How to Create a Comparison Table in WordPress (2025 Guide)

Ever stood in a store comparing two products while simultaneously checking online reviews? You’re not alone. With over 2.3 billion online shoppers worldwide, comparison shopping has become second nature.

But here’s the thing: if your WordPress site doesn’t offer easy product comparisons, those potential customers will bounce faster than a rubber ball on concrete.

Creating comparison tables in WordPress helps your readers make decisions without leaving your site. They’re practical, user-friendly, and – when done right – conversion machines.

Let’s explore how to build them, shall we?

Why Your WordPress Site Needs Comparison Tables

Comparison tables aren’t just fancy decorations for your website. They serve real purposes:

• They organize complex data into digestible chunks
• They help readers make informed buying decisions
• They keep visitors on your site longer
• They can boost your conversion rates significantly

A research study by Baymard Institute found that 46% of users specifically look for comparison features when shopping online. Give the people what they want!

Method 1: Using WordPress Block Editor for Simple Tables

Not every comparison needs fancy bells and whistles. Sometimes the built-in WordPress table block does the job perfectly.

Here’s how to create a basic comparison table:

1. Open your post or page editor
2. Click the “+” icon to add a new block
3. Search for “Table” and select it
4. Set your columns and rows
5. Add your comparison data

The block editor lets you:

• Add links to products
• Format text within cells
• Change background colors
• Adjust borders and spacing

Pro Tip: Use the first column for feature names and the top row for product names for maximum clarity.

The downside? Basic styling options and limited functionality for complex comparisons. If you’re serious about Amazon affiliate marketing, you’ll quickly outgrow these basic tables – which is why specialized tools like AAWP offer much more robust features for product comparisons.

Method 2: TablePress – The Free Table Powerhouse

Want more power without spending money? TablePress is your new best friend.

With over 800,000 active installations, TablePress is the go-to free solution for serious WordPress tables.

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Install TablePress from the WordPress repository
2. Create a new table and set dimensions
3. Enter your comparison data into the cells
4. Enable features like sorting and filtering
5. Copy the shortcode and paste it into your content

What makes TablePress stand out:

• Cell merging for better layouts
• Data sorting for interactive tables
• Import data from Excel, CSV, or HTML
• Mathematical formulas for calculated cells

While TablePress works well for general data tables, it lacks automatic Amazon data integration. If you’re an affiliate marketer focusing on Amazon products, AAWP’s specialized comparison tables will save you countless hours of manual updates.

TablePress offers powerful sorting features that let your readers organize product comparisons by whatever criteria matter most to them.

Method 3: Premium Solutions for Professional Comparison Tables

For those who need more horsepower, premium plugins offer advanced features that free options can’t match.

AAWP for Amazon Affiliates

If you’re an Amazon affiliate, AAWP remains the gold standard for creating powerful, conversion-optimized comparison tables. Let’s do a deep dive into creating professional comparison tables with AAWP.

Step 1: Install and Configure AAWP

Before creating comparison tables, you’ll need to install and activate the AAWP plugin:

1. Purchase AAWP from the official website
2. Download the plugin ZIP file
3. Go to your WordPress dashboard → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
4. Upload the ZIP file and activate the plugin
5. Navigate to AAWP → Settings to enter your Amazon API credentials

Step 2: Create a New Comparison Table

Once AAWP is activated and configured:

1. Go to AAWP → Tables in your WordPress dashboard
2. Click “Add New” to create a new comparison table
3. Enter a descriptive title for your table (this is for your reference only)

The title you enter won’t be visible to your visitors—it’s simply to help you organize your tables within the dashboard. Choose something specific that describes what products you’re comparing.

Step 3: Adding Data Rows

Next, build the structure of your table by adding rows for each data point you want to compare:

1. Click “+ Add new row” to create a new row
2. Enter a label for this row (e.g., “Price,” “Size,” “Battery Life”)
3. Select the content type from the dropdown menu

For each row, you can choose from several predefined content types:

• Product Title
• Product Image
• Price
• Prime Status
• Description
• Rating
• Button
• Custom Text/HTML

Pro Tip: The order of your rows matters! Put the most important comparison points at the top. You can drag and drop rows to reorder them at any time.

Step 4: Highlighting Important Rows

Want to make certain features stand out? AAWP makes it easy:

1. Find the row you want to highlight
2. Click the paintbrush icon next to the row

Highlighting draws attention to crucial comparison points like price, key features, or your summary verdict on each product.

Step 5: Adding Product Links

Increase your click-through rate by linking more than just the “Buy” button:

1. Locate the row you want to make clickable (product image and title work well)
2. Click the link icon next to the row
3. Confirm you want to add a link to Amazon

While AAWP automatically adds “Check Price on Amazon” buttons, making additional elements clickable can significantly boost conversion rates.

Step 6: Adding Products to Your Table

Now for the exciting part—adding the actual products:

1. Scroll down to the “Products” section
2. Click “Search for product(s)”
3. Enter search terms or specific ASINs
4. Select the products you want to include
5. Click “Confirm selection”

You can search by keywords to browse products, or enter specific ASINs if you already know which items you want to compare.

ASIN Tip: If you can’t find a product through search, you can always add it manually by entering its ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). Find this in the product URL or in the “Product Details” section on Amazon.

Step 7: Customizing Product Listings

Make specific products stand out with custom formatting:

1. Under your selected product, click “Show more options”
2. Choose “Select Color” to pick an accent color
3. Add custom text like “Top Pick” or “Best Value”

This is particularly useful when you want to highlight your recommended choice among the compared products.

Step 8: Publish and Use Your Table

Ready to go live? Here’s how to publish and use your comparison table:

1. Click the “Publish” button
2. Take note of the shortcode that appears (or copy it using the clipboard icon)
3. Add the table to any post or page using one of two methods:

Method A: Using Gutenberg Blocks

1. Edit the post where you want to display the table
2. Add an “AAWP” block
3. Select “Comparison Tables” from the options
4. Choose your table from the dropdown menu
5. Save and publish your post

Method B: Using Shortcodes

1. Copy the shortcode displayed after publishing your table
2. Paste it into any post or page where you want the table to appear
3. Update your post

Step 9: Monitoring and Updating

One of AAWP’s greatest strengths is that it automatically keeps your tables current:

1. Product prices update automatically
2. Availability status stays current
3. Ratings reflect the latest customer feedback

You should still periodically review your tables to ensure the products themselves remain relevant. If a product becomes discontinued or a newer model is released, you can easily update your table by replacing that product.

Your comparison tables will continue driving commissions while you focus on creating more content rather than manually updating prices and details.

AAWP tables update prices automatically, keeping your content current without manual updates. That’s less work for you and more accurate information for your readers. Win-win.

Method 4: Custom HTML and CSS for Complete Control

Feel comfortable writing code? Custom HTML tables offer unlimited flexibility.

Here’s a basic structure to start with:

<table class="my-comparison-table">
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Feature</th>
      <th>Product A</th>
      <th>Product B</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Price</td>
      <td>$49</td>
      <td>$59</td>
    </tr>
    <!-- More rows here -->
  </tbody>
</table>

Add some CSS to make it pop:

.my-comparison-table {
  width: 100%;
  border-collapse: collapse;
}


.my-comparison-table th {
  background-color: #2c3e50;
  color: white;
  padding: 10px;
}


.my-comparison-table td {
  padding: 10px;
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
}


.my-comparison-table tr:nth-child(even) {
  background-color: #f2f2f2;
}

The custom approach lets you implement any design you can imagine. The tradeoff? You’ll need to update everything manually.

Making Your Tables Mobile-Friendly

Ever tried viewing a complex table on a phone? It’s about as fun as trying to read a newspaper through a keyhole.

In 2025, mobile-friendly tables aren’t optional. They’re essential.

Here are three approaches to responsive tables:

1. Horizontal Scrolling

The simplest solution – wrap your table in a container with a horizontal scroll:

.table-container {
  overflow-x: auto;
}

2. Stacked Layout

For mobile devices, transform your table so each row becomes a card:

@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
  table, thead, tbody, tr, th, td {
    display: block;
  }
  
  td {
    position: relative;
    padding-left: 50%;
  }
  
  td:before {
    position: absolute;
    left: 6px;
    content: attr(data-label);
    font-weight: bold;
  }
}

3. Column Priority

Hide less important columns on smaller screens:

@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
  .low-priority {
    display: none;
  }
}

Most premium plugins such as AAWP handle responsiveness automatically. If you’re using custom code or basic tools, you’ll need to implement these techniques yourself.

Comparison Table Design Best Practices

Want tables that actually get used? Follow these design principles:

Keep it scannable

• Limit your comparison to 3-5 products when possible
• Use consistent formatting throughout
• Put the most important features at the top

Use visual cues

• Add checkmarks (✅) for included features
• Use ❌ marks for missing features
• Highlight differences with color

Guide the eye

• Use alternating row colors for readability
• Left-align text in the first column
• Center-align text in other columns for quick scanning

Highlight recommendations

• Use a different background color for your top pick
• Add “Best Value” or “Editor’s Choice” labels
• Place the recommended option first or in the middle

AAWP makes implementing many of these best practices simple with its built-in styling options and “highlight” feature for recommended products. You can emphasize your preferred options without writing any custom code.

Ever noticed how IKEA displays their product comparisons? They put the product they most want to sell in the middle. This isn’t accidental – studies show the middle option often gets the most attention. Crafty Swedes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s learn from others’ pain, shall we?

Overloading with information Too many products or features create decision paralysis. Be selective about what you include.

Poor mobile experience Tables that break on mobile frustrate users and increase bounce rates. Test on multiple devices.

Outdated information Nothing erodes trust faster than old prices or discontinued products. Set a regular update schedule.

No clear calls to action What should readers do after comparing? Make next steps obvious with clear buttons or links.

Identical products If everything looks the same in your comparison, you’re not highlighting the right differences. Focus on what matters.

Troubleshooting Your WordPress Comparison Tables

Even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. Here’s how to fix common issues:

Problem: Table looks broken after publishing

• Clear your site cache
• Check for plugin conflicts
• Verify your shortcode syntax

Problem: Slow page loading

• Optimize images within tables
• Consider lazy loading for tables below the fold
• Reduce the number of columns or rows

Problem: Tables not updating with new information

• Check your cache settings
• Verify API connections (for automatic data)
• Review update schedules for automated tools
• For Amazon products, ensure your AAWP API connection is working correctly

Conclusion

Creating effective comparison tables in WordPress doesn’t require a computer science degree – just the right tools and techniques.

Whether you choose the simplicity of the block editor, the power of TablePress, the specialized features of AAWP, or the flexibility of custom code, remember that the best comparison table is one that helps your readers make decisions confidently.

Start with your users’ needs, present information clearly, and guide them toward making informed choices. Your conversion rates will thank you.

Oh, and if your visitors still can’t make a decision after using your beautifully crafted comparison tables? Maybe they should flip a coin. Though that method hasn’t been added to WordPress yet. Maybe in the next update.

Ready to Take Your Amazon Affiliate Site to the Next Level?

AAWP transforms how you create, manage, and optimize Amazon product comparison tables. With automatic price updates, customizable designs, and conversion-optimized layouts, you’ll save hours of work while boosting your affiliate income.

Try AAWP Today →

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a comparison table and a regular table in WordPress?

A comparison table specifically organizes information to help users compare different items or options. While regular tables simply present data in rows and columns, comparison tables use consistent criteria across products to highlight differences and similarities. They often include visual elements like checkmarks, highlight recommended options, and feature calls to action.

Do I need a plugin to create comparison tables in WordPress?

No, you don’t absolutely need a plugin. You can create basic comparison tables using the WordPress block editor’s built-in table block. However, plugins offer additional features like sorting, filtering, styling options, and automatic data updates that make comparison tables more functional and easier to manage.

Which plugin is best for Amazon affiliate comparison tables?

AAWP (Amazon Affiliate WordPress Plugin) is widely considered the best solution for Amazon affiliate comparison tables. It connects directly to the Amazon API, automatically updates prices and availability, and offers conversion-optimized designs specifically for Amazon products.

How many products should I include in a comparison table?

For optimal user experience, limit your comparison tables to 3-5 products. When you include too many options, you risk overwhelming your visitors with information overload, which can lead to decision paralysis. If you need to compare more products, consider using filtering options or breaking comparisons into multiple tables based on categories.

Can comparison tables help with SEO?

Yes! Well-structured comparison tables can improve your SEO in several ways. They increase time on page (as users engage with your content), reduce bounce rates, and can help you earn featured snippets in search results. Tables also make content more scannable and valuable to users, which are positive ranking signals for search engines.

How do I make my comparison tables mobile-friendly?

Most premium table plugins handle mobile responsiveness automatically. AAWP, for instance, creates fully responsive comparison tables that look great on any device. If you’re using custom code or basic plugins, implement one of these techniques: horizontal scrolling (simplest), stacked layout (each row becomes a card on mobile), or column priority (hide less important columns on small screens). Always test your tables on multiple device sizes.

Should I include prices in my comparison tables?

Including prices in comparison tables is generally recommended, especially for product comparisons. However, if you’re comparing products with fluctuating prices (like Amazon products), make sure you’re using a solution that automatically updates prices.

This is one of AAWP’s core strengths – it automatically syncs with Amazon’s API to display current prices, availability, and Prime status. Outdated pricing information can seriously damage your credibility with readers and potentially violate Amazon’s Associate Program policies.

How often should I update my comparison tables?

For product comparison tables, review and update your content quarterly at minimum. For rapidly changing markets or products with frequent price changes, monthly updates may be necessary. If you use a plugin like AAWP that automatically updates prices and availability, you’ll still want to periodically review your selections to ensure they remain relevant.

Can I make money from comparison tables?

Absolutely! Comparison tables are powerful tools for affiliate marketing. By clearly presenting product differences and including your affiliate links, you can help readers make purchase decisions while earning commission on those purchases. Many successful affiliate sites use comparison tables as their primary conversion tools.

How do I highlight my recommended product in a comparison table?

You can highlight recommended products by using a different background color, adding a “Recommended” or “Editor’s Choice” label, placing the product in a strategic position (often the middle or left position), or using visual cues like stars or ribbons. The key is to make your recommendation stand out without appearing too pushy.

Earn More Money with Amazon Affiliate Marketing 🤑

Start now with AAWP!

AAWP is the #1 WordPress plugin for Amazon affiliates who are serious about earning more. Get started today!

Get Started Today!