want it :
“plugincy_filters” - If you also want to show products with the filters, use this too:
“products”
(Make sure you paste the code inside the square brackets [ ] and remove the inverted commas.)
With just a few easy steps, you can add a powerful category filter to your WooCommerce store without touching any code. Using the Dynamic AJAX Product Filters plugin saves time, looks great, and makes shopping easier for your customers. Try it out and see the difference it makes!
Where Should You Place the Category Filter on Your WooCommerce Store?
Placing your category filter in the right spot helps shoppers find what they want faster. But every store is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. To understand what works best, let’s look at a few common options.
Sidebar Area
The sidebar is one of the most used places for filters. It’s simple and always in view, especially on desktop screens. People can scroll and pick what they want without moving too far from the product list. However, it may not work well on mobile if it pushes down the products too far. Still, many store owners prefer this spot because it feels natural.
Top Bar
Putting the category filter on the top bar gives it more attention. It’s one of the first things visitors see when they land on the shop page. This is helpful when your site has fewer products or categories. But if you have too many filters, the top bar can get crowded. Keep it clean and short for better results.
Dropdown Style
A dropdown filter saves space and looks neat. It’s great for mobile and smaller screens. You can place it above the product list or beside it. When users click on the dropdown, it shows all the filter options. Just make sure the text on the dropdown is clear, so users know what it does. It’s good when you want a cleaner layout.
Floating Filter Button
This type of filter usually appears as a small button, often in the corner. When clicked, it opens a panel with filter options. It’s perfect for mobile stores where space is tight. Users can easily hide or show filters without getting lost on the page. It adds a modern touch and keeps the main screen focused on products.
Sticky Filter Bar
Sticky filter bars remain in place even when scrolled down. It’s usually placed at the top or side of the screen. This way, the filter is always ready without going back to the top. It helps shoppers adjust their options at any time. Make sure it doesn’t cover any product area and works well on all devices.
Choosing the best filter placement depends on how your store looks and how people interact with it. There’s no single perfect spot, but some options work better depending on your layout. Try testing a few styles to see what feels right. A good filter placement can make shopping smoother and more enjoyable for your visitors.
Tips to Make WooCommerce Category Filters Mobile-Friendly
Many people now shop from their phones, which makes mobile-friendly design super important. If filters are hard to use on small screens, users might leave without buying anything. Want to keep people browsing longer? These simple tips can help.
- Use a Sticky Filter Bar: Keeping the filter bar visible as users scroll helps them filter products anytime without scrolling all the way up again.
- Try Slide-Out Menus: Slide-out or off-canvas menus save screen space and let users open filters only when they want to use them.
- Add Clear Filter Buttons: A visible “Clear All” button lets users remove all selected filters quickly without tapping each one again.
- Show Fewer Options First: Show just a few filter choices at first and add a “See More” option to keep the screen from looking too crowded.
- Use Large Tap Areas: Buttons and checkboxes should be big enough so users can tap them easily without pressing the wrong one.
- Group Filters Neatly: When filters are grouped by type, like size, color, or brand, it becomes much easier to understand and use them.
- Test on Different Phones: Always check how filters look and work on different mobile screens so you can fix anything that feels off or hard to use.
Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to shopping on phones. Good mobile filters help users find what they want faster. That also means they’re more likely to buy something. So, make sure your store works great on every screen.
Can You Combine Category Filters With Other Filter Types in WooCommerce?
When you shop online, it helps to quickly find what you’re looking for. Filters in WooCommerce make that easier. But what happens when you want to use more than one kind of filter at the same time? Let’s dig into how it really works and what’s possible when you mix filters together.
Price and Category
Many users care about price first. That’s why combining category filters with price filters works so well. When someone clicks on a product category, they can instantly choose a price range that fits their budget. It helps narrow down results and saves time. This setup is useful for stores with both low-cost and premium items. With the right plugin, adding both filters side-by-side is quick and simple.
Tags and Categories
Tag filters can show shoppers themes, trends, or specific product details. When used with category filters, they offer more choices without feeling too heavy. For example, someone might choose “Shoes” and then click a tag like “Winter.” This combo helps sort things faster. You can display both filters near each other or make tags appear only after a category is selected for a cleaner look.
Rating and Category
Customer ratings are super helpful when someone isn’t sure what to buy. You can allow users to pick a category first and then sort by top-rated products. This gives extra confidence while shopping. Ratings work well in stores that have a lot of product reviews. Keeping the filters side-by-side or stacking them clearly makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Attribute and Category
Attributes like size, material, or brand help buyers choose exactly what they need. While combining category filters with attributes like size or material is common, many store owners also prefer to add color-based filters in WooCommerce to improve product discovery and customer experience. This kind of setup makes filtering feel more visual and easier to use. You can place these filters as checkboxes, dropdowns, or even swatches.
Filter Order and Layout
The way you place your filters really matters. You don’t want users to get confused by a messy layout. Always put the most-used filters, like category or price, at the top or front. Then follow with extras like tags, attributes, and ratings. Keep the layout clean and simple so users don’t get overwhelmed. A good layout helps filters work better together without slowing anyone down.
Mixing filters in WooCommerce makes shopping easier and quicker for everyone. When done right, it can help people find what they want without stress. Just keep it clean and simple. Try different setups and see what works best.
Speed Optimization Tips When Using Multiple WooCommerce Category Filters
Too many filters can make your store feel heavy, especially if you don’t handle them properly. But smart setup and simple tools can help keep things fast. Let’s explore what steps can improve both speed and filter use.
Limit Filter Choices
Offering every single filter option at once might seem helpful, but it actually slows things down. Instead, try to show only the most important or most-used filters. You can keep extra options hidden until needed. This keeps your page lighter and loads faster. When fewer filters are active at the same time, your site runs smoother, and customers won’t feel overwhelmed by too many choices.
Use AJAX Loading
Page reloads can be annoying and time-consuming. That’s why using AJAX helps a lot—it loads new results without refreshing the entire page. This keeps things quick and smooth. Visitors can see product changes instantly after selecting a filter. AJAX also reduces server load, making your store faster for everyone. Many modern filter plugins support this, and it’s easy to set up with the right tools.
Avoid Overlapping Filters
Some filters do the same thing in different ways. For example, “Red Shirts” and “Shirts in Red” might show the same products. Too much overlap can confuse users and slow down results. Keeping filters clean and different from each other avoids that problem. Also, your store doesn’t have to work as hard to sort and show products. Clean filters keep everything light and easy.
Choose Smart Plugins
Not all plugins are made the same. Some add too much code and slow things down. But others are built with speed in mind. Using too many filters can slow down your store, but with the benefits of using WooCommerce product filters plugin, you can manage speed and user experience more effectively by leveraging smart loading and optimized queries. Always test plugins before using them long-term.
Optimize Product Counts
Showing how many products are available under each filter sounds useful, but it takes extra time to count everything in real time. If your store is big, that delay can grow. Turning off live counts or updating them less often keeps the page fast. This small change doesn’t affect the shopping experience much but makes the whole store run smoother on both desktop and mobile.
Speed and filters can work well together if you plan things the right way. Small changes like hiding extra options or picking better plugins make a big difference. Keep things simple and clean. That’s the key to a faster store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Setting up filters by category is a great way to make your WooCommerce store easier to use. But once you get started, a few more questions might come up. This FAQ section answers those common doubts and gives you clear, simple tips to move forward.
Can I Use Category Filters Without Any Paid Tools?
Yes, you can use free plugins to add category filters. Some of them offer enough features to set up basic filters without paying. But for more advanced styling and faster performance, paid tools can help. If you’re just starting out, the free version works fine for most stores.
Will My Filters Work With All WooCommerce Themes?
Most good plugins are built to work with popular WooCommerce themes. But some custom or older themes might have issues. It’s a good idea to test the filter after setting it up. If something looks off, you might need a small design adjustment.
What If My Category Filter Doesn’t Show on the Page?
If your category filter isn’t showing, check that the shortcode is placed correctly. Also, make sure the filter form is saved and activated in the plugin. Double-check that your products are assigned to categories. One small step missed can stop the filter from appearing.
Can I Add Category Filters to a Specific Product Page?
Category filters are usually meant for shop or archive pages, not single product pages. Filters work best when there are many products to choose from. Showing a filter on one product page won’t help users much. Keep them where browsing happens most.
Is It Possible to Create a Custom Style for My Filters?
Yes, many plugins let you change how your filters look. You can pick different colors, shapes, or layouts to match your store. Some tools even let you do this without touching any code. Just go to the styling settings and explore the design options.
Will Filters Work if I Use Multiple Categories Per Product?
Yes, a product can belong to more than one category, and filters will still work. The filter will show products in any category the user selects. Just make sure your categories are clear and not too similar. This helps avoid confusion when customers filter products.
Can I Hide Some Categories From the Filter?
Most plugins give you the option to hide categories from the filter list. This is helpful if you want to keep certain items private or limited. Just uncheck them in the filter settings. It keeps your filter list neat and focused.
How Can I Make Filters Work Better for Large Stores?
For stores with many products, it’s important to use fast plugins with AJAX support. Also, don’t load too many filters at once. Keep things simple by showing only the most useful ones. This helps your store run smoother and keeps customers happy.
Are Category Filters Useful for Downloadable Products?
Yes, even downloadable or virtual products can be organized by category. This is helpful if you sell things like eBooks, music, or software. Filters work the same way as with physical products. Just assign the right categories and they’ll show up in the filter.
End Note
Adding filters makes your store smoother and easier to shop. Whether you’re showing laptops, shirts, or shoes, filters by category help organize your product list better. Now you clearly know how to add filter by categories in WooCommerce. Just install the plugin, set up categories, and place the filter where it works best.
To wrap up, always keep your layout clean, avoid too many filter options, and test your store on mobile devices. These simple steps improve both speed and experience. Best wishes as you build a better, faster, and more user-friendly WooCommerce shop!