In the world of eCommerce, user experience plays a pivotal role in the success of your online store. WooCommerce, the popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress, offers a variety of customization options to enhance this experience. One such customization is adjusting the number of products displayed per page. While it might seem like a minor detail, the number of products shown on each page can significantly impact your store’s performance and user satisfaction. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why you might want to change the number of products per page in WooCommerce and how to do it effectively.
Benefits of Changing the Number of Products per Page in WooCommerce
1. Improved User Experience
A well-organized product display can make it easier for customers to browse and find what they’re looking for. If your current setup overwhelms visitors with too many products per page, they might find it challenging to navigate. Conversely, displaying too few products per page can lead to excessive clicking and page loading, which can be frustrating. Finding the right balance enhances user experience and keeps customers engaged.
2. Faster Page Load Times
Page load time is a critical factor in user experience and SEO rankings. Pages that take too long to load can drive customers away and negatively affect your search engine rankings. By limiting the number of products per page, you reduce the amount of data that needs to be loaded at once, leading to faster load times and a smoother browsing experience.
3. Better Mobile Experience
With a significant portion of online shopping now done on mobile devices, optimizing for mobile users is essential. Long pages with numerous products can be cumbersome to navigate on smaller screens. By adjusting the number of products per page, you can create a more user-friendly mobile experience that allows for easier scrolling and faster access to products.
4. Enhanced Aesthetics
The visual presentation of your products can impact how customers perceive your store. Too many products on a single page can create a cluttered look, while too few can make your store appear sparse. Customizing the number of products per page allows you to create a balanced and visually appealing layout that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic.
5. Increased Sales and Conversions
A well-optimized product display can directly influence purchasing decisions. By improving navigation, reducing page load times, and enhancing the overall user experience, you increase the likelihood of customers finding and purchasing products. An organized and efficient shopping experience can lead to higher sales and better conversion rates.
How to Change the Number of Products per Page in WooCommerce
Changing the number of products displayed per page in WooCommerce is straightforward and can be done through various methods. Here’s a simple guide to help you:
Method 1: Using the Customizer
- Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Customize.
- Go to WooCommerce > Product Catalog.
- Locate the “Products per row” and “Rows per page” options.
- Adjust the settings to your desired number of products per page.
- Click “Publish” to save the changes.
Method 2: Using a Code Snippet
For more precise control, you can add a code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file. Here’s how:
- Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor.
- Select the functions.php file from the right-hand sidebar.
- Add the following code snippet:
function custom_products_per_page( $query ) {
if ( is_shop() || is_product_category() || is_product_tag() ) {
$query->set( ‘posts_per_page’, 12 ); // Change 12 to your desired number of products per page
}
}
add_action( ‘pre_get_posts’, ‘custom_products_per_page’ );
- Click “Update File” to save the changes.
Method 3: Using a Plugin
If you prefer not to edit code directly, several plugins can help you customize the number of products per page. One popular option is the “WooCommerce Products Per Page” plugin. Here’s how to use it:
- Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “WooCommerce Products Per Page”.
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Configure the plugin settings to set the desired number of products per page.
Conclusion
Adjusting the number of products displayed per page in WooCommerce is a simple yet effective way to enhance your online store’s user experience, improve page load times, and increase sales. By considering your target audience’s preferences and optimizing for both desktop and mobile users, you can create a more engaging and efficient shopping experience. Whether you choose to customize through the WordPress Customizer, add a code snippet, or use a plugin, taking the time to fine-tune this setting can yield significant benefits for your WooCommerce store.