The Tool Desk
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How to add a product in WooCommerce
- Open the product editor. In your WordPress admin, go to Products > Add New. The editor starts with Simple product selected. The layout can vary if your theme, page builder, or extensions modify the interface.
- Enter the product name and description. Add a clear name and describe what the item is and why it is useful. WooCommerce says a name and price are enough to begin selling, but useful listings usually need details that help shoppers make a decision. See the WooCommerce product management guide.
- Choose the product type. Select the type that matches how customers choose and receive the item. Make this decision before completing the remaining fields, because the available settings change with the type.
- Set the price and other product details. Enter the regular price. Add a sale price or cost-of-goods information if relevant to your store. Then complete the fields for inventory, shipping, attributes, or file delivery as appropriate.
- Add a product image. In the right-hand Product image panel, select or upload the main image. WooCommerce recommends images of at least 800 × 800 pixels; the theme can affect how images display and which image controls are available. See WooCommerce’s product image and gallery guidance.
- Publish and check the listing. Click Publish, then open the product’s view link to inspect its customer-facing page.
Choose the right WooCommerce product type
These product types answer different questions: what the customer selects, how pricing and stock are managed, how the item is fulfilled, and where checkout happens.
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| Type | When to use it | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | A single item with no customer-selected variations. | The default type; it is treated as a physical, shippable product unless you also mark it virtual. |
| Variable | An item offered in choices such as size or color. | Customers choose an option, and each variation can have its own price, stock, and other data. |
| Grouped | A page that presents several existing products together. | Shoppers can add the listed products individually. |
| External/Affiliate | A product sold at another destination. | You provide a product URL and button text that direct shoppers to that destination. |
WooCommerce’s product management documentation explains these types and their editor settings.
How to add a variable product
Use a variable product when a shopper must select an option and the choices may have different prices or stock levels. For example, a shirt in several sizes can use a variation for each size.
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- Open Products > Add New and enter the product name and description.
- In the product data area, change Simple product to Variable product.
- Define the attributes customers can choose, such as size or color, and configure those attributes for use in variations.
- Create the variations, then set the relevant details for each one, including its price and stock where needed.
- Add the product image and any other applicable details, then publish and inspect the page.
Variation settings and presentation depend on the product configuration; WooCommerce’s variable product guide covers the product editor workflow.
Set inventory and shipping details
Inventory
If you want WooCommerce to track stock, configure inventory for the product. For a variable product, stock can be managed at the variation level when the variations need different quantities.
Shipping
For a shippable product, review its weight, dimensions, and any shipping class your store uses. These details are inapplicable to a virtual product, for which WooCommerce removes shipping fields and does not trigger shipping calculations. The precise editor panels can vary with extensions and store configuration.
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Make a product virtual or downloadable
Virtual and Downloadable are separate product settings, not interchangeable product types. Virtual changes shipping behavior; downloadable adds file-delivery options.
Virtual products
Mark an item virtual when it does not need to be shipped, such as a service. Shipping fields are removed, and the item does not trigger shipping calculations. A virtual product can still have a base product type such as simple or variable. See WooCommerce’s product settings documentation.
Downloadable products
Mark a product downloadable when the purchase gives the customer one or more files. Configure the file and, if needed, a download limit or expiry. Downloadable by itself does not remove shipping; if the file is the entire purchase and nothing physical is shipped, also mark the product virtual. WooCommerce documents these settings in its product management guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Product images and gallery video
Use a clear main image that represents the item. WooCommerce recommends a minimum of 800 × 800 pixels, while your theme can change how images are cropped or displayed. The Product image panel sets the main image; gallery images can provide additional views.
WooCommerce’s documented product gallery video option is a beta feature, not a required part of adding a product. In the documented state, it must be enabled and uses video from the site’s Media Library. It is not supported in variation galleries, CSV import/export, or the REST API. Check the current image and gallery documentation before relying on it, since beta behavior may change.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
