How to Change WooCommerce Emails: A Complete Guide
WooCommerce emails are crucial for customer communication. From order confirmations to password resets, these emails directly impact your brand image and customer experience. A well-designed email system instills trust and keeps customers informed. This guide will show you how to customize your WooCommerce emails, covering everything from simple text edits to advanced coding solutions.
Understanding WooCommerce Email Templates
Before diving into modifications, it’s essential to understand where WooCommerce email templates are located and how they work. WooCommerce uses email templates stored as PHP files. These templates determine the content, styling, and overall look of each email type.
Methods for Changing WooCommerce Emails
There are several ways to modify your WooCommerce emails, each with varying levels of complexity:
#### 1. Using the WooCommerce Email Settings (Easiest Method)
This method is ideal for simple text changes like adding your company name or updating contact information. You don’t need any coding knowledge.
- Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails in your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Select the email type you want to change (e.g., “New Order,” “Customer Invoice”).
- Modify the subject line and email body text directly in the provided fields.
- Click the “Save changes” button. WooCommerce will automatically update the email template.
- Modify the design: Change fonts, colors, and add images.
- Add custom fields: Include extra information in your emails, such as order tracking numbers or promotional codes.
- Create custom email templates: Design entirely new email templates from scratch.
- Access your WooCommerce email templates. Their location depends on your theme and the presence of plugins, but they usually reside within your `wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/emails/` directory.
- Locate the specific email template you want to modify (e.g., `customer-on-hold-order.php`).
- Edit the file using a code editor. This involves working with HTML and potentially PHP code to change the email’s content, styling (using CSS), and layout.
- Example of a simple text change in a PHP template:
Note: This method is limited in its customization. You cannot drastically alter the email’s layout or add complex elements.
#### 2. Using a WooCommerce Email Plugin (Intermediate Method)
Many plugins offer more advanced email customization options. These plugins provide a user-friendly interface, enabling you to:
Popular plugins include WooCommerce Email Customizer and YITH WooCommerce Email Templates. Research different plugins to find the one that best suits your needs.
#### 3. Editing the Email Templates Directly (Advanced Method)
For maximum control, you can edit the email templates directly. This requires PHP coding knowledge and a basic understanding of WordPress file structure. Always back up your files before making any changes.
<?php
/
* Customer on-hold order email
*/
// … other code …
// Change the email subject line
$subject = sprintf( __( ‘Your %s order is on hold’, ‘woocommerce’ ), $order->get_order_number() );
// … more code …
- After saving the changes, test your email to ensure it renders correctly.
Important: If you update WooCommerce or your theme, these direct file edits might be overwritten. Consider using a child theme or a plugin to avoid data loss.
Conclusion
Changing WooCommerce emails is essential for maintaining a professional brand image and enhancing the customer experience. Choosing the right method depends on your technical skills and the level of customization needed. Whether you use the built-in settings, a plugin, or directly edit the template files, remember to always back up your files and test your changes thoroughly before deploying them to your live website. This ensures a smooth and efficient email communication system for your WooCommerce store.
