Best Way to Add Variation Swatches for WooCommerce in 2024

If you’re running a WooCommerce store, you’ve probably noticed that the default dropdown menus for product variations can feel clunky, and they often fail to engage customers. Fortunately, there’s a better way to showcase product variations—by using variation swatches for WooCommerce. These swatches allow you to display options like colors, sizes, and images more visually appealing, making the buying process smoother for your customers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add image-based swatches to WooCommerce using a plugin and explain why this method can be a game-changer for your online store.

Why Switch from Dropdowns to Swatches?

Let’s face it: Dropdowns for selecting product variations like color or size don’t make shopping fun or easy. They require extra clicks, and it’s harder for customers to visualize what they’re selecting. That’s why WooCommerce color swatches and image-based swatches are becoming increasingly popular.

Swatches streamline the selection process, reduce friction, and help customers see the exact variant they’re choosing. This not only enhances user experience but also boosts conversions, as customers can make decisions faster and with more confidence.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Image-Based Swatches in WooCommerce

Step 1: Install the Plugin

To add swatches to WooCommerce, you’ll need a plugin that can handle this feature. One of the best options available is the Variations as Radio Buttons for WooCommerce by Extendons. This plugin allows you to display product variations as radio buttons, color swatches, or images, giving you a lot of flexibility to match your store’s design.

Here’s how to install it:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Variations as Radio Buttons for WooCommerce by Extendons.”
4. Click Install and then Activate.

Once the plugin is activated, you’ll be ready to start customizing your product variation display.

Step 2: Configure Global Settings

After activating the plugin, head over to the plugin settings in your WooCommerce dashboard. This is where you can set up the variation swatches for WooCommerce across your entire store. You can choose how to display your swatches—whether as images, colors, or text labels. You’ll also be able to set sizes and shapes (round or square) for the swatches.

Here’s a breakdown of some key configuration options:

• Display Type: Choose whether to display product variations as radio buttons, color swatches, images, or text labels.
• Size and Shape: Set the size (width and height) and shape (round or square) of the swatches.
• Shop Page vs. Product Page Settings: You can customize swatch displays differently for the shop and product pages, giving you greater control over how variations are shown in different contexts.

Step 3: Assign Swatches to Individual Products

Now that your global settings are in place, you can assign swatches to specific products. This is particularly helpful if you have a product that comes in multiple colors or styles.

1. Go to Products in your WooCommerce dashboard.
2. Select the product you want to edit.
3. Scroll down to the Product Data section, and under Attributes, choose the attributes you want to display as swatches (e.g., Color, Size).
4. For each attribute, select the swatch type (color, image, or label). For example, if you’re selling a t-shirt that comes in red, blue, and green, you can upload images of each color or assign them a specific color code.

With WooCommerce variation swatches, you can display images that reflect the actual product variation, giving customers a visual preview of what they’re selecting.

Step 4: Customize the Out-of-Stock Display

One of the coolest features of the Extendons plugin is the ability to handle out-of-stock products in a seamless way. Rather than removing unavailable options, you can choose to either blur them, cross them out, or completely hide them. This reduces frustration for customers who may otherwise click on an option only to find it’s unavailable.

1. In the plugin settings, navigate to the Out of Stock Settings section.
2. Choose whether to blur, cross out, or hide out-of-stock swatches.
3. Customize the appearance of these swatches to fit your store’s design.

By giving clear visual cues, you reduce the chances of customer confusion, improving their shopping experience.

Also, check out the useful insight about the WooCommerce Mini Cart Plugin to enhance your store’s shopping experience!

Benefits of Using Image-Based Swatches

1. Enhanced User Experience
   When you replace dropdown menus with WooCommerce color swatches or images, you make the shopping experience more intuitive. Customers no longer have to guess what they’re selecting—they can see the exact variation at a glance. This is particularly helpful for products like clothing, where color and appearance matter.
2. Increased Conversions
   The easier it is for customers to navigate through your products, the more likely they are to make a purchase. Swatches remove the friction associated with dropdown menus, enabling faster decision-making and boosting your conversion rates.
3. Improved Store Aesthetics
   Swatches simply look better. Whether you’re displaying color options, sizes, or other variations, using swatches lets you showcase your products in a more appealing way. This can help create a more professional and cohesive look for your store.
4. Flexible Customization
   With the Variations as Radio Buttons for WooCommerce plugin by Extendons, you get a range of customization options. You can choose different display types for your swatches (radio buttons, images, colors, or text labels), set the size and shape, and even control the swatches displayed on shop vs. product pages.
5. Out-of-Stock Management
   One of the best features of this plugin is how it handles out-of-stock items. Instead of hiding unavailable options entirely, you can choose to blur or cross them out, allowing customers to see all available options while making it clear which ones aren’t in stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use swatches for all products in my WooCommerce store?

Yes! With the WooCommerce variation swatches plugin, you can display swatches for all products or only selected products. It’s entirely up to you.

2. How do I add tooltips to my swatches?

In the plugin settings, you’ll find an option to enable tooltips for product variations. These can be used to provide additional information about each variation, helping customers make more informed decisions.

3. What happens if a product variation goes out of stock?

The Extendons plugin allows you to handle out-of-stock variations in several ways. You can hide them, blur them, or cross them out to minimize confusion.

4. Can I customize the shape and size of the swatches?

Absolutely! You can choose between round or square swatches and set the size for both shop and product pages to match your store’s design.

5. Can swatches be used on the shop page as well?

Yes, you can display swatches on both the product and shop pages. This allows customers to browse product variations directly from the shop page without having to click through to each individual product.

Final Thoughts

Adding image-based swatches to WooCommerce is a smart way to enhance your store’s user experience and boost conversions. With a powerful plugin like Variations as Radio Buttons for WooCommerce by Extendons, you have the flexibility to customize swatches in a way that fits your store’s unique look and feel. Swatches make product selection intuitive, engaging, and visually appealing—just what your customers need for a seamless shopping experience.