# Show Off Your Products: Displaying Front and Back Images in WooCommerce
Selling products online requires showcasing them effectively. A crucial aspect is displaying both the front and back images of your products in WooCommerce. This helps customers make informed decisions, increasing conversions and reducing returns. This guide provides simple, step-by-step instructions for beginners, using real-life examples and clear explanations.
Why Show Both Front and Back Images?
Imagine buying a t-shirt online. You see a cool graphic on the front, but what about the back? Is there a tag? Is it plain? Showing both front and back images addresses this customer concern. Other examples include:
- Clothing: Showing the back design, collar detail, or fabric texture.
- Bags: Displaying the interior pockets, zippers, or any branding on the back.
- Electronics: Showing ports, connections, or other features on the back.
- Furniture: Highlighting the legs, material, or construction details.
- FooGallery: A robust and flexible gallery plugin.
- NextGEN Gallery: A long-standing and popular choice.
- Envira Gallery: User-friendly with drag-and-drop functionality.
By providing comprehensive visuals, you build trust and transparency with your customers. This reduces the chance of them being surprised by an unexpected detail upon delivery.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce’s Built-in Gallery
The easiest method is using WooCommerce’s built-in image gallery feature. This requires no plugins or coding.
Steps:
1. Add Images during Product Creation: When adding a new product or editing an existing one, navigate to the “Product data” section.
2. Upload Images: Under the “Product images” tab, upload both the front and back images of your product. Ensure they’re high-quality and appropriately sized.
3. Arrange Images: WooCommerce allows you to drag and drop images to arrange their order in the gallery. Put the front image first for maximum impact.
4. Save Changes: Save your changes to reflect the updated images on your product page.
Example: Let’s say you sell mugs. Upload a picture showcasing the design on the front (image 1), and then upload another picture of the mug showing the plain back (image 2). Customers will now see both images in the gallery.
Method 2: Using a Gallery Plugin (Advanced)
If you need more control over your image display or want additional features, consider using a gallery plugin. Many plugins offer lightbox effects, zoom capabilities, and other enhancements. Popular options include:
These plugins usually require installation and configuration according to their specific instructions. Refer to their documentation for detailed steps.
Method 3: Customizing with Code (For Developers)
For complete control, you can customize WooCommerce’s template files. This requires coding knowledge and is not recommended for beginners. This method allows for unique layouts and features beyond the capabilities of plugins.
Here’s a simplified example of adding a specific class to differentiate the front and back images (you’ll need to adapt this to your theme’s structure):
// This is a simplified example and may need adjustments based on your theme
add_filter( 'woocommerce_single_product_image_html', 'add_front_back_class', 10, 2 );
function add_front_back_class( $html, $attachment_id ) {
$attachment = get_post( $attachment_id );
if ( strpos( $attachment->post_title, 'front' ) !== false ) {
$html = str_replace( '<img', '![]()
post_title, 'back' ) !== false ) {
$html = str_replace( '<img', '<img class="back-image"', $html );
}
return $html;
}
This code snippet adds classes `front-image` and `back-image` to the `` tags, allowing for custom CSS styling. Remember to always back up your files before making code changes.
Conclusion
Displaying both front and back images of your products is a simple yet effective way to improve your WooCommerce store. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and needs. By showcasing your products comprehensively, you’ll build customer trust, increase sales, and reduce costly returns. Remember to use high-quality images to make the best impression!
