Managing Categories

Navigating to the Categories Section

Once you've gained access to the admin area of your website, the key to managing categories lies within the "Products" or "Catalogue" section, often accompanied by "Brands" and "Categories" tabs. These tabs serve as your command center for maintaining a well-structured product hierarchy.

Organizing Categories

The "Categories" tab is where the magic happens. Here, you can effortlessly organize your categories using the intuitive drag-and-drop functionality. Whether it's arranging categories within a hierarchy or toggling their visibility, you have full control over how they appear to your users.

Adding a New Category

Expanding your category list is a breeze. Simply click on the designated button to create a new category. This empowers you to keep your offerings up-to-date and aligned with your business's evolving focus.

While adding or editing a category, you can assign it to sale channels under the Assign/Restrict tab. You can also link a category to a specific customer group by enabling the "Assign" option in the adjacent column.

See guide: Assigning Products and Categories to Front Ends

Fine-Tuning Category Details

Delving into the finer details of each category, you'll find the "Name and Description" tab. Here, you can craft compelling category names, provide informative descriptions, add a banner to description, and even link relevant pages, products, or other categories. Keywords can also be assigned, enhancing searchability within your platform.

Optimizing Display

The "Main Details" tab offers a wealth of options to optimize category display. From adjusting the category's status and manual status state control to defining the default sort order for product listings, you can tailor the browsing experience for your users. Notably, you can individually set "Out of Stock" thresholds for each category and choose appropriate banner groups and sales channels, adding a personalized touch to your platform.

See guide: Managing Default Sort Order on Product Listing and Category.

Enhancing Visual Appeal

Visual content is paramount in today's digital landscape. The "Main Details" tab also empowers you to curate the visual aesthetics of your categories. From banners and gallery images to hero images and additional visuals, you can seamlessly incorporate images that resonate with your brand. These visuals not only beautify your category pages but can also be strategically placed on the homepage for maximum impact.

If no image is uploaded, the system will use an image from a product within the corresponding category or subcategory.

See guide: Adding Images to Categories and Subcategories

Boosting SEO

To ensure your categories are discoverable, the "SEO" tab comes into play. This is where you can optimize various SEO properties such as URLs, meta descriptions, and title tags. By carefully crafting these elements, you'll enhance your website's visibility in search engines and attract more organic traffic.

See guide: Managing SEO

Activating Filters

Activate category filters under the "Filters" tab, allowing users to sort products based on keywords, prices, categories, and various product properties such as dimensions, colors, and more. Access the "View Values" link to see active values for each filter type.

Tailoring Design 

Under the "Templates" tab, you can take customization a step further. Choose design templates that align with your brand's aesthetics for both the category page itself and the products within it. This consistency in design fosters a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.

Forging Partnerships

If supplier relationships are vital to your business, the "Suppliers" tab offers the ability to designate default suppliers for specific categories. Additionally, you can easily add or select new suppliers as your business network expands.

Strategic Marketing

Lastly, the "Marketing" tab holds the key to boosting your sales strategies. Link products within categories to facilitate cross-selling efforts, creating a comprehensive shopping experience for your customers.