It\u2019s crucial to install HivePress since it will power most of your product catalog website features, so click on the recommended plugin’s link to install and activate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#2 Install Add-ons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The next step is to enhance your product catalog website with some handy features that will improve the user experience on your site. There are 15+ HivePress extensions that allow you to extend your website functionality without compromising speed and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you may install the Favorites extension to allow website visitors to keep a list of favorite listings or the Messages add-on to let them contact you if they have any questions. Also, it\u2019s useful to install the Reviews extension, so customers can leave reviews and rate your products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To install any extension, go to the WP Dashboard > HivePress > Extensions <\/strong>section, find the necessary add-on and click on the Install<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n#3 Add Listing Categories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Now, it\u2019s time to split your product catalog website into categories to make it easier for users to navigate it. For example, let\u2019s imagine that you want to create a product catalog website for a furniture workshop. So you may need the \u201cBeds\u201d, \u201cChairs\u201d<\/em> and \u201cTables\u201d <\/em>listing categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNavigate to the WP Dashboard > Listings > Categories <\/strong>section to add a new listing category.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWithin this section, you can name your category, describe it and upload a category image. Also, you can create a hierarchy by adding sub-categories (using a “Parent Category” option)<\/em>. For example, for the \u201cBeds\u201d category, you can add sub-categories like \u201cTwin Beds\u201d<\/em>, \u201cKing Beds\u201d,<\/em> \u201cBunk Beds\u201d <\/em>and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you finish setting up your category, click on the Add Category<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can add as many listing categories as required for your product catalog website by following the same steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#4 Add Custom Listing Fields<\/h3>\n\n\n\n After setting up listing categories, you need to add different listing fields specific to your website niche. For example, if you want to create a product catalog for a furniture manufacturing company, you may need fields like color, material, style, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can create custom listing fields in the WP Dashboard > Listings > Attributes > Add New <\/strong>section. As an example, let’s add a \u201cMaterial\u201d <\/em>field so you can indicate what the product is made of.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKeep in mind, that when adding a new listing field, you can customize it in three different contexts. To get a better understanding of how everything works, let’s set them up for the \u201cMaterial\u201d<\/em> field:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nEditing<\/strong> – Here, you need to select a field type for your attribute. We\u2019ll use the \u201cSelect\u201d type;<\/li>\n\n\n\nSearch <\/strong>– In this section, you can turn your listing field into a search filter and allow website visitors to filter and sort products by the custom field value. To do that, simply mark it as filterable and set the search field type (we\u2019ll use the \u201cSelect\u201d type);<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\nDisplay<\/strong> – Within the last section, you can define how your custom field will appear on listing pages by choosing template areas and setting its display format (we\u2019ll use this display format %label%: %value%<\/code>).<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOnce you finished customizing your listing field, click on the Publish <\/strong>button.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour next step is to add the attribute options. Click on the Edit options<\/strong> button and add options you want to make available for selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the case at hand, we’ll add \u201cWood\u201d, \u201cMetal\u201d <\/em>and \u201cPlastic\u201d<\/em> options.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat\u2019s it! You have just created the first custom listing field for your product catalog website. Similarly, you can add as many fields and search filters as you need for your catalog (e.g., shape, dimensions, weight).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso, keep in mind that you may create category-specific fields. It may be really useful for your product catalog since you may need to indicate different details for products within different categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#5 Add New Listings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Alright, now let\u2019s try to add the first product listing. To do that, go to the WP Dashboard > Listings > Add New <\/strong>section. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen adding a new product listing, you can name it, add a description and upload images if necessary. Also, in this section, you\u2019ll have to fill in the custom fields you’ve created in previous steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBefore publishing this listing, don\u2019t forget to select the listing category. Then, once published, you can check how your listing looks on the front end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n#6 Customize Your Website Appearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The last step is to customize the look and feel of your product catalog website. It\u2019s as easy as pie to create stunning layouts using the WordPress block editor, which is integrated with HivePress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, you can easily change your website’s colors, fonts, and backgrounds since ListingHive is fully compatible with WordPress Customizer. Simply navigate to the WP Dashboard > Appearance > Customize <\/strong>section and play around a bit to customize your website in the way you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFinally, the HivePress Templates feature allows you to customize any HivePress page layout without writing a single line of code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please check the screencast below to get a better idea of how the Templates feature works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n