The default order of products in a category is one of the most powerful and at the same time most overlooked levers on the category page. Most visitors look at only the first row or two, so what appears at the top largely determines what will sell. A well-considered arrangement of the product grid guides the customer toward what sells well and is in stock, instead of letting them run into a random or unappealing selection. Below is how to set the order so the category sells, not just displays.
Bestsellers and popular products at the top
By default, the top of the category should show the best-selling, top-rated, and popular products. These most often match what customers are looking for and, with the very first impression, show that this is a considered selection rather than a random pile.
This order also works as social proof: products that many people buy carry less risk in the eyes of a new customer, so they make a decision more easily and quickly.
Out-of-stock products at the end, not up front
Do not hide out-of-stock products entirely, but also do not leave them at the top, where they only take up valuable space. It is best to push them to the end of the list, so the customer first sees products they can buy right away.
Example: an out-of-stock product at the end of the category with a "Currently sold out" or "Just missed it" label also works as proof that products actually sell, and increases the credibility of the scarcity labels on the products above it. That way even a sold-out product still plays a useful role.
Scarcity and stock labels
For products with low stock you can show a scarcity label, for example "Only 1 left", which encourages the customer to decide faster. This sense of limited availability is one of the stronger purchase triggers, but it works only when it is genuine.
It is important that the stock data is real. False scarcity labels lift sales in the short term but erode trust in the long term and can amount to misleading the consumer, so use them only when they hold true.
Balance between sales and customer benefit
Do not subordinate the order solely to your margin. If you place only the most expensive products at the top, the customer eventually senses it, which lowers trust and willingness to buy. The goal is a balanced order that serves the customer and at the same time highlights what you want to push.
The best result often comes from a combination of several criteria: popularity, ratings, availability, and profitability. A customer who first sees what genuinely matches their needs trusts the whole store more easily.
How to set it up in Magento
You set the default order in Magento by configuring the default sorting and by manually setting the position of products in the category. Showing out-of-stock products at the end of the list is usually managed in the inventory and catalogue display settings.
For automatic ordering, for example moving the best-selling products to the top based on actual purchases or sending out-of-stock products to the end automatically, a dedicated module is often required. Such a module keeps the order current without manual editing.
How to measure whether it works
Track how many visitors click on products in the first rows of the category and how this reflects in conversion. If a large share of clicks and purchases comes from the top, the order is doing its job; if customers largely scroll past the first products, the selection probably does not match their intent.
You can test different default orders and compare the results. Often even moving proven bestsellers to the top or moving sold-out products to the end noticeably improves sales from the category.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the default order of products in a category matter?
The default order is one of the most powerful and most overlooked levers on the category page. Most visitors look at only the first row or two, so what appears at the top largely determines what will sell. A well-considered arrangement guides the customer toward what sells well and is in stock, instead of running into a random or unappealing selection. For that reason, even a change of order often noticeably affects sales from the category.
Which products should be at the top of the category?
By default the best-selling, top-rated, and popular products, since they most often match what customers are looking for. This order also works as social proof: products that many people buy carry less risk in the eyes of a new customer. A customer who sees proven bestsellers at the top makes a decision more easily and quickly. Do not subordinate the order solely to the most expensive products, however, since that lowers trust.
What should I do with out-of-stock products?
Do not hide them entirely, but also do not leave them at the top, where they only take up valuable space. It is best to push them to the end of the list, so the customer first sees products they can buy right away. An out-of-stock product at the end with a "Currently sold out" or "Just missed it" label also works as proof that products actually sell, and increases the credibility of the scarcity labels on the products above it. That way even a sold-out product still plays a useful role.
Should I show scarcity labels, for example "Only 1 left"?
Yes, a scarcity label on low-stock products encourages the customer to decide faster, since the sense of limited availability is one of the stronger purchase triggers. But it works only when it is genuine. The stock data must be real: false labels lift sales in the short term but erode trust in the long term and can amount to misleading the consumer. So use them only when they actually hold true.
How do I set the order in Magento and do I need a module?
You set the default order by configuring the default sorting and by manually setting the position of products in the category, and you manage showing out-of-stock products at the end in the inventory and catalogue display settings. For automatic ordering, for example moving the best-selling products to the top based on actual purchases or sending out-of-stock products to the end automatically, a dedicated module is often required. Such a module keeps the order current without manual editing.