Two-column filter layout on desktop: +21.9% conversion rate
Test run byClean CommitCRO agency
Commentary byLiftArchiveOur analysis, not theirsSplitting desktop collection pages into a sticky filter sidebar and a product grid lifted conversion rate by 21.9% and add-to-cart rate by 7.6%.
Clean Commit ran this test for an anonymized Shopify store across 12,251 visitors, nearly all on desktop, over 9 days.
The add-to-cart lift, the test's main metric, was statistically significant.
- Add-to-cart rate rose 7.6%, a statistically significant result on the main metric.
- Conversion rate rose 21.9%, and orders rose 20.7%.
- Revenue per visitor rose 49.1%, with average order value up 22.6%.
- Bounce rate fell 9.2%.
The change
Filters move into a sticky sidebar beside the product grid on desktop.
Simplified mockup drawn by LiftArchive from the shared screenshots.
Control
Desktop collection pages used the store's original layout, without a separate filter column.
Why it likely won
Our reading of the result, not the practitioner's claim.
- Filters that stay in view make it easy to narrow results without scrolling back up.
- Separating filters from products makes the page feel more organized and easier to scan.
- Letting shoppers hide the sidebar gives back space for those who just want to browse.
Caveats: The test ran only 9 days, so the revenue figures may settle lower over time. Only the add-to-cart lift was reported as significant.
Who ran it
Clean Commit ran this test for a Shopify store (anonymized) and published the results (Clean Commit A/B test library). The numbers are theirs; the summary and commentary on this page are ours.
Read the original case study on Clean Commit →
How to run this test on your store
- Hypothesis
- If we put filters in a sticky sidebar beside product results on desktop, then add-to-cart rate will rise because shoppers can refine results without losing their place.
- Primary metric
- Add-to-cart rate
- Guardrails
- Conversion rate
- Revenue per visitor
- Filter usage rate
- Who should test it
- Stores with large catalogs and plenty of filterable attributes, with meaningful desktop traffic. Small catalogs with few filters will likely see little benefit.
Questions
Is a filter sidebar better than top filters on desktop?
In this test, a sticky sidebar lifted add-to-cart rate by a significant 7.6%.
It tends to suit stores where shoppers filter a lot.
Should collection page filters be sticky?
Sticky filters let shoppers refine results without scrolling back up.
On desktop that worked well here; on mobile, test carefully, since screen space is tight.
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