On-line shops promote way more than simply bodily objects. That’s why the world’s hottest ecommerce retailer answer, WooCommerce, provides you the ability to promote every part from digital items and product bundles, to subscriptions and memberships. You possibly can even simply use it as a product catalog, supply unique wholesale choices for B2B gross sales, or function as an affiliate marketer and easily checklist objects fulfilled by utterly totally different firms.
By default, there are six WooCommerce product sorts, together with grouped objects and downloads. In case your objects don’t match into any of the present product classes, you’ll be able to set up extensions to arrange choices like memberships, present playing cards, and extra.
In the event you’re simply getting began (and even in case you’ve been promoting on-line for some time), studying about WooCommerce product sorts can assist you construction your retailer in the easiest way for your online business.
At this time, we’ll take a better take a look at the WooCommerce product sorts accessible for shops and what every is for. We’ll additionally present you the way to create further sorts utilizing extensions. Let’s soar in.
A product kind defines the traits of the objects you promote and determines how they behave in your retailer. This impacts every part from how an merchandise is delivered, how stock is dealt with, and in some circumstances, who can buy the product.
By default, WooCommerce helps six product sorts, which we’ll take a look at within the subsequent part. You may as well create further ones with WooCommerce extensions.
Now, let’s take a look at the default WooCommerce product sorts.
Easy merchandise
Easy merchandise describe probably the most primary kind of merchandise you’ll be able to add to your retailer. It refers to a bodily product that doesn’t have variations (like sizes, colours, and so forth.).
This product kind is good for particular person objects like books or single digital gadgets.
Once you add a easy product to your retailer, you’ll be able to set two pricing tiers: an everyday value and a sale value:
Within the Stock part, you’ll be able to allow inventory administration, decide inventory standing, restrict purchases, and enter a SKU (inventory preserving unit). You may as well add the load and dimensions of the product throughout the Transport part.
In the event you navigate to Linked Merchandise, you’ll be capable of hyperlink the product to related objects for cross-selling and upselling functions.
Within the Attributes tab, you’ll be able to present extra details about the merchandise, together with the dimensions, shade, supplies, and so forth. You even have the choice so as to add a purchase order word to the order and allow buyer critiques.
The well-known water bottle firm, Nalgene, makes use of a wide range of WooCommerce product sorts all through their website. They checklist distinctive or specialty objects, like their seventy fifth Anniversary Ultralite bottle, as easy merchandise. Your solely alternative? The quantity you need to purchase.
Variable merchandise
A variable product permits clients to select from totally different choices on the product web page. instance is a shirt that is available in a number of sizes.
A variable product in Dryft Fishing’s retailer.
One other instance of a variable product can be digital gadgets with totally different storage choices and configurations. You possibly can have a number of totally different variations, and mix them in any variety of methods.
Whereas this can be a extra complicated product kind, WooCommerce means that you can add loads of product particulars. Each variation can have its personal SKU quantity, inventory stage, value, and weight to distinguish it from related items.
To get began, you’ll want to pick the Variable product possibility from the Product knowledge dropdown.
Then, you’ll need to create some attributes, which you are able to do on a worldwide stage (that means throughout your web site) or by clicking the Attributes tab. This may allow clients to seek for merchandise with the identical attributes — e.g. all shirts accessible in XL.
Right here, we’ll present you the way to add customized attributes on the product web page, however take a look at our documentation if you wish to create international attributes.
Within the Attributes tab, click on on the Add new button. Then, add the title and values to your attribute.
For instance, you might enter “Shade” within the Title area, and checklist the colours within the Worth(s) area, separated by a | . Make certain the Used for variations checkbox is ticked, then click on on Save attributes.
Subsequent, transfer over to the Variations tab, the place you’ll be capable of select from the attribute values you simply set. You possibly can generate variations robotically or add them to your variable product manually.
In the event you click on on Edit to the left of every one hyperlink, you’ll be able to add particulars like SKU, inventory standing, weight, and so forth. For extra particulars about the way to work with a variable product, learn our documentation.
Grouped merchandise
Once you create a grouped product, you’re basically configuring a group or bundle of current objects. Due to this fact, you’ll be able to solely do that after you’ve added particular person merchandise to your retailer.
Establishing grouped merchandise is an efficient method to encourage greater common order values. Nevertheless, clients can nonetheless select to simply order a single merchandise from a group.
Usually, grouped merchandise comprise issues that work collectively (or are not less than intently associated). For instance, you might supply a set of furnishings (two chairs and a sofa which are all additionally accessible to buy on their very own) or bundle equipment with main objects.
When you choose the Grouped product possibility, you gained’t be capable of outline its personal value or enter primary particulars as with the opposite WooCommerce product sorts we’ve mentioned thus far. It is because your grouped product depends on linking current objects collectively.
So, you’ll have to go to the Linked Merchandise part:
Right here, use the Grouped merchandise search field to find objects you need to promote collectively.
Exterior/affiliate merchandise
If you wish to earn passive revenue, online marketing is a good possibility. This entails selling an exterior or affiliate product that’s truly bought by different firms and incomes commissions on accomplished gross sales.
It’s a perfect technique for content material creators like bloggers and podcasters who need to create a income stream from their viewers. That stated, even conventional ecommerce shops can add online marketing to their retailer together with different WooCommerce product sorts.
For instance, you would possibly promote cookbooks which are arrange as easy merchandise. Then, you might add affiliate objects like your favourite substances and cooking instruments that allow you to generate further revenue, whereas offering worth to clients.
To do that with WooCommerce, choose the Exterior/Affiliate product possibility within the Product knowledge dropdown. Then, enter a URL that results in the exterior product web page.
You may as well customise the button textual content in order that, moderately than “Add to Cart”, it’d say one thing like “Purchase Now.”
Digital merchandise and downloadable merchandise
Let’s begin by exploring the distinction between Digital merchandise and Downloadable merchandise.
A Digital product just isn’t shipped, and there aren’t any transport fields accessible on the product web page. It usually encompasses issues like providers — garden care, consultations, insurance coverage, and so forth.
A Downloadable product features a file — like an e book, design template, or MP3 — that the client can save to their machine. This could both be a standalone merchandise or included with a bodily product. An instance of this may be a toy that’s shipped to the client, but in addition features a digital guarantee that they will obtain.
As you’ll be able to think about, these can overlap. So right here’s a superb rule of thumb:
In case your product just isn’t shipped, verify the field for Digital product. In case your product features a downloadable file, verify the Downloadable field. In case your product features a obtain and just isn’t shipped, verify each.
YourBenefitStore.com, for instance, sells medical plans. It is a digital product as a result of no facet is shipped to clients.
360 Actuality Audio sells music software program. It is a digital product and a downloadable product as a result of there is no such thing as a bodily, shipped merchandise and consumers save the software program to their machine.
So how do you create a digital or downloadable product?
You possibly can convert any product right into a digital product by ticking the related checkbox within the Product knowledge part.
You possibly can nonetheless add pricing info, a SKU, inventory standing, upsells, attributes, and extra. Nevertheless, transport choices will not be accessible, because it gained’t require transport, and also you gained’t have to fill out particulars concerning the product’s weight, dimensions, and so forth.
For downloadable merchandise, tick the Downloadable checkbox, which is able to generate further fields, as you’ll be able to see beneath:
In the event you click on on the Add File button, you’ll be able to specify a URL for the downloadable product.
You’re additionally capable of set a obtain restrict, though you’ll be able to go away this area clean for limitless downloads. On the backside, you’ll be able to enter the variety of days earlier than the obtain hyperlink expires.
Now that you just’re accustomed to the built-in product sorts accessible with WooCommerce, let’s take a look at a number of the further WooCommerce product sorts you’ll be able to checklist utilizing extensions.
This isn’t a very exhaustive checklist, so take the time to flick through all the accessible extensions in case you want one thing that’s not coated on this article.
Subscription merchandise
Most enterprise homeowners love any type of recurring income, as a result of it gives larger stability and greater buyer lifetime values. It’s additionally an efficient method to improve buyer retention and increase model loyalty.
As an example, The Biltong Manufacturing unit delivers high-protein biltong to subscribers on a weekly or month-to-month foundation.
You possibly can add a subscription as a easy or variable product. To get began, you’ll first want to put in WooCommerce Subscriptions.
To create subscription merchandise, choose the Easy subscription possibility from the Product knowledge dropdown. Then, set the value and length, and schedule the fee to be taken primarily based on the frequency you set (each month, 12 months, and so forth.).
You’ll additionally see further product choices like renewal settings and sign-up charges. You may even allow free trials to show the worth of your product to those that are undecided.
In the event you’d like, you’ll be able to restrict clients to a single subscription or go away it open for them to buy as many as they’d like.
And in terms of transport, you get some further flexibility, too. You possibly can select to cost transport each time or simply for the primary supply.
Variable subscriptions are very best in order for you clients to have the ability to select between totally different tiers and frequencies.
You’ll want to decide on the Variable subscription possibility, then configure your subscriptions in the identical method as a variable product. You’ll have further subscription settings, and you’ll allow the WooCommerce switching characteristic so clients can modify their plan from their very own account.
Bookable merchandise
If you wish to make it attainable for purchasers to ebook and schedule appointments, you’ll have to create a bookable product. This allows buyers to make reservations, leases, and appointments for a sure day and length.
You’ll discover this performance on occasion web sites, eating places, ticketing websites, journey websites, and extra.
Reserving a rental automobile on civapark.com
This characteristic can enhance the client expertise as a result of folks don’t need to make a telephone name to order a spot. To implement it, you’ll want WooCommerce Bookings.
As all the time, tick the Digital checkbox if the product doesn’t require transport. Then, within the Normal tab, you’ll be able to configure customized durations. For instance, you might make it in order that visitors need to ebook a minimal keep of three days.
You may as well allow admin approval/affirmation so their fee gained’t truly be processed till an admin approves the reserving.
The extension additionally offers choices to alter the calendar show mode, set cancellation preferences, and add gross sales tax info.
In the event you run a lodge or lease property, you’ll be able to set up the WooCommerce Lodging Bookings extension, which upgrades WooCommerce Bookings performance.
Product bundles
Product bundles work equally to the default WooCommerce grouped merchandise, however you achieve the pliability to create low cost packages and promote customized objects.
It is a nice method to improve your common order worth whereas making clients really feel like they’ve gotten an excellent deal. It’s additionally useful in case you promote low-cost objects for which transport a single unit doesn’t make a lot sense.
Product Bundles for WooCommerce allows you to bundle bodily, digital, or downloadable objects collectively. You may as well group variable merchandise, subscriptions, customized add-ons, and extra.
Take a look at the Dan-O’s Seasoning web site. Moreover providing pre-defined herb and spice blends, clients can even construct their very own selection packs.
Product bundles from danosseasoning.com
You may even combine this extension with WooCommerce Subscriptions to promote customized subscription bins. Clients will be capable of select the objects they need and the right portions.
You possibly can apply bulk low cost guidelines to make your supply extra interesting. And the dynamic pricing characteristic allows you to make low cost changes primarily based on order quantity, so you’ll be able to supply extra substantial reductions to clients who spend extra.
In the event you use the Product Suggestions extension, you’ll be capable of show a number of bundles that comprise a selected product.
Memberships
Memberships are very best if you wish to prohibit content material entry to sure customers. Usually, you’d create a useful resource library with premium movies and articles that’s solely accessible to members who’re logged in.
You would possibly select to limit explicit merchandise or articles whereas leaving some content material freely accessible. It is a good method to showcase the worth of your memberships and persuade folks to turn out to be members.
Many web sites configure a number of membership tiers that supply totally different scopes of entry, in addition to various perks and advantages.
This product kind works significantly properly for e-learning websites, on-line magazines, teaching companies, and influencers who need to monetize their viewers by offering bonus content material to their most supportive followers.
One nice instance is PHLearn. Whereas they do have loads of free Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials, in addition they have a paid membership program that gives entry to a extra intensive library.
So in case you’re seeking to monetize your weblog, you might supply an entry-level membership that grants entry to premium articles. Then, you may need a higher-priced tier that gives extra unique assets and early-release articles or entry to a non-public neighborhood discussion board.
Though you’ll be able to promote memberships as stand-alone merchandise, you would possibly select to mix them with subscriptions. This fashion, pleased clients can maintain their memberships energetic by making a recurring fee, enabling you to generate passive revenue.
Tips on how to arrange WooCommerce Memberships
You’ll first want to put in WooCommerce Memberships to start out promoting this product kind. To create a membership plan, head to WooCommerce → Memberships → Membership Plans → Add Membership Plan.
Right here, you’ll be able to set the length of the membership (like one 12 months) and resolve how members get entry to the plan. As an example, you might assign this membership to a product you create completely for this function, or you might grant membership privileges with the acquisition of different merchandise in your WooCommerce retailer.
Within the Prohibit Content material tab, you’ll be able to add customized dripping guidelines. You would possibly launch entry to sure posts, pages, or classes after a set time period.
Dripping content material provides you extra management over when members obtain entry, preserving them engaged along with your plans.
Different settings allow you to limit entry to particular WooCommerce merchandise. You may even make it in order that members can view objects however can’t buy them immediately.
You may as well configure membership reductions and set up a devoted members space the place folks can view and handle their memberships.
Product kits
If you wish to supply a extra customized purchasing expertise, take into account promoting product kits. With this product kind, clients are capable of construct their very own merchandise, utilizing current objects in your WooCommerce retailer.
You possibly can enable particular combos and configurations to tailor your supply to particular person buyers whereas guaranteeing the tip consequence matches your online business mannequin and doesn’t mess up your inventory administration.
Maybe you promote customized options like made-to-order jewellery, which requires buyers to decide on a pendant, chain, and clasp. Otherwise you would possibly enable clients to design their very own skateboards. On this case, they would want to pick their most well-liked deck, vans, and wheels.
CAMSS Shelters, for instance, sells a spread of highly-durable constructions. Customers can utterly customise the inside (lighting, flooring, and so forth), exterior, and equipment.
A customizable product package on camss.com.
Offering a custom-made expertise like this will additionally improve the perceived worth of your objects and encourage clients to spend extra on a single buy. For instance, a teddy bear that buyers design themselves could be price greater than pre-styled variations.
With Composite Merchandise for WooCommerce, you’ll be able to make the most of easy merchandise, variable merchandise, bundles, and even downloadable/digital objects out of your stock. The extension gives superior filtering, sorting, and pagination, so clients can shortly discover what they’re searching for.
Tips on how to configure product kits in WooCommerce
When you’ve bought and put in Composite Merchandise for WooCommerce, you’re able to create your eventualities. These encompass circumstances and actions, with the previous triggering the latter.
You’ll add a brand new product to your WooCommerce retailer as regular. Then, use the Product knowledge dropdown to pick Composite product.
The overall settings, stock, and linked product tabs all work the identical as whenever you add an everyday easy product.
The distinction is that you just’ll have two new tabs within the Product knowledge part: Elements and Situations. In Situations, you’ll be able to assign a reputation and outline, which is just seen to retailer managers.
Then, you’ll be able to outline circumstances that set off the situation. To do that, you’ll want so as to add some parts. You’ll additionally want to make use of the offered modifiers (is, just isn’t, or any) to incorporate/exclude merchandise and variations.
Subsequent, it’s important to decide an motion for when the circumstances are met. You need to use this to show further choices for personalisation or prohibit particular person merchandise or variations primarily based on a earlier choice.
So, in case you supply sun shades for all however certainly one of your customizable teddy bears, the power so as to add sun shades would disappear if somebody selects the ineligible bear.
Study extra concerning the quite a few customizable choices you’ll be able to present clients.
Programs
In the event you’re an skilled on a subject, you would possibly take into account promoting on-line programs. Maybe you need to train folks a language, or equip them with expertise like pictures.
Images programs from takebetterphotos.gomag.co.za
You possibly can mix your programs with memberships and subscriptions. As an example, many studying administration system (LMS) web sites promote memberships that give college students entry to a certain quantity of programs per 30 days.
You’ll want an extension so as to add this performance to your retailer. Sensei Professional (WC Paid Programs) for WooCommerce is a superb possibility. It’s created by Automattic (the folks behind WordPress.com), so you’ll be able to anticipate a seamless integration.
The extension simplifies the method of promoting programs, because you’ll checklist them similar to another product. You possibly can specify course and lesson stipulations and drip course content material over time. As an example, you would possibly solely present entry to the second lesson after the primary lesson has been accomplished.
Moreover, you’ll be able to check college students’ data with customized questions and profit from the auto-grading characteristic. You may as well configure timed assessments, provide quiz suggestions, and even award certificates to those that full the course efficiently.
Present playing cards
Promoting digital present playing cards helps drive new clients to your WooCommerce retailer. These are extra handy than bodily playing cards since clients can redeem them on-line.
With the Present Card for WooCommerce extension, you’ll be able to outline an expiry date to your present playing cards and challenge them straight to the recipient. Clients will be capable of add a customized message to the voucher and schedule it to be delivered on a selected date.
The extension allows you to course of present playing cards like merchandise. You’ll get entry to superior reporting and administration options, and you’ll view the present playing cards inside your transaction log.
As with coupons, clients can apply present card codes proper earlier than inserting an order. Additionally they have the choice so as to add the present card to their accounts for later use.
Nonetheless studying about WooCommerce product sorts? We’ll reply the commonest questions within the part beneath.
Can I create customized product sorts with WooCommerce?
If the default WooCommerce product sorts don’t suit your necessities, you’ll be able to create customized ones. That is additionally helpful in case you don’t need to depend on extensions to promote further product sorts like memberships or subscriptions.
First, you’ll have to register your customized product kind. You’ll do that by modifying your theme’s features.php file.
Add your code snippet (like custom_product_type) to increase the WooCommerce default operate (like WC_Product_Simple).
This might look one thing like this:
operate custom_product_type_register() {
class custom_product_type extends WC_Product_Simple {
public operate __construct( $product ) {
$this->product_product_type="custom_type";
dad or mum::__construct( $product );
}
}
}
add_action( 'init', 'custom_product_type_register’ );Setting this as a operate implies that, whenever you use the Product Information dropdown menu, it’s best to see Customized product kind as an possibility.
You may as well place the code in a separate file, so that you’ll basically be creating your personal plugin. Then, you’re free to make use of customized snippets so as to add a brand new settings panel, add content material to the put up kind, and save the customized area worth.
What kinds of merchandise can I create by default with WooCommerce?
WooCommerce allows you to checklist easy merchandise and variable merchandise, which check with objects that come in several colours, sizes, and so forth. You may as well create grouped merchandise in case you promote complementary objects.
It additionally consists of WooCommerce product sorts like affiliate merchandise, digital downloads, and digital merchandise (like providers). If these choices don’t fit your necessities, you’ll be able to make the most of extensions to promote subscriptions, on-line programs, product kits, present playing cards, and extra.
What’s the default WooCommerce product kind?
Every time you add a brand new product in your WooCommerce retailer, the easy product kind might be chosen by default. This refers to bodily objects that you just promote for a one-time fee.
One of many greatest advantages of utilizing WooCommerce to your on-line retailer is its final flexibility. You possibly can create an enormous number of WooCommerce product sorts and promote completely something you’ll be able to think about.
By default, WooCommerce helps six product sorts, together with easy, variable, affiliate, digital, and grouped objects. However with WooCommerce extensions, it’s also possible to promote subscriptions, bookings, programs, present playing cards, and much more.
Regardless of the way you construction your online business, WooCommerce gives an answer. Get began with WooCommerce at present.
Kathryn Marr is the co-founder and Chief Inventive Officer of Blue Ivory Inventive, the place she combines design experience with a deep understanding of ecommerce and WordPress. She helps manufacturers flip complicated concepts into clear, compelling content material that connects with their viewers — whether or not they’re simply beginning out or firmly positioned among the many world’s main firms.
