How to Change Default Sorting in WooCommerce: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re running an online store with WooCommerce, you know that the way products are sorted can significantly impact the shopping experience. By default, WooCommerce sorts products by their custom ordering position, menu order, or title. However, you might want to change the default sort order to better suit your store’s needs and improve user experience. In this guide, we will explore how to effectively change the default sorting in WooCommerce.

Why Change the Default Sorting?

Default sorting plays a crucial role in how potential customers perceive your product offerings. Here are some reasons why you might want to change it:

• **Highlight Best Sellers**: Make sure your most popular products appear first.
• **Promote New Arrivals**: Showcase the latest products to keep your store fresh and engaging.
• **Improve User Experience**: Help customers find what they’re looking for more efficiently.

How to Change Default Sorting in WooCommerce

Changing the default sorting order in WooCommerce can be done through two primary methods: using the WooCommerce settings or by adding custom code to your theme.

Method 1: Change Sorting via WooCommerce Settings

1. Access WooCommerce Settings:

• Log into your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to **WooCommerce > Settings**.

2. Go to Products Tab:

• Click on the **Products** tab.
• Then select **Display**.

3. Select Default Sorting Option:

• Under the **Shop Check out this post: How To Add View Cart Button In Woocommerce page display settings**, you will find the **Default product sorting** dropdown.
• Choose from the following options:
• Default sorting (custom ordering + name)
• Popularity (sales)
• Average rating
• Most recent
• Price (asc)
• Price (desc)

4. Save Changes:

• After selecting your preferred sorting option, click Discover insights on How To Add Authorize Net To Woocommerce **Save changes**.

Method 2: Change Sorting via Custom Code

If you want to create a more customized sorting order, you might need to add a bit of code to your theme’s functions.php file.

1. Backup Your Site:

• Always start by creating a backup of your WordPress site to avoid any accidental data loss.

2. Access Theme Editor:

• In your WordPress dashboard, go to **Appearance > Theme Editor**.
• Open the **functions.php** file.

3. Add Custom Sorting Code:

• Insert the following code Learn more about How To Add Woocommerce To WordPress Page snippet to change the default sorting:

 function custom_woocommerce_default_catalog_orderby( $sortby ) { return 'date'; // Options: menu_order, popularity, rating, date, price, price-desc } add_filter( 'woocommerce_default_catalog_orderby', 'custom_woocommerce_default_catalog_orderby' ); 

4. Adjust the Code:

• Replace `’date’` with your desired sorting method:
• `’menu_order’`: Custom ordering
• `’popularity’`: Sort by sales
• `’rating’`: Sort by average rating
• `’date’`: Sort by most recent
• `’price’`: Sort by ascending price
• `’price-desc’`: Sort by descending price

5. Update File:

• Save the changes in the Theme Editor.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Product Sorting

• **Use Plugins**: Consider using WooCommerce plugins that offer advanced sorting options and additional features to enhance the shopping experience.
• **Monitor Performance**: Regularly check your site’s analytics to see how changes in sorting affect user engagement and conversions.
• **A/B Testing**: Experiment with different sorting orders to find what works best for your target audience.

Conclusion

Changing the default sorting in WooCommerce is a straightforward process that can have a significant impact on your store’s performance. Whether you choose to adjust settings directly through WooCommerce or implement custom code, you can ensure your products are presented in the most effective manner. By optimizing the product sorting order, you create a more intuitive and engaging shopping experience that can lead to increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Remember, every store is unique, so take the time to explore different sorting options and find the one that best meets your business goals. By continuously refining your product presentation, you can stay ahead of the competition and provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.