How To Use Woocommerce Variations To Table Grid

How to Use WooCommerce Variations in a Table Grid for Enhanced User Experience

Introduction:

WooCommerce variations are a powerful feature, allowing you to offer different options for a single product, such as size, color, or material. However, the default dropdown display for these variations can be cumbersome, especially when dealing with a large number of variations. Displaying variations in a table grid format offers a cleaner, more organized, and user-friendly alternative. This approach allows customers to quickly scan all available options and select the desired combination with ease, ultimately improving the shopping experience and potentially boosting conversions. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of implementing a WooCommerce variations table grid, covering different approaches and considerations.

Why Use a WooCommerce Variations Table Grid?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore Check out this post: How To Add App To Whitelist Woocommerce the benefits of using a table grid:

• Improved Visibility: All variations are visible at a glance, eliminating the need to click through multiple dropdowns.
• Enhanced User Experience: Easier and faster selection process, leading to a smoother shopping experience.
• Better Organization: Presents variations in a structured and organized manner, reducing confusion.
• Increased Conversions: Easier navigation and selection can encourage more purchases.
• Mobile-Friendly: Well-designed table grids can adapt to smaller screens for a seamless mobile experience.

Implementing a WooCommerce Variations Table Grid

There are several methods to implement a variations table grid in WooCommerce. We’ll cover two primary approaches: using a plugin and custom code.

Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Variations Table Grid Plugin

This is the easiest and most recommended approach, especially for those without coding experience. Numerous plugins available offer pre-built functionality for displaying variations in a table grid format. Here’s a general process, though specific plugin instructions may vary:

1. Research and Choose a Plugin: Look for plugins that offer the features you need, such as customizable columns, AJAX loading, and mobile responsiveness. Some popular options include:

• WooCommerce Product Table by Barn2Media: A robust and feature-rich plugin.
• WooCommerce Variations Table by ThemeHigh: A straightforward and easy-to-use option.
• WooCommerce Variation Swatches and Photos by RadiusTheme: Not strictly a table, but offers visual representation.

2. Install and Activate the Plugin: Install the chosen plugin through the WordPress admin panel and activate it.

3. Configure Plugin Settings: Most plugins will have a settings page where you can customize the table grid appearance and behavior. Common settings include:

• Which product categories or products to apply the table grid to.
• Which variation attributes to display as columns.
• Display options like stock availability, price, and add-to-cart button.
• Styling options for colors, fonts, and borders.

4. Test and Refine: After configuring the plugin, preview your product pages to ensure the table grid displays correctly and meets your requirements. Adjust the settings as needed.

Method 2: Using Custom Code (Advanced)

For developers or those comfortable with coding, a custom code solution offers greater flexibility but requires more effort. This involves using PHP and potentially JavaScript to create the table grid.

Here’s a basic outline of the steps involved:

1. Understand WooCommerce Hooks and Filters: Familiarize yourself with WooCommerce hooks and filters, particularly those related to product variations. `woocommerce_before_single_product_summary` and `woocommerce_after_single_product` are often useful.

2. Create a Custom Function: Develop a function that retrieves the variations for a product and structures them into a table format.

 <?php /** 
Function to display variations in a table grid.
 
* @param int $product_id The ID of the product.
 */ function display_variation_table_grid( $product_id ) { $product = wc_get_product( $product_id ); 

if ( ! $product->is_type( ‘variable’ ) ) {

return; // Exit if the product is not variable.

}

$variations = $product->get_available_variations();

if ( empty( $variations ) ) {

echo ‘

No variations available.

‘;

return;

}

echo ‘

‘;

echo ‘

‘;

// Get attributes from the first variation

$first_variation = reset( $variations );

foreach ( $first_variation[‘attributes’] as $attribute_name => $attribute_value ) {

echo ‘

‘;

}

echo ‘

‘; // Optional

echo ‘

‘; // Optional

echo ‘

‘;

echo ‘

‘;

foreach ( $variations as $variation ) {

$variation_obj = wc_get_product( $variation[‘variation_id’] );

echo ‘

‘;

foreach ( $variation[‘attributes’] as $attribute_name => $attribute_value ) {

echo ‘

‘;

}

echo ‘

‘; // Optional

echo ‘

‘; // Optional

echo ‘

‘;

}

echo ‘

‘;

echo ‘

‘ . wc_attribute_label( str_replace( ‘attribute_’, ”, $attribute_name ) ) . ‘	Price	Actions
‘ . wc_get_product_terms( $variation[‘variation_id’], Explore this article on How To Convert Woocommerce To Mobile App $attribute_name, array( ‘fields’ => ‘names’ ) )[0] . ‘	‘ . wc_price( $variation_obj->get_price() ) . ‘	get_permalink() . ‘” class=”button”>View

‘;

}

// Example usage (add this to your theme’s functions.php or a custom plugin):

add_action( ‘woocommerce_after_single_product_summary’, ‘display_variation_table_grid’, 5 ); // Adjust priority as needed

?>

3. Style the Table Grid: Use CSS to style Read more about How To Change Woocommerce Themes In WordPress the table grid to match your website’s design. You can add your CSS to your theme’s `style.css` file or use a custom CSS plugin.

4. Add JavaScript for Enhanced Functionality (Optional): You can add JavaScript to enhance the table grid, such as AJAX loading, filtering, or sorting.

5. Test Thoroughly: Test the table grid on different browsers and devices to ensure it works correctly and looks good.

Important Considerations for Custom Code:

• Maintenance: Custom code requires ongoing maintenance and updates.
• Complexity: Coding a robust table grid can be complex, especially with advanced features.
• Compatibility: Ensure your code is compatible with future WooCommerce updates.
• Security: Validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent security vulnerabilities.

Custom Code Example (Shortened, Simple Version)

This is a basic example. A production version will need more robust error handling, styling, and attribute handling. It’s meant to illustrate the core concept.

 add_action( 'woocommerce_after_single_product_summary', 'my_variation_table', 5 ); 

function my_variation_table() {

global $product;

if ( ! $product->is_type( ‘variable’ ) ) return;

$variations = $product->get_available_variations();

if ( empty( Check out this post: How To Add Multiple Extra Fee In Woocommerce Product Page $variations ) ) return;

echo ‘

‘;

foreach ($variations as $variation) {

$color = $variation[‘attributes’][‘attribute_pa_color’]; // Replace ‘attribute_pa_color’ with your actual attribute slug

$size = $variation[‘attributes’][‘attribute_pa_size’]; // Replace ‘attribute_pa_size’ with your actual attribute slug

$price = wc_price($variation[‘display_price’]);

echo ‘

‘;

}

echo ‘

Color	Size	Price
‘ . $color . ‘	‘ . $size . ‘	‘ . $price . ‘

‘;

}

This simple example assumes two attributes: `color` and `size`. You’ll need to replace `”attribute_pa_color”` and `”attribute_pa_size”` with the actual slugs of your variation attributes. Also, add CSS to style the table.

Conclusion

Displaying WooCommerce variations in a table grid is a powerful Check out this post: How To Connect Facebook Pixel To Woocommerce way to improve the user experience and potentially increase conversions. While custom code offers more flexibility, using a dedicated plugin is generally the easier and more maintainable approach for most users. Carefully consider the specific features and customization options you need before choosing a solution. By implementing a well-designed variations table grid, you can make it easier for customers to find and purchase the products they’re looking for, ultimately contributing to the success of your online store. Remember to test thoroughly and ensure your table grid is responsive and user-friendly across all devices.