How to Change Currency Symbol in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve built your awesome online store with WooCommerce, but the currency symbol isn’t quite right? Maybe you’re selling locally and need to display your national currency, or perhaps you’re targeting a specific international market. Don’t worry! Changing the currency symbol in WooCommerce is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through it, step-by-step, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Think of it like this: imagine you’re opening a physical shop. You wouldn’t display prices in Euros if you’re in the US, right? The same principle applies online. Using the correct currency symbol builds trust with your customers and avoids confusion, leading to more sales.
Why Change Your Currency Symbol?
There are several reasons why you might need to change the currency symbol in your WooCommerce store:
- Targeting a Specific Market: You might be selling to customers in a country where the default currency isn’t the local one.
- Using a Non-Standard Currency: Some currencies might not be included in the default WooCommerce settings.
- Personal Preference: You might simply prefer a different symbol or formatting style. For example, you might prefer “USD” instead of “$”.
- Avoiding Confusion: Displaying the wrong currency can lead to abandoned carts and frustrated customers. Imagine a customer thinking a product costs $10 but is actually €10 – a significant difference!
Changing the Currency Symbol Through WooCommerce Settings
This is the simplest and often the best way to change your currency symbol.
1. Log in Learn more about How To Add Banner In Product Woocommerce to your WordPress Dashboard: This is the backend of your website, where you manage everything.
2. Navigate to WooCommerce Settings: In the left-hand menu, find “WooCommerce” and click on “Settings.”
3. Go to the “General” Tab: This tab contains the basic settings for your store.
4. Find the “Currency” Section: Scroll down until you see a section labeled “Currency options.”
5. Select Your Currency: Use the “Currency” dropdown menu to choose your desired currency. This will automatically update the currency symbol.
6. Customize the Discover insights on 2019 How To Print Woocommerce Shipping Labels Currency Position: The “Currency position” dropdown lets you choose where the symbol appears (e.g., left, right, left with space, right with space). For example, in the US, you’d likely want “Left ($99.99),” while in some European countries, “Right 99.99 €” might be preferred.
7. Adjust Decimal and Thousand Separators: The “Thousand separator” and “Decimal separator” options let you customize how numbers are displayed (e.g., 1,000.00 vs. 1.000,00). These settings vary by region.
8. Number of Decimals: Specify the number of decimal places to display in your prices.
9. Save Changes: Click the “Save changes” button at the bottom of the page.
Example: Let’s say you’re selling handmade crafts to customers in Canada. You would select “Canadian Dollar” from the “Currency” dropdown menu. You might then choose “Left ($99.99)” for the currency position to match common Canadian pricing conventions.
Changing the Currency Symbol Using Code (Advanced)
If the currency you need isn’t listed in the WooCommerce settings, or you want more control over the symbol, you can use code. This method requires some basic knowledge of PHP and WordPress theme customization. Always back up your site before making code changes!
1. Access Your Theme’s `functions.php` File: You can access this file through the WordPress theme editor (Appearance > Theme Editor) or via FTP. Be very careful when editing this file, as errors can break your site.
2. Add the Following Code Snippet:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_currency_symbol', 'change_existing_currency_symbol', 10, 2 );
function change_existing_currency_symbol( $currency_symbol, $currency ) {
switch ( $currency ) {
case ‘USD’: $currency_symbol = ‘US$ ‘; break;
case ‘EUR’: $currency_symbol = ‘€ ‘; break; // space after symbol
case ‘GBP’: $currency_symbol = ‘£ ‘; break;
case ‘CAD’: $currency_symbol = ‘CA$ ‘; break;
}
return $currency_symbol;
}
3. Customize the Code:
- `case ‘USD’:`: Replace ‘USD’ with the three-letter currency code you want to modify. You can find a list of currency codes online.
- `$currency_symbol = ‘US$ ‘;`: Replace ‘US$ ‘ with your desired currency symbol. The space after the symbol is optional and can be adjusted based on your preference.
- Add More Cases: You can add more `case` statements to modify multiple currency symbols.
4. Save Changes: Click the “Update File” button.
Example: Let’s say you want to display the US Dollar with “US$” instead of “$”. You would use the code above, ensuring that `case ‘USD’:` is present and `$currency_symbol = ‘US$ ‘;` reflects your desired symbol.
Important Considerations When Using Code:
- Child Theme: It’s highly recommended to use a child theme when making code changes. This prevents your modifications from being overwritten when the parent theme is updated.
- Backup: Always back up your website before making any code changes.
- Error Handling: If you encounter errors, revert your changes immediately.
- WooCommerce Updates: Keep your WooCommerce plugin and theme updated to ensure compatibility.
Using a Plugin
If you’re not comfortable editing code, there are several WooCommerce plugins available that can help you change currency symbols. Search the WordPress plugin repository for “WooCommerce currency switcher” or “WooCommerce currency symbol.” Popular options include:
- WooCommerce Currency Switcher: A powerful plugin that allows customers to switch between different currencies.
- Currency Switcher for WooCommerce: Another popular option with similar features.
Benefits of Using a Plugin:
- Easy to Use: Plugins typically have user-friendly interfaces.
- No Coding Required: You can make changes without writing any code.
- Additional Features: Many currency switcher plugins offer additional features, such as automatic currency conversion based on location.
Downsides of Using a Plugin:
- Potential Conflicts: Plugins can sometimes conflict with other plugins or themes.
- Performance Impact: Some plugins can slow down your website.
- Cost: Some plugins are paid, while others are free.
Conclusion
Changing the currency symbol in WooCommerce is a simple but important step in creating a professional and user-friendly online store. Whether you choose to use the built-in settings, code, or a plugin, make sure your currency symbol accurately reflects the currency you’re using and that it’s easy for your customers to understand. This will contribute to a smoother shopping experience and ultimately, boost your sales! Good luck!
