# Creating a Product Category

https://docs.wisecp.com/es/creating-a-product-category

Creating a Product Category splits a product group's catalogue into smaller sections, such as Shared versus Reseller hosting. Customers can then browse a shorter list.

## Opening the Screen

Open the product group you want, click **Categories** above its product list, then click **Create New Category** above the category list: `{admin}/products/hosting/categories/add`

To change an existing category later, open its row's action menu on [Product Categories](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/managing-product-categories) and choose **Edit**. The same form opens, filled in with the category's saved values.

## What Is on the Screen

A single form, almost identical to the one used for [creating a product group](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/creating-a-product-group), with two extra fields for placing the category. A language tab strip runs above it: your site's default language is required, other active languages are optional.

## Fields

- **Title**: The category's name, shown to customers. Required in your site's default language.
- **URL Structure**: The web address for the category's catalogue page, one per language. Suggested from the title; you can change it.
- **Short Description**: A short line shown near the title. Optional.
- **Parent Category**: Nests this category under an existing one in the same group. Leave as None for a top-level category. Not offered for Software categories.
- **Status**: Enabled or Disabled. A disabled category is not sold and does not appear on the site.
- **Sort Order**: A number deciding where this category falls among its siblings in the list view.
- **Hidden**: Removes the category from menus and search while its page stays reachable by direct link.
- **Listing Template**: Box List or Horizontal List, with a Columns builder for table headings. Not shown for Software or International SMS categories.
- **Category Color**: An accent colour for the category.
- **Category Icon**: A Bootstrap icon, or an uploaded image, shown next to the category's name.
- **Payment Gateways**: Optionally restrict this category's products to a set of payment methods, by choosing methods to enable or to disable. Leave both empty to use the site's defaults.
- **External HTML Code**: Custom HTML you can embed on the category's catalogue page. Optional. JavaScript and form tags are removed when you save. Embedded frames are kept only from Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Yandex Maps, YouTube and Vimeo.
- **Background Image**: A banner image shown at the top of the category's catalogue page. Optional.
- **Frequently Asked Questions**: A list of question-and-answer entries shown on the catalogue page, per language. Optional.
- **Search Engine Optimization (SEO)**: A search title, description, and an indexing switch for each language, at the bottom of the form.

## Tasks

### Creating the Category

1. Fill in the **Title**, at least in your site's default language.
2. Pick a **Parent Category** if this one should nest under another; leave it as None otherwise.
3. Set any of the other fields you need, then click **Create** at the bottom of the form.

### Editing a Category Later

1. Open the category's row menu on [Product Categories](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/managing-product-categories) and choose **Edit**.
2. Change any field and click **Save Changes**; the category's address only changes if you edit its URL Structure.

## Things to Watch

> **Parent Category only lists this group**
> 
> The Parent Category list only offers categories that already exist in this same product group; you cannot nest a category under one from a different group.

> **Addresses must be unique**
> 
> If the address you pick for a language is already used by another page, saving fails until you choose a different one.

## Required Privileges

Opening this screen to create a new category needs Edit (`PRODUCTS_GROUP_OPERATION`) on product groups. Opening an existing category to edit it only needs View (`PRODUCTS_GROUP_LOOK`); saving changes still needs Edit.

## Related Articles

- [Product Categories](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/managing-product-categories)
- [Creating a Product Group](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/creating-a-product-group)
- [Product Groups](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/product-groups)