Woocommerce How To Redirect After Checkout

WooCommerce: How to Redirect After Checkout (The Easy Guide!)

So, you’ve got a WooCommerce store and you’re ready to offer a better user experience. One simple way to do that is by controlling what happens *after* a customer successfully completes their checkout. Instead of just landing on a generic “Thank You” page, you can redirect them to a custom page, a special offer, or even a download link. This guide will walk you through how to redirect after checkout in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner!

Think of it like this: After you order food online, you’re often taken to a page with an order tracker or information about delivery. We’re going to achieve something similar in your WooCommerce store, tailoring the customer journey post-purchase.

Why Redirect After Checkout?

Redirecting after checkout isn’t just about making things look nice; it’s about improving your business and customer relationships. Here’s why it’s a good idea:

• Enhanced User Experience: Instead of a generic thank you, guide your customer to the next logical step. This can feel more personal and helpful.
• Upselling and Cross-selling: Direct customers to pages with related products or special offers. Imagine redirecting someone who bought coffee beans to a page showcasing a new coffee grinder!
• Downloadable Products: If you sell digital products, automatically redirect customers to a download link after payment. This is crucial for instant gratification!
• Track Conversions: Redirecting to a specific page lets you easily track post-purchase actions and conversion rates in tools like Google Analytics. You can see how many people actually engage with your post-checkout offer.
• Improved Customer Loyalty: Offer exclusive discounts or resources on the redirected page to reward customers and encourage repeat business.

Methods for Redirecting After Checkout

There are a few different ways to achieve this redirect magic. We’ll focus on two common and relatively easy methods: using a plugin and using custom code.

#### Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Redirect Plugin

This is the easiest and most beginner-friendly option. Several plugins allow you to easily configure redirects after checkout without needing to write any code.

1. Install and Activate a Plugin:

• Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress admin.
• Search for “WooCommerce Redirect After Checkout”. Look for one with good ratings and recent updates (e.g., “Checkout Redirect” or “Thank You Page Customizer for WooCommerce”).
• Click Install Now and then Activate.

2. Configure the Plugin:

• The plugin will typically add a settings page under WooCommerce or in its own dedicated menu.
• Look for options like:
• “Redirect URL”: This is where you’ll enter the URL you want customers to be redirected to.
• “Order Status Trigger”: Choose when the redirect should happen (usually “Completed” or “Processing”).
• Example: Let’s say you’re using the “Checkout Redirect” plugin. You might enter `https://yourwebsite.com/special-offers` in the “Redirect URL” field and select “Completed” for the order status. Now, *after a successful order*, customers will be sent to your special offers page!

Why this works: Plugins provide a user-friendly interface for managing redirects, handling the complex code behind the scenes. This is a great option if you’re not comfortable working with code.

#### Method 2: Using Custom Code (Advanced)

If you’re comfortable with a little bit of PHP code, you can implement the redirect directly using WooCommerce hooks. Be careful when editing code directly! Make a backup of your theme or child theme first.

1. Access Your `functions.php` File:

• You’ll need to edit the `functions.php` file of your WordPress theme or, preferably, your child theme. You can access this file through your WordPress admin (Appearance > Theme Editor).
• Important: Using a child theme is *highly recommended* to prevent your changes from being overwritten when the parent theme is updated.

2. Add the Redirect Code:

• Add the following code snippet to your `functions.php` file:

add_action( 'woocommerce_thankyou', 'custom_redirect_after_checkout' );

function custom_redirect_after_checkout( $order_id ) {

$order = wc_get_order( $order_id );

// Define your redirect URL here

$redirect_url = ‘https://yourwebsite.com/download-your-ebook’;

if ( ! $order->has_status( ‘failed’ ) ) {

wp_safe_redirect( $redirect_url );

exit;

}

}

3. Customize the Code:

• `$redirect_url = ‘https://yourwebsite.com/download-your-ebook’;`: Replace this with the actual URL you want to redirect to.
• `if ( ! $order->has_status( ‘failed’ ) ) {`: This ensures the redirect only happens for successful orders (not failed or cancelled ones).

Explanation of the code:

• `add_action( ‘woocommerce_thankyou’, ‘custom_redirect_after_checkout’ );`: This line tells WordPress to run our `custom_redirect_after_checkout` function when the `woocommerce_thankyou` action is triggered (which happens after checkout).
• `$order = wc_get_order( $order_id );`: This retrieves the order information.
• `wp_safe_redirect( $redirect_url );`: This is the function that actually performs the redirect. `wp_safe_redirect` is preferred over `wp_redirect` for security reasons.
• `exit;`: This stops further execution of the page, ensuring the redirect happens immediately.

Example: Imagine you sell an ebook. After purchase, you want the user to download it instantly. Replace `’https://yourwebsite.com/download-your-ebook’` with the actual download link to your ebook file.

Why this works: This code leverages WooCommerce’s built-in hooks and functions to trigger a redirect. The `woocommerce_thankyou` hook is specifically designed for running code after a successful order. It gives you more control but requires coding knowledge.

Important Considerations

• Testing: Always test your redirect thoroughly! Make sure it works correctly for different payment methods and order statuses.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the page you’re redirecting to is mobile-friendly.
• Clarity: Make it clear to the customer why they’re being redirected. A brief message on the thank you page before the redirect can help.
• Don’t Overdo It: Too many redirects can confuse users. Make sure the redirect serves a clear and valuable purpose.

Conclusion

Redirecting after checkout in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful way to improve the customer experience, boost sales, and track conversions. Whether you choose a plugin for ease of use or custom code for more control, the key is to provide a relevant and helpful post-purchase journey. Good luck!