WooCommerce Glossary

A

Add to Cart

A button or feature in WooCommerce that lets shoppers select and store items they want to purchase in their online shopping cart before checkout.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of tools in WooCommerce that allows developers to connect external apps, automate store data, and integrate third-party services seamlessly.

Attributes

Product details such as size, color, or material that help define variations and improve product filtering and SEO visibility in WooCommerce stores.

Autosave

A WooCommerce feature that automatically saves product or page edits to prevent data loss during content creation or updates.

Affiliate / Affiliate Product

A product type in WooCommerce that links to an external website, allowing store owners to earn commissions through affiliate marketing sales.

B

Backend

The admin area of a WooCommerce store where users manage products, orders, settings, and plugins to control how the site operates.

Block / WooCommerce Blocks

Modular content elements in WooCommerce that let users easily design store pages using WordPress’s block editor for a visual, drag-and-drop experience.

Bundled Product

A WooCommerce product type that combines multiple items into one package, allowing store owners to sell product sets or offer discounts on bundles.

By Product Shipping Method

A WooCommerce shipping setup that allows defining specific shipping rules, costs, or methods for individual products within an order.

C

Cart

The virtual shopping basket in WooCommerce where customers review selected products, quantities, and totals before proceeding to checkout.

Cart Abandonment

When a customer adds products to the WooCommerce cart but leaves the site before completing the purchase—often reduced using remarketing or email recovery tools.

Category

A WooCommerce taxonomy used to organize products into groups, improving navigation, search visibility, and SEO structure.

Checkout

The final WooCommerce process where customers enter payment, shipping, and billing details to complete their purchase.

CMS (Content Management System)

A software platform like WordPress that powers WooCommerce, allowing users to create, manage, and publish ecommerce content without coding.

Coupon

A promotional code in WooCommerce that gives customers discounts such as a percentage off, free shipping, or a fixed price reduction at checkout.

Cross-sell

A sales strategy in WooCommerce that suggests related or complementary products on cart or product pages to increase average order value.

Configuration / Settings

The area in WooCommerce where store owners adjust preferences such as payments, shipping, taxes, and product display options to customize their store’s functionality.

Custom Post Type

A WordPress feature used by WooCommerce to define unique content types—like products, orders, or coupons—beyond standard posts and pages.

D

Dashboard

The main admin panel in WooCommerce where store owners can view sales data, manage products, configure settings, and monitor store performance.

Database

The structured storage system that holds all WooCommerce data, including products, customers, orders, and settings, enabling smooth site functionality.

Default

A preset WooCommerce option or value automatically applied when no custom setting or configuration is selected by the store owner.

Downloadable Product

A WooCommerce product type that delivers digital files—like eBooks, music, or software—directly to customers after payment.

Dynamic Pricing

A WooCommerce strategy or plugin feature that automatically adjusts product prices based on rules, customer roles, quantity, or promotional conditions.

Discount / Discount Code

A special offer or coupon applied during checkout to reduce the product or order total, often used to boost sales and customer loyalty.

Download Limit

A restriction set by WooCommerce store owners on how many times a customer can download a purchased digital product.

E

Editor

The WordPress or WooCommerce interface where users create and edit content such as product descriptions, pages, and posts using visual or block-based tools.

Extension / Plugin

A software add-on that enhances WooCommerce functionality, allowing store owners to add features like payment gateways, shipping options, or marketing tools.

Export

A WooCommerce feature that lets users download data—such as products, orders, or customer lists—into CSV or XML files for reporting or migration purposes.

External / Affiliate Product

A WooCommerce product type that links to an external website, allowing store owners to earn commissions by promoting third-party products.

Enabled / Disabled

A status setting in WooCommerce used to activate or deactivate specific products, plugins, payment gateways, or store features.

Endpoint (REST API)

A specific URL in the WooCommerce REST API that allows developers to send or retrieve data, enabling integrations with external apps and systems.

F

Featured Product

A highlighted product in WooCommerce that’s promoted on the homepage or category pages to attract more visibility and boost sales.

Filter

A WooCommerce tool or widget that helps shoppers narrow down products based on attributes like price, category, rating, or availability.

Flat Rate Shipping

A fixed shipping fee in WooCommerce that applies per order, per item, or per class—regardless of weight or destination.

Hooks / Filters / Actions

Code snippets in WooCommerce that let developers customize or extend store functionality without modifying the core plugin.

Frontend

The visible part of a WooCommerce store that customers interact with—such as product pages, cart, and checkout.

Fractional Quantities

A WooCommerce feature or plugin option that allows selling products in decimal quantities, ideal for items sold by weight or measurement.

G

Gateway (Payment Gateway)

A secure service in WooCommerce that processes online payments from customers using credit cards, PayPal, Stripe, or other supported methods.

Global Attributes

Product attributes in WooCommerce created site-wide, allowing multiple products to share the same size, color, or specification options.

Global Settings

The universal WooCommerce configuration panel where store-wide preferences—like currency, tax rates, and shipping defaults—are managed.

GST / VAT / Tax

Government-imposed sales taxes that WooCommerce automatically calculates at checkout based on location and product tax class settings.

H

Hosting

The web service that stores and runs your WooCommerce website, affecting site speed, uptime, and overall performance. Reliable hosting ensures smooth online store operations.

HTML / HTML Blocks

The markup language and block elements used in WooCommerce to design and display content such as product layouts, descriptions, and page structures.

Hybrid Product

A WooCommerce product that combines features of multiple product types—like physical and downloadable items—within a single listing.

Hard Crop (image handling)

A WooCommerce image setting that automatically crops product images to exact dimensions, ensuring consistent image sizes across your store.

I

Import

A WooCommerce feature that allows store owners to upload bulk data—such as products, customers, or orders—from a CSV or XML file into their store.

Integration

The connection between WooCommerce and third-party tools like CRMs, marketing platforms, or payment gateways to automate and enhance store operations.

Inventory

The stock management system in WooCommerce that tracks product quantities, availability, and backorders to ensure accurate sales and fulfillment.

IP (Intellectual Property)

Legal ownership of creative assets—like product images, descriptions, or designs—used within a WooCommerce store to protect brand content.

In-Stock / Out-of-Stock

WooCommerce product statuses that indicate whether an item is available for purchase or currently unavailable in inventory.

Image Sizes

Predefined WooCommerce dimensions that control how product images are displayed on listings, galleries, and single product pages.

Instance

A specific occurrence of a WooCommerce element—such as a shipping method, widget, or plugin—configured with unique settings.

J

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

A lightweight data format used by WooCommerce REST API to exchange information between the store and external applications in a readable structure.

Job Queue

A WooCommerce process that handles background tasks—like sending emails, processing orders, or updating data—without slowing down site performance.

K

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

Measurable metrics in WooCommerce—such as conversion rate, average order value, or cart abandonment rate—that help track store performance and growth.

Keywords

Targeted words or phrases used in WooCommerce product titles, descriptions, and SEO settings to improve search visibility and attract organic traffic.

L

Layout

The visual structure of a WooCommerce store, including product grids, menus, and page designs, which influences user experience and conversions.

Licensing / License Key

A unique activation code used in WooCommerce plugins or themes to verify ownership, enable updates, and ensure access to premium features.

Localization / Multilingual

The process of translating WooCommerce store content, currencies, and formats to serve customers in different languages and regions.

Log / Logging

A WooCommerce system record that tracks store activities, errors, and API requests—helpful for debugging and monitoring performance.

Line Item

An individual product entry within a WooCommerce order, showing details like quantity, price, tax, and subtotal.

M

Meta Data

Additional information stored with WooCommerce products, orders, or customers—used for SEO, tracking, or displaying extra product details.

Minimum Order Amount / MOQ

The lowest purchase value or quantity required in WooCommerce before a customer can proceed to checkout, often set to control order profitability.

Multilingual / Multiple Currency

WooCommerce features or plugins that let stores display content in multiple languages and accept various currencies for global customers.

My Account

A dedicated WooCommerce page where customers can manage their orders, downloads, addresses, and account details after logging in.

Menu / Navigation

The structured set of links in a WooCommerce store that helps users browse categories, pages, and products easily.

N

Namespace

A programming structure in WooCommerce that organizes classes, functions, or code to prevent conflicts between plugins or custom features.

Notification

Automatic alerts in WooCommerce—such as new order emails, stock updates, or payment confirmations—sent to admins or customers.

Nonce (security token)

A one-time security key used in WooCommerce and WordPress to verify user actions, helping protect against unauthorized or malicious requests.

Number of Items

A WooCommerce cart or order metric showing how many products a customer has added or purchased, useful for analytics and reporting.

O

Order

A record in WooCommerce that captures all details of a customer’s purchase, including products, payment, shipping, and billing information.

Order Item

An individual product entry within a WooCommerce order, showing its quantity, price, taxes, and total amount.

Order Status (processing, on-hold, completed, etc.)

The stage of an order in WooCommerce that indicates its progress—such as pending payment, processing, completed, refunded, or canceled.

Out-of-Stock

A WooCommerce inventory status showing that a product is unavailable for purchase until restocked.

Override

A WooCommerce setting or customization that replaces default behavior, such as modifying templates, prices, or shipping rules.

Orders API

A WooCommerce REST API endpoint that allows developers to create, read, update, or manage orders programmatically from external systems.

P

Page Builder

A drag-and-drop design tool used with WooCommerce to create and customize store pages without coding, improving layout and user experience.

Payment Gateway

A secure online service integrated with WooCommerce to process customer payments through methods like credit cards, PayPal, or Stripe.

Plugin / Extension

A software add-on that extends WooCommerce functionality, allowing features like advanced shipping, SEO tools, or subscription management.

Product

The core element of any WooCommerce store—an item or service listed for sale with details like price, description, and inventory.

Product Variation / Variable Product

A WooCommerce product type that offers multiple variations—such as size, color, or material—each with unique pricing and stock options.

Promotion / Promo Code

A marketing tool in WooCommerce that provides discounts or special offers to encourage purchases and increase customer retention.

Protocol (HTTP / HTTPS)

The communication standard used by WooCommerce websites; HTTPS ensures data encryption and secure transactions for customers.

PHP Version

The version of the PHP programming language your WooCommerce store runs on—keeping it updated improves speed, security, and compatibility.

Q

Query (WP_Query)

A WordPress function used by WooCommerce to retrieve and display specific products, orders, or posts from the database.

Queue / Job Queue

A background process in WooCommerce that manages scheduled tasks such as order updates, email sending, or data syncing efficiently.

Quantity

The number of product units a customer selects or a store holds in stock; essential for managing inventory and order fulfillment in WooCommerce.

R

Refund

The process of returning payment to a customer for a canceled or returned WooCommerce order, managed through the admin dashboard or payment gateway.

REST API

A WooCommerce interface that allows external applications to interact with store data—such as products, orders, and customers—using HTTP requests.

Role & Permissions

A user management system in WooCommerce that defines access levels and capabilities for administrators, shop managers, and customers.

Routing

The process that determines how WooCommerce handles URLs and directs users to the correct pages, such as checkout, product, or cart pages.

Reports / Analytics

Built-in WooCommerce tools that provide insights into sales, revenue, customers, and product performance for data-driven business decisions.

S

Shortcode

A simple code snippet used in WooCommerce and WordPress to display dynamic content—like products, carts, or checkout forms—on any page or post.

Shipping Zone / Shipping Method

A WooCommerce setup that defines geographical areas and the corresponding shipping methods available to customers during checkout.

Settings

The configuration area in WooCommerce where store owners manage key options like payments, shipping, taxes, and product behavior.

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

A unique identifier assigned to each product or variation in WooCommerce to track inventory and streamline order management.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

A security protocol that encrypts data between a WooCommerce store and its visitors, ensuring safe transactions and protecting sensitive information.

Stock / Stock Status

Indicates product availability in WooCommerce, showing whether items are in stock, out of stock, or available on backorder.

Subscriptions

A WooCommerce feature or plugin that enables recurring payments and automatic renewals for products or services.

Support

Customer service or technical assistance offered by WooCommerce or third-party developers to resolve issues and optimize store performance.

Status (Active, Draft, Pending)

Labels used in WooCommerce to indicate the stage of a product, order, or post—whether it’s published, in review, or awaiting completion.

T

Theme

A WooCommerce-compatible WordPress design framework that controls the layout, style, and overall appearance of your online store.

Template

A predefined layout in WooCommerce that determines how pages like product listings, carts, or checkout forms are displayed.

Tax

A fee applied to customer purchases in WooCommerce based on tax rules, rates, and regions—configurable in the store’s settings.

Transaction

A completed exchange between buyer and seller in WooCommerce involving payment processing, order confirmation, and invoicing.

Trial (for Subscriptions)

A free or discounted introductory period in WooCommerce Subscriptions that lets customers test a product or service before full billing begins.

U

Update

A software improvement or patch in WooCommerce that enhances performance, fixes bugs, or adds new features to your store or plugins.

Up-sell

A sales strategy in WooCommerce that promotes higher-value or premium versions of products to customers during browsing or checkout.

User Role

A permission level in WooCommerce and WordPress that defines what actions users (like admins, shop managers, or customers) can perform.

Utility Functions

Predefined WooCommerce or WordPress functions that simplify repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and streamline custom development.

V

Version

The specific release number of WooCommerce, a plugin, or theme, indicating updates, improvements, or compatibility changes.

Virtual Product

A non-physical WooCommerce product type—such as a service or digital good—that doesn’t require shipping.

Vendor (if multivendor plugin)

A seller or merchant in a multivendor WooCommerce marketplace who manages their own products, orders, and earnings.

Variable Product

A WooCommerce product type that allows multiple variations (like size or color), each with its own price, SKU, and stock.

W

Widget

A customizable content block in WordPress and WooCommerce used to display features like product filters, search bars, or cart summaries on your site.

WooCommerce Core

The main WooCommerce plugin that provides essential ecommerce functionality, including product management, checkout, and payment processing.

WooCommerce REST API

An interface that allows developers to access and manage WooCommerce data—like orders, products, and customers—through external applications.

Webhooks

Automated notifications from WooCommerce that send real-time data (e.g., order updates or payment events) to external systems or apps.

Wishlist

A WooCommerce feature or plugin allowing customers to save products for future purchase, enhancing user experience and conversion potential.

X

XML / XML Feed

A structured data format used to share WooCommerce product information with other platforms like Google Shopping or affiliate sites for seamless integration.

XSS (Cross-Site Scripting — security)

A security vulnerability where malicious scripts are injected into a website. WooCommerce developers prevent XSS through proper data sanitization and validation.

Y

Yearly License

A subscription-based WooCommerce plugin or theme license that requires annual renewal for continued updates, security patches, and support access.

YAML (if used in config)

A human-readable data format occasionally used in WooCommerce development for configuration files or API integrations, ensuring clean and structured code.

Z

Zone (Shipping Zone)

A geographic area in WooCommerce used to define specific shipping methods and rates for different regions, helping stores offer accurate delivery options.

ZIP / Postal Code

A numerical code representing a customer’s delivery area, used in WooCommerce to calculate shipping costs, taxes, and delivery availability.