Wp Woocommerce How To Limit Login Registrations To Customers

Limiting WooCommerce Registrations: A Simple Guide for Newbies

Want to keep your WooCommerce store focused on your *actual* customers? Tired of bots and spam accounts cluttering your user list? Limiting registrations to only existing customers is a fantastic way to achieve that! This article will guide you through exactly how to do it, even if you’re a WooCommerce newbie. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t let just anyone walk into your physical store’s back office, right? This is the same idea for your online shop.

Why Limit WooCommerce Registrations to Customers?

Before we dive in, let’s understand *why* you’d want to do this. The default WooCommerce setup allows anyone to create an account. While this might seem open and welcoming, it can lead to several problems:

• Spam Accounts: Bots love to create fake accounts. These can inflate your user count and potentially cause problems with marketing campaigns.
• Fake Orders: Sometimes, spammers create accounts to place fake orders, just to test your system or engage in fraudulent activities.
• Account Clutter: A large number of unused accounts can make managing your customer list a pain.
• Enhanced Security: By restricting registration, you are adding another layer of security to your website.

By limiting registrations, you’re essentially creating a “members only” club for those who have already purchased from you. This can enhance the perceived value of your store and foster a sense of community. It’s like having a secret handshake – only customers get to join the inner circle.

How to Limit WooCommerce Registrations (The Easy Way)

The simplest way to restrict WooCommerce registrations is by using a plugin. Several plugins offer this functionality, often with additional features to manage users and memberships. One popular and straightforward option is “WooCommerce Only Customers Can Register.”

Here’s a general outline of how to use such a plugin:

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Navigate to “Plugins” -> “Add New” in your WordPress Learn more about How To Get Product Type In Woocommerce dashboard. Search for “WooCommerce Only Customers Can Register” (or similar plugin). Install and activate it.

2. Configure the Plugin Settings: Look for the plugin settings (usually under “WooCommerce” or “Settings”). The options might vary depending on the plugin, but generally you will find an option to:

• Disable the default WooCommerce registration form. This prevents people from creating an account on the “My Account” page without having made a purchase.
• Redirect unauthenticated users: This means that if someone tries to visit the registration page without being a customer (having made an order), they’ll be redirected to another page, like your homepage or a custom “Become a Customer” page.
• Customize error messages: Change the message displayed to users who try to register without being a customer.

These plugins often offer a simple toggle to disable the standard registration form. Once activated, only users who have placed an order (and thus have a billing email address in your system) will be able to create an account.

The Code Way: A More Advanced Approach

If you’re comfortable with a little bit of code, you can achieve the same result by adding a custom snippet to your `functions.php` file (or using a code snippets plugin – highly recommended!). Important: Always back up your website before editing code. Using a code snippets plugin is generally safer, as it allows you to easily disable the code if something goes wrong.

Here’s an example of the type of code you might use:

 <?php /** 
Disable WooCommerce registration for non-customers.
 */ function disable_woocommerce_registration() { if ( is_account_page() && ! is_user_logged_in() && ! isset( $_GET['customer_email'] ) ) { // Check if it's the account page, the user isn't logged in, and no customer email is present wp_safe_redirect( home_url() ); // Redirect to homepage exit; } } add_action( 'template_redirect', 'disable_woocommerce_registration' ); 

/

* Custom registration message.

*/

function custom_registration_message( $message ) {

if( ! isset( $_GET[‘customer_email’] ) ) {

$message = ‘

Registration is available to existing customers only. Please place an order to create an account.

‘;

}

return $message;

}

add_filter( ‘woocommerce_registration_error’, ‘custom_registration_message’ );

/

* Prefill customer email when redirecting from completed order.

*/

add_action( ‘woocommerce_thankyou’, ‘woo_redirect_after_purchase’ );

function woo_redirect_after_purchase( $order_id ) {

$order = wc_get_order( $order_id );

$email = $order->get_billing_email();

if ( $email ) {

$registration_url = get_permalink( get_option(‘woocommerce_myaccount_page_id’) );

$registration_url = add_query_arg( ‘customer_email’, $email, $registration_url );

wp_redirect( $registration_url );

exit;

}

}

?>

Explanation:

• `disable_woocommerce_registration()`: This function checks if the Read more about How To Add Customer Form In Woocommerce user is on the “My Account” page (where registration typically happens), isn’t logged in, and there is no `customer_email` parameter. If all those are true, it redirects the user to the homepage. This prevents non-customers from accessing the registration form directly.
• `custom_registration_message()`: This function modifies the error message displayed on the registration form to explain that registration is only for existing customers.
• `woo_redirect_after_purchase()`: This function is triggered after a user completes an order. It grabs the billing email from the order and redirects the customer to the “My Account” registration page, passing the email as a parameter. This allows the user to register using the same email they used for their purchase.

How to Implement this Code:

1. Install a Code Snippets Plugin: A plugin like “Code Snippets” is highly recommended. It allows you to add and manage code snippets without directly editing your theme’s `functions.php` file.

2. Add a New Snippet: Create a new snippet in the Code Snippets plugin.

3. Paste the Code: Copy and paste the code above into the snippet editor.

4. Save and Activate: Save and activate the snippet.

Important Considerations:

• Order Status: This code assumes that users are considered customers after placing an order. You might need to adjust the logic if you have a different definition of “customer” (e.g., only after the order is completed).
• User Roles: The `customer_email` check is a very simple example. You could use more robust checks, such as verifying if an email address is associated with a completed order in your WooCommerce database. This prevents someone from simply adding the email to the URL to get access.
• Testing: After implementing either the plugin or code method, thoroughly test the registration process to ensure it’s working as expected. Try to register as a new user and verify that you are redirected or receive the appropriate error message.

Choosing the Right Method

• For beginners: A dedicated plugin like “WooCommerce Only Customers Can Register” is the recommended approach. It’s easy to install, configure, and use.
• For developers or those comfortable with code: The code snippet method provides more flexibility and control. However, it requires a basic understanding of PHP and WordPress code structure.