How to Add a “Shipped” Order Status in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
WooCommerce, while powerful, doesn’t include a dedicated “Shipped” order status out-of-the-box. This can be confusing for both you and your customers. This guide will show you how to easily add this crucial status, improving your workflow and customer satisfaction. Think of it like adding a clear “On its Way!” sign to your shipping process.
Why You Need a “Shipped” Order Status
Imagine you’ve just shipped an order. Currently, you might be forced to use “Processing” or “Completed,” which are inaccurate and don’t reflect the reality of the situation. A dedicated “Shipped” status offers several advantages:
- Improved Order Management: Easily identify which orders are shipped and which are still awaiting fulfillment.
- Clearer Customer Communication: Automatically send a “Shipped” notification to your customers, managing expectations and reducing inquiries.
- Better Reporting: Track your shipping performance and identify potential bottlenecks more effectively.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Provides a seamless and transparent shipping experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
- Step 1: Identify an appropriate status: You could use the “Completed” status, but “Processing” is generally better suited. This way, you can maintain a clear distinction between orders being prepared and those already shipped.
- Step 2: Change the status label: Go to WooCommerce > Status > Order Statuses. Find the “Processing” status (or whichever you chose) and edit the label to “Shipped.” This is simply a cosmetic change, Learn more about How To Import Etsy Csv To Woocommerce but greatly improves clarity.
- Step 3: (Optional) Customize the email notification: WooCommerce sends emails for each order status. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails and customize the “Processing” email (or whichever you renamed) to reflect that the order has shipped. Include the tracking number if applicable. For example, your email might say, “Your order (#[Order Number]) has shipped! Tracking number: [Tracking Number].”
- Step 1: Create the new order status (Using a Plugin): Many plugins can help you manage order statuses. Search for “WooCommerce custom order status” in the WordPress plugin directory. These plugins typically provide a user-friendly interface to add, edit, and manage custom statuses.
- Step 2: (If using code): Add code to your `functions.php` file or a custom plugin Read more about How To Export All Orders From Woocommerce to register the new status. This involves using WordPress’s `register_post_status()` function with appropriate parameters to define the status’s label, slug, and behavior. This is advanced and requires coding skills.
- Step 3: (For both methods): Customize the email notification to reflect the new “Shipped” status.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce’s Built-in Functionality (Simplest Method)
While WooCommerce doesn’t have a pre-built “Shipped” status, you can repurpose an existing one. This is the easiest method, requiring no coding.
Method 2: Adding a Custom Order Status (More Control)
For more granular control, you can add a completely new “Shipped” order status. This requires a bit more technical know-how. However, if you are not comfortable with this approach consider reaching out to a WooCommerce expert for assistance.
*Caution:* Incorrectly editing core WooCommerce files can break your website. Always back up your site before making any code changes.
This method typically involves a plugin or code modification. Let’s outline the general steps involved, focusing on the concept.
Real-life Example
Imagine you run an online bookstore. Using only “Processing” and “Completed,” a customer might feel anxious, unsure of when their books will arrive. By adding a “Shipped” status and sending a notification with the tracking number, you instantly build trust and improve their experience.
Conclusion
Adding a “Shipped” order status in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful improvement. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills – the Read more about How To Import Attributes List From Csv File Woocommerce simple label change or a custom status for enhanced control. Either way, it’s a worthwhile investment in improving your order management and customer communication. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes.
