Main categories and subcategories
What is a main category?
A main category is the top level in the category structure and is used as the primary grouping in the online store, for example:
- Women
- Men
- Shoes
→ See how to create a category here!
What is a subcategory?
A subcategory helps you structure categories that contain many different products. This makes it easier for customers to find products in the online store.
A subcategory is used to divide a main category into smaller sections, for example:
- Women → Dresses
- Women → Jackets
- Men → Shoes → Running shoes
Subcategories make it easier for customers to find the right product.
How to create a subcategory
- Go to Products → Products
- Click + Category
- Enter the subcategory name
(The category ID is generated automatically and marked with a green checkmark) - Select Subcategory of and choose the desired main category
- Click Create new category
Error when creating subcategories
If you create a subcategory within a main category that already contains products, you may get an error when opening the category.
Solution:
- Move the products from the main category to the subcategory
Maximum number of category levels in the online store
In the control panel
- There is no limit to the number of subcategories
- You are free to structure your product catalog as you wish
In the online store (frontend)
The frontend supports a maximum of 3 category levels:
- Main category
- Subcategory level 1
- Subcategory level 2
Example structure:
- Main category (e.g. Clothing)
- Subcategory level 1 (e.g. Women)
- Subcategory level 2 (e.g. Dresses)
- Subcategory level 1 (e.g. Men)
- Subcategory level 2 (e.g. Trousers)
- Subcategory level 3 (e.g. Suit trousers)
You can create more levels in the backend, but additional levels beyond this will not be displayed correctly in the online store.
Important to know
- A category can be either a main category or a subcategory
- Products can belong to subcategories, but not to multiple category levels at the same time