# How to Change the Out of Stock Message in WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform, but its default out-of-stock message might not always align with your brand’s voice or marketing strategy. A poorly worded message can frustrate customers and impact sales. This article will guide you through several ways to effectively change the WooCommerce out-of-stock message, improving the customer experience and potentially boosting conversions.
Understanding the Default Out-of-Stock Message
Before diving into customization, it’s helpful to understand where WooCommerce displays the out-of-stock message. You’ll typically see it on:
- Product Pages: When a customer views a product that’s out of stock.
- Shop Pages: On product listings within the main shop view.
- Cart Pages: If a customer attempts to add an out-of-stock item to their cart.
- Customizing messages for different product types.
- Adding back-in-stock notifications.
- Showing alternative products.
The default message is usually quite simple, often just stating “Out of stock.” While functional, it lacks the finesse you might desire.
Methods to Change the Out-of-Stock Message
There are several ways to alter this message, ranging from simple plugin options to custom code. We’ll explore the most common and effective approaches.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce Settings (Simplest Approach)
The easiest way to modify the out-of-stock message is through WooCommerce’s built-in settings, if your theme supports it. While not all themes allow this, it’s worth checking:
1. Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory.
2. Locate the Out of stock text field.
3. Enter your desired out-of-stock message. This change will affect the message displayed on product pages.
Note: This method is theme-dependent. If the option isn’t available, proceed to the next methods.
Method 2: Using a WooCommerce Plugin (Easiest for Non-Coders)
Several plugins provide enhanced control over WooCommerce’s messages, including the out-of-stock message. These plugins often offer features beyond simple text changes, such as:
Search the WordPress plugin directory for plugins like “WooCommerce Out of Stock Message” or similar terms. Choose a reputable plugin with positive reviews before installing it.
Method 3: Customizing with Child Theme (For Coders or Developers)
For more advanced customization, you can modify the out-of-stock message directly within your theme’s functions.php file (or, better yet, within a child theme to avoid losing changes during updates). This method provides the most control but requires coding knowledge.
Here’s an example using a `php` code snippet:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_availability', 'custom_woocommerce_get_availability', 10, 2 );
function custom_woocommerce_get_availability( $availability, $product ) {
if ( ! $product->is_in_stock() ) {
$availability['availability'] = __( 'Currently unavailable. Check back soon!', 'your-text-domain' );
}
return $availability;
}
Remember to replace `’Currently unavailable. Check back soon!’` with your desired message and `’your-text-domain’` with your theme’s text domain.
Conclusion
Changing the WooCommerce out-of-stock message is crucial for optimizing the customer experience and maintaining a professional brand image. Whether you choose the simple built-in settings, a user-friendly plugin, or custom code, the key is to select a method that aligns with your technical skills and desired level of customization. A well-crafted out-of-stock message can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive one, encouraging customers to return and purchase later. Remember to always test your changes thoroughly after implementation.
