How to Add a “Save Cart” Feature in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Losing a sale because a customer abandons their cart is frustrating. That’s why offering a “Save Cart” feature in your WooCommerce store is crucial. This lets customers save their items and come back later to complete their purchase, significantly boosting your conversion rates. Think of it like a shopping list – you jot down what you need, come back later when you’re ready to buy.
This guide walks you through adding this essential functionality, even if you’re a complete coding newbie. We’ll explore both plugin and code-based solutions.
Why Offer a “Save Cart” Feature?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand the *why*. Imagine you’re browsing an online store, adding several items to your cart. Then, you get interrupted – a phone call, a family emergency, or simply a need to compare prices elsewhere. Without a “Save Cart” option, you might forget about those items entirely! This leads to:
- Lost sales: Your potential customer moves on, possibly to a competitor.
- Reduced customer satisfaction: The frustrating experience can damage your brand image.
- Wasted marketing efforts: All the work you put into driving traffic to your website goes to waste.
A “Save Cart” feature mitigates all of these risks by providing a convenient and user-friendly experience.
Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Plugin (The Easiest Way)
The simplest and often recommended approach is using a dedicated plugin. Several plugins offer this functionality with minimal setup, saving you time and effort.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Search the WordPress Plugin Directory: Go to your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to “Plugins,” and click “Add New.” Search for “WooCommerce save cart” or similar terms.
2. Choose a Plugin: Select a highly-rated plugin with positive reviews and a good number of active installs. Look for plugins that clearly state they offer cart saving features. Pay attention to the plugin’s documentation before installation – this should specify the features offered and any compatibility issues with your current WooCommerce setup.
3. Install and Activate: Once you’ve chosen a plugin, click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
4. Configure (if necessary): Some plugins might require minimal configuration; others might offer advanced settings to customize the save cart functionality. Follow the plugin’s instructions.
Method 2: Adding the Feature via Code (For the Technically Inclined)
This method requires some familiarity with PHP and WooCommerce’s code structure. Proceed with caution, as incorrect code can damage your website. Always back up your website before making any code changes.
This example provides a basic framework. You’ll likely need to customize it further based on your theme and other plugins. This code adds a simple “Save Cart” button. You will need to add functionality to save and retrieve the cart data using session variables or your database (beyond the scope of this simple example).
// Add a "Save Cart" button to the cart page
add_action( 'woocommerce_after_cart', 'add_save_cart_button' );
function add_save_cart_button() {
echo '';
}
// Add Javascript to handle the button click (This is a placeholder. You’ll need to write the code to actually save the cart data)
add_action( ‘wp_footer’, ‘add_save_cart_javascript’ );
function add_save_cart_javascript() {
?>
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#save-cart-button’).click(function() {
// Your code here to save the cart data
alert(‘Cart saved! (Functionality needs to be implemented)’);
});
});
<?php
}
This is a highly simplified example and is not a fully functional “Save Cart” solution. It only adds the button; the crucial part – saving and retrieving cart data – needs to be implemented. This often involves working with WooCommerce’s API and potentially using session management techniques. Consider researching WooCommerce hooks and actions to integrate this functionality properly.
Conclusion
Adding a “Save Cart” feature to your WooCommerce store is a simple yet powerful way to improve the customer experience and boost your sales. While plugins provide the easiest path, understanding the underlying code can provide deeper customization. Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and comfort level.
