How to Filter WooCommerce Products by Category?

Online shopping feels simple when categories guide people to the right items fast. Many stores struggle when their category setup is weak, and shoppers get lost in long product lists. Clear steps fix this problem and make the shop easy to use again. When store owners want a smooth system, they often look for a clear way to manage categories and understand how to filter WooCommerce products by category.

Filter WooCommerce products by category by creating product categories, assigning products to them, and adding the Product Categories widget to your shop page. This lets customers click a category like Electronics or Clothing and instantly view matching items, improving navigation and reducing time spent browsing.

Readers who want simple steps and clear results can follow this full guide. Every part is explained in plain words so anyone can apply it. Continue reading to learn each step and use the method that fits your store best.

Why Does Category Filtering Matter in WooCommerce?

Category filtering matters because it helps people get to the right products fast. Instead of scrolling through everything, shoppers can click a category and instantly see only what they want. This makes the store feel simple, organized, and easy to use.

It also helps increase sales. When visitors find the right products without confusion, they are more likely to buy. Filters cut down on frustration and keep shoppers from leaving your site too soon. Clear choices guide them forward instead of making them guess.

Category filters even support search and rankings. They let shoppers combine search terms with product groups, which gives cleaner results. They also help create structured pages that search engines understand better. Over time, that can bring more visitors to your store for free.

How to Filter WooCommerce Products by Category?

Filtering products by category helps shoppers quickly jump to the exact type of items they want. Instead of scrolling through the full product list, they can simply choose a category like Electronics, Clothing, or Accessories, and WooCommerce will display only the matching items. To make this work, you first need to create product categories, then assign products to them, and finally show the category filter on your store. Here are the steps. 

Step 1: Create Product Categories

You’ll manage categories inside your WooCommerce dashboard. When you open the categories page, WooCommerce gives you fields to define what each category is and how it should appear.

Follow these steps:

• Go to Products → Categories
• Type a Category Name (for example, Electronics)
• Add a Slug if you want a custom URL
• Write a description if needed

WooCommerce also lets you organize categories into parent and child groups. For example, you might create a main category called Electronics, then add child categories such as Microwave, Laptop, and Washing Machine under it. This structure keeps your store organized and makes filtering clearer for customers.

When everything looks right, click Add new category.

Step 2: Assign Categories to Products

Once categories exist, they don’t do anything until you connect products to them. This step tells WooCommerce which products belong in which section.

Go to Products, then open any product you want to organize, and then look at the right side of the editor. You’ll see the Categories panel with a list of everything you created earlier. Simply check the box next to the category that fits the product, then click Update to save.

You can repeat this process for each product in your catalog. After that, WooCommerce can automatically group and filter them correctly.

Step 3: Display the Category Filter on Your Shop

Now that categories and assignments are done, it’s time to show the filter on the front end so visitors can use it. To do so, first you have to install a plugin. For this, we will use the Dynamic Ajax Product Filters for WooCommerce Plugin. Once you have installed it, follow these steps:

• Go to Appearance → Widgets
• Find the WooCommerce Sidebar
• Add the Product Categories widget
• Click Update to save

Once this widget is active, your customers will see a clean list of categories on the shop page. Clicking any category will instantly load only the items inside it, which makes browsing much easier.

Extra Tip: Make Filtering Faster

If you want the category filter to refresh without reloading the page, you can upgrade later by using a WooCommerce category filter plugin. It keeps the browsing experience smooth and helps shoppers stay engaged while searching.

You have now learned the three key parts of category filtering:

• Create categories
• Assign products to those categories
• Display the category filter on your shop

With this setup, your WooCommerce store will become easier to navigate and far more user-friendly. If you want, I can also show you how to filter by price, color, rating, or stock next.

Why Use Dynamic Ajax Product Filters for WooCommerce Plugin for Category Filters?

WooCommerce makes building a shop simple. But the normal filters do not give much control, and shoppers often spend too long trying to find the right product. That is why store owners look for better filter tools.

A strong option is Dynamic Ajax Product Filters for WooCommerce. It is free to start and already has plenty of helpful tools. Later, you can upgrade if you want more advanced options. This plugin makes product searches faster, smoother, and more organized.

• Instant Filtering: Pages update right away after each click. Customers see fresh results without reloads. The site feels quick and easy while they shop.
• Multiple Filter Types: Users can sort items by price, rating, tags, or size. These clear choices cut search time and help visitors reach the product they want.
• Custom Fields Support: Stores can add filters for brand, author, SKU, or other details. This makes it easy to build filters that match special product data.
• Stock and Deals: Shoppers can see items on sale or only items in stock. Clear labels help people choose faster and avoid clicking products that are not available.
• Size and Weight Filters: People can filter by length, width, height, or weight when it matters. This helps when picking furniture, tools, or other goods that must fit.
• Date-Based Search: Products can be shown by day, week, month, or year. You can also set a date range to display items for special times or seasons.
• Smooth Sorting And Paging: Lists move to the next page without reloads and stay in place. Visitors keep focus on products and do not lose their spot.

This plugin brings speed and simple control to any shop. Try the free version first, then add paid features if you need more tools. It is easy to set up and use for your store.

Now we’ll move to the fun part: using the plugin to customize and display a category filter on your WooCommerce shop. I’ll keep a clear mix of paragraphs and bullet steps so it’s easy to follow.

Step 1: Install the Plugin

You can install either the free version or the Pro version. For most stores, the free version works perfectly.

Installing the free version

• Go to WordPress Dashboard → Plugins, then click Add New Plugin
• In the search bar, type: Dynamic AJAX Product Filters for WooCommerce
• Click Install Now, then click Activate

After activation, the plugin is ready to use.

Installing the Pro version

If you bought the Pro version, the process is almost the same, but you upload the ZIP file manually.

• Go to Plugins → Add New Plugin, click Upload Plugin
• Select the ZIP file, click Install Now, then Activate

You will also receive a license key by email.

To activate it:

• Go to Product Filters → Plugin License
• Paste the license key and click Activate

Now, both the free and Pro versions are ready to configure.

Step 2: Enable the Category Filter

After installation, the plugin won’t show filters automatically. You need to turn them on first. Go to Product Filters → Form Manage Here, look for the option called “Show Categories” and enable it. Then click Save Changes.

At this point, the category filter is active, but it still uses the default style. Next, we’ll customize how it looks.

Step 3: Customize the Category Filter Design

This plugin allows you to fully control how your category filter appears on the shop page. You can create dropdown filters, button-style filters, lists, and more.

Open Product Filters → Form Style Now select Categories from the list. You’ll see a section called “Category Options Filter Style.”

Choose your preferred style. After choosing, another option will appear: “Choose Display Style.” Here, you decide how customers will see the filter. Pick the style that fits your theme and layout, then click Save Changes. Now the filter is fully customized.

Step 4: See the Category Filter on Your Shop

Once everything is saved, go to your storefront and refresh the page. You’ll see the category filter exactly the way you customized it. Customers can now click on categories and instantly filter products, thanks to the plugin’s built-in Ajax functionality. This makes browsing smoother, faster, and more organized compared to the default WooCommerce filters.

With just a few steps, you managed to:

• Install the product filter plugin
• Enable category filtering
• Style and customize how it displays on the shop

Your store now offers a more modern and easier shopping experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Adding Category Filters for WooCommerce

A store can feel clearer and more straightforward with the use of category filters. But small mistakes can make shopping slow and confusing for shoppers. Learning these common errors will help you build better filters. Keep reading to see what to avoid and why today.

Too Many Filters

When a page shows lots of small filter choices, people freeze. They do not know where to start, and the shop feels messy. Focus on a short list that helps most buyers, like price, size, or main category. Simple choices keep the store easy to understand and use every time.

Missing Important Options

Shoppers expect basic filters that let them narrow things fast. Price, color, and brand are simple tools that they look for on every product page. When these are gone, they must scroll and click a lot. Many leave early because finding items feels like work, and that hurts sales for stores.

Single Choice Filters

Some stores only let users pick one option in a filter. This slows things down because people often want to mix choices, like two colors or two sizes. Let them select more than one. The process feels smooth, and they reach the right products faster without extra clicks or reloads.

Poor Labels And Order

Clear words on filters matter more than fancy design. If labels are unclear or out of order, people waste time guessing. Group related filters together and keep names simple. For example, put price near size and color. This small step helps visitors move with confidence through each page they view.

Ignoring Mobile Users

A lot of traffic comes from phones and tablets today. Filters that are tiny or hard to open on small screens push people away. Use big tap areas, simple menus, and clear buttons. Test on real devices to see if someone can filter fast with one hand in daily use.

Strong filters make shopping simple and help people stay longer. Avoiding these mistakes saves time for you and your customers. Set up filters with care, and always test changes before launch. Use the tips above and build a store that works.

How to Test WooCommerce Category Filters for Correct Results?

Testing WooCommerce category filters keeps your store clear and accurate. Simple tests can show problems before shoppers see them live. You only need time and a careful eye to check. Follow these steps below and make sure every filter works.

Check One Category At A Time

Start by picking one single category and watch the results closely. Every item you see should match that category without mistakes. If something appears that belongs somewhere else, note it. This simple step shows if the basic setup is right or if you need to adjust settings.

Products In Multiple Categories

Some items sit inside more than one category in your store. Pick the first category and confirm the item shows. Then choose the second and check again. The same product should appear in both places. If it does not, fix the category links for that item now.

Combine Filters For Accuracy

After single tests, try adding another filter with the category. Use color, size, or price and see what changes. The list should only show products that match everything selected. If you see extra or missing items, review the filter rules inside your plugin. Fix any mistakes you find.

Categories With Few Or No Products

Look at categories that almost have nothing to show. Sometimes there is only one product or none at all. The page should stay clean and give a short message like no products found. Nothing should break, and there should be no strange empty space on that page.

Test On Devices And Clear Filters

Many shoppers use phones, tablets, and computers to shop online. Open your store on each device and try the filters. Results should match across screens, and the clear button should restore the full list. After updates, run these tests again to stay safe. Small checks like this catch problems early.

Regular testing keeps filters honest and helps shoppers trust results. The steps here are simple and quick to repeat often. Take a little time and check after every change you make. Do this routine, and your category filters will always work.

Conclusion

A good category filter turns a simple WooCommerce shop into a neat and easy place to browse. When categories are set right, products appear clean and organized, and visitors can move through the store without confusion. Using clear steps and helpful tools makes the whole process smooth and gives every shopper a better experience from the moment they start looking.

So, how to filter WooCommerce products by category? The short answer is simple. Create your categories, assign each product to the correct group, then place the category filter on your shop page. These three steps help WooCommerce show only the items that match the chosen category and keep the store layout clear.

Before wrapping up, remember a few easy tips. Keep your categories simple, test your filters often, and avoid long lists that slow people down. A clean layout always helps visitors move faster. Keep improving your shop little by little and enjoy the results. Best wishes as you build a smooth and friendly WooCommerce store.