How To Fix Availability Wording Woocommerce

# How to Fix Availability Wording in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

WooCommerce is a powerful tool, but its default availability wording can sometimes be confusing for customers. This article will show you how to easily customize that wording to improve your store’s clarity and sales. We’ll cover several methods, from simple changes in your settings to more advanced code edits.

Understanding the Problem: Why Default Wording Isn’t Always Ideal

WooCommerce’s default “In stock” and “Out of stock” messages, while functional, can lack nuance. For example:

• “In stock” doesn’t tell customers *how many* items are available. A customer might hesitate if they fear missing out on a limited-stock item.
• “Out of stock” offers no information about when the item might return. This can lead to lost sales and frustrated customers.

Let’s say you’re selling handmade pottery. Saying “In stock” for a mug is less compelling than “Only 3 left in stock!” Similarly, instead of “Out of stock,” “Back in stock on October 27th” reassures customers and encourages them to return later.

Method 1: Using WooCommerce’s Built-in Options (Easiest Method)

The easiest way to adjust your availability wording is through WooCommerce’s settings. This method works well for simple adjustments.

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory.
• You’ll find fields for Out of stock threshold, Manage stock, and Display out of stock products. While these don’t directly change the wording, they affect *what* wording is displayed. For example, hiding out-of-stock items avoids showing “Out of stock” entirely.
• Most importantly, you can change the wording within the product pages individually. Edit the product and within the Inventory tab, you can customize the text for “Out of stock” if a product has run out and also “Low stock” if there are only a few left!

Method 2: Using a Plugin (Intermediate Method)

Several plugins offer more granular control over product availability wording. Search for plugins like “WooCommerce Product Availability” or “Custom Product Availability Messages” in your WooCommerce plugin directory.

• These plugins usually provide options to:
• Customize the text for “in stock,” “out of stock,” and “low stock” with more detail.
• Add custom messages based on stock quantity. For instance, display “Only 5 left!” if only 5 items are in stock.
• Show estimated restock dates.

Plugins often offer a user-friendly interface, eliminating the need for code editing. Always read reviews before installing any plugin.

Method 3: Customizing with Code (Advanced Method – Requires PHP Knowledge)

If you need highly specific customization, you might need to edit your WooCommerce code. This method requires comfort with PHP and child themes. Always back up your website before making any code changes.

Here’s an example of how to change the “Out of stock” text using a function:

add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_availability_text', 'custom_availability_text', 10, 2 );
function custom_availability_text( $availability, $product ) {
if ( ! $product->is_in_stock() ) {
$availability['availability'] = 'Coming soon!'; //Change 'Coming soon!' to your desired text
}
return $availability;
}

This code snippet replaces the default “Out of stock” message with “Coming soon!”. Place this code in your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. You can adjust this to add more sophisticated logic based on stock levels or other factors.

Remember to replace `”Coming soon!”` with your desired text.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Method for You

The best method depends on your technical skills and the level of customization you need. Start with the simplest method – using WooCommerce’s built-in settings – and only move to plugins or code editing if necessary. By improving your availability wording, you’ll create a more transparent and user-friendly shopping experience, ultimately leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction. Remember to always test your changes thoroughly after implementation.