What to Include on Your BigCommerce Category Pages for Better Conversion

Category pages often get overlooked, but they play a huge role in how shoppers browse your store and decide what to buy. Done right, they can significantly improve click-through rates, time on site, and even conversion. Done wrong? They’ll frustrate customers and leave money on the table.

Here’s what I recommend including on your BigCommerce category pages to create a more conversion-friendly experience based on what I’ve seen work across hundreds of stores.

Layout Basics: Start with a Solid Foundation

Let’s start with the essentials. These are elements every category page should have:

• A clear, concise category name at the top so shoppers immediately know where they are. Your category name is also the page’s H1, so it’s important for SEO.
• Sort options, like sorting by newest, bestsellers, or A–Z. This is especially helpful for larger catalogs, or repeat customers who want to easily see what’s new.
• Product grid or list view, depending on your product type:
  • Grid view is great for visual products where images do the selling (like apparel or decor).
  • List view is better if your product photos don’t tell the full story — for example, hardware or industrial products. List view typically includes a snippet of the product description.
  • Some themes allow customers to toggle between both.
• Pagination at both the top and bottom of the page makes it easier to browse without excessive scrolling.

Conversion-Boosting Elements to Consider

Once you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to add the elements that can boost engagement and sales:

• Filter sidebar (faceted search) – This is a must for stores with a large catalog. Filters should match what your shoppers actually care about (size, color, brand, etc.). And make sure your filter experience works well on mobile.
• Items per page selector – Some themes offer this; it can help users browse more efficiently.
• Category description – Good for SEO and user experience. You can:
  • Place a short version above the product grid (helpful for quick context or a brief FAQ).
  • Use a longer version at the bottom of the page to avoid pushing products down, especially on mobile.
• Lifestyle banner – This works well for lifestyle or high-end products where context matters. If you use one, keep it short and wide (around 2000x500px) so it doesn’t eat up half the page.
• Subcategory icons – Only use these if:
  • Your subcategories aren’t obvious by name alone
  • You have good photos that clearly represent each subcategory. Otherwise, skip them — they can clutter the page if they don’t add value.

Product Listings That Encourage Clicks (and Purchases)

What you display for each product on the category page can make a big difference. Here’s what I suggest including where appropriate:

• High-quality photos, all in the same orientation (square is best). This makes for a cleaner grid and easier visual scanning.
• Second image on hover – Great for showing different angles or details without the shopper needing to click. A big win for apparel and accessories.
• Brand name – Useful if you carry multiple brands and don’t include the brand in the product title.
• SKU – Important for B2B or technical products where shoppers may search by item number or need help differentiating very similar products.
• Product rating – Builds trust and helps highlight customer favorites.
• Quick View – Lets shoppers read more and even buy without leaving the category page. It keeps them in browsing mode and can help increase average order value.
• Add to Cart button – Only use this if your products don’t have options. Otherwise, it will just take users to the product page anyway. (Some themes do allow for option selection from the category page, but it’s not common.)
• Variant indicators – For products that come in multiple colors or styles, showing swatches or a “+ more colors” badge encourages clicks and gives a better sense of selection.
• Wish List button – Lets shoppers save items for later without leaving the page.
• Compare button – Only useful if your products have technical specs that people want to compare. Keep in mind: BigCommerce’s default compare tool doesn’t include Custom Fields, which is where most specs live. You can customize it to show this info, but it requires a BigCommerce developer to implement.

Bottom Line

Your BigCommerce category pages are more than just a list of products. They’re where a lot of your shoppers make their first decisions about what to click, what to compare, and what to buy.

The best-performing stores treat category pages like a curated shopping experience, not just a catalog dump. By combining clear layout structure with thoughtful features, you can guide shoppers more effectively and drive better results.

Need help auditing your own category pages or implementing some of these enhancements? I’ve worked with stores of all sizes and can help you figure out what’s worth upgrading based on your catalog, customer behavior, and theme limitations. Contact me to schedule a call or get a free quote.