How To Make Variations Radio Buttons For Woocommerce

How to Create Variations Radio Buttons in WooCommerce: A User-Friendly Guide

Introduction:

WooCommerce, the leading e-commerce platform for WordPress, offers powerful tools to sell products with various options. While the default dropdown menus for product variations are functional, they aren’t always the most visually appealing or user-friendly. Many store owners prefer the clear, concise presentation of radio buttons. Radio buttons offer a superior user experience, allowing customers to see all available options at a glance, leading to potentially higher conversion rates. This article will guide you through the process of implementing radio buttons for product variations in your WooCommerce store, focusing on both code-based and plugin-based methods. We’ll explore the advantages, disadvantages, and steps involved in each approach to help you choose the best solution for your needs.

Why Use Radio Buttons for WooCommerce Variations?

• Improved User Experience: Radio buttons make it easier for customers to quickly scan available options.
• Increased Conversion Rates: The simplified selection process can lead to more sales.
• Enhanced Visual Appeal: A more modern and visually appealing alternative to dropdown menus.
• Clearer Presentation: Customers can instantly see all available options without needing to click anything.

Main Part:

There are two primary methods to implement radio buttons for WooCommerce product variations: through custom code and by using a dedicated plugin. Let’s explore each in detail.

Method 1: Using Custom Code (For Developers)

This method provides maximum control and customization but requires a solid understanding of PHP, WordPress, and WooCommerce. It involves modifying your theme’s `functions.php` file or creating a custom plugin. It is strongly recommended to use a child theme to prevent your customizations from being overwritten during theme updates.

#### Steps:

1. Access Your Theme’s `functions.php` File:

Navigate to `Appearance > Theme Editor` in your WordPress dashboard. Locate the `functions.php` file for your active (child) theme. Be extremely cautious when editing this file, as errors can break your site. Consider backing it up first.

2. Add the Code Snippet:

Insert the following PHP code into your `functions.php` file:

 /** 
Convert variation dropdown to radio buttons.
 */ add_filter( 'woocommerce_dropdown_variation_attribute_options', 'woocommerce_radio_variation_attribute_options', 10, 2 ); 

function woocommerce_radio_variation_attribute_options( $html, $args ) {

$options = $args[‘options’];

$product = $args[‘product’];

$attribute = $args[‘attribute’];

$name = $args[‘name’];

$id = esc_attr( sanitize_title( $attribute ) );

if ( empty( $options ) && ! empty( $product ) && ! empty( $attribute ) ) {

$options = wc_get_product_terms( $product->id, $attribute, array( ‘fields’ => ‘names’ ) );

}

if ( empty( $options ) ) {

return ”;

}

$html = ‘

‘;

foreach ( $options as $option ) {

$checked = sanitize_title( $args[‘selected’] ) == sanitize_title( $option ) ? ‘checked=”checked”‘ : ”;

$html .= ‘‘;

$html .= ”;

$html .= ‘‘ . esc_html( $option ) . ‘‘;

$html .= ‘‘;

}

$html .= ‘

‘;

return $html;

}

/

* Add some basic styling to the radio buttons.

*/

add_action( ‘wp_head’, ‘add_variation_radio_styles’ );

function add_variation_radio_styles() {

?>

.variation-radios label {

display: inline-block;

margin-right: 10px;

padding: 5px 10px;

border: 1px solid #ccc;

border-radius: 5px;

cursor: pointer;

}

.variation-radios label:hover {

background-color: #f0f0f0;

}

.variation-radios input[type=”radio”] {

display: none; /* Hide the default radio button */

}

.variation-radios input[type=”radio”]:checked + span {

font-weight: bold;

}

.variation-radios input[type=”radio”]:checked + span {

border-bottom: 2px solid #000;

}

<?php

}

3. Save Changes and Test:

Save the `functions.php` file and then visit a product page with variations on your WooCommerce store. You should now see radio buttons instead of dropdowns.

4. Customize the Styling (Optional):

The provided code includes basic CSS styling. You can customize the appearance of the radio buttons by modifying the CSS within the `add_variation_radio_styles()` function. This allows you to match the look and feel of your website. Use your browser’s developer tools (Inspect Element) to experiment with different CSS properties and values.

Method 2: Using a Plugin (For Non-Developers)

For users without coding experience, using a plugin is the simplest and most efficient way to implement radio buttons. Several excellent plugins are available, both free and premium.

#### Steps:

1. Install and Activate a Plugin:

• Navigate to `Plugins > Add New` in your WordPress dashboard.
• Search for a plugin like “WooCommerce Variation Swatches and Photos,” “Variation Swatches for WooCommerce,” or “WooCommerce Variation Master.” Read reviews and check the compatibility of the plugin with your version of WooCommerce and WordPress before installing.
• Install and activate the plugin.

2. Configure the Plugin:

• Most plugins will add a new settings section to your WooCommerce settings or a dedicated menu item.
• Refer to the plugin’s documentation for detailed instructions on how to configure it. Typically, you’ll need to:
• Enable the radio button option for variations.
• Map product attributes to radio buttons.
• Customize the appearance of the radio buttons (e.g., colors, sizes, borders).

3. Test and Verify:

• Visit a product page with variations to ensure the radio buttons are displayed correctly.
• Test the functionality by selecting different variations and adding the product to your cart.