Woocommerce How To Include Tracking Number With Receipt

WooCommerce: How to Include Tracking Numbers with Receipts (Boost Customer Satisfaction)

Introduction:

In the world of e-commerce, providing a seamless and transparent customer experience is paramount. One crucial aspect of this experience is order tracking. Customers want to know where their packages are and when they can expect delivery. Integrating tracking information directly into WooCommerce order receipts significantly improves customer satisfaction, reduces support inquiries, and enhances your brand’s credibility. This article will guide you through the process of integrating tracking numbers into your WooCommerce order receipts, providing different methods to choose from based on your technical expertise and specific needs. We’ll cover everything from simple plugin solutions to more advanced code-based approaches.

Main Part: Integrating Tracking Numbers with Receipts

Several methods can be used to include tracking numbers with WooCommerce receipts:

1. Using WooCommerce Shipping Plugins (Simplest Approach)

The easiest way to add tracking numbers to order receipts is by using a dedicated WooCommerce shipping plugin that offers this functionality. Many popular shipping plugins, like WooCommerce Shipping & Tracking, AfterShip, and ShipStation, automatically integrate tracking information into various customer-facing communications, including order receipts.

• Benefits:
• Simple to set up and use.
• Automates the process of adding tracking numbers.
• Offers additional features like tracking updates, branded tracking pages, and shipping label printing.
• Requires no coding knowledge.
• Example (WooCommerce Shipping & Tracking):

This plugin often allows you to directly enter tracking information when fulfilling an order. It then automatically includes this information in the order completion email and the order details page on the customer’s “My Account” section, which can be considered a digital receipt. Check the plugin’s settings to ensure tracking information is being displayed in order emails and account pages.

2. Using a Dedicated Tracking Number Plugin

If you’re already happy with your existing shipping setup and simply need a solution for adding tracking numbers to orders and receipts, a dedicated tracking number plugin is a good choice. These plugins typically provide a custom field where you can manually enter the tracking number when fulfilling an order. They then handle the integration with order emails and the “My Account” page.

• Benefits:
• Focuses specifically on tracking number management.
• Lightweight and doesn’t add unnecessary bloat.
• Usually very affordable.
• How it works:

1. Install and activate the tracking number plugin of your choice.

2. When fulfilling an order in WooCommerce, enter the tracking number and the carrier name in the provided fields.

3. The plugin automatically includes this information in the order completion email and the order details on the customer’s “My Account” page.

3. Custom Coding (For Advanced Users)

For those comfortable with PHP and WordPress development, a custom coding solution offers the most flexibility. This involves modifying your WooCommerce theme or using a custom plugin to add the tracking number to the order receipt.

• Benefits:
• Fully customizable to meet your specific needs.
• Allows for advanced features like API integration with shipping carriers for real-time tracking updates.
• Gives you complete control over the appearance and placement of the tracking information.
• Example (Adding tracking number to order emails):

First, you’ll need a way to capture and store the tracking number. A plugin or custom code would be needed for this. Then use a filter to modify the order email. This example assumes you’ve added a custom field to the order meta called `_tracking_number`.

/**
Add tracking number to WooCommerce order emails.
* @param WC_Order $order WooCommerce order object.
@param bool $sent_to_admin Whether the email is being sent to the admin.
@param bool $plain_text Whether the email is in plain text format.
*/
add_action( 'woocommerce_email_order_details', 'add_tracking_number_to_email', 10, 3 );

function add_tracking_number_to_email( $order, $sent_to_admin, $plain_text ) {

if ( ! $sent_to_admin ) {

$tracking_number = get_post_meta( $order->get_id(), ‘_tracking_number’, true );

if ( $tracking_number ) {

if ( $plain_text ) {

echo “Tracking Number: ” . $tracking_number . “n”;

} else {

echo ‘

Tracking Number: ‘ . esc_html( $tracking_number ) . ‘

‘;

}

}

}

}

Important: Place this code in your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. Remember to replace `_tracking_number` with the actual meta key you use to store the tracking number. Always test your code thoroughly on a staging environment before implementing it on your live site. You’ll also need to add a similar snippet for the tracking carrier if you wish to include that in the email as well.

4. Manually Adding Tracking Information (Least Scalable)

While not recommended for businesses handling a large volume of orders, you *could* manually include tracking information in order confirmation emails. However, this is highly inefficient and prone to errors.

• Drawbacks:
• Time-consuming and not scalable.
• Increased risk of errors and typos.
• Requires constant monitoring and manual updates.
• Why avoid it:

This method is simply unsustainable as your business grows and is generally not a good practice.

Conclusion:

Adding tracking numbers to your WooCommerce order receipts is a crucial step in providing a positive customer experience. Whether you choose to use a simple shipping plugin, a dedicated tracking number plugin, or a custom coding solution, the key is to make the tracking information easily accessible to your customers. By implementing one of these methods, you’ll not only reduce customer inquiries and improve satisfaction, but you’ll also build trust and loyalty, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of your online store. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and business needs, and start providing your customers with the seamless tracking experience they deserve. Remember to regularly review and update your tracking process to ensure it remains efficient and effective as your business evolves.