In this video, you'll learn how website categories are structured using one-, two-, and three-tier menus, how to create and organize those tiers in your eCommerce settings, and how to configure URLs, sort order, and menu styling. By the end of this walkthrough, you'll understand how to build a clear, intuitive navigation structure that improves your customers' shopping experience.
SOP: Create and Manage Tiered Website Categories in E-Commerce Settings
Objective
This SOP explains how to build, sort, style, and maintain tiered website categories in the e-commerce menu settings. It helps team members create accurate category structures that improve customer navigation and product discovery.
Key Steps
1. Review the category structure before building 0:10
Identify whether the category should be Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3.
Use the website structure as a guide:
Tier 1: Main category only (example: Brands)
Tier 2: Main category with subcategories underneath (example: Furniture)
Tier 3: Main category, subcategory, and products or deeper categories underneath (example: Laundry)
Confirm how the category should appear on the website before creating it.
2. Open the menu settings area 1:09
Navigate to Menu.
Go to E-Commerce.
Click Settings.
Select the Website tab.
Open the Menu tab.
Scroll to the bottom of the page where tier settings and menu items are built.
3. Set the sort order for the category 1:31
Use Sort Order to control where the category appears from left to right on the website.
Remember:
1 = first item on the left
Higher numbers appear later
Click the sort order field/button to change the placement as needed.
4. Create a Tier 1 category 1:43
Click + Add Menu Item.
Enter the category name.
Paste the URL for the page the category should link to.
Set the category to Active.
Choose whether it should display on desktop, mobile, or both.
Add an icon URL if needed, or select an icon from the available options.
5. Build the correct URL for the category page 2:43
If the category page combines multiple products or subcategories, build the page on the website first.
Search for the relevant products or categories.
Select the categories you want included.
Refine the filter if needed.
Copy the resulting URL from the browser.
Paste that URL into the category’s URL field in settings.
6. Add a Tier 2 submenu item 3:50
To create a subcategory, click + Add Submenu Item under the Tier 1 category.
Enter the subcategory name.
Build or locate the correct filtered page on the website.
Copy the URL for that filtered page.
Paste the URL into the submenu item.
Set the submenu item to Active and confirm the correct device visibility.
7. Add a Tier 3 submenu item under a Tier 2 category 4:47
If a Tier 2 item needs deeper categories, click + Add Submenu Item under the Tier 2 item.
Enter the next-level category name.
Create or locate the filtered page for that specific category.
Copy the URL and paste it into the new item.
Save the item and confirm it appears under the correct parent category.
8. Delete an incorrect category or submenu item 5:17
Locate the category or submenu item you want to remove.
Click the Delete button for that item.
Confirm the deletion if prompted.
Verify that the item no longer appears in the menu structure.
9. Understand and apply tier sorting 5:27
Sort order applies to each tier from left to right.
Tier 1 categories determine the main navigation order.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 items also need their own sort order values.
Review the expanded category to ensure subcategories appear in the intended sequence.
10. Build a new category from scratch 6:24
Start with a Tier 1 category by clicking + Add Menu Item.
Enter the category name, such as Cooking.
Create the correct combined product URL by filtering the website for the desired categories.
Copy the filtered URL and paste it into the category settings.
Set the sort order so it appears in the correct position.
Mark it Active and save.
11. Add Tier 2 categories under the new main category 8:02
Under the Tier 1 category, click + Add Submenu Item.
Enter the subcategory name, such as Compact Kitchens.
Find the matching filtered page on the website.
Copy the URL and paste it into the submenu item.
Set the correct sort order.
Make it active and save.
12. Add additional Tier 2 items without nesting them incorrectly 9:02
Repeat the submenu process for each additional Tier 2 item, such as Cooktops.
Always add the submenu under the correct parent category.
Do not add a submenu under another Tier 2 item unless you intend to create a Tier 3 structure.
Save the website settings after each major update or at the end of the build.
13. Verify the category on the live website 9:58
Go to the live website and confirm the category appears as expected.
Check that the main category and subcategories display correctly.
If changes do not appear immediately, wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
Confirm the links open the correct filtered pages.
14. Adjust general styling for each tier 10:26
Open General Settings under e-commerce settings.
For Tier 1 menus:
Enable icons if desired
Set icon color
Set text color
Set background color
For Tier 2 menus:
Enable submenu display
Set icon color and text color if used
For Tier 3 menus:
Adjust available styling options, such as text color
Cautionary Notes
Do not skip URL setup. Each category must link to the correct filtered page for the menu to work properly.
Use the correct parent level. Adding a submenu to the wrong category can create an incorrect hierarchy.
Wait for updates to propagate. Changes may take a few minutes to appear on the live website.
Check device visibility. Make sure the category is active for desktop, mobile, or both as intended.
Review sort order carefully. Incorrect numbering can change the navigation order on the website.
Tips for Efficiency
Build the filtered website page first, then copy the URL into the menu item.
Plan the full category hierarchy before entering settings to reduce rework.
Use consistent naming conventions for categories and subcategories.
Save after completing each major category group to avoid losing work.
Verify the live menu after each build to catch hierarchy or URL issues early.