How To Change Woocommerce Checkout Billing Fields Priority

How to Change WooCommerce Checkout Billing Fields Priority: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you tired of your WooCommerce checkout page looking cluttered? Do you want to rearrange the billing fields to improve the user experience and potentially boost conversions? You’re in the right place! This guide will walk you through changing the priority of billing fields in your WooCommerce store, even if you’re a complete newbie to coding.

Why Rearrange Billing Fields?

Think about filling out online forms. A well-organized form feels intuitive and smooth. Conversely, a chaotic form with fields scattered randomly is frustrating and can lead to abandoned carts. By prioritizing essential fields and logically grouping similar information, you create a better checkout experience.

For example, imagine a form where “Country” is at the bottom. A customer might select a country, only to find out later that the address format changed, requiring them to scroll back up and adjust their entry. Prioritizing “Country” early avoids this cumbersome back-and-forth.

Methods to Change Billing Field Priority

There are two main ways to change the order of your WooCommerce billing fields:

1. Using a Plugin (The Easiest Way): Several plugins offer simple drag-and-drop interfaces to customize your checkout fields. These are perfect for beginners as they require no coding. Look for plugins like “Checkout Field Editor” or similar options in the WordPress plugin directory. These plugins often offer intuitive visual editors, letting you rearrange fields with a few clicks.

2. Using Code (For Advanced Users): This method requires some basic understanding of PHP and the WooCommerce code structure. It offers more control but also carries a higher risk of breaking your website if not done correctly. Always back up your website before making any code changes!

Changing Field Priority with Code (Example)

Let’s say you want to move the “Billing Phone” field above the “Billing Address” field. This requires modifying the `woocommerce_checkout_fields` filter.

Here’s how you can do it using a custom function in your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin:

 add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_fields' , 'custom_woocommerce_checkout_fields' ); 

function custom_woocommerce_checkout_fields( $fields ) {

// Get the “Billing Phone” field

$phone_field = $fields[‘billing’][‘billing_phone’];

// Remove “Billing Phone” from its original location

unset( $fields[‘billing’][‘billing_phone’] );

// Re-insert “Billing Phone” before “Billing Address”

$fields[‘billing’] = array_splice($fields[‘billing’], array_search(‘billing_address_1’, array_keys($fields[‘billing’])), 0, $phone_field);

return $fields;

}

Explanation:

• `add_filter`: This line hooks into the `woocommerce_checkout_fields` filter, allowing us to modify the fields.
• `custom_woocommerce_checkout_fields`: This is our custom function that does the rearranging.
• `unset`: This removes the “Billing Phone” field from its default position.
• `array_splice`: This cleverly inserts the “Billing Phone” field before the “Billing Address” field. This uses array manipulation to reorder the billing fields.
• `return $fields`: This returns the modified array of fields.

Important Considerations:

• Field Keys: Make sure you use the correct field keys (e.g., `billing_phone`, `billing_address_1`). You can find these by inspecting your current checkout fields using your browser’s developer tools.
• Backup: Always back up your website before adding code! A simple mistake can break your checkout process.
• Testing: After implementing the code changes, thoroughly test your checkout Explore this article on How To Add Ninja Form To Woocommerce Single Product Page process to ensure everything works correctly.

Conclusion

Changing the priority of your WooCommerce billing fields can significantly improve the user experience and potentially reduce cart abandonment. While plugins offer the easiest approach for beginners, understanding the code-based method provides more flexibility for advanced users. Remember to always prioritize a positive user experience, making your checkout process as smooth and intuitive as possible.