How to Move Out of Stock Products to the Bottom and Available Products to the Top in Magento 2.4.7

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Importance of Product Sorting
  3. Step-by-Step Guide to Reorder Products in Magento 2.4.7
  4. Additional Tips for Optimizing Product Display
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQs

Introduction

Imagine a situation where you’re browsing an online store, excited to find a particular item, only to realize it’s out of stock after wading through several pages. Frustrating, isn’t it? This is a common issue e-commerce store owners encounter, especially when their products' availability isn't properly sorted on the website. In Magento 2.4.7, after one of its updates, users found that out-of-stock products started appearing at the top of the listings, causing customer dissatisfaction and potential loss of sales. Fear not! This blog post will walk you through the process of moving out of stock products to the bottom of the page, ensuring that in-stock items capture the spotlight.

By the end of this article, you'll understand:

  • The significance of product sorting in enhancing user experience
  • Step-by-step instructions to reorder products in Magento 2.4.7
  • Additional tips to optimize your e-commerce site’s product display

The Importance of Product Sorting

Effective product sorting is crucial for online stores as it directly impacts user experience and sales conversions. When customers have to sift through numerous out-of-stock items, they might become frustrated and leave your site to look for alternatives, causing a decline in conversion rates. By ensuring that available products are displayed at the top, you can keep your customers engaged, reduce bounce rates, and potentially increase sales.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reorder Products in Magento 2.4.7

Step 1: Access Your Magento Backend

First, log in to your Magento admin panel with proper credentials. Navigate to the backend, where you will make the necessary adjustments to your product listing settings.

Step 2: Modify Product Attributes

To prioritize the available products over the out-of-stock ones, you need to modify the product attributes.

  1. Navigate to Catalog: Go to the 'Catalog' menu in your admin panel.
  2. Open Product Attributes: In the dropdown, select 'Attributes' and then click on 'Product'.
  3. Edit Stock Attribute: Locate the 'Quantity and Stock Status' attribute and select it for editing.

Step 3: Create a New Sorting Attribute

If you don't already have a sorting attribute that distinguishes stock status, you might want to create one specifically for this purpose.

  1. Add New Attribute: Click on 'Add New Attribute'.
  2. Define Attribute Properties:
    • Attribute Code: Set this to something descriptive like 'stock_status_sort'.
    • Input Type: Choose 'Dropdown'.
    • Values: Define 'In Stock' (with a lower numerical value) and 'Out of Stock' (with a higher numerical value).
  3. Apply Attribute to Product Types: Ensure this attribute applies to all relevant product types in your store.

Step 4: Integrate Sorting Attribute with Product Listings

Next, you need to make sure that Magento uses this attribute to sort products within your listings.

  1. Go to Stores: Navigate to the 'Stores' menu.
  2. Configuration: Select 'Configuration' under 'Settings'.
  3. Catalog Settings: Find the 'Catalog' section and expand it. Then, click on 'Catalog' again.
  4. Sort by Stock Status: Look for the 'Product Listing Sort by' setting and include your custom ‘stock_status_sort’ attribute.

Step 5: Reindex and Clear Cache

After modifying your attributes and configurations, it is crucial to reindex your data and clear the cache to ensure that the changes take effect.

  1. Reindex: Go to 'System' > 'Index Management'. Select all indices and click on 'Submit'.
  2. Clear Cache: Navigate to 'System' > 'Cache Management'. Select all cache types and click 'Flush Magento Cache'.

Step 6: Verify Changes

Finally, check the frontend of your website to ensure that the modifications have been correctly applied. Browse through your product listings and confirm that the available products are now listed at the top, while out-of-stock items are moved to the bottom.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Product Display

Optimize Search Functionality

Enhance your site's search functionality to allow users to filter by stock status effectively. This can be accomplished by configuring search attributes and incorporating advanced search tools.

Use Layered Navigation

Implement layered navigation to let users filter products easily based on various attributes, including stock status. This helps streamline the browsing process for better user experience.

Regular Inventory Checks

Regularly update and maintain accurate inventory levels. This ensures that the stock status displayed to customers is current and helps in avoiding frustration related to finding out-of-stock products.

Enable Stock Alerts

Enable stock alert notifications for customers to sign up for alerts when an out-of-stock item becomes available. This keeps potential buyers engaged and informed.

Implement Visual Cues

Utilize visual cues such as badges or labels to clearly indicate the stock status of products. This can make the browsing experience more intuitive for customers.

Conclusion

Ensuring that out-of-stock products are moved to the bottom of your listings in Magento 2.4.7 is essential for enhancing customer experience and driving sales. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively reorder your product display and maintain a user-friendly online store. Don’t forget to integrate additional optimization techniques to further improve your site’s functionality and appeal.

FAQs

How can I test if the changes are applied correctly?

After making the changes, clear your site cache and reindex data. Then, open your store in incognito mode or clear your browser cache to see the updated product listings.

Can this process be automated?

Yes, you can use extensions and custom scripts to automate the sorting process based on stock status. Consider consulting a Magento developer for customized solutions.

What happens to products that go out of stock?

When a product goes out of stock, it will automatically be sorted to the bottom of the product listing if the configurations are correctly set. Regular updates are necessary to maintain this order.

Is there a risk of site performance issues with these changes?

If done correctly, these changes should not impact site performance. However, it's always a good idea to monitor site performance metrics following any significant configuration updates and make adjustments as needed.

By implementing these strategies, you ensure a seamless shopping experience for your customers, keeping them satisfied and more likely to return for future purchases.