# How to Add Shipping Tracking in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Adding shipping tracking to your WooCommerce store is crucial for customer satisfaction and building trust. Imagine ordering something online and never knowing where your package is – frustrating, right? By integrating tracking, you provide your customers with peace of mind and transparency, leading to happier customers and potentially fewer support tickets. This guide will walk you through the process, even if you’re a complete newbie to coding.
Why is Shipping Tracking Important?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand *why* shipping tracking is so vital for your WooCommerce store:
- Increased Customer Confidence: Customers feel secure knowing they can monitor their order’s journey.
- Reduced Customer Inquiries: Proactive tracking reduces the number of emails and calls asking about order status.
- Improved Brand Reputation: Excellent shipping experiences contribute to a positive brand image.
- Faster Dispute Resolution: If problems arise, tracking information provides valuable evidence.
- Automatic Tracking Number Integration: The plugin should automatically fetch tracking information from your shipping carrier.
- Customizable Emails: The ability to personalize tracking emails with your branding.
- Multiple Carrier Support: Support for various shipping carriers (e.g., USPS, FedEx, UPS).
- Good Reviews and Ratings: Check plugin reviews on WordPress.org to ensure reliability.
- WooCommerce Shipment Tracking: A feature-rich and well-regarded plugin.
- EasyPost: Integrates with various carriers and offers advanced shipping features.
Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Shipping Plugin
The easiest way to add shipping tracking is by using a WooCommerce shipping plugin. Many plugins offer this functionality, often with additional features like automated email notifications. This method is ideal for beginners, as it requires minimal coding.
Choosing a Plugin
Look for plugins with features like:
Popular options include:
Installing and Configuring Explore this article on How To Remove What Is Paypal From Woocommerce Checkout a Plugin
1. Navigate to Plugins: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for your chosen plugin: Enter the plugin name (e.g., “WooCommerce Shipment Tracking”) and click “Install Now”.
3. Activate the plugin: Once installed, click “Activate”.
4. Configure the plugin: Follow the plugin’s instructions to configure settings, such as connecting to your shipping carriers and customizing email templates. This usually involves entering your API keys or credentials for each carrier.
Method 2: Adding Tracking Manually (For Advanced Users)
This method involves manually adding tracking numbers to orders. It’s less efficient than using a plugin, but it can be useful if you’re working with a very specific setup or have a limited number of orders.
The Process
1. Obtain Tracking Numbers: After shipping an order, obtain the tracking number from your carrier.
2. Access the WooCommerce Order: Go to WooCommerce > Orders and find the relevant order.
3. Add the Tracking Number: There’s usually a field in the order details to enter the tracking number.
4. Update the Order Status: Change the order status to “Shipped” or “Completed.”
5. (Optional) Send a Tracking Email: You can manually send an email to the customer containing the tracking link.
This method is time-consuming and prone to errors for larger stores.
Method 3: Custom Code (For Developers)
For developers comfortable with PHP, you can directly add tracking functionality to your WooCommerce site by modifying the core code or creating custom functions. This is the most flexible but also the most complex approach.
Example (Conceptual – Requires adaptation to your specific needs and theme):
//Add a custom field to the order add_action( 'woocommerce_admin_order_data_after_shipping_address', 'add_custom_tracking_field' ); function add_custom_tracking_field( $order ){ // your code here to add tracking field }
//Save the tracking number
add_action( ‘woocommerce_process_shop_order_meta’, ‘save_custom_tracking_data’ );
function save_custom_tracking_data( $order_id ){
// your code to save tracking data to order meta
}
Disclaimer: Modifying core WooCommerce files directly can cause issues if not done correctly. Always back up your files before making changes. It’s recommended to use a child theme to avoid conflicts.
Conclusion
Adding shipping tracking Check out this post: How To Override Woocommerce Cart.Js to your WooCommerce store is a simple yet powerful way to improve customer experience and build a stronger brand. While plugins offer the easiest and most efficient solution, manual entry or custom coding can be explored depending on your technical capabilities and the scale of your business. Remember to prioritize customer satisfaction by providing clear, accessible, and timely tracking information.
