How To Make Custom Emails For Woocommerce

Level Up Your WooCommerce: How to Create Stunning Custom Emails That Wow Your Customers

Want to make a lasting impression on your customers beyond just a successful order? Generic WooCommerce emails, while functional, can feel bland and impersonal. Customizing them isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about branding, enhancing customer experience, and driving repeat sales.

Think about it: your WooCommerce emails are often the first point of post-purchase communication. A well-crafted email can reinforce your brand identity, offer valuable information, and even promote special offers. A generic email? Well, it’s just another email.

This guide is for WooCommerce newbies and anyone who wants to ditch the default look and create custom emails that truly represent their business. We’ll break down the process into easy-to-understand steps, with real-life examples to inspire you.

Why Customize Your WooCommerce Emails?

Before we dive in, let’s solidify why this is worth your time:

• Brand Consistency: Maintain a consistent look and feel Check out this post: How To Change The Order Of Product Attributes For Woocommerce across your entire online presence. Custom emails reinforce your brand identity and create a more professional image. Imagine a high-end luxury brand sending out a plain, text-only order confirmation – it just wouldn’t fit!
• Improved Customer Experience: Personalize the message. Include relevant information about the product, shipping updates, or exclusive offers. A customer is more likely to feel valued and appreciated.
• Increased Engagement & Sales: Use emails to promote related products, offer discounts, or encourage reviews. Think of a follow-up email after a purchase recommending complementary items.
• Reduced Support Tickets: Proactively address common questions about shipping, returns, or order status directly in the emails, saving you (and your customers!) time and frustration.
• Stand Out from the Competition: In a sea of generic e-commerce emails, yours will catch the eye and leave a positive impression.

The Three Main Approaches to Customizing WooCommerce Emails

There are generally three approaches you can take:

1. Using WooCommerce’s Built-in Customizer (Limited): This is the easiest method and great for minor tweaks like changing colors and adding your logo.

2. Check out this post: How To Customize Woocommerce Pages Using a WooCommerce Email Customizer Plugin (Recommended): Plugins offer a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and more advanced customization options without requiring coding.

3. Custom Coding (For Advanced Users): This provides the ultimate flexibility but requires PHP and HTML knowledge.

Let’s explore each option!

1. WooCommerce’s Built-in Customizer: Quick & Easy Tweaks

WooCommerce offers a basic customizer that allows you to change the header image, body text color, and footer text. It’s perfect for small changes that align with your brand.

How to access the WooCommerce Email Customizer:

1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails.

2. Choose the email you want to customize (e.g., “New order,” “Processing order,” etc.).

3. Scroll down to Email options. Here, you can change:

• Header image: Upload your logo.
• Footer text: Add copyright information or a custom message.
• Base color: The main color for the email template.
• Background color: The background color of the email.
• Body text color: The color of the main text in the email.

4. Click Save changes to apply your customizations.

Limitations: This method is quite limited. You can’t change the email content or layout significantly. It’s best for minor aesthetic adjustments.

2. WooCommerce Email Customizer Plugins: Powerful & User-Friendly

This is the most recommended approach for most users. Plugins offer a visual interface and a wide range of customization options without requiring any coding knowledge.

Popular WooCommerce Email Customizer Plugins:

• Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer: A popular free and premium option known for its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates.
• YayMail – WooCommerce Email Customizer: Another drag-and-drop option with advanced features like conditional logic and A/B testing.
• MailPoet: A plugin focused on email marketing that also offers Read more about How To Make Instagram Shoppable Woocommerce excellent WooCommerce email customization features.

How to use a plugin (Example using Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer):

1. Install and activate the Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer plugin.

2. Go to WooCommerce > Email Designer.

3. You’ll see a visual editor with a drag-and-drop interface.

4. Choose an email template or start from scratch.

5. Customize the content by dragging and dropping elements like text, images, buttons, and more.

6. Use the visual settings to change colors, fonts, and spacing.

7. Preview your email and send a test email to yourself.

8. Save your changes and apply them to the relevant WooCommerce email.

Reasoning: Plugins bridge the gap between ease of use and powerful customization. You get visual control without needing to code.

3. Custom Coding: The Ultimate Flexibility (But Requires Skill)

For those comfortable with PHP and HTML, custom coding offers the most flexibility. You can create completely unique email templates from scratch or modify existing ones.

Key Concepts:

• WooCommerce Template Overriding: The core principle involves copying WooCommerce email templates to your theme’s directory and modifying them. Check out this post: How To Add Quantity Field To Woocommerce Shop Page This ensures your changes are safe during WooCommerce updates.
• `woocommerce_email_header` and `woocommerce_email_footer` Actions: These actions allow you to add custom content to the header and footer of your emails.
• `woocommerce_email_customer_details` Action: This action lets you modify the customer details section of the email.
• WordPress Hooks and Filters: You’ll use WordPress hooks (actions and filters) to manipulate the email content.

Example: Adding a custom message to the “New order” email:

1. Create a directory called `woocommerce` in your theme’s root directory (e.g., `wp-content/themes/your-theme/woocommerce`).

2. Create a directory called `emails` inside the `woocommerce` directory (e.g., `wp-content/themes/your-theme/woocommerce/emails`).

3. Copy the `new_order.php` template from `wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/emails/` to your theme’s `woocommerce/emails/` directory.

4. Edit the copied `new_order.php` file in your theme. Add the following code snippet where you want to display your custom message:

 <?php /** 
Customer new order email
 
* This template can be overridden by copying it to yourtheme/woocommerce/emails/customer-new-order.php.
 
* HOWEVER, on occasion WooCommerce will need to update template files and you
 
(the theme developer) will need to copy the new files to your theme to
 
maintain compatibility. We try to do this as little as possible, but it does
 
happen. When this occurs the version of the template file will be bumped and
 
the readme will list any important changes.
 
* @see https://docs.woocommerce.com/document/template-structure/
 
@package WooCommerceTemplatesEmails
 
@version 3.7.0
 */ 

defined( ‘ABSPATH’ ) || exit;

/

* Executes the e-mail header.

*

* @hooked WC_Emails::email_header() Output the email header

*/

do_action( ‘woocommerce_email_header’, $email_heading ); ?>

get_billing_first_name() ) ); ?>

get_order_number() ) ); ?>

<?php

// Add our custom message here

echo ‘

We are working hard to get your order processed and shipped to you as quickly as possible. You will receive another email with tracking information once your order has shipped!

‘;

?>

<?php

/

* Hook: woocommerce_email_order_details.

*

* @hooked WC_Emails::order_details() Shows the order details table.

* @hooked WC_Structured_Data::generate_order_data() Generates structured data.

* @hooked WC_Structured_Data::output_structured_data() Outputs structured data.

* @since 2.5.0

*/

do_action( ‘woocommerce_email_order_details’, $order, $sent_to_admin, $plain_text, $email );

/

* Hook: woocommerce_email_customer_details.

*

* @hooked WC_Emails::customer_details() Shows customer details

* @hooked WC_Emails::email_address() Shows email address

*/

do_action( ‘woocommerce_email_customer_details’, $order, $sent_to_admin, $plain_text, $email );

?>

<?php

/

* Hook: woocommerce_email_order_meta.

*

* @hooked WC_Emails::order_meta() Shows order meta data.

*/

do_action( ‘woocommerce_email_order_meta’, $order, $sent_to_admin, $plain_text, $email );

/

* Hook: woocommerce_email_footer.

*

* @hooked WC_Emails::email_footer() Output the email footer

*/

do_action( ‘woocommerce_email_footer’, $email );

5. Important: Clear your WooCommerce transients or use a plugin to refresh your template cache after making changes to ensure the updated template is used.

Reasoning: Custom coding provides absolute control but demands technical expertise. It’s ideal for implementing complex logic or creating truly unique designs. Always back up your theme files before making any changes!

Tips for Creating Effective WooCommerce Emails

• Keep it concise: People skim emails. Get to the point quickly.
• Use a clear and compelling subject line: Encourage recipients to open your email. Avoid generic phrases like “Your Order.” Try something like “Your [Your Brand] Order #[Order Number] is Confirmed!”
• Personalize the message: Use the customer’s name and order details.
• Include a call to action: Tell recipients what you want them to do (e.g., “Track your order,” “Leave a review,” “Visit our website”).
• Ensure mobile responsiveness: Most people read emails on their phones.
• Test, test, test: Send test emails to yourself to ensure everything looks and works correctly.

Real-Life Examples for Inspiration

• Shipping Confirmation Email: Include a branded tracking link and estimated delivery date. Consider adding a map showing the package’s journey.
• Order Completion Email: Offer a discount code for the customer’s next purchase.
• Abandoned Cart Email: Remind the customer about their abandoned cart and offer a small incentive (e.g., free shipping) to complete the purchase.
• Review Request Email: Send a friendly email a few days after the order is delivered, asking for a review of the product and their experience.