How to Show Sales Count on WooCommerce Variable Products: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction:
WooCommerce variable products offer customers a variety of choices, allowing them to select the specific attributes (like color, size, or material) that suit their needs. However, sometimes it’s helpful to highlight the popularity of certain variations by displaying the sales count directly on the product page. Showing sales count on your WooCommerce variable products can significantly influence purchasing decisions. Potential buyers are more likely to trust and purchase items that are already popular. This article will guide you through the steps to display sales data on variable products, boosting your sales and improving your customer experience.
Main Part:
There are several ways to display sales counts for WooCommerce variable products. We’ll cover the most common and effective methods: using code snippets, employing plugins, and understanding how to interpret the data.
1. Using Code Snippets (Custom Function):
This method requires a basic understanding of PHP and editing your theme’s `functions.php` file (or using a code snippet plugin, which is generally recommended). Always back up your site before making changes to your theme files!
Here’s the PHP code you can use to add a sales count near the product title for variable products:
add_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'display_variation_sales_count', 6 ); // Adjust priority as needed
function display_variation_sales_count() {
global $product;
if ( $product->is_type( ‘variable’ ) ) {
$total_sales = 0;
$variations = $product->get_available_variations();
foreach ( $variations as $variation ) {
$variation_id = $variation[‘variation_id’];
$variation_product = wc_get_product( $variation_id );
$total_sales += $variation_product->get_total_sales();
}
if ( $total_sales > 0 ) {
echo ‘
‘;
}
}
}
Explanation:
- `add_action( ‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘display_variation_sales_count’, 6 );`: This line hooks our custom function `display_variation_sales_count` into the `woocommerce_single_product_summary` action. The `6` specifies the priority (lower numbers execute earlier). Adjust this to change the position.
- `global $product;`: This makes the `$product` object (containing the product’s data) available within our function.
- `if ( $product->is_type( ‘variable’ ) )`: This ensures the code only runs for variable products.
- `$total_sales = 0;`: Initializes a variable to hold the total sales count.
- `$variations = $product->get_available_variations();`: Retrieves an array of available variations for the product.
- `foreach ( $variations as $variation )`: Loops through each variation.
- `$variation_id = $variation[‘variation_id’];`: Gets the ID of the current variation.
- `$variation_product = wc_get_product( $variation_id );`: Loads the variation as a product object.
- `$total_sales += $variation_product->get_total_sales();`: Adds the sales count of the current variation to the total.
- `if ( $total_sales > 0 )`: Checks if there are any sales before displaying the count.
- `echo ‘
‘ . sprintf( esc_html__( ‘Total Sales: %s’, ‘your-theme-slug’ ), $total_sales ) . ‘
‘;`: Outputs the sales count within a `div` with the class `variation-sales-count`. You’ll likely need to style this with CSS in your theme’s stylesheet. The `` tag allows you to add a Font Awesome (or similar) icon. Replace ‘your-theme-slug’ with your theme’s text domain.
- Code Snippet Plugin: Use a plugin like “Code Snippets” to add this code instead of directly editing `functions.php`. This makes it easier to manage and avoids potential errors if you update your theme.
- CSS Styling: The outputted `
` has the class `variation-sales-count`. Add CSS rules to your theme’s stylesheet (or via the Customizer) to style the appearance of the sales count.
- Positioning: Adjust the priority of the `add_action` hook (the number `6`) to change where the sales count appears on the product page. Experiment to find the best placement.
- Font Awesome: The code includes an example using Font Awesome. If you’re not already using Font Awesome, you’ll need to include it in your theme.
2. Using a Plugin:
Several WooCommerce plugins provide options to display sales counts and other popularity metrics on variable products. Search for “WooCommerce sales count,” “WooCommerce popularity,” or “WooCommerce social proof” plugins. Popular plugins like “TrustPulse” or “WooCommerce Product Badges” can often handle this functionality.
Advantages of using a plugin:
- Ease of Use: Plugins often provide a user-friendly interface for configuring sales count display.
- Advanced Features: Plugins may offer additional features like displaying recently sold products, adding urgency badges, and A/B testing.
- No Coding Required: You don’t need to write or modify any code.
Disadvantages of using a plugin:
- Cost: Premium plugins often require a purchase or subscription.
- Potential Conflicts: Plugins can sometimes conflict with other plugins or your theme.
- Bloat: Some plugins can add unnecessary code to your site, potentially slowing it down.
3. Understanding and Interpreting the Data:
Whether you use a code snippet or a plugin, it’s important to understand what the sales count represents and how to use it effectively:
- Context Matters: Consider the product’s age. A product with 100 sales in its first week might be more impressive than a product with 500 sales over a year.
- Variation Popularity: If possible, track sales counts *per variation* rather than just a total across the entire variable product. This Learn more about How To Add App To Whitelist Woocommerce provides more granular insight.
- Highlighting Bestsellers: Consider highlighting the most popular variations with badges or labels to further influence customer choices.
- A/B Testing: Test different placements and styles for the sales count display to see what performs best.
- Transparency: Be honest and accurate with your sales data. Misleading information can damage your credibility.
Conclusion:
Displaying sales count on WooCommerce variable products is a powerful technique for leveraging social proof and boosting conversions. By choosing the right method – whether it’s a custom code snippet or a dedicated plugin – and understanding how to interpret and present the data, you can create a more engaging and trustworthy shopping experience for your customers, ultimately leading to increased sales. Remember to monitor the performance and optimize your implementation for the best results.
Important Considerations: