---
title: "Categories"
description: "Create product categories, organize them hierarchically, and display them in the shop"
category: "admin"
tags: ["categories", "navigation", "hierarchy", "assortment"]
createdAt: "2026-04-01"
updatedAt: "2026-04-01"
canonical: "https://help.softwear-prints.com/en/articles/admin/categories"
---

# Categories

Categories help your customers find their way around the product assortment. They structure the shop and enable targeted navigation. In this article, you will learn how to create categories, organize them hierarchically, and display them in the shop.

::admin-link{path="/category" label="Open Categories"}
::

## Category Overview

The category overview shows all created categories as a tree structure. You can see at a glance:

- **Name** of the category
- **Number of assigned products**
- **Status** (active/inactive)
- **Subcategories** (if available)

## Create Category

To create a new category:

::admin-link{path="/category/new" label="Create New Category"}
::

### Basic Data

1.  **Name** - The name of the category as it appears in the shop. Maintainable in multiple languages:
    - German (required)
    - English
    - Spanish / French (optional)

2.  **Description** - Optional text displayed on the category page in the shop (multilingual)

### Parent Category

Choose whether the new category should be a **main category** (top level) or a **subcategory** of an existing category.

Example of a category hierarchy:

```
Apparel
  ├── T-Shirts
  ├── Polo Shirts
  ├── Jackets
  │   ├── Softshell
  │   └── Fleece
  └── Trousers
Accessories
  ├── Beanies
  ├── Bags
  └── Scarves
```

There is no limit to the nesting depth, but we recommend a maximum of 2-3 levels for clear navigation.

### Category Image

Upload an image that represents the category. This image will be displayed:

- On the **homepage** (if "Show on homepage" is activated)
- On the **category page** as a header image
- In the **navigation** as a visual element

### Visibility Settings

- **Active / Inactive** - Inactive categories are not displayed in the shop
- **Public / Private** - Private categories are only visible to specific user groups
- **Show on homepage** - The category appears as a tile on the shop homepage

## Manage Categories

### Change Order

The order of categories determines the sequence in which they are displayed in the shop. Use drag & drop to arrange categories in the desired order.

### Edit Category

Click on a category to edit it. You can change all fields afterwards:

- Name and description
- Parent category (move category)
- Image
- Visibility settings

### Deactivate or Delete Category

- **Deactivate** - The category is hidden in the shop but remains. Products remain assigned.
- **Delete** - The category is permanently removed. Assigned products lose their category assignment but remain in the shop.

## Assign Products to a Category

There are two ways to assign products to a category:

### From the Product

1.  Open the product
2.  Select the desired categories under **Categories**
3.  Save the product

### From the Category

1.  Open the category
2.  In the **Products** section, you will see all assigned items
3.  Add more products or remove existing ones

A product can be assigned to multiple categories simultaneously.

## Categories in the Shop

In the shop, your customers see categories in various places:

- **Homepage** - Categories with "Show on homepage" are displayed as tiles
- **Navigation** - Main and subcategories in the shop navigation
- **Filter** - On the shop page as a filter criterion
- **Category page** - Dedicated page with all products of the category

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Can a product be in multiple categories?**
Yes, a product can be assigned to any number of categories. It will then be displayed in each of these categories.

**What happens to products if I delete a category?**
The products remain in the shop but lose their assignment to the deleted category. They are still accessible via search and other categories.

**How many categories should I create?**
That depends on your assortment. As a rule of thumb: as many as necessary, as few as possible. 5-15 main categories with 2-5 subcategories each are sufficient for most shops.

## Continue to

- [Product Overview](/articles/admin/products) - Manage all products
- [Create Product](/articles/admin