If you’re a BigCommerce store owner, you know that managing your product categories efficiently is key to keeping your store organized and customer-friendly. However, recent changes in BigCommerce’s user interface (UI) have made this task a bit more cumbersome, particularly when it comes to assigning products to categories. Fortunately, the latest update to the Magic Edit extension for Google Chrome introduces a feature designed to streamline this process, restoring some much-needed convenience to your workflow.
The BigCommerce Category Conundrum
Not too long ago, assigning a product to a category in BigCommerce was a relatively straightforward process. Store owners could easily navigate a category tree from the product edit page, allowing them to quickly select the appropriate categories for their products. This intuitive system worked well, providing a clear visual representation of all available categories in the store.
However, in a recent update, BigCommerce replaced this familiar category tree with a textual search box. Instead of selecting categories from a tree, users are now prompted to type the category name into a search box, which then displays matching categories in a dropdown list. While this might seem like a minor change, it has introduced a layer of inconvenience for many store owners, especially those managing large stores with extensive category hierarchies.
The category tree hasn’t disappeared entirely—it’s still accessible, but now it’s buried behind several clicks. To reach it, users must make several additional clicks, which adds unnecessary steps and time to what was once a simple task.
Magic Edit to the Rescue!
Recognizing the frustration this change has caused, we developed a solution. The latest update to Magic Edit introduces a beta feature that brings the category tree back to the forefront, making it easily accessible directly from the product edit page.
This new feature adds a quick link to the category tree right where you need it most. With just one click, you can open the category tree, allowing you to browse and select categories just as you did before BigCommerce made their UI change. This small but powerful addition is designed to save time, reduce frustration, and make your category management process as smooth as possible.
How to Enable the Beta Feature
As this is a beta feature, it’s not enabled by default. However, turning it on is a straightforward process:
- Right-click on the Magic Edit Icon: Locate the Magic Edit extension icon in your Chrome browser. Right-click on it to bring up a menu of options.
- Select ‘Options’: From the menu, click on ‘Options’ to open the Magic Edit settings.
- Navigate to Beta Features: Once in the settings, you’ll see a section labeled ‘Beta Features.’ Click on this to access the new features available for testing.
- Enable ‘Category Tree’: Within the Beta Features section, find the option labeled ‘Category Tree Enabled.’ Simply check this box to turn on the feature.
Once enabled, the category tree link will appear on your BigCommerce product edit pages, ready to make your life easier.
Why This Feature Matters
You might be wondering why such a seemingly small feature is worth getting excited about. The answer lies in the overall impact that small UI changes can have on your daily operations. For store owners who manage hundreds or even thousands of products, every extra click and additional second spent navigating through the UI adds up. Over time, this can lead to significant frustration and inefficiency.
By reintroducing the category tree as a one-click option, Magic Edit helps restore the ease and speed that BigCommerce’s UI change took away. It’s about reducing friction in your workflow, allowing you to focus more on growing your business and less on navigating cumbersome menus.
How to Get the Update
Current users of Magic Edit will receive the update automatically when your Google Chrome browser checks for updates. If you want to receive the update immediately, uninstall the extension by right-clicking on the Magic Edit icon and select “Remove from Chrome.” You can then reinstall the extension from the Chrome Web Store by clicking here.
New users simply need to install the extension from the Chrome Web Store by clicking here.
Feedback and Future Enhancements
As with any beta feature, we’re eager to hear your feedback. Your input is crucial in refining and perfecting this tool to ensure it meets the needs of all BigCommerce store owners.
If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for further enhancements, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at support@yourstorewizards.com.
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.