WooCommerce Shortcodes: Unleash the Power of Your Store with Simple Codes
WooCommerce is a fantastic platform for building an online store. But sometimes, you want to add specific features to a page or post that aren’t readily available through the standard WooCommerce interface. That’s where shortcodes come in! They’re like tiny snippets of code that tell WooCommerce to do something specific, like display your product categories or a shopping cart button. Think of them as pre-built shortcuts that let you add complex functionality with minimal effort. This guide is your friendly introduction to using WooCommerce shortcodes, even if you’re a complete newbie.
What are WooCommerce Shortcodes?
Shortcodes, at their core, are just shortcuts. Instead of writing complex code, you insert a short, recognizable “code” enclosed in square brackets, like `[woocommerce_cart]`. WooCommerce then interprets this code and replaces it with the desired functionality. They are particularly useful for adding elements to pages created with visual editors like Elementor or Divi, giving you more control than standard blocks.
Why Use WooCommerce Shortcodes?
Imagine you want to showcase your best-selling products on your homepage. Without shortcodes, you’d have to delve into complex coding and template editing. With a shortcode like `[products limit=”4″ columns=”4″ best_selling=”true”]`, you can achieve this in seconds!
Here are some other benefits:
- Ease of Use: No coding knowledge is needed. You just copy and paste the shortcode into your page or post.
- Flexibility: Shortcodes allow you to customize the appearance and functionality of your store beyond the default settings.
- Time-Saving: They save you time and effort by providing pre-built solutions for common tasks.
- Control: Greater control over where and how elements appear on your website.
Essential WooCommerce Shortcodes for Beginners
Let’s explore some of the most useful WooCommerce shortcodes you’ll likely use:
#### 1. The [products] Shortcode: Displaying Products
This is arguably the most versatile shortcode. It allows you to display products based on various criteria.
[products limit="4" columns="4"]
- `limit`: Specifies the number of products to display (e.g., `limit=”4″` shows four products).
- `columns`: Sets the number of columns in which to display the products (e.g., `columns=”4″` displays them in four columns).
- `orderby`: Determines how the products are ordered (e.g., `orderby=”popularity”`, `orderby=”date”`, `orderby=”title”`, `orderby=”price”`).
- `order`: Specifies the sorting order (e.g., `order=”ASC”` for ascending, `order=”DESC”` for descending).
- `category`: Displays products from a specific category (e.g., `category=”shoes”`).
- `tag`: Displays products with a specific tag (e.g., `tag=”sale”`).
- `ids`: Displays specific products based on their IDs (e.g., `ids=”22,25,31″`).
- `skus`: Displays specific products based on their SKUs (e.g., `skus=”woo-tshirt, woo-hoodie”`).
- `attribute`: Displays products with certain attributes (e.g. `attribute=”color” terms=”red, blue”`).
- `class`: Adds a CSS class to the container div around the products (e.g. `class=”custom-product-class”`).
- `paginate`: If set to true, will add pagination to the products.
Real-World Example:
Let’s say you want to display the 4 most recent products in 2 columns on your homepage. You would use the following shortcode:
[products limit="4" columns="2" orderby="date" order="DESC"]
This code tells WooCommerce to:
1. Display 4 products (`limit=”4″`).
2. Arrange them in 2 columns (`columns=”2″`).
3. Order them by date (`orderby=”date”`).
4. Show the Check out this post: How To Change Text Privacy Policy Woocommerce Checkout most recent products first (`order=”DESC”`).
#### 2. The [woocommerce_cart] Shortcode: Displaying the Shopping Cart
This shortcode is essential for creating your shopping cart page.
[woocommerce_cart]
It simply displays the current shopping cart content, allowing users to view and manage their selected items. This is a crucial part of the checkout process. You generally don’t need to add any attributes to this shortcode.
Real-World Example:
Go to your WooCommerce settings and ensure a page is assigned to the “Cart Page” option. Then, edit that page and simply add `[woocommerce_cart]` to the content area. WooCommerce will handle the rest!
#### 3. The [woocommerce_checkout] Shortcode: Displaying the Checkout Form
This is another critical shortcode for completing a purchase.
[woocommerce_checkout]
It displays the checkout form where customers enter their billing and shipping information and choose a payment method. Just like the cart shortcode, you generally don’t need to add any attributes.
Real-World Example:
Similar to the cart page, ensure a page is assigned to the “Checkout Page” in your WooCommerce settings. Edit that page and add the `[woocommerce_checkout]` shortcode.
#### 4. The [woocommerce_my_account] Shortcode: Displaying the My Account Page
This allows users to manage their account details, view order history, and update their addresses.
[woocommerce_my_account]
Real-World Example:
Ensure that the “My Account” page is configured correctly in your WooCommerce settings. Then, edit the page and add `[woocommerce_my_account]` to display the account dashboard.
#### 5. The [product_page] Shortcode: Displaying a Specific Product
This shortcode lets you display a single product on any page or post.
[product_page id="99"]
- `id`: Specifies the ID of the product you want to display. You can find the product ID in the WordPress admin area when editing a product (look at the URL!).
Real-World Example:
If you’re writing a blog post about a specific product, you can use this shortcode to embed the product details directly into the post.
#### 6. [product_category] Shortcode: Displaying Products from Category
Allows you to showcase products from a specific category.
[product_category category="hoodies" columns="4" limit="8"]
* `category`: Defines the category name or slug. (e.g., `category=”hoodies”`)
* `columns`: Sets the number of columns for displaying the products.
* `limit`: Sets the maximum number of products to show.
Real-World Example:
You might use this on a landing page for a particular product category.
Where to Use WooCommerce Shortcodes
You can use WooCommerce shortcodes in:
- Pages: The most common use case for creating your shop pages (cart, checkout, my account).
- Posts: For featuring products in blog posts or articles.
- Text Widgets: To add elements to your sidebar or footer.
- Page Builders: Most page builders like Elementor, Divi, and Beaver Builder support shortcodes, allowing you to integrate WooCommerce functionality into your custom designs.
Troubleshooting Shortcodes
Sometimes, shortcodes might not work as expected. Here are a few things to check:
- Typos: Double-check that you’ve typed the shortcode correctly, including the square brackets.
- Plugin Conflicts: Conflicts with other plugins can sometimes interfere with shortcode functionality. Try deactivating other plugins to see if that resolves the issue.
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes may not fully support WooCommerce shortcodes.
- Correct IDs: Ensure that product IDs or category names you’re using are correct.
Conclusion
WooCommerce shortcodes are powerful tools for customizing your online store without needing advanced coding skills. By understanding and utilizing these simple codes, you can unlock the full potential of your WooCommerce site and create a truly unique shopping experience for your customers. Experiment with different shortcodes and their attributes to discover the best ways to showcase your products and improve your store’s usability. Happy selling!
