# How to Change Email Templates in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
WooCommerce, while powerful, sometimes sends emails that don’t quite match your brand. Luckily, customizing those emails is easier than you think! This guide will walk you through changing your WooCommerce email templates, from simple text edits to more involved customisations. We’ll focus on clarity and practicality, making this accessible even if you’re new to coding.
Why Change WooCommerce Email Templates?
Your email templates are a crucial part of your brand’s image. Imagine sending out order confirmation emails with a generic, impersonal design. That’s a lost opportunity! Customizing your templates allows you to:
- Strengthen your brand identity: Match your emails to your website’s design and tone, reinforcing brand consistency.
- Improve customer experience: Clear, well-designed emails make your customers feel valued and appreciated.
- Boost sales: Strategic email design can subtly nudge customers towards repeat purchases or upselling opportunities.
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For example, a bakery might use a template with warm colors and images of delicious pastries, while a tech company would opt for a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. The right template reflects your brand personality and speaks directly to your target audience.
Method 1: The Easy Way – Using a Plugin
The simplest approach is often the best. Numerous plugins allow you to edit WooCommerce email templates without touching a single line of code.
Here’s how to use one such plugin (the exact steps may vary slightly depending on the specific plugin you choose):
1. Install a plugin: Search for “WooCommerce email templates” in your WordPress plugin directory. Popular options include WooCommerce Email Customizer or Email Customizer. Install and activate your chosen plugin.
2. Customize your template: Most plugins provide a visual editor, allowing you to modify your email’s content using a drag-and-drop interface. You can change text, add images, adjust colors, and more, all within a user-friendly environment.
3. Save and test: Once satisfied, save your changes. Always test your new template by placing a test order to ensure everything renders correctly.
This method is ideal for beginners who prefer a no-code solution. It’s fast, efficient, and minimizes the risk of breaking anything.
Method 2: The Advanced Way – Customizing the Template Files (For Developers)
For more complex changes, or if you need absolute control, you’ll need to edit the template files directly. This method requires a Learn more about How To Pull Product Specific Data From Woocommerce basic understanding of PHP and HTML.
Disclaimer: Always back up your files before making any changes. A simple mistake can break your email functionality.
Steps Involved:
1. Locate the template files: These are typically located in the `/wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/emails/` directory.
2. Copy the file: Instead of editing the original file directly (which can be overwritten by updates), create a copy of the template file you want to modify. Place this copy in your theme’s `/woocommerce/emails/` directory. Explore this article on How To Create Custom Product Page In Woocommerce If this directory doesn’t exist, create it.
3. Edit the copied file: You’ll now be working with the copied file. This allows for customized emails even when updating WooCommerce. Here’s a simplified example demonstrating how to change the subject line:
<?php
/
* @hooked WC_Emails::email_header – 10
* @hooked WC_Emails::order_details – 20
* @hooked WC_Emails::customer_details – 30
* @hooked WC_Emails::email_footer – 40
*/
add_action( ‘woocommerce_email_order_details’, ‘my_custom_order_details’, 10, 3 );
function my_custom_order_details( $order, $sent_to_admin, $plain_text ) {
echo ‘
Your custom order details header
‘;
wc_get_template( ’emails/email-order-details.php’, array( ‘order’ => $order, ‘sent_to_admin’ => $sent_to_admin, ‘plain_text’ => $plain_text), ‘woocommerce’, WC()->plugin_path() . ‘/templates/emails/’ );
}
This example uses actions and filters to make changes. More involved changes might require altering the HTML directly within the `.php` template file.
4. Upload and test: After making your changes, upload the modified file to your theme’s directory. Test thoroughly to ensure everything works as expected.
This method offers the greatest flexibility but requires more technical expertise.
Conclusion
Changing your WooCommerce email templates is a fantastic way to enhance your brand and customer experience. Whether you choose the easy plugin route or tackle the more complex file editing method, the improved professionalism will be well worth the effort. Remember to always back up your files and test your changes thoroughly!