How to Display Star Ratings in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Want to boost your WooCommerce store’s conversions and build trust with customers? Displaying star ratings is a crucial step. Star ratings provide a quick, visual representation of product quality, influencing purchasing decisions significantly. This guide shows you how to add this essential feature, even if you’re a complete coding newbie.
Why Use Star Ratings?
Imagine browsing an online store. You see two similar products, but one has a 4.8-star rating and the other has no rating at all. Which one are you more likely to buy? The one with the rating, right? That’s the power of visual reviews. Star ratings provide social proof, showing potential customers that other buyers have had a positive experience. This leads to:
- Increased customer trust and confidence
- Higher click-through rates on your product pages
- Improved conversion rates (more sales!)
- Better search engine optimization (SEO)
- WooCommerce Customer Reviews: Often bundled with WooCommerce, this plugin provides a basic but functional star rating system.
- WP Customer Reviews: A versatile plugin offering various customization options.
- Yotpo: A powerful, comprehensive solution for reviews and loyalty programs (often a paid option).
Methods for Displaying Star Ratings in WooCommerce
There are several ways to add star ratings to your WooCommerce products:
#### 1. Using a WooCommerce Plugin (Easiest Method)
The easiest and most recommended way is to use a dedicated plugin. Many excellent free and premium options are available. These plugins typically handle everything for you, from collecting ratings to displaying them beautifully on your product pages. Some popular choices include:
How to use a plugin:
1. Install the plugin: Go to your WordPress dashboard > Plugins > Add New. Search for the plugin and click “Install Now” then “Activate.”
2. Configure the plugin: Most plugins have settings pages where you can customize the appearance and functionality of the star ratings. Follow the plugin’s specific instructions. This often involves configuring where the ratings appear, what rating scale to use (1-5 stars is standard), and any other stylistic choices.
#### 2. Using a Custom Code Snippet (For Advanced Users)
This method requires some coding knowledge. It’s not recommended for beginners, as incorrectly implemented code could break your website. However, if you’re comfortable with PHP, you can add star ratings using a custom function. This method offers more control over placement and design.
Example (This is a simplified example and may require adjustments depending on your theme):
add_filter( 'woocommerce_template_single_rating', 'show_my_custom_rating' );
function show_my_custom_rating( $rating_html ) {
// Get the average rating
$average_rating = $this->get_average_rating();
// Create the star rating HTML
$rating_html = ‘
‘;
return $rating_html;
}
Remember: This is a basic example. You’ll likely need to add CSS to style the stars properly and adapt it to your theme’s structure. Always back up your website before adding custom code.
Choosing the Right Method
For most users, using a WooCommerce plugin is the best option. It’s easy, reliable, and requires no coding skills. Custom code offers greater control but demands technical expertise and carries a higher risk of errors. Choose the method that best suits your technical capabilities and comfort level. Remember to always test thoroughly after implementing any changes. By adding star ratings to your WooCommerce store, you’re significantly improving your chances of success.
