How to Rearrange WooCommerce Checkout Fields: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
The WooCommerce checkout page is a crucial step in the online shopping process. A clunky or confusing checkout experience can lead to cart abandonment and lost sales. One common frustration for store owners is the default order of the checkout fields. Luckily, WooCommerce offers several ways to rearrange these fields to better suit your specific needs and improve the user experience. This article will guide you through the different methods available, allowing you to optimize your checkout process and boost your conversion rates. We’ll cover everything from simple plugin solutions to more advanced code-based approaches, so you can choose the method that best fits your technical skills and requirements.
Rearranging WooCommerce Checkout Fields: Methods and Techniques
There are several ways to rearrange the checkout fields in WooCommerce. We’ll explore the most common and effective methods below:
#### 1. Using a Read more about How To Edit The Woocommerce Cart Page WooCommerce Checkout Field Editor Plugin
This is often the easiest and most user-friendly option, especially for those without coding experience. Several plugins specifically designed to rearrange, add, edit, and remove checkout fields are available. These plugins provide a visual interface, allowing you to drag and drop fields to your desired order.
Benefits of using a plugin:
- User-friendly interface: Most plugins offer a simple drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to rearrange fields.
- No coding required: You don’t need any coding knowledge to use these plugins.
- Additional features: Many plugins offer extra features like adding custom fields, setting Explore this article on How To Set Default On Order Status Woocommerce field requirements, and conditional logic.
- Quick and easy setup: Installation and configuration are usually straightforward.
- Checkout Field Editor (WooCommerce): A free and popular option with basic rearranging functionality.
- WooCommerce Checkout Field Editor (ThemeHigh): Offers advanced features and customization options in its premium version.
- Checkout Field Editor and Manager for WooCommerce (Acowebs): Provides a wide range of customization options, including conditional logic and custom validation rules.
Popular WooCommerce Checkout Field Editor Plugins:
Example: Using Checkout Field Editor (WooCommerce) Plugin
1. Install and activate the “Checkout Field Editor (WooCommerce)” plugin.
2. Go to WooCommerce > Checkout Fields.
3. You’ll see tabs for “Billing,” “Shipping,” and “Additional Fields.”
4. Drag and drop the fields within each tab to rearrange them.
5. Click “Save Changes” to apply your changes.
#### 2. Using Code Snippets (functions.php or a Code Snippet Plugin)
For those comfortable with coding, you can use code snippets in Check out this post: Woocommerce How To Not Show Price Amount your theme’s `functions.php` file or a code snippet plugin to rearrange the checkout fields. This method provides greater flexibility and control over the process but requires some understanding of PHP and WooCommerce hooks. Remember to always back up your website before making changes to the `functions.php` file!
How to use code snippets:
1. Locate your theme’s `functions.php` file: This file is usually located in `/wp-content/themes/your-theme-name/functions.php`.
2. Add the code snippet: Use a code editor to add the following code to your `functions.php` file.
3. Alternatively, use a code snippet plugin: Plugins like “Code Snippets” allow you to add and manage code snippets without directly modifying your theme files. This is a safer and more organized approach.
Example Code Snippet:
/**
// Billing Fields
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_country’][‘priority’] = 5;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_first_name’][‘priority’] = 10;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_last_name’][‘priority’] = 20;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_company’][‘priority’] = 30;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_address_1’][‘priority’] = 40;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_address_2’][‘priority’] = 50;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_city’][‘priority’] = 60;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_postcode’][‘priority’] = 70;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_email’][‘priority’] = 80;
$fields[‘billing’][‘billing_phone’][‘priority’] = 90;
// Shipping Fields (optional – if you want to rearrange shipping fields too)
// $fields[‘shipping’][‘shipping_country’][‘priority’] = 5;
// $fields[‘shipping’][‘shipping_first_name’][‘priority’] = 10;
// … etc …
return $fields;
}
add_filter( ‘woocommerce_checkout_fields’, ‘wc_rearrange_checkout_fields’ );
Explanation:
- The `woocommerce_checkout_fields` filter allows you to modify the checkout fields.
- The `$fields` array contains all the checkout fields, organized into “billing,” “shipping,” and “account” sections.
- The `priority` key determines the order in which the fields are displayed. Lower numbers appear higher on the page.
How to rearrange using this code:
1. Identify the field keys: Examine the `$fields` array to find the correct keys for the fields you want to rearrange (e.g., `billing_first_name`, `shipping_address_1`).
2. Assign new priorities: Change the `priority` values for each field to achieve the desired order. For example, to move the “billing_email” field to the top, set its priority to a low number like 1.
#### 3. Using a Child Theme (Recommended for Code Snippets)
If you’re using code snippets, it’s strongly recommended to use a child theme. This prevents your customizations from being overwritten when your parent theme is updated.
Steps to create and use a child theme:
1. Create a child theme folder: In your `wp-content/themes/` directory, create a new folder for your child theme (e.g., `your-theme-name-child`).
2. Create a `style.css` file: Inside your child theme folder, create a file named `style.css` and add the following code:
/*
Theme Name: Your Theme Name Child
Theme URI: http://example.com/your-theme-child/
Description: Your Theme Name Child Theme
Author: Your Name
Author URI: http://example.com
Template: your-theme-name
Version: 1.0.0
*/
@import url(“../your-theme-name/style.css”);
Replace “Your Theme Name,” “http://example.com/your-theme-child/,” “Your Name,” “http://example.com,” and “your-theme-name” with your actual theme information.
3. Create a `functions.php` file (if it doesn’t exist): Create a `functions.php` file in your child theme folder and add the code snippet for rearranging checkout fields to this file.
4. Activate your child theme: In your WordPress admin area, go to Appearance > Themes and activate your child theme.
Conclusion
Rearranging WooCommerce checkout fields is a simple yet effective way to improve the user experience and potentially increase conversion rates. Whether you choose to use a plugin for ease of use or code snippets for greater flexibility, understanding the different methods available allows you to create a checkout process that is tailored to your specific needs. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes, especially when editing the `functions.php` file. By optimizing your checkout page, you can create a smoother and more enjoyable shopping experience for your customers, ultimately leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction. Choose the approach that best fits your technical abilities and your store’s requirements.
