Woocommerce How To Setup 2 Currencies

WooCommerce: Sell to the World! How to Easily Set Up 2 Currencies (or More!)

Want to expand your WooCommerce store’s reach beyond your local market? Selling in multiple currencies can significantly boost sales and improve the customer experience. Imagine a customer in Canada seeing prices in Canadian Dollars instead of US Dollars – instantly more relatable and trustworthy! This guide will walk you through how to set up multiple currencies in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner.

We’ll skip complex coding and focus on user-friendly plugins. Trust me, it’s easier than you think!

Why Offer Multiple Currencies?

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Offering prices in a customer’s local currency offers several key advantages:

Increased Sales: Customers are more likely to buy when Check out this post: How Does Woocommerce Change To Completed they see prices in their own currency. It eliminates the mental calculation and potential sticker shock.
Improved User Experience: A localized experience builds trust and makes the buying process smoother. No more currency converters needed!
Reduced Cart Abandonment: Hidden exchange fees or confusion over pricing can lead to abandoned carts. Local currency eliminates this friction.
Competitive Edge: Stand out from competitors who only offer one currency. Show you care about your international customers.
Real-World Example: Think of a small artisan shop selling handmade jewelry online. A customer in the UK is more likely to purchase if they see prices in British Pounds (£) rather than US Dollars ($). It’s just easier on the brain!

Choosing the Right Plugin: WooCommerce Currency Switcher

While WooCommerce doesn’t have built-in multi-currency support, several excellent plugins can handle this with ease. Our recommendation is WooCommerce Currency Switcher (WOOCS) by realmag777. It’s a popular, reliable, and feature-rich option with a free version that’s perfect for getting started. While other plugins exist, WOOCS offers a good balance of features and ease of use for beginners.

Why WOOCS?

Free Version is Powerful: The free version often provides all the functionality small businesses need.
Easy to Use: The interface is intuitive and straightforward, even for non-technical users.
Automatic Currency Updates: Keeps exchange rates up-to-date (though usually relies on a free API and may require a paid API key for frequent updates or large request volumes).
GeoIP: WOOCS can automatically detect the user’s location and display prices in their local currency (requires enabling and configuring the GeoIP feature and a suitable database/API).
Customizable: You can customize the currency switcher’s appearance.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Multiple Currencies with WOOCS

1. Install and Activate the Plugin:

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
Search for “WooCommerce Currency Switcher.”
Install and activate the plugin by realmag777.

2. Access the Plugin Settings:

After activation, you’ll find the settings under WooCommerce > WOOCS.

3. Add Your Currencies:

In the “Currencies” tab, you’ll see the default currency of your store.
Click the “Add currency” button to add new currencies.
Configure the currency:
Currency: Select the currency Read more about How To Put Woocommerce In Maintenance Mode (e.g., CAD, EUR, GBP).
Rate: Set the exchange rate relative to your base currency. Important: This is where you’ll need to get the current exchange rate. You can use Google Finance or a dedicated currency conversion website. WOOCS can also automate this, but as mentioned earlier, relies on APIs which may have limitations on free plans.
Symbol: Enter the currency symbol (e.g., $, €, £).
Position: Specify where the symbol appears (left, right, left with space, Learn more about How To Set Up Activecampaign Abandoned Cart On Woocommerce right with space).
Description: A brief description for your currency.
Flag: Upload a flag for the currency you are adding.

Example: Let’s say your base currency is USD. To add CAD (Canadian Dollar), you’d set:
Currency: CAD
Rate: If 1 USD = 1.35 CAD, then enter `1.35`.
Symbol: $
Position: Left

4. Configure General Settings:

In the “Options” tab, configure the general settings:

Is multiple allowed: Enable this to allow customers to switch between currencies. Important: It is enabled by default.
Show flags on front: Enable this to show flag images for the currencies at front end of site.
Show money signs: Enable this if you want to show currency symbols. Important: It is enabled by default.
Use GeoIP rules defines country by IP: Enable this to have WOOCS detect the user’s location based on their IP address and automatically select the corresponding currency. Important: This requires configuring GeoIP (see next section).
Hide cents: Enable this if you want to round the currency.
Aggregator of rates: You can choose which site or API you want to use to automatically update the currency exchange rate.

5. Configure GeoIP (Optional but Recommended):

GeoIP allows WOOCS to automatically detect the user’s location and display prices in their local currency.
In the “Options” tab, find the “Use GeoIP rules defines country by IP” option and ensure it’s enabled.
Important: You’ll need to configure a GeoIP service. WOOCS supports several services.
Follow the plugin’s documentation to set up GeoIP. Common options include using free databases (less accurate) or paid GeoIP APIs (more accurate and reliable).

6. Display the Currency Switcher on Your Site:

WOOCS provides several ways to display the currency switcher:
Widget: Add the “WOOCS – WooCommerce Currency Switcher” widget to your sidebar or any widget area.
Shortcode: Use the `[woocs]` shortcode on any page or post.
PHP Code: You can also add the switcher directly to your theme’s template files (more advanced):

Example: To add the currency switcher to your shop page, you could edit your theme’s `woocommerce/archive-product.php` file (if you’re using a child theme!) and add the shortcode snippet where you want the switcher to appear.

7. Test Your Setup:

Visit your website and test the currency switcher.
Check if the prices are displayed correctly in different currencies.
If using GeoIP, try accessing your site from different locations (using a VPN can help simulate this).

Important Considerations:

Exchange Rate Updates: Exchange rates fluctuate constantly. Regularly update the rates in WOOCS (either manually or through automated updates with an API). If you are using free rate updates ensure you keep checking it is updated.
Pricing Strategy: Consider your pricing strategy when selling in multiple currencies. You might need to adjust prices slightly Explore this article on How To Remove Breadcrumbs In Woocommerce to account for exchange rate fluctuations and local market conditions.
Payment Gateways: Ensure your payment gateway supports the currencies you offer. PayPal and Stripe are generally good options for handling multiple currencies.
Shipping Costs: Shipping costs can vary depending on the destination. Be sure to accurately calculate and display shipping costs for each currency/location.
Legal and Tax Implications: Understand the legal and tax implications of selling internationally. Consult with a legal and financial professional if needed.
Mobile Responsiveness: Make sure the currency switcher looks good and functions properly on mobile devices.

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

Currency switcher not displaying: Double-check that you’ve added the widget, shortcode, or PHP code correctly. Clear your website cache.
Incorrect exchange rates: Verify the exchange rates you’ve entered are accurate. If using automated updates, check that the API is working correctly.
GeoIP not working: Ensure you’ve properly configured a GeoIP service and that it’s correctly identifying user locations.

Conclusion:

Setting up multiple currencies in WooCommerce is a powerful way to expand your business and reach a global audience. By using a plugin like WooCommerce Currency Switcher (WOOCS) and following these steps, you can easily offer a localized shopping experience that will attract more customers and boost your sales. Don’t be intimidated – give it a try! Your international customers (and your bottom line) Learn more about How To Get Product Type In Woocommerce will thank you. Remember to keep those exchange rates updated and always prioritize a smooth and trustworthy customer experience. Good luck!