Do you want to add a custom field to your WooCommerce checkout page?

While the default WooCommerce checkout page is functional, it lacks the flexibility to gather extra data your business might need.

While it includes an ‘Order Notes’ field for additional information, this field is optional and not tailored to your needs. If you require customers to provide specific data, the default setup falls short.

If you require your customers to fill out specific data, the default setup isn’t sufficient.

The inability to collect essential information from shoppers can hinder your efforts to deliver a personalized shopping experience and optimize the checkout process.

Fortunately, you can overcome this limitation by adding extra fields to your WooCommerce checkout form.

In this blog, we'll show you a step-by-step guide on how to add custom checkout fields to your WooCommerce checkout page through two methods:

• Add custom field in WooCommerce checkout page programmatically [Using code]
• Add a custom field using a WooCommerce checkout plugin [With drag-and-drop: No coding]

Short on time? Watch our video tutorial on how to add an extra field in WooCommerce checkout form 👇

What is a WooCommerce Checkout Field?

A WooCommerce checkout field is the input area on the checkout page where customers enter their information to complete their purchases on a  WooCommerce-powered e-commerce website.

These checkout fields help collect essential information from customers to complete their orders and provide a smooth shopping experience.

Let’s look at the default woocommerce checkout page and the form fields it has:

The default WooCommerce checkout fields include:

• Coupon code: If the “Enable the use of coupon codes” option is enabled in the WooCommerce settings, then the checkout will offer a coupon code field where users can apply the coupon code to get discounts.

• Billing information: This includes the customer’s name (first name and last name), company name (optional), address (country, town, state, zip code, etc.), email, and phone number. It's used for billing purposes and shipping addresses if people don’t choose to give a different shipping address.

• Shipping information: If the shipping address differs from the billing address, customers must provide this information, including name, address, company name (optional), and contact address.

• Order notes: A field where customers can leave comments or special requests about their order.

• Payment information: Customers enter their payment details, such as credit card information, cash on delivery, or alternative payment methods.

As you can see, these are extremely basic fields. You may need extra fields on your checkout page for various reasons, like collecting special instructions or additional details about the order.

Types of WooCommerce Checkout Fields You Can Add

There are different types of checkout fields you can add to your WooCommerce store to gather specific information.

Here are the main types:

• Single line text input: A basic field for short text entries like names or simple text information.
  
• Number field: This field allows whole numbers that users can input.
  
• Checkbox: It allows multiple selections from a list of given options.
  
• Radio button: Presents options as a list where only one response can be selected.
  
• Multi-line text area: This field allows longer text input and is useful for providing special instructions or comments.
  
• Select dropdown: Offers a list of options in a collapsible menu.
  
• Email address: It’s specifically formatted to accept valid email addresses.
  
• Multi-select: Allows the selection of multiple options.
  
• Phone number: Can be formatted to accept phone numbers in specific formats.

• Hidden: These fields are not visible to customers but can store data for internal use.
  
• Password: A secure input field for password entry, typically used for password creation.
  
• Date: Enables shoppers to select a specific date from a calendar popup.
  
• DateTime: Combination of date and time input in a single field.
  
• Time: Allows users to pick a specific time in hours and minutes.
  
• File upload: This field enables customers to upload files during checkout, which is useful for custom orders such as printing designs and translation services.
  
• Billing and shipping address: A group of fields designed to enter address details.
  
• Conditional fields: These fields appear or disappear based on selections or conditions.
  
• Custom validation field: Fields that require input in a specific format (for example, VAT numbers or date of birth).
  
• Terms and conditions: A checkbox for customers to agree to terms and conditions, often legally required.
  
• Google reCAPTCHA: An anti-spam measure that displays reCAPTCHA to ensure the user is human.

Now, look at why these fields are important to implement in your WooCommerce store.

Why Add Extra Fields to Your WooCommerce Checkout Page?

Adding extra fields to WooCommerce checkout offers numerous benefits to your business and customers by enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider adding custom fields to your checkout:

• Collecting specific customer information: Custom checkout fields allow you to gather unique data essential for your business, such as product preferences or customization details.

• Product customization: Custom fields are invaluable for businesses offering customizable products, allowing customers to specify their preferences accurately.

• Special instructions: Customers may have special delivery requests or important instructions for their orders. For example, they may want the product to be gift-wrapped. You can collect such information with a custom field.
  
• Legal and compliance requirements: Fields for tax ID numbers or VAT details are necessary for B2B transactions on international orders.

• Membership or subscription data: For businesses offering membership or subscription services, custom fields can collect data necessary for onboarding, billing, or other membership-specific information.
  
• Enhanced product recommendations: By collecting data on customer preferences, you can provide more accurate product recommendations, increasing the likelihood of upselling and cross-selling revenue.

• Improved customer service: Fields for comments or feedback help address customer concerns promptly and improve the quality of customer service.

Method 1: How to Add an Extra Field to the WooCommerce Checkout Page? [With Code]

Here, we will share how to add a custom field to the checkout page of WooCommerce programmatically using code.

We will also validate the form field and update the data so store owners can view the information from the backend. 

Note: You need to add custom code to your theme's function.php file.

Step 1: Navigate to the function.php file

First, navigate to Appearance ⇒ Theme File Editor and select the functions.php file.

You’ll need to add your custom code here.

Step 2: Insert the code to add a custom field

To add a custom field, add the code below to the functions.php file. You can change the label, placeholder, and other details as needed.

If you want to make the field required, add the line ‘required' => ‘true’; otherwise, skip it.

/*** Add a custom field to the checkout page*/add_action('woocommerce_after_order_notes', 'custom_checkout_field');function custom_checkout_field($checkout){echo '<div id="custom_checkout_field"><h3>' . __('Please Provide The Custom Data') . '</h3>';woocommerce_form_field('custom_field_name', array('type' => 'text', 'required' => 'true','class' => array('my-field-class form-row-wide') ,'label' => __('Custom Field') ,'placeholder' => __('Enter Custom Data') ,) ,$checkout->get_value('custom_field_name'));echo '</div>';}

Add the above code at the end of the file and click on the 'Update File' button. 

Here, we have added one custom field that is required.

Step 3: Add the validation message 

Making your custom WooCommerce checkout field required isn’t enough. To make the checkout process user-friendly, you need to show a message to users telling them the field is required. 

To show an error message, add the following code to your function.php file.

/*** Validate Checkout field*/add_action('woocommerce_checkout_process', 'customised_checkout_field_process');function customised_checkout_field_process(){// Show an error message if the field is not set.if (!$_POST['custom_field_name']) wc_add_notice(__('Custom Field is a Required Field!') , 'error');}

Here is how the error message will be displayed:

Step 4: Save the custom data

Now, it’s time to ensure that the details the client entered into the custom field are saved.

You can do this by adding this code below:

/*** Update the value given in custom field*/add_action('woocommerce_checkout_update_order_meta', 'custom_checkout_field_update_order_meta');function custom_checkout_field_update_order_meta($order_id){if (!empty($_POST['custom_field_name'])) {update_post_meta($order_id, 'Custom Field',sanitize_text_field($_POST['custom_field_name']));}}

Now place a test order with some random value for the custom checkout field. 

After placing the order successfully, check its details by navigating to WooCommerce ⇒ Orders.

You will find the custom field with the entered value here.

This is how you can add a custom checkout field to the WooCommerce checkout page with coding. 

Note: FunnelKit allows you to create a VAT number field on the checkout page. Learn more on our blog on how to add an EU VAT Number Field to WooCommerce Checkout.

Adding Custom Fields to Your WooCommerce Checkout Using Code: Limitations Discussed

While adding a custom field using code isn’t the worst idea, it’s not the best option either. 

Here are some of the reasons why you shouldn’t use raw coding to add an extra field to the checkout page:

• PHP expertise required: Adding custom fields through raw coding demands a professional level of PHP knowledge.

• Ongoing code monitoring: Even for those skilled in coding, constant code monitoring is necessary to ensure compatibility with the latest WooCommerce versions, themes, and plugins.

• Code conflict risk: Incorporating code directly into theme files can lead to conflicts. Updates to your theme or WooCommerce may render custom code incompatible, potentially causing functionality issues.

• Only partial solution with child themes: While creating a child theme can help with some customization issues, it doesn't resolve all potential problems when adding custom code to your WooCommerce checkout.
  
• Lack of flexibility: Hard-coded fields are difficult to modify or remove without further coding.
  
• Time-consuming: Writing, testing, and debugging custom code takes significant time. You may need the help of a professional developer for any further customizations.
  
• Potential for errors: Manual coding increases the risk of bugs or security vulnerabilities, where small mistakes can lead to major checkout issues.

That’s why we suggest you use a renowned WooCommerce plugin to add a custom field to your WooCommerce checkout page.

In the next section, we will show you how to add additional fields to the WooCommerce checkout page with a customization plugin.

Method 2: How to Add a Custom Field to a WooCommerce Checkout Page using a Customizer Plugin? [Without Coding]

To add an extra custom checkout field to the WooCommerce checkout page, we will use FunnelKit Funnel Builder.

This highly popular plugin powers over 30,000 WooCommerce websites worldwide.

We chose this plugin because it allows adding a custom field to your WooCommerce checkout form by simply dragging and dropping the fields without coding.

Along with adding, you can also control the order of your checkout form fields, edit them, or even remove unnecessary fields to streamline your buying process.

FunnelKit Funnel Builder is not just a WooCommerce checkout field editor; it's a complete WooCommerce checkout manager plugin that helps you create a multi-step checkout page and optimize it for a frictionless checkout process.

Get a copy of the FunnelKit Funnel Builder from the button below:

Once you’ve installed and activated the FunnelKit Funnel Builder, follow these steps.

Step 1: Create a store checkout in WooCommerce

A store or global checkout will replace the default WooCommerce checkout page and transform it into a high-converting one that speeds up your buying workflow.

For that, navigate to FunnelKit ⇨ Store Checkout and click on the ‘Create Store Checkout’ button.

FunnelKit offers many pre-built templates for sales funnels and checkout pages. 

Choose your favorite page builder, such as Elementor, Divi, Bricks, Oxygen, Gutenberg, and more.

After that, hover over the template you want for your Global checkout and click on Preview. We are going with the Shoppe template here.

Now, choose whether you want a single-page checkout or a multi-page checkout. After that, click on “Import This Funnel,” provide a name, and click ‘Add’ to import this funnel as your default store checkout.

We are choosing a two-step checkout here.

This will import a store checkout with three steps: Checkout, One Click Upsell, and Thank you page. 

Step 2: Create a new custom WooCommerce checkout field

To edit the WooCommerce checkout page and add an extra field, click on the ‘Checkout’ step.

On the design tab, you can customize the design and content of the checkout page.

After customizing, scroll down to the 'Checkout Form Fields' to create an additional field. You will find the default form fields have already been added to the checkout form. 

To add a custom field, click on 'Add New Field' under the Advanced section.

Note: Along with the default fields, FunnelKit also allows you to add a Date of Birth field to your checkout field so you can use their birthdate to send automated birthday emails to customers. 

Here, you can create an extra custom checkout field. You can create different types of WooCommerce custom fields, such as: 

• Single line text
• Checkbox
• Radio
• HTML
• Dropdown
• Select2
• Multi-select
• Paragraph text
• Number
• Telephone
• Hidden
• Password
• Email

Here, we will share how you can create a custom Radio field “Do You Want To Gift Wrap Your Item(s) For Free?” for your checkout page. 

For that, select the Radio as Field Type and provide the following options: 

• Label: Provide a level for the custom field.
• Field ID (Order Meta Key): You need to add a field ID; in case you use multiple words, you can append them using “_”.
• Options (|) separated: Add the options separated by “|”. We are adding two options: yes and no.
• Default: Provide the default value for this custom field. However, this is optional. 
• Show On Thank You Page: Check this option if you want the value passed by this field to be shown on the thank you page.
• Show In Order Email: If you want to include this field in your order emails, check this option.
• Required: To make the field required, check this option. To make it optional, leave it unchecked.

Finally, click on ‘Add’ to create the custom WooCommerce checkout field.

Now, you should see an extra checkout field you just added in the Advanced section.

Now, let’s move this field to the checkout form with a simple drag-and-drop.

Step 3: Add a custom field to the WooCommerce checkout form

To add the custom field you just added to the checkout form, drag and drop the field there and place it in any section on the checkout form. 

We are going to add it to the Shipping Address section here.

You can also change the order of the extra checkout field inside a section by dragging and dropping. 

Just hold the field and drag and drop in the order you want.

You can also edit, rearrange, or remove any checkout field.

After adding the custom field to your WooCommerce checkout page, click on ‘Save’ to lock all your changes.

Note: You can add any WooCommerce custom fields following the abovementioned process.

Step 4: Customize the custom WooCommerce checkout field

Click on the ‘Edit Elementor Template’ to customize your custom WooCommerce checkout page.

Customize the steps and name them for your multi-step checkout.

You can modify the width of your custom checkout fields inside it.

Once done, hit ‘Publish’ to save your changes on the checkout page.

Step 5: Optimize your WooCommerce checkout page for frictionless checkout

FunnelKit Funnel Builder provides many checkout optimization options so your customers can enjoy a frictionless checkout experience.

To ensure a seamless checkout experience, it's crucial to incorporate inline validation for your checkout fields. This allows users to view error messages as they fill out the form.

To allow inline validation, move to the Optimizations ⇨ Inline Field Validation and enable it. Make sure to click on ‘Save Changes’ to update the settings.

Align with inline validation; you can also make the following optimizations: 

• Collapsible optional fields to shorten the checkout form length
• Add express checkouts like Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Enable Google Address auto-completion 
• Auto-apply coupon codes
• Enhanced form field, and so on.

Note: With FunnelKit’s Funnel Builder, you can add an order bump on the checkout page and customize the upsells and thank you page.

Step 6: Activate the store checkout in WooCommerce

After optimizing the checkout forms, you need to activate the store checkout. To do so, enable the ‘Enable Store Checkout’ option.

That’s how easily you can add an extra custom field to the WooCommerce checkout page using FunnelKit Funnel Builder.

Testing the WooCommerce Checkout and Accessing Custom Fields in the Admin Area

Go to your WooCommerce storefront and go to the checkout page to add items to your shopping cart.

Here’s what the WooCommerce checkout page with a custom extra field looks like:

Select an option and proceed to make the test payment. This will place your order and redirect you to the order confirmation page.

Next, navigate to WooCommerce ⇨ Orders to access the custom field.

Here, you’ll be able to see the custom field:

You can use this custom field order during order processing by adding it to automated order emails and sending it to customers.

Or you can even include WooCommerce checkout custom fields in PDF invoices and packaging slips.

Best Practices for Adding Checkout Fields in WooCommerce

Adding custom fields to the WooCommerce checkout page can significantly improve the user experience and help gather essential information for your business.

Implementing these fields thoughtfully is essential to avoid unnecessary complexity that might harm your conversion rates.

Here are some effective best practices for adding checkout fields in WooCommerce:

1. Understand the purpose of each field

Before adding a new field, it’s essential to understand your requirements, such as whether this field is for gathering additional customer details, offering personalization, or for operational purposes like delivery time preferences.

By understanding your requirements, you can limit the number of fields to reduce friction.

Each additional field increases the time needed to complete the checkout, potentially leading to cart abandonment.

2. Place fields strategically

Place fields in sections where they make sense, such as billing-related fields in the billing section, shipping-specific fields in the shipping section, additional notes or preferences under the order notes section.

Ensure that high-priority fields such as email address and contact information are kept first. At the same time, optional fields should be placed toward the end.

3. Minimize user effort

Enable pre-fill fields or address suggestions to minimize user’s effort. Use dropdowns, radio buttons, or checkboxes to reduce typing errors.

FunnelKit Funnel Builder leverages tools like Google Address Autocomplete to help users fill out their addresses faster.

4. Add field validations

FunnelKit Funnel Builder lets you validate important checkout fields in real time, such as email address formatting, phone number length, etc.

Make error messages clear and actionable, such as “Please enter a valid phone number” to help users understand to re-enter correct details in case of a validation error.

5. Ensure mobile optimization

Test the added fields on mobile devices to ensure they are easy to fill out. Use larger input boxes, buttons, and dropdown menus for mobile touchscreens.

Keep the checkout process concise, requiring minimal scrolling on small devices.

6. Test field placement and functionality

Experiment with the placement of new fields to see how they impact conversion rates.

Try A/B testing with a multi-step checkout page and placing the custom field on different sections of the checkout form.

Use Cases: Examples of Extra Fields on WooCommerce Checkout

Let’s look at some examples of custom fields on the WooCommerce checkout page:

1. Donation campaigns

The donation field on the checkout page allows users to contribute to a cause or select donation preferences.

2. Personalized gifts

Additional fields enable customers to add personal touches to their purchases, making them ideal for gifting to their loved ones.

3. Business customers

Cater to B2B clients who require specific information for invoicing or tax purposes.

For example, EU VAT numbers or company registration fields can be added to checkout.

4. Delivery scheduling

Allows customers to select their preferred delivery date and time.

5. Gift wrapping

Provide additional services like gift wrapping or packaging.

There are many other custom field examples, such as shopping experience rating, uploading a design to a T-shirt or mug, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answered the most frequently asked questions about adding custom fields to WooCommerce checkout.

1. How to add fields to checkout in WooCommerce?

You can add fields to checkout in WooCommerce by going through the ‘Design’ section inside the FunnelKit Funnel Builder.

Scroll down to Checkout Form Fields and click the ‘Add New Field’ button. Select the field type, enter the label and order meta key, etc., and hit ‘Add’ to create the field.

Once done, drag and drop the field to the checkout form and save the changes.

If you want to add fields via code, use WooCommerce hooks like woocommerce_checkout_fields to add fields programmatically.

2. How do I customize my checkout in WooCommerce?

You can customize the checkout in WooCommerce using any page builder with FunnelKit Funnel Builder.

In the Design section, click on the ‘Edit Template’ button, and you can customize the page using your favorite builder.

3. What hooks can I use to add custom fields?

The most common hooks for adding custom fields are:

• woocommerce_before_checkout_billing_form
• woocommerce_after_checkout_billing_form
• woocommerce_before_checkout_shipping_form
• woocommerce_after_checkout_shipping_form
• woocommerce_before_order_notes
• woocommerce_after_order_notes

Read our detailed guide on WooCommerce checkout hooks here.

4. How do I display the custom field data in the order details?

You can display custom field data in the order details and order confirmation page as well using the FunnelKit Funnel Builder.

Make sure to add the field and drag and drop it to the checkout form (which we’ve discussed in this article). 

On the WooCommerce thank you page, enable the toggle to display the custom field data on the order confirmation page.

This will show the data on the order confirmation page in WooCommerce.

5. Where will the custom field data be stored?

The data entered in custom fields is typically stored in:

• WooCommerce order meta (viewable in the admin order details).
• Customer profile (if you have a WooCommerce CRM like FunnelKit Automations).
• Custom database tables, depending on your implementation.

6. Can I add custom fields to the checkout for specific products only?

You can add custom fields to the checkout for specific products as a conditional display.

Let’s suppose you have a product with ID = 501 and show the custom field only when it is in the cart:

add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_fields', 'conditional_checkout_fields_products' ); function conditional_checkout_fields_products( $fields ) { $is_in_cart = false;foreach ( WC()->cart->get_cart() as $cart_item ) { if ( $cart_item['data']->get_id() == 501 ) { $is_in_cart = true; break; } }if ( ! $is_in_cart ) { unset( $fields['billing']['billing_custom_field1'] ); unset( $fields['billing']['billing_custom_field2'] ); }return $fields; }

Please paste the code in the function.php file of your active child theme (or active theme).

7. How do I ensure my checkout fields comply with GDPR or other data protection laws?

To ensure compliance, follow these three steps:

• Add a checkbox for user consent
• Store only necessary data and provide clear descriptions for each field
• Include a link to your privacy policy near the data collection fields

Ready to Add Custom Fields to WooCommerce Checkout?

Adding a custom WooCommerce checkout field allows you to collect specific information and give your customers a more personalized and smooth buying journey. 

As shown above, you can add additional fields to the WooCommerce checkout page in two ways: programmatically with code or with drag-and-drop using the FunnelKit Funnel Builder plugin.

In our expert opinion, FunnelKit Funnel Builder is the superior option for a checkout field editor for WooCommerce. It offers a more efficient method for incorporating a custom field into your checkout page. 

You can easily include any type of checkout field without worrying about validation, as FunnelKit takes care of that in the background.

Furthermore, there's no need to be concerned about compatibility with WooCommerce. The dedicated plugin team consistently maintains and releases new versions, ensuring seamless compatibility with WooCommerce and essential plugins.

Moreover, this tool can do more than just add an extra field. You can create beautiful checkout pages using pre-designed templates and optimize the checkout process for a seamless shopping experience.

What’s more? You can even offer order bumps and one-click upsells to increase the average order value in your WooCommerce store.

So, start collecting custom data with an extra WooCommerce checkout field and enhance customers' shopping experience with a personalized touch today!