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How to Customize Checkout Page in WooCommerce for More Sales

You've got a couple of solid ways to customize the checkout page in WooCommerce. You can either roll up your sleeves and add PHP code snippets to your theme's functions.php file for some precise, lightweight tweaks, or you can go the visual route with a builder like Elementor and a powerful addon for total design control without touching a line of code.

Either path lets you do things like ditch unnecessary fields, add new custom ones, and really dial in the styling to match your brand.

Why Your Default Checkout Is Costing You Sales

Let's be honest, that standard WooCommerce checkout page? It works, but it's rarely optimized to actually make you money. Think of it as a generic, one-size-fits-all t-shirt—it gets the job done, but it doesn't fit anyone perfectly. This little oversight can create a surprising amount of friction right when a customer is about to give you their money, leading directly to lost sales.

The default layout often feels cluttered and can be a bit overwhelming for shoppers. It throws fields at them they might not even need, like asking for a "Company name" when you only sell to individuals. Every extra field is another step, another moment for the customer to second-guess their purchase. This is a huge deal when you realize a complicated checkout process is one of the top reasons people abandon their carts.

The Real Cost of Checkout Friction

Every single unnecessary field or confusing step is a potential exit door for your customer. A checkout page that looks completely different from the rest of your site or lacks clear trust signals can instantly erode the confidence you worked so hard to build. People need to feel safe handing over their payment details, and a generic, cookie-cutter page just doesn't scream "secure."

This is the exact moment where a poorly designed checkout becomes a roadblock, directly impacting your revenue.

Infographic about customize checkout page in woocommerce

The image above pretty much sums up the frustration a lot of users feel. It's a stark reminder of why optimizing this final step is so critical for any online store's growth.

A Strategic Business Decision

Tinkering with your checkout isn't just about making it look pretty; it's a strategic move to improve the customer experience and, ultimately, boost your bottom line. WooCommerce powers over 6 million active stores and holds a massive 38.76% of the global eCommerce platform market share. With that kind of competition, you have to find ways to stand out. The most successful merchants know that tailoring the checkout flow is a key differentiator.

A custom checkout gives you the power to:

  • Remove unnecessary fields to make the whole process faster.
  • Add custom fields that are actually useful, like "Delivery Instructions" or a "Gift Message" option.
  • Reinforce your brand identity with consistent logos, colors, and fonts.
  • Build trust by adding security badges, customer testimonials, or clear return policies.

By taking control of this final, crucial step, you can directly influence your store's success. If you want to dive deeper, check out our guide on how to improve website conversion rates. A thoughtfully designed checkout doesn't just process a transaction; it guides users smoothly toward completing their purchase, turning potential drop-offs into happy, loyal customers.

Comparing Checkout Customization Methods

So, which path should you take? The "get your hands dirty with code" route or the "drag-and-drop with a plugin" route? Both have their place, and the right choice really depends on your technical comfort level, budget, and how much control you need.

Let's break down the pros and cons of each approach.

Feature Code Snippets (functions.php) Elementor Addons (Exclusive Addons)
Technical Skill Requires knowledge of PHP and WordPress hooks. No coding needed. Completely visual, drag-and-drop interface.
Control & Flexibility Granular control over specific functions, but limited design-wise. Total design freedom. Control layout, style, and content visually.
Speed & Performance Very lightweight. No extra plugin bloat. Can add a bit of overhead, but well-coded addons are highly optimized.
Ease of Use High learning curve. Prone to errors if not done correctly. Incredibly easy and intuitive, even for complete beginners.
Cost Free (if you do it yourself). Requires Elementor Pro and a premium addon like Exclusive Addons.
Best For Developers or users comfortable with code making minor tweaks. Store owners who want full design control without writing code.

Ultimately, if you're a developer who just needs to remove a single field, a quick function in your functions.php file is efficient. But for most store owners who want to truly transform their checkout experience—redesigning the layout, adding trust seals, and creating a multi-step process—an Elementor addon is the clear winner for its power and ease of use.

Jumping straight into editing files or installing plugins without a game plan is like starting a road trip without checking your tires—it’s a recipe for disaster. Before you even think about customizing your WooCommerce checkout page, a few foundational steps will save you from massive headaches and make sure the whole project goes smoothly.

Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. The absolute first and most crucial step is to create a full site backup. I can't stress this enough. Things can and do go wrong, and having a recent, complete backup of your files and database is your ultimate safety net. It means you can restore your store to its last working state in a snap if something breaks.

Creating a Safe Sandbox to Play In

Once your backup is secure, the next smart move is to set up a staging environment. A staging site is just an exact clone of your live store, but it's completely private. This is your personal sandbox where you can break things, test new code, and mess around with plugin settings without a single real customer or sale being affected.

Most quality web hosts offer one-click staging site creation these days. This is where you'll do all your customization work first. Only after you've tested everything until you're blue in the face and are 100% confident it works perfectly should you push those changes live.

Key Takeaway: Never, ever edit your live eCommerce site directly. A staging environment removes all the risk, letting you perfect your custom checkout page without any stress before your customers lay eyes on it.

Getting Your Tools Ready

What you do next really depends on which customization path you're taking. Each approach needs a slightly different setup to prevent problems down the road.

For the Code-Based Approach

If you're planning to use PHP snippets to work your magic, using a child theme is non-negotiable. A child theme inherits all the style and functionality of your main (or "parent") theme but lets you add your own tweaks safely in separate files. Without one, any changes you make directly to your theme's functions.php file will be completely wiped out the next time your theme gets an update. A child theme protects all your hard work.

For the Plugin-Based Approach

If you're going with a plugin like Exclusive Addons, your prep work is all about making sure you have the right tools and that everything is compatible. You'll want to make sure the following are installed and updated to their latest versions:

  • WooCommerce: The engine of your store.
  • Elementor: The page builder foundation.
  • Elementor Pro: This unlocks the Theme Builder and other advanced features you'll need.
  • Exclusive Addons: The plugin that gives you the powerful Woo Checkout widget.

Running the latest versions ensures all these tools play nicely together, which is key to minimizing potential conflicts and bugs.

Customizing Checkout Fields with Code Snippets

While visual builders give you incredible design freedom, sometimes you just need to make a few precise, surgical changes without adding another plugin to your stack. For those who are comfortable with a little bit of code, diving into your child theme’s functions.php file is the most lightweight and powerful way to customize the checkout page in WooCommerce.

A close-up of a code editor showing PHP snippets for WooCommerce customization.

This method gives you pinpoint control over every single field. You can remove, reorder, and add new fields with just a few lines of PHP, making your checkout form a perfect fit for your business needs.

Removing Distracting Checkout Fields

One of the quickest wins for a better checkout experience is to get rid of any fields that aren't absolutely essential. A cluttered form creates friction and can easily overwhelm a potential customer.

Think about it: if you primarily sell digital products or only ship to residential customers, the "Company name" field is completely unnecessary. Removing it instantly cleans up the form and shortens the process for your buyers.

Here's how you can do it. Simply pop the following code snippet into your child theme's functions.php file.

add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_fields' , 'custom_override_checkout_fields' );

function custom_override_checkout_fields( $fields ) {
unset($fields['billing']['billing_company']);
unset($fields['shipping']['shipping_company']);
return $fields;
}

This simple function hooks into WooCommerce's checkout fields filter and uses the unset() function to remove the company field from both billing and shipping. It’s clean, efficient, and immediately simplifies the checkout.

Reordering Fields for a Better User Flow

The default order of WooCommerce fields isn't always the most logical. You might want to rearrange them to create a more intuitive flow for your customers, grouping related information in a way that just makes sense.

Let’s say you want to move the email address field to be the very first thing a customer fills out. This is a great move for capturing their contact info early, even if they abandon the purchase later.

To reorder fields, all you need to do is assign them a new priority number. Lower numbers appear higher up on the page.

add_filter( 'woocommerce_billing_fields', 'reorder_billing_fields' );

function reorder_billing_fields( $fields ) {
$fields['billing_email']['priority'] = 1;
$fields['billing_first_name']['priority'] = 5;
$fields['billing_last_name']['priority'] = 10;
return $fields;
}

In this example, we've set the email field's priority to 1, making sure it appears right at the top of the form. You can adjust the priority numbers for any field to get the exact order you're looking for.

Pro Tip: When reordering, I always use priority numbers in increments of 5 or 10. This leaves you room to easily insert new fields between existing ones later without having to re-number everything. It's a small thing that saves a lot of headaches down the road.

The impact of small tweaks like removing and reordering fields is surprisingly significant. In fact, just reducing checkout fields has been shown to improve completion rates by up to 20% or more, especially on a clean, fast-loading page. You can find more insights like this in Magecomp's detailed analysis of WooCommerce statistics.

Adding Valuable Custom Fields

Sometimes, you need to collect more information than what WooCommerce asks for by default. This is where adding custom fields becomes invaluable. You could add a field for gift messages, special delivery instructions, or even let customers pick a desired delivery date.

Let's walk through adding a "Delivery Instructions" text area to the shipping section. This is incredibly helpful for both your customers and your fulfillment team.

add_action( 'woocommerce_after_order_notes', 'add_custom_delivery_field' );

function add_custom_delivery_field( $checkout ) {
echo '

Delivery Instructions

';

woocommerce_form_field( 'delivery_instructions', array(
    'type'          => 'textarea',
    'class'         => array('my-field-class form-row-wide'),
    'label'         => __('Special instructions for the delivery driver'),
    'placeholder'   => __('e.g., Leave the package by the front door behind the pot plant.'),
    ), $checkout->get_value( 'delivery_instructions' ));

echo '</div>';

}

This snippet does a few key things:

  • It hooks into the woocommerce_after_order_notes action to place our new field right after the standard order notes section.
  • It uses the woocommerce_form_field() function to create a new textarea field.
  • We've defined a label and some helpful placeholder text to guide the user.

But just adding the field isn't enough. You also need to save the data when the order is placed and make sure it shows up in the admin area.

Saving the Custom Field Data

To save the information, you'll need another function that hooks into the order processing action.

add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_create_order', 'save_custom_delivery_field_data' );

function save_custom_delivery_field_data( $order ) {
if ( ! empty( $_POST['delivery_instructions'] ) ) {
$order->update_meta_data( '_delivery_instructions', sanitize_textarea_field( $_POST['delivery_instructions'] ) );
}
}
This code checks if our custom field was filled out and, if so, saves the data as order meta. Simple as that.

Displaying Data in the Order Admin

Finally, you need to actually see this information when you're processing the order. This last snippet displays the custom field data on the order edit screen in your WordPress admin.

add_action( 'woocommerce_admin_order_data_after_shipping_address', 'display_delivery_instructions_in_admin', 10, 1 );

function display_delivery_instructions_in_admin($order){
echo '

Delivery Instructions: ' . get_post_meta( $order->get_id(), '_delivery_instructions', true ) . '

';
}
With these pieces of code working together, you have successfully added, saved, and displayed a fully functional custom field on your checkout page. This level of control is what makes WooCommerce so powerful—you can tailor the experience precisely to your store's operations and your customers' expectations.

Let's be honest, diving into code snippets isn't for everyone. If you'd rather have total design control with a visual, drag-and-drop experience, then building your checkout page with Elementor and Exclusive Addons is the way to go.

This approach completely changes the game. You can see your tweaks and adjustments happen in real-time, turning what feels like a complicated technical task into something genuinely creative. You’re not just editing a page; you're building a high-converting, on-brand checkout experience from the ground up, all inside an interface you already know.

A user interface showing Elementor's drag-and-drop editor for a WooCommerce checkout page.

Getting Your Tools Ready

Before you can start designing, we need to make sure the right plugins are installed and activated. This whole process relies on the powerhouse combination of Elementor's Theme Builder and the specialized widgets from Exclusive Addons.

Make sure you have these three plugins ready to roll:

  • Elementor: The core page builder plugin, of course.
  • Elementor Pro: This is non-negotiable. You need it for the Theme Builder, which is what lets us create custom templates for core WooCommerce pages like the checkout.
  • Exclusive Addons Pro: This is our secret weapon. It unlocks the powerful ‘Woo Checkout’ widget, which is the star of the show here.

Once those are in place, you're officially ready to leave the default WooCommerce layout behind and start crafting something special.

Creating Your Custom Checkout Template

First things first, you need to create a dedicated template in Elementor. This new template will completely override the standard WooCommerce checkout page.

Head over to Templates > Theme Builder in your WordPress dashboard. From there, click on the 'Checkout' tab and hit 'Add New' to get started. I recommend giving your template a clear name like "Main Store Checkout" so you can easily find it later.

After you create the template, you'll be dropped into the Elementor editor with a totally blank canvas. This is your playground. You can design any layout you can dream up—a clean single column, a classic two-column setup, or even add extra sections for trust badges and customer testimonials.

Taking Control with the Woo Checkout Widget

Now for the magic part. In the Elementor widgets panel, just search for the Woo Checkout widget from Exclusive Addons. Drag it onto your blank canvas.

Instantly, you’ll see the entire WooCommerce checkout form appear. But here's the difference: it’s not a static, hard-coded form anymore. It's now a fully flexible Elementor widget that you have complete control over.

This one widget bundles everything—billing details, shipping info, the order summary, and payment methods—into a single, manageable element. All the power is tucked away in the 'Content' and 'Style' tabs, giving you ridiculously detailed control over every single piece of the form.

The Woo Checkout widget is built to be an all-in-one solution. Instead of fumbling around trying to style a dozen different WooCommerce components, you get one unified set of controls. This makes creating a consistent, professional design incredibly straightforward.

For a complete breakdown of every single setting, I highly recommend checking out the official Woo Checkout widget documentation from the Exclusive Addons team.

Styling Every Element to Match Your Brand

With the Woo Checkout widget in place, the real fun begins. Now you can get meticulous, styling every part of the form to create a seamless brand experience. This is absolutely critical for building trust at the most important step in the customer's journey.

Dive into the 'Style' tab and start exploring. You can customize pretty much everything:

  • Form Labels and Placeholders: Tweak the typography, color, and spacing for all the form labels and the placeholder text inside the fields.
  • Input Fields: Change the background color, borders, padding, and even the corner radius to make the fields match your site's look and feel perfectly.
  • Headings: Style the section titles like "Billing details" and "Your order" with your brand’s fonts and colors.
  • Buttons: Customize the "Place order" button with unique colors, slick hover effects, and bold typography to make it pop and encourage that final click.

Customizing the Checkout Form Sections

Beyond just colors and fonts, the Woo Checkout widget lets you actually modify the structure and content of the checkout form. This is where you can really start to optimize the user experience and cut down on friction.

Over in the 'Content' tab, you’ll find toggles and settings for each major part of the checkout.

Billing and Shipping Details

You can change the main titles for the billing and shipping sections. For instance, instead of "Billing details," you could change it to something more action-oriented like "Step 1: Your Information." You can also decide if the 'Ship to a different address' section should be expanded or collapsed by default.

Your Order Section

This is the order summary table, and clarity is key here. You have full control over the styling of the table headers, product links, and all the pricing info. Making sure this section is clean and easy to scan is vital for preventing any last-minute surprises or confusion.

Payment Methods

The widget also gives you styling control over the payment gateway section. You can adjust the background color and text for both selected and unselected payment options, helping guide the user's eye and confirm their choice.

Publishing and Testing Your New Checkout

Once you’re happy with the design, the last step is to set the display conditions and publish it. Elementor will pop up a window asking where you want this template to show up. You’ll need to set the condition to 'Include: Checkout Page.'

After you hit publish, you must test the entire process. Don't skip this. Go to your store, add something to your cart, and proceed to your brand-new checkout page. Fill out every single field and place a test order—using a test-friendly payment gateway like "Cash on delivery" is perfect for this.

While you're testing, keep an eye out for these things:

  1. Mobile Responsiveness: Use Elementor's responsive mode (or just your phone) to make sure the checkout looks and works perfectly on smaller screens.
  2. Functionality: Do all the fields work correctly? Does the order actually go through?
  3. Visual Consistency: Give it one last look. Does all your styling look right? Does the page feel like a natural part of your website?

By using Elementor and the Woo Checkout widget, you can sidestep the headaches of code and visually build a checkout page that doesn't just look professional—it's engineered to convert.

Advanced Tactics to Maximize Checkout Conversions

Alright, you've got your new checkout page built. That’s a huge step, but the work isn't quite done. Now it's time to turn that functional page into a serious conversion machine.

Think of it this way: the basic setup is the engine, but these next few strategies are the fine-tuning that wins the race. These tactics work whether you used code snippets or a plugin like Exclusive Addons, and they’ll transform your checkout from a simple form into a powerful business asset.

Let's start with the layout. A long, single-column form can feel like a mountain to climb. Just looking at it can be intimidating for a shopper who's ready to buy. A simple psychological trick is to break it up, making the process feel much faster and less overwhelming.

Two layouts are incredibly effective here:

  • Two-Column Layout: This is a classic for a reason. It neatly separates billing and shipping info from the order summary. The beauty of this approach is that all the key details are visible on a single screen, which is fantastic for desktop users who hate scrolling endlessly.
  • Multi-Step Checkout: This method chops the process into small, manageable pieces like "Shipping," "Billing," and "Payment." Adding a progress bar is key here, as it gives customers a clear sense of how far they've come and how close they are to finishing. This visibility reduces anxiety and keeps them moving forward.

The Baymard Institute found that a checkout process that feels too long or complicated is a primary driver of cart abandonment. A multi-step or well-organized two-column layout directly tackles this problem by changing the customer's perception of the task.

Building Unshakeable Trust at the Final Step

The moment a customer reaches for their credit card is the moment of truth. Any flicker of doubt or insecurity can kill the sale instantly. This is why placing trust signals on your checkout page isn't just a nice touch—it's absolutely essential.

You've built a solid form; now, you need to surround it with visual proof that your store is legitimate and their information is safe. Strategically sprinkle these elements around the payment and order summary sections.

A few must-haves include:

  • Security Badges: Logos from trusted names like Norton or McAfee are instant trust-builders. Even a generic SSL certificate badge visually communicates that the connection is secure and their data is encrypted.
  • Customer Testimonials: A short, powerful quote from a happy customer provides social proof right when it matters most. Keep it brief and impactful.
  • Clear Return Policies: A quick summary of your return policy or satisfaction guarantee right near the "Place Order" button can be the final nudge someone needs. It reassures them that their purchase is risk-free.

These small additions can have a massive impact on a user's confidence, pushing them across the finish line.

Increasing Order Value with Smart Features

A truly great checkout page doesn't just convert sales; it actively works to increase them. You can build features right into the page that boost your average order value (AOV) without being pushy.

One of the most effective tools for this is a one-click order bump. This is a small, irresistible offer presented just before the final payment button. For example, if a customer is buying a coffee maker, you could offer a discounted bag of premium coffee beans. It's an easy impulse buy they can add with a single click.

Another powerful technique is using conditional logic. This lets you show or hide specific fields based on what the user has already entered. For instance, you could set up a "VAT Number" field to only appear if a customer checks a box saying they're a business. This keeps the form clean and relevant for every single shopper, removing unnecessary friction.

Of course, you won't know what works best until you test it. Different layouts, trust seals, or order bump offers will resonate differently with your audience. To get this right, you'll want to explore our guide on effective split-testing for landing pages and apply those same principles to your checkout.

Finally, don't forget your payment options. Offering the right mix can stop customers from leaving simply because their preferred method isn't available. For a deeper look, check out this great resource on the top payment gateways for WooCommerce to boost conversions to make sure you're catering to your audience. These advanced tactics are the final polish that turns a good checkout into a great one.

Common Questions (and Straight Answers)

Once you've put in the work to customize your WooCommerce checkout, a few questions are bound to pop up. It's totally normal. You want to make sure your slick new design is built to last, performs well, and doesn't break down the road. Let's tackle some of the most common things people ask.

Will This Slow Down My Website?

This is probably the #1 concern I hear, especially when a page builder like Elementor is involved. The short answer? Not really, if you do it right.

A well-built tool like Exclusive Addons is designed to be lean, only loading what it needs to. We're talking about a few extra kilobytes for styling—a tiny price to pay for a checkout page that converts better. The same goes for code snippets; their performance impact is practically zero.

My Take: The real speed killers on an ecommerce site are almost always unoptimized images, bloated themes, or too many low-quality plugins. A thoughtfully customized checkout page is rarely the culprit. The boost in user experience and conversions far outweighs any negligible increase in page size.

How Do I Handle Updates?

"What happens when WooCommerce pushes an update?" This is a fantastic question, because breaking your site is not an option.

Your approach to updates depends entirely on how you made your customizations:

  • Code Snippets: If you followed best practices and put your code in a child theme's functions.php file, you're golden. The parent theme can update all it wants without touching your hard work. This is exactly why using a child theme isn't just a suggestion—it's a must.
  • Elementor & Exclusive Addons: This is even easier. Good plugin developers (like us!) rigorously test their tools against new WooCommerce versions. Just keep your plugins updated, and you'll be fine. Pro tip: always test major updates on a staging site first. Don't risk your live store.

Is My Custom Checkout Mobile-Friendly?

With more than 50% of online shopping happening on phones, your checkout has to work flawlessly on a small screen. No excuses.

If you used Elementor, you're in the driver's seat. Just switch to Elementor's responsive mode. From there, you can tweak layouts, shrink font sizes, and adjust spacing specifically for tablets and mobile. The goal is to make it easy to fly through the form with your thumb—think big fields and tappable buttons.

For those who went the code route, responsiveness is mostly controlled by your theme. But if you added any custom CSS, make sure you've included media queries to ensure your styles adapt gracefully to different screen sizes.

Can I Switch Back to the Default Checkout?

What if you change your mind or need to troubleshoot something? Can you go back to the boring old WooCommerce default? Absolutely. It’s a piece of cake.

  • For code users: Just head back into your child theme's functions.php file and either delete the snippets you added or comment them out.
  • For Elementor users: Navigate to Templates > Theme Builder. Find the checkout template you created and either remove its display conditions or just trash the template entirely.

The moment you do either of these, WooCommerce will instantly revert to its standard checkout page. This gives you the freedom to experiment, knowing you always have a fallback.

Ready to stop wrestling with code and start building a checkout page that actually makes you money? Exclusive Addons for Elementor puts the power in your hands with a simple drag-and-drop interface. Take control of your checkout design today.