Are you running an online store with WooCommerce? Then you know that the checkout process is one of the most crucial parts of your customer’s journey – take a purchase. But it can also be the place where things fall apart if the experience isn’t smooth. That’s why customizing your checkout process to meet your business needs (and make it easier for your customers) is so important. In this guide, LitExtension will walk you through everything you need to know about WooCommerce checkout fields, including:
- What are WooCommerce checkout fields?
- Types of checkout fields.
- And how to customize WooCommerce checkout fields.
Let’s get started.
WooCommerce Checkout Fields 101
What are WooCommerce checkout fields?
WooCommerce checkout fields are the input fields presented to users during the checkout process. These fields collect vital information such as the customer’s name, billing address, shipping address, email, phone number, and payment details. By default, WooCommerce offers three main types of fields:
- Billing fields: Required to process payments and verify customer identity.
- Shipping fields: Collected when the delivery address differs from the billing address.
- Additional fields: Optional fields like order notes for special instructions.
These fields ensure smooth order processing and help businesses meet logistical requirements. However, the default setup might not always meet every store's unique needs.
Why are checkout fields important for eCommerce stores?
Checkout fields play a significant role in determining the overall user experience (UX) during the purchase journey. Here’s why they matter so much:
- When your checkout fields are simple and intuitive, it’s easier for customers to complete their purchases quickly, and that means happier customers all around.
- Clunky, confusing fields can lead to frustration, and frustrated customers often abandon their carts.
- Custom fields let you gather specific information that’s essential for your business, whether it’s for shipping, marketing, or analyzing customer behavior.
- A clean, well-thought-out checkout page shows your professionalism and reassures customers that their purchase is in good hands.
Types of Checkout Field Customizations
Customizing WooCommerce checkout fields gives you the flexibility to design a checkout experience tailored to your store’s needs. Below, we’ll explore the primary types of customizations you can make to optimize the checkout process for your customers.
1. Add new fields
Sometimes, the default fields just don’t cut it, and adding new fields is a great way to capture additional customer information. For example, if you offer gift wrapping, you could add a “Gift Message” field where customers can leave a personalized note. If you’re running a restaurant, fields for delivery time preferences or dietary restrictions might be helpful. Businesses dealing with international clients might need something like a VAT or GST number.
2. Edit existing fields
WooCommerce provides a default set of fields, but they might not align perfectly with your store’s needs. Fortunately, you can edit these fields to make them more relevant. For instance, you can rename “Company Name” to “Business Name” if that’s more fitting for your audience. If a field like “Phone Number” isn’t always necessary, you can make it optional. Or, you could rearrange the fields so the most important ones, like email and address, appear at the top, creating a smoother flow for your customers.
3. Remove unnecessary fields
One of the easiest ways to streamline your checkout process is by removing fields that don’t serve a purpose. For example, shipping address fields are irrelevant for digital products like e-books or online courses. Similarly, if your store caters primarily to individual consumers rather than businesses, you can eliminate the “Company Name” field.
4. Set up conditional fields
Conditional fields take customization a step further by dynamically changing the checkout form based on customer input. This ensures that only relevant fields are shown to each customer. For instance, a “Company Name” field might only appear if the customer selects “Business” as their account type. Similarly, delivery instructions could be displayed only if a customer chooses a shipping method that requires a physical address.
How to Customize WooCommerce Checkout Fields Using Code
For users with technical expertise or those who want complete control over their checkout customization, using custom code in WooCommerce is a powerful method. Below is a step-by-step guide to achieving this.
Step 1: Access the functions.php file
To access the functions.php file, follow this:
- Navigate to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Appearance > Theme Editor and locate the functions.php file in your active theme.
- Always create a child theme or backup your site before editing this file to prevent losing customizations during theme updates.
Step 2: Add code to create or modify fields
You can use WooCommerce hooks like woocommerce_checkout_fields to add, modify, or remove fields. Here’s an example of adding a custom field:
add_filter(‘woocommerce_checkout_fields', ‘add_custom_checkout_field');
function add_custom_checkout_field($fields) {
$fields[‘billing'][‘billing_custom_field'] = array(
‘type' => ‘text',
‘label' => __(‘Custom Field'),
‘placeholder' => __(‘Enter custom data'),
‘required' => false,
);
return $fields;
}
Explanation:
- The type defines the input type (e.g., text, number, select).
- The label sets the field's display name.
- The placeholder offers a hint to users about what to enter.
- The required parameter determines if the field is mandatory.
Step 3: Validate and save field data
To ensure the data entered in custom fields is valid, you can use the woocommerce_checkout_process hook.
For instance:
add_action(‘woocommerce_checkout_process', ‘validate_custom_field');
function validate_custom_field() {
if (empty($_POST[‘billing_custom_field'])) {
wc_add_notice(__(‘Please fill in the custom field.'), ‘error');
}
}
Save the data using the woocommerce_checkout_update_order_meta hook:
add_action(‘woocommerce_checkout_update_order_meta', ‘save_custom_field');
function save_custom_field($order_id) {
if (!empty($_POST[‘billing_custom_field'])) {
update_post_meta($order_id, ‘Billing Custom Field', sanitize_text_field($_POST[‘billing_custom_field']));
}
}
Step 4: Display custom field data on order pages
To make the custom field data visible in the admin order page or confirmation emails, you can use the following code:
add_action(‘woocommerce_admin_order_data_after_billing_address', ‘display_custom_field_admin', 10, 1);
function display_custom_field_admin($order) {
echo ‘<p><strong>' . __(‘Custom Field') . ‘:</strong> ‘ . get_post_meta($order->get_id(), ‘Billing Custom Field', true) . ‘</p>';
}
How to Customize WooCommerce Checkout Fields Using Plugins
If you’re looking for a user-friendly and efficient way to customize WooCommerce checkout fields, plugins are your best bet. They offer user-friendly interfaces that allow you to tweak your checkout fields in just a few clicks. Plus, many plugins come with advanced features like conditional fields (showing or hiding fields based on customer input) and field validation, so you can create a checkout experience that feels smooth and professional.
Step 1: Pick a WooCommerce checkout field plugin
First, you’ll need a plugin that suits your needs. Some of the most popular ones include:
- Checkout Field Editor for WooCommerce: Perfect for straightforward edits like adding, removing, or rearranging fields.
- WooCommerce Checkout Manager: A great choice if you want more advanced features like file uploads or conditional logic.
- YITH WooCommerce Checkout Manager: Best for branding and styling your checkout form.
Step 2: Install and activate the plugin
Installing a plugin is super simple:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for the desired plugin by name (e.g., “WooCommerce Checkout Field Editor”)
- Click Install and then Activate.
Once activated, most plugins can be accessed under WooCommerce > Settings or have their own dedicated section in the WordPress menu.
Step 3: Customize the checkout fields
You can now use the plugin to:
- Add new fields, such as gift messages or delivery preferences.
- Edit existing fields, like renaming “Company Name” to “Business Name” or making the “Phone Number” field optional.
- Rearrange fields to improve the flow of the checkout process.
- Remove unnecessary fields, such as “Shipping Address” for digital products.
This is optional, but do you want to make your WooCommerce checkout page more fancy? Many plugins let you set up conditional logic, which means certain fields will only appear based on what the customer selects.
For example:
- If a customer chooses “Yes” for gift wrapping, a “Gift Message” field could appear.
- Delivery instructions might pop up only if a specific shipping method is selected. These options are usually found in a “Conditions” tab, and they’re super intuitive to set up.
Before making your changes live, preview your checkout page. This ensures everything looks great and works as expected. If you’ve added conditional fields, test different scenarios to make sure they behave as planned.
Step 4: Save and display on the checkout page
Once you’re satisfied with your changes, save your settings. The updated checkout form will now be live on your store.
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How to Customize Specific Areas of the WooCommerce Checkout
Customizing specific areas of the WooCommerce checkout page allows you to focus on improving the experience where it matters most, whether that’s the billing section, shipping details, or payment and review areas. Below, we break down how to tailor each section to your business needs and enhance usability for your customers.
1. Customize billing fields
Billing fields are essential for collecting customer information required for payment and invoicing. However, not all billing fields may be relevant to your store’s specific workflow.
1.1. Add, edit, or remove billing fields
Adding fields:
If you need additional billing details, such as a tax ID for B2B transactions, you can add new fields using plugins or custom code. For example, you can add a “VAT Number” field:
add_filter(‘woocommerce_billing_fields', ‘add_vat_number_field');
function add_vat_number_field($fields) {
$fields[‘billing_vat_number'] = array(
‘label' => __(‘VAT Number'),
‘placeholder' => __(‘Enter your VAT number'),
‘required' => false,
);
return $fields;
}
Editing fields:
You can rename or rearrange billing fields to make them clearer or better suited to your needs. For example:
- Change “Billing Address Line 1” to “Street Address.”
- Move the “Email Address” field to the top for better visibility.
Removing fields:
To simplify the checkout process, remove unnecessary fields such as “Company Name” for stores that don’t target businesses. For example:
add_filter(‘woocommerce_billing_fields', ‘remove_billing_fields');
function remove_billing_fields($fields) {
unset($fields[‘billing_company']);
return $fields;
}
1.2. Display billing field data on order pages
Ensure that new billing fields are visible in the admin order details and customer-facing invoices by using the appropriate WooCommerce hooks (e.g., woocommerce_admin_order_data_after_billing_address).
2. Customize shipping fields
Shipping fields are critical for businesses dealing with physical products, but they can be unnecessary for digital goods or services.
2.1. Add or remove shipping address fields
To adjust shipping address fields:
- Adding fields: Add custom shipping fields like “Preferred Delivery Time” to accommodate customer requests.
- Removing fields: For digital products, disable the entire shipping section to streamline checkout.
In case you’re using a plugin, you can use the WooCommerce Checkout Field Editor plugin to toggle shipping fields on or off based on product types.
2.2. Enable or disabling shipping at checkout
You can enable or disable shipping fields dynamically:
- For all digital products: Automatically hide shipping fields when the cart contains only downloadable products.
- Conditional shipping fields: Show shipping options like “Gift Wrap” or “Pickup Address” only when applicable.
3. Customize payment and review fields
The payment and review section is the final step where customers confirm their order, so it’s crucial to keep things clear and easy to navigate. A confusing or cluttered setup here can lead to abandoned carts, but a well-designed one can build trust and boost conversions.
3.1. Add custom options in payment fields
If you offer multiple payment methods, you can make the experience more tailored by adding specific instructions or preferences. For example, let’s say you offer “Bank Transfer” as a payment option. You could add a custom field like “Payment Notes” where customers can provide any additional details, such as a reference number or special instructions for the transfer.
Here is an example code for payment notes:
add_filter(‘woocommerce_checkout_fields', ‘add_payment_notes_field');
function add_payment_notes_field($fields) {
$fields[‘order'][‘payment_notes'] = array(
‘type' => ‘textarea',
‘label' => __(‘Payment Notes'),
‘placeholder' => __(‘Enter any special instructions related to payment'),
‘required' => false,
);
return $fields;
}
3.2. Optimize the review section
The review section is where your customers take a final glance at their order before clicking “Place Order.” It’s your last chance to make sure everything is crystal clear, easy to understand, and free of confusion.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Ensure the basics, like product names, quantities, and prices, are displayed clearly.
- Draw attention to the things that matter most, like discounts, shipping fees, or taxes.
- Include a checkbox for customers to confirm terms and conditions to keep things professional and ensure compliance.
WooCommerce Checkout Fields: FAQs
WooCommerce offers two main ways to customize checkout fields:
- Using code: If you’re comfortable with coding, you can edit the functions.php file in your theme and use WooCommerce hooks like woocommerce_checkout_fields to add, remove, or modify fields.
- Using plugins: Plugins such as Checkout Field Editor for WooCommerce or WooCommerce Checkout Manager provide user-friendly interfaces to add, remove, or rearrange fields without writing any code.
WooCommerce checkout fields are located in the woocommerce_checkout_fields array within WooCommerce’s core. These fields are grouped into categories:
- Billing fields: Stored in billing.
- Shipping fields: Stored in shipping.
- Order fields: Stored in order.
If you’re using code to customize checkout fields, you’ll interact with these groups via hooks and filters. For non-technical users, plugins will handle these fields automatically, which allows you to focus on customization without worrying about where fields are stored.
Adding a conditional field requires logic to determine when a field should be displayed based on a user’s input. For example, you want to add a field for “Gift Message” that only appears if the customer selects “Yes” for gift wrapping. You can use the code below:add_filter(‘woocommerce_checkout_fields', ‘add_conditional_field');
function add_conditional_field($fields) {
$fields[‘billing'][‘billing_gift_message'] = array(
‘type' => ‘textarea',
‘label' => __(‘Gift Message'),
‘placeholder' => __(‘Enter your message here'),
‘required' => false,
);
return $fields;
}
Then, you can use JavaScript to show or hide the field based on the selection:
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘#gift_wrap_option').change(function() {
if ($(this).is(‘:checked')) {
$(‘#billing_gift_message_field').show();
} else {
$(‘#billing_gift_message_field').hide();
}
});
});
Reordering checkout fields can help improve the logical flow of information. You can use the priority parameter within the woocommerce_checkout_fields filter to adjust the order. Lower priority numbers appear first.For example, you can use the code below:
add_filter(‘woocommerce_checkout_fields', ‘reorder_checkout_fields');
function reorder_checkout_fields($fields) {
$fields[‘billing'][‘billing_email'][‘priority'] = 10;
$fields[‘billing'][‘billing_phone'][‘priority'] = 20;
return $fields;
}
The best plugin depends on your specific needs and here’s a quick view of the top options:
- Checkout Field Editor for WooCommerce provides basic field editing and reordering through a drag-and-drop interface, supporting various field types.
- WooCommerce Checkout Manager offers advanced features such as conditional fields, file uploads, and additional styling options.
- YITH WooCommerce Checkout Manager focuses on visual customization and aesthetics, providing branding options, conditional logic, and an easy setup process.
Final Thoughts
Customizing WooCommerce checkout fields is a critical step toward optimizing your online store’s user experience and improving conversion rates. Here are our final actionable next steps for you:
- Back up your website before making any changes, especially if editing code directly.
- Experiment with a plugin like Checkout Field Editor or WooCommerce Checkout Manager to explore customization possibilities.
- Review customer feedback to identify pain points in the checkout process that can be addressed with field adjustments.
- Monitor checkout metrics (e.g., completion rates, cart abandonment) to measure the impact of your customizations.
Thoughtful checkout customizations can align the process with your brand while offering customers a seamless, personalized experience.
We hope you found this article insightful and now have a clear understanding of WooCommerce checkout fields. For more content like this, be sure to visit the WooCommerce blog section and join our eCommerce community to gain further insights and connect with fellow business owners.
