WooCommerce is a customizable, open-source eCommerce platform built on WordPress. It is an eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It makes creating and managing online stores simple, with reasonable levels of flexibility and several vital features such as inventory and tax management, secure payments, and shipping integration. WooCommerce allows you to sell any product online to both local and international markets. Before you start selling, you must list your items on WooCommerce. From our previous post you might already know how to list simple item on WooCommerce. Now, in this article, we will show you how to list variation items on WooCommerce.
Before going to show you the entire process, you need to know a few basic things about WooCommerce.
The Benefits of WooCommerce
WooCommerce is built on WordPress, a popular and familiar platform already used by millions of websites across the globe. It is renowned for its clean and straightforward shop system that creates a seamless experience when customers make purchases. Let’s take a look at the benefits of WooCommerce.
- Easy to Setup and Install
- Data Control
- Feature-packed Shopping Cart
- Complete Control of Products
- Easy Shipping
- Easier Tax Management
- Keeping You Informed
Variable Product
A product variation represents a product that is offered in different variants. Variable products in WooCommerce let you offer a set of variations on a product with control over SKU, prices, stock, image, specification, and other attributes for each variation.
They can be used for a product like a shirt, where you can offer a large, medium and small and in different colors.
Okay, let’s dive into the process.
Adding Variation items on WooCommerce
Set the Product Type
To add a variable product, create a new product or edit an existing one.
- Go to: WooCommerce > Products.
- Select the Add Product button or Edit an existing product. The Product Data displays.
- Select Variable product from the Product Data dropdown.
Add Attributes to Use for Variations
In the Attributes section, add attributes before creating variations — use global attributes that are site-wide or define custom ones specific to a product.
Global Attributes
To use a global attribute on your product:
- First, create a global attribute.
- Then you can choose said global attribute from the dropdown and select Add.
- Choose Select all to add all values to the variable product (if applicable).
- Most importantly select the Used for variations checkbox to use these for variations.
- Select Save attributes.
Custom Attributes
To add a new attribute specific to this product:
- Select Custom product attribute and click Add.
- Name the attribute (e.g., Size).
- Set values separated by a vertical pipe, | (e.g., Small | Medium | Large).
- Enable the Used for variations checkbox.
- Select Save attributes.
Add Variations
With attributes created and saved to add a variation, go to the Variations section in the Product data meta box.
Manually Add a Variation
- Select Add variation from the dropdown menu, and select Go.
- Select attributes for your variation. To change additional data, click the triangle icon to expand the variation.
- Edit any available data. The only required field is Regular Price.
- Select Save changes.
Creating All Possible Variations
Select Create variations from all attributes to have WooCommerce create every possible combination of variations from your attributes and their values. Now, select Go:
It will create a new variation for each and every possible combination of variation attributes (max 50 per run). If you have more possible combinations you can run it again.
For example, if you have two attributes – color (with values blue and green) and size (with values large and small) it creates the following variations:
- Large Blue
- Large Red
- Small Blue
- Small Red
Adding Variation Data
Each variation can have the following properties.
General
- Enabled – Enable or disable the variation.
- Downloadable – If this is a downloadable variation.
- Virtual – If this product isn’t physical or shipped, shipping settings are removed.
- Regular Price (required) – Set the price for this variation.
- Sale Price (optional) – Set a price for this variation when on sale.
- Tax status – Taxable, shipping only, none.
- Tax class – Tax class for this variation. Useful if you are offering variations spanning different tax bands.
- Stock quantity – Shows if Manage stock? is selected. Allows setting the current stock level for the variation.
- Allow backorders? – Shows if Manage stock? is selected. Allows to set if backorders are allowed for the variation; if enabled, stock can go below zero.
- Low stock threshold – Shows if Manage stock? is selected. When the stock for the variation reaches this level you will get a notification email. If not set, the product-wide threshold will be used (see Inventory Management below).
- Downloadable Files – This shows if Downloadable is selected. Add a file(s) for customers to download.
- Download Limit – Shows if Downloadable is selected. Set how many times a customer can download the file(s). Leave blank for unlimited.
- Download Expiry – Shows if Downloadable is selected. Set the number of days before a download expires after purchase.
Inventory Management
Inventory for variable products can be managed on product and variation levels.
Сhoose how to manage stock by toggling Enable stock management at product level on the Inventory tab:
The following settings are available if you choose to manage stock on a product level:
- SKU – If you use SKUs, set the SKU or leave blank to use the product’s SKU.
- Manage Stock? – Tick the box to manage stock at the variation level.
- Stock Quantity – Shows if Manage Stock is selected. Input the quantity. Stock for the specific variation, or left blank to use the product’s stock settings.
- Allow Backorders – Choose how to handle backorders.
- Low stock threshold – When the stock for the variation reaches this level you will get a notification email.
- Sold Individually? – Allow only one to be sold in one order. (This setting is used for the product itself. You cannot set a specific variation to only be sold once per order)
Set Stock Status can be applied to all variations at once to In stock or Out of stock. Bulk-update under Variations:
Shipping
- Weight – Weight for the variation, or left blank to use the product’s weight.
- Dimensions – Height, width, and length for the variation, or left blank to use the product’s dimensions.
- Shipping class – Shipping class can affect shipping. Set this if it differs from the product.
Linked Products
- Upsells
- Cross-sells
Add an Image to the Variation
- Expand the variation.
- Click the blue image placeholder (screenshot).
- Select the image you wish to use.
- Save.
By now, you have gathered how to list variation products on WooCommerce.
To conclude, WooCommerce is your best bet if you want to build a flexible and reliable eCommerce store. And Listing through WooCommerce is a great comfort if you follow our steps carefully, even if you haven’t used WordPress before. We hope that now you know everything about how to list variation items in WooCommerce. If you like our discussion, please comment, share, and subscribe to our blog. Also, feel free to ask If you have any queries regarding WooCommerce. We would be glad to hear from you and answer your questions.
