Ever felt like your WooCommerce checkout page is too far away from where your customers are hanging out? Good news! You don’t have to stick with the default setup. You can place your checkout form anywhere on your WordPress site using a handy little thing called a shortcode. It’s like magic… but for ecommerce.
What is a Shortcode, Anyway?
In WordPress, a shortcode is like a tiny shortcut. It tells WordPress to perform a specific function wherever you place it. It’s usually wrapped with square brackets like this:
[your_shortcode_here]
So, when we talk about WooCommerce shortcodes, we’re talking about special WooCommerce magic that lets you display things like product listings, carts, or checkout forms—anywhere you want.
Why Embed the Checkout Page?
Good question! Normally, WooCommerce directs people to a specific checkout page. But what if you’re creating a custom landing page? Or running a special campaign? Maybe you want customers to go from product to checkout in just one click.
Embedding the checkout means you control the journey. You reduce steps. And that boosts conversions!
The Shortcode You Need: [woocommerce_checkout]
This is the hero of today’s story. And it’s super simple to use.
[woocommerce_checkout]
Just drop that shortcode into any WordPress page, post, or even a widget. Boom! Your checkout form appears like magic.
How to Use the WooCommerce Checkout Shortcode in Different Places
Let’s play around and try this shortcode in all sorts of places. You don’t need to be a developer, just a little adventurous. 💡
1. On a New Page
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Pages > Add New.
- Give your page a fun name like “Quick Checkout” or “Flash Sale Checkout”.
- In the content area, paste the shortcode:
[woocommerce_checkout]
- Publish the page. Done!
Now you’ve got a new checkout page you can link to from anywhere.
2. On a Landing Page
Running a campaign with a limited-time product or offer? Embed the checkout form right on the same page. That way, visitors don’t need to click a bunch of times to buy.
If you’re using a popular page builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder, just drag in a “Shortcode” widget and paste the same code:
[woocommerce_checkout]
That checkout form will show up right where you want it. Slick!
3. In a Widget Area
Feeling brave? Throw the checkout form right into your sidebar or footer.
- Go to Appearance > Widgets.
- Add a “Text” widget to whichever widget area you want.
- Paste the shortcode inside.
- Save. Done.
This trick is especially handy if you’re building a one-page shopping experience.
4. Inside a Popup
Want to wow your visitors? Put the checkout form in a popup! Lots of popup plugins (like Popup Maker or Elementor Popups) support shortcodes.
Just paste [woocommerce_checkout] into the popup content editor.
When visitors click a “Buy Now” button, the checkout appears like a laser-beam of ecommerce happiness.
Make Sure the Page Works Properly
Okay, quick heads-up. For your embedded checkout to work smoothly, you do need to:
- Have the WooCommerce plugin installed and active.
- Make sure no conflicting scripts or themes are breaking the styling.
- Test the page on desktop and mobile.
If something looks funky, try switching your theme temporarily or disabling plugins that might interfere.
Customize the Checkout Page (If You Want)
Want to spice up your embedded checkout a little? You can add some custom text or banners right above or below the shortcode to guide your customers.
For example:
Thanks for shopping with us! 🛍️
You're just a few clicks away from completing your order.
[woocommerce_checkout]Got questions? We're just a chat away!
This helps make the checkout experience feel more personal and less generic.
Pro Tips to Supercharge the Checkout
- One Product Checkout: If you want to sell only one item, you can bypass the cart and send users straight to your embedded checkout page.
- Use Custom URLs: Create short, memorable URLs for each checkout landing page. Great for promotions.
- Track Conversions: Connect Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel to see what’s working.
- Speed Matters: Keep the checkout page light and fast. No one likes a slow load!
When Not to Use the Shortcode
Just a gentle warning—not every situation is perfect for the shortcode.
Here are a few times when you might want to stick with the default setup:
- If your theme already has a custom-designed checkout page.
- If you’re selling a complex mix of products that need special logic.
- If using plugins that modify checkout behavior only on the default page.
But most of the time, using the shortcode gives you flexibility and creativity.
Wrapping It Up
The [woocommerce_checkout] shortcode is powerful stuff. It lets you bring the checkout experience directly to your visitors—wherever they are on your site.
You can:
- Place it on any page or post
- Use it in widgets or sidebars
- Drop it inside popups or landing pages
By making shopping easier and faster, you make it more likely your customers will hit that “Place Order” button. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
So go ahead, play with the shortcode, test different ideas, and have fun customizing the journey!
Your checkout, your rules. 🚀