How to Add an Order Shipped Email to WooCommerce (and Keep Your Customers Happy!)
So, you’re running a WooCommerce store – fantastic! You’re getting orders, which is even better. But are you keeping your customers in the loop *after* they’ve placed their order? A crucial part of a smooth customer experience is letting them know when their order has shipped. Unfortunately, WooCommerce doesn’t automatically send a “Shipped” email. But don’t worry, this guide will walk you through how to add an order shipped email to WooCommerce in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Think about it from the customer’s perspective. They’re excited about their purchase. They receive an order confirmation, which is great. But then… silence. They start wondering, “Has my order shipped yet? When will it arrive?” Sending a “Shipped” email proactively addresses these questions and builds trust. It’s like giving them a little peace of mind and reinforcing that you care about their experience.
Why is a “Shipped” Email Important?
Beyond just being polite, a “Shipped” email provides tangible benefits for both you and your customers:
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Knowing when their order is shipped reduces anxiety and makes customers feel valued.
- Reduced Customer Inquiries: Less “Where’s my order?” emails means less time spent on customer support and more time focusing on growing your business.
- Enhanced Brand Image: Proactive communication portrays your business as professional and reliable.
- Provides Tracking Information: Customers can easily track their package, empowering them to anticipate its arrival. This reduces the likelihood of missed deliveries and associated problems.
- WooCommerce Email Customizer”. While this example uses YayMail, the general principle is the same for most similar plugins.
Here’s why plugins are great:
- No coding required: You don’t need to be a developer to get this working.
- Easy to customize: You can easily personalize the email content to match your brand.
- Feature-rich: Many plugins offer additional features like adding tracking information automatically.
Steps to Add a “Shipped” Email with YayMail:
1. Install and Activate YayMail:
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Search for “YayMail
- WooCommerce Email Customizer”.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
2. Configure WooCommerce Order Status Workflow:
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > YayMail.
- From the dropdown, select Completed order email.
- Design your email as you wish.
3. Customize Your “Shipped” Email:
- You’ll be taken to a visual email editor. Here, you can:
- Edit the subject line (e.g., “Your [Your Store Name] Order Has Shipped!”).
- Add your store logo.
- Customize the email body with a friendly message. For example:
Hi [Customer Name],
Great news! Your order #[Order Number] from [Your Store Name] has shipped!
You can track your package using the following link: [Tracking Link]
Expected Delivery Date: [Delivery Date]
Thank you for your order!
Sincerely,
The [Your Store Name] Team
- Include a link to the order details on your website.
- Add any relevant information, such as shipping carrier and contact details.
4. Add Order Tracking Information:
- Most shipping plugins integrate directly with YayMail. They will automatically add the tracking link to the order complete email once the tracking number is updated.
5. Test Your Email:
- Before making it live, send yourself a test email to make sure everything looks correct.
6. Set Order Status to “Completed”:
- Once an order is shipped, set the order status to “Completed” in WooCommerce. This will trigger the “Completed” email to be sent, which you have customized with your shipping information.
Example in Action:
Imagine Sarah orders a beautiful handmade scarf from your online store. You package it carefully and ship it out. Instead of Sarah wondering when it will arrive, she receives a beautifully branded email that says:
“Subject: Your Cozy Scarf is on Its Way!
Hi Sarah,
We’re thrilled to let you know that your order #12345 for the Handmade Wool Scarf has shipped!
You can track your package here: [Tracking Link]
We expect it to arrive between December 20th and December 22nd.
Thank you again for your order. We hope you love your new scarf!
Warmly,
The Cozy Crafts Co. Team”
Sarah is happy, informed, and feels valued. She’s now more likely to become a repeat customer.
Alternative (Less Recommended) Methods
While plugins are the easiest option, here are two alternative (and more complex) methods:
- Custom Code: You can write custom PHP code to hook into WooCommerce’s order processing and send emails based on order status changes. This requires programming knowledge and can be complex to maintain.
- Using WooCommerce’s Action Hooks: You can use action hooks like `woocommerce_order_status_completed_notification` to trigger custom functions that send emails. Again, this requires coding knowledge.
Why Plugins are Generally Better:
- Ease of Use: No coding required.
- Reduced Risk: Less chance of introducing errors into your WooCommerce setup.
- Regular Updates: Plugins are typically maintained and updated by developers to ensure compatibility with the latest versions of WooCommerce and WordPress.
- Support: Plugin developers usually offer support if you encounter any issues.
Methods for Adding a “Shipped” Email to WooCommerce
There are a few ways to accomplish this. We’ll cover the easiest and most recommended method: using a plugin.
Using a Plugin (Recommended):
This is the simplest and most user-friendly method, especially for beginners. Several plugins are available, but we’ll focus on one of the most popular and reliable: “YayMail
Conclusion
Adding an “Order Shipped” email to your WooCommerce store is a simple yet powerful way to improve customer satisfaction, reduce support inquiries, and enhance your brand image. Using a plugin like YayMail makes the process incredibly easy, even for beginners. Take the time to set this up – your customers (and your business) will thank you! Remember, happy customers are repeat customers!
