WooCommerce shortcodes are a powerful tool for customizing your online store on WordPress. These snippets of code can be inserted into WordPress posts, pages, and widgets to display various aspects of your WooCommerce store. Whether you’re building product pages, checkout forms, or custom layouts, shortcodes make the task straightforward and efficient.
This guide delves into everything you need to know about WooCommerce shortcodes, including their use, key functionalities, and practical examples.
WooCommerce Shortcodes
WooCommerce shortcodes are pre-defined snippets that allow you to embed dynamic content, such as products, checkout pages, and account details, without needing to write PHP or custom code. WooCommerce includes a set of built-in shortcodes to help you integrate and customize your store components efficiently.
Why Use Shortcodes?
- Simplicity: No coding skills are required.
- Flexibility: Add WooCommerce elements anywhere on your website.
- Customization: Modify the appearance and functionality using parameters.
How to Use Shortcodes in WordPress
Shortcodes are enclosed in square brackets [ ] and can be placed in the WordPress block editor, classic editor, or widget areas.
Steps to Add a Shortcode
- Block Editor:
- Open a post or page.
- Add a Shortcode block using the “+” button.
- Insert the shortcode and click Publish or Update.
- Classic Editor:
- Open a post or page in the classic editor.
- Paste the shortcode directly into the editor where you want the content to appear.
- Widgets:
- Go to Appearance > Widgets.
- Add a Text widget to a widget area.
- Paste the shortcode into the Text widget and save.
Essential WooCommerce Shortcodes and Their Functions
WooCommerce provides a set of essential shortcodes to perform specific functions. Below is a detailed list of these shortcodes.
1. [woocommerce_cart]
This shortcode displays the shopping cart page.
Use Case: Place this shortcode on a dedicated Cart page so customers can review their cart contents before proceeding to checkout.
[woocommerce_cart]
2. [woocommerce_checkout]
This shortcode renders the checkout page where customers can complete their purchase.
Use Case: Add this shortcode to a Checkout page for a seamless checkout experience.
[woocommerce_checkout]
3. [woocommerce_my_account]
Displays the My Account page, which allows users to view orders, update account details, and manage addresses.
Use Case: Use this shortcode on an “Account” page for registered users to manage their profiles.
[woocommerce_my_account]
4. [woocommerce_order_tracking]
Enables customers to track their order status.
Use Case: Add this shortcode to a page titled “Order Tracking” for customer convenience.
[woocommerce_order_tracking]
5. [products]
Displays a selection of products from your store based on parameters such as categories, tags, and IDs.
Basic Syntax:
[products]
Example with Parameters:
[products limit="8" columns="4" category="accessories"]
6. [product]
Displays a single product by its ID or SKU.
Use Case: Showcase a specific product on a blog post or landing page.
Syntax:
[product id="123"]
7. [product_page]
Displays the full product page for a specified product.
Syntax:
[product_page id="123"]
8. [product_category]
Displays products from a specific category.
Syntax:
[product_category category="t-shirts"]
9. [recent_products]
Displays a list of recently added products.
Syntax:
[recent_products limit="8" columns="4"]
10. [featured_products]
Displays a list of products marked as “featured.”
Syntax:
[featured_products limit="4" columns="4"]
Shortcode Parameters for Customization
WooCommerce shortcodes often accept parameters to fine-tune their output. Here’s an overview of commonly used parameters.
Key Parameters
- limit: Number of products to display.
- Example:
limit="6"
- Example:
- columns: Number of columns for displaying products.
- Example:
columns="3"
- Example:
- category: Filter products by category.
- Example:
category="shoes"
- Example:
- orderby: Sort products.
- Options:
date,price,popularity, etc. - Example:
orderby="price"
- Options:
- ids: Display specific products by their IDs.
- Example:
ids="23,45,67"
- Example:
Example Shortcode with Parameters
[products limit="10" columns="5" category="accessories" orderby="popularity"]
Advanced Use Cases
Once you’re comfortable with basic WooCommerce shortcodes, you can implement advanced use cases by combining shortcodes, adding custom CSS, or using page builders.
1. Creating a Custom Landing Page
Combine multiple shortcodes to design a product-focused landing page.
Example:
[featured_products limit="4" columns="2"]
[recent_products limit="8" columns="4"]
2. Dynamic Product Listings
Showcase products dynamically using filters like tags and on-sale status.
Example:
[products tag="summer" on_sale="true" limit="6" columns="3"]
3. Embedding Shortcodes in Widgets
Add product sliders or category highlights in widget areas using shortcodes.
Troubleshooting and Best Practices
1. Common Issues
- Shortcode Not Displaying Properly: Ensure WooCommerce is installed and activated.
- Incorrect Output: Double-check shortcode syntax and parameters.
- CSS Styling Issues: Apply custom CSS to refine the appearance.
2. Best Practices
- Use a Dedicated Page Builder: Tools like Elementor or Divi simplify shortcode integration.
- Preview Before Publishing: Test shortcodes in a staging environment.
- Limit Complexity: Avoid using too many parameters in a single shortcode for clarity.
Conclusion
WooCommerce shortcodes empower store owners to create customized shopping experiences without requiring extensive technical skills. From displaying products dynamically to building functional pages like checkout and account management, shortcodes streamline the process.
Experiment with these shortcodes to make your WooCommerce store versatile and user-friendly. By mastering parameters and advanced combinations, you can craft a highly personalized and engaging online shopping platform.