How to Add New Order Status in WooCommerce (The Easy Way!)
WooCommerce is fantastic for selling online, but sometimes its default order statuses (like “Processing,” “Completed,” “Cancelled”) just aren’t enough. Maybe you need a status like “Awaiting Parts,” “Shipped
- Awaiting Tracking,” or “Ready for Pickup.” Don’t worry, adding custom order statuses in WooCommerce is easier than you think! This guide will walk you through it step-by-step, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Why Add Custom Order Statuses?
Think of order statuses as a way to keep both you and your customers informed about the progress of their order. Using only the default statuses can be limiting. Here’s why adding custom ones is a smart move:
- Improved Communication: Imagine you sell custom-made furniture. A “Building Frame” status lets customers know exactly where their order is in the manufacturing process. This transparency builds trust and reduces customer inquiries.
- Better Internal Organization: A status like “Awaiting Supplier Confirmation” can help you keep track of orders that are dependent on external factors, making your workflow smoother.
- Automated Workflows: You can use custom statuses to trigger automated actions, like sending an email when an order changes to “Ready for Pickup.” This saves you time and effort.
- Clearer Reporting: Analyzing orders stuck in a specific custom status can highlight bottlenecks in your fulfillment process.
Choosing the Right Method
There are several ways to add custom order statuses:
- Using a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners): This is the simplest and safest method, especially if you’re not comfortable with code. We’ll focus on this method in this guide.
- Adding Code to Your Theme’s `functions.php` File: This requires more technical knowledge and can be risky if not done correctly.
- Creating a Custom Plugin: This is for advanced users who need highly specific functionality.
For this guide, we’ll use a plugin called “Order Status Manager for WooCommerce” because it’s user-friendly and free.
Step-by-Step Guide: Adding a Custom Order Status with a Plugin
1. Install the Plugin:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Order Status Manager for WooCommerce” (by WP Swings).
- Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
2. Access the Order Status Manager:
- Once the plugin is activated, you’ll find a new menu item in your WordPress dashboard called “WooCommerce” > “Order Statuses.” Click on it.
3. Add a New Order Status:
- Click the “Add New” button.
4. Configure Your New Status:
- Status Name: Enter the name you want to display for the status (e.g., “Awaiting Parts”).
- Status Slug: This is a unique identifier for the status. The plugin will usually generate one automatically, but you can customize it (e.g., `wc-awaiting-parts`). It must start with `wc-`.
- Status Label: This is what will be shown to the customer in their order history. For example, “Awaiting Parts” or “Your Order is Awaiting Parts.”
- Order Actions: This is where you can define actions related to the order.
- Status Color: Choose a color to visually represent the status in your WooCommerce admin panel. This makes it easier to quickly identify orders with specific statuses.
- Is Paid: Indicate if the order has been paid for when it reaches this status.
- Include in Reports: Select whether you want orders with this status to be included in your WooCommerce reports. For example, you might *not* want to include “Cancelled” orders.
- Email Notification: Check this box if you want to send email notifications to the customer when the order reaches this status.
Example: Let’s create a “Ready for Pickup” status:
- Status Name: `Ready for Pickup`
- Status Slug: `wc-ready-for-pickup`
- Status Label: `Ready for Pickup`
- Status Color: Green
- Email Notification: Checked
5. Save Your New Status:
- Click the “Save” button.
Using Your New Order Status
Now that you’ve created your custom order status, you can use it when managing orders:
- Go to WooCommerce > Orders.
- Open an order you want to update.
- In the “Order Actions” meta box, you’ll find your new status in the dropdown menu.
- Select the status and click the “Update” button.
Important: If you enabled email notifications, the customer will receive an email informing them of the status change.
Making the Most of Custom Order Statuses
- Plan Ahead: Before creating statuses, think about your entire order fulfillment process and identify the key stages where custom statuses would be beneficial.
- Be Clear and Concise: Use status names that are easy for both you and your customers to understand.
- Automate Where Possible: Explore plugins that allow you to trigger actions (like sending emails or updating inventory) based on order status changes. This can significantly streamline your workflow.
- Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on how your custom statuses are being used and make adjustments as needed. Are customers confused by a particular status? Is one status consistently causing delays?
By adding custom order statuses, you can significantly improve communication, organization, and automation in your WooCommerce store. It’s a simple change that can have a big impact on your business!
