Top 10 custom features for WooCommerce that will be useful for everyone
WooCommerce is one of the most popular platforms for creating online stores on WordPress. However, although this platform offers many initial features, many stores need additional features to improve the user experience and increase sales. In this guide, we will look at the top 10 custom features for WooCommerce that will be useful for every online store owner.
1. Advanced delivery options
One of the main problems of online stores is managing delivery options. Luckily, you can use custom features to add additional shipping options, such as free shipping on certain orders, next day delivery, and more. This will allow you the flexibility to customize your delivery methods to suit your customers' needs.
Example function:
function add_next_day_delivery( $available_methods ) { if ( is_cart() && isset( $available_methods['flat_rate'] ) ) { unset( $available_methods['flat_rate'] ); $available_methods['next_day_delivery'] = 'Next Day Delivery'; } return $available_methods; } add_filter( 'woocommerce_package_rates', 'add_next_day_delivery', 10, 1 );
The sample code is a function that removes the standard “Flat Rate” shipping option from your cart and adds a new “Next Day Delivery” shipping option. You can customize this feature to your liking by adding or removing shipping options, as well as specifying their names and costs.
2. Gift cards and coupons
Providing gift cards and coupons is an effective way to attract and retain customers. With custom features in WooCommerce, you can add the ability to purchase and use gift cards and coupons. This will help you increase sales and improve customer loyalty.
Example function:
function add_gift_card_product() { $product = wc_get_product( 'gift-card' ); if ( ! $product ) { $product_args = array( 'name' => 'Gift Card', 'type' => 'simple', 'regular_price' => 50, 'description' => 'Buy a gift card for someone special. ', 'status' => 'publish' ); $product = wc_create_product( $product_args ); } } add_action( 'init', 'add_gift_card_product' );
The sample code is a function that adds a new product “Gift Card” with a price and description. You can customize this feature by changing product settings to suit your needs.
3. Personalized product recommendations
Personalized product recommendations are a great way to increase sales in your online store. Using custom features, you can create an algorithm based on customer preferences that will recommend products to them that match their interests. This will help increase conversions and improve user experience.
Example function:
function get_personalized_products( $customer_id, $limit = 5 ) { $products = array(); // Your algorithm for recommending products return $products; }
The sample code is a function that gets personalized product recommendations for a specific customer. You can customize this feature by developing your own algorithm for recommending products based on customer preferences.
For details on how to create personalized product recommendations, you can check out 11 useful tips and instructions for managing content on your website.
4. Improved review system
Customer reviews are an important component of online stores. They help convince potential customers to make a purchase and increase trust in your brand. With custom features, you can improve your WooCommerce review system by adding additional functionality such as photos and product ratings.
Example function:
function add_review_photos() { $customer_id = get_current_user_id(); $review_id = get_the_ID(); // Add code here to upload photos and save them in the review } add_action( 'woocommerce_review_before_comment_text', 'add_review_photos' );
The sample code is a feature that adds the ability to upload photos to customer reviews. You can customize this feature by adding your own code to process the uploaded photos.
5. Custom order fields
Adding custom fields to an order can be useful for collecting additional information about the buyer or his order. With custom functions, you can add custom fields to your WooCommerce order to collect additional data such as phone number, delivery date, etc.
Example function:
function add_custom_fields_to_order( $order ) { echo '<div class="custom-fields">'; echo '<h3>Additional fields</h3>'; echo '<label for="phone_number">Phone number:</label>'; echo '<input type="text" name="phone_number" id="phone_number" required />'; //Add code here to add other fields echo '</div>'; } add_action( 'woocommerce_after_checkout_billing_form', 'add_custom_fields_to_order' );
The sample code is a function that adds custom fields to a checkout form. You can customize this feature by adding your own fields and specifying their types and mandatory requirements.
6. Integration with external APIs
Integrating your online store with external services and APIs can provide you with additional capabilities and automate certain tasks. Using custom functions, you can add integration with various services, such as payment gateways, delivery systems and marketplaces.
Example function:
function process_payment( $order ) { // Your code to process the payment through an external payment gateway } add_action( 'woocommerce_payment_complete', 'process_payment' );
The sample code is a function that processes payment through an external payment gateway after an order is completed. You can customize this feature by adding your own payment processing code.
7. Automatic emails
Sending automated emails after an order is completed can improve customer service and user experience. With custom features, you can configure different types of emails to be sent, such as order confirmation, delivery notification, and review request.
Example function:
function send_order_confirmation_email( $order_id ) { $order = wc_get_order( $order_id ); // Your code for sending an order confirmation email } add_action( 'woocommerce_thankyou', 'send_order_confirmation_email' );
The sample code is a function that sends an order confirmation email after placing an order. You can customize this feature by adding your own code to send emails.
8. Automatic inventory update
Careful inventory management is an important part of a successful online store. Using custom functions, you can add automatic inventory updates to WooCommerce to avoid situations where an item runs out of stock but remains in stock on the site.
Example function:
function update_product_stock( $order_id ) { $order = wc_get_order( $order_id ); foreach ( $order->get_items() as $item ) { $product_id = $item['product_id']; $quantity = $item['quantity']; $product = wc_get_product( $product_id ); $stock = $product->get_stock_quantity(); $new_stock = $stock - $quantity; $product->set_stock_quantity( $new_stock ); $product->save(); } } add_action( 'woocommerce_order_status_completed', 'update_product_stock' );
The sample code is a function that updates inventory when an order is completed. You can customize this feature by adding your own code to account for and update inventory.
9. Collection of marketing data
Collecting marketing data can help you better understand your customers and fine-tune your marketing strategy successfully. Using custom functions, you can add additional fields to collect customer information, such as gender, date of birth, and area of interest.
Example function:
function add_marketing_fields_to_checkout() { echo '<div class="marketing-fields">'; echo '<h3>Marketing fields</h3>'; echo '<label for="gender">Floor:</label>'; echo '<select name="gender" id="gender">'; echo '<option value="male">Male</option>'; echo '<option value="female">Female</option>'; echo '</select>'; //Add code here to add other fields echo '</div>'; } add_action( 'woocommerce_after_checkout_form', 'add_marketing_fields_to_checkout' );
The sample code is a function that adds marketing fields to the checkout page. You can customize this feature by adding your own fields and specifying their types and mandatory requirements.
10. Alternative payment methods
Providing alternative payment methods can help you attract more customers and increase sales. With custom features, you can add additional payment methods to WooCommerce, such as PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.
Example function:
function add_alternative_payment_methods( $methods ) { $methods[] = 'PayPal'; $methods[] = 'Apple Pay'; return $methods; } add_filter( 'woocommerce_payment_gateways', 'add_alternative_payment_methods' );
The sample code is a function that adds alternative payment methods to WooCommerce. You can customize this feature by adding your own payment methods.
Conclusion
WooCommerce custom features are a powerful tool that can greatly improve your online store. They allow you to add additional features, set up delivery options, product recommendations, a review system, and much more. If you want to improve your online store, consider using these custom WooCommerce features.
For more tips on improving your online store, you can check out Practical Guide: 5 Instructions to Optimize Your Website's Loading Speed.
Implementing these custom features may require some programming knowledge, so if you have any questions or difficulties, it is recommended that you contact a WooCommerce developer.