Learn how to enable your customers to add notes to WooCommerce invoices. We’ll also show you how to respond to customer notes for your WooCommerce orders.
Allowing customers to add notes on the checkout page is a great way to get customer instructions. Customers may want to communicate additional details regarding the orders they have placed.
As a WooCommerce store admin, it is crucial that you enable this option for your customers. So that they can add special instructions when placing orders in your store.
In this article, we will show you how you can allow customers to add notes and display them on WooCommerce invoices.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Key Takeaways:
- Customer notes allow customers to add special instructions when they place orders.
- It is important to enable customer notes at checkout and display them in the WooCommerce invoices for effective communication.
- The PDF Invoices and Packing Slips plugin by WebToffee allows you to add display customer notes on WooCommerce invoices.
What Are Customer Notes?
Customer notes are brief messages that customers can include when placing an order on an eCommerce website. These notes serve multiple purposes, such as indicating customer preferences, interactions, and special requests.
Here are some examples of customer notes:
“Please deliver between 5 PM and 7 PM.”
“Leave the package at the front desk.”
“This is a gift for my sister. Please include a note: ‘Happy Birthday!'”
Why You Should Enable Customer Notes in WooCommerce?
Enabling customer notes in WooCommerce can significantly enhance the shopping experience for both you and your customers.
Here are some common reasons to implement this feature:
1. Collect Valuable Information
Customer notes allow you to gather additional information crucial for accurately fulfilling orders. This could include specific instructions or details about the recipient, ensuring you meet your customers’ expectations.
2. Enhance Personalization
With customer notes, shoppers can add personalized messages, such as gift notes or special instructions. This level of customization not only makes the shopping experience more enjoyable but also enhances the relationship between you and your customers.
3. Ensure Accurate Delivery
Customers can specify their preferred delivery times through customer notes. If the delivery address is an Office address, they can request to deliver from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 6 pm.
4. Enable Unique Requirements
Some customers may have some unique requirements when delivering their orders. Whether it’s a special packaging request or a unique message, accommodating these requirements can enhance the overall customer experience.
5. Reduce Miscommunication
By allowing customers to leave notes, you minimize the chances of miscommunication regarding order details. Clear instructions can prevent errors and ensure that orders are processed smoothly, leading to fewer returns and complaints.
Example of Customer Notes at Checkout
The sample checkout page below shows the option to add order/customer notes:
The image below shows how the store owner can view the Order note from the WooCommerce Orders page.
How to Add Customer Notes to WooCommerce Invoices?
To add customer notes to WooCommerce invoices, we will use the WebToffee WooCommerce PDF Invoices and Packing Slips plugin. The plugin is available for free in the WordPress plugin library.
Step 1: Install WebToffee PDF Invoices Plugin
- From the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
- Search for ‘WooCommerce PDF Invoices plugin’ by WebToffee.
- Once you have found the plugin, install and activate the plugin on your WordPress website.
- After installing the plugin, you will be asked to enter some details about your online store.
Step 2: Enable WooCommerce PDF Invoices
- Go to the Invoice/Packing tab and select Invoices from the WordPress sidebar menu.
- Select the Enable Invoice button. (Keep as is if enabled by default)
- Choose a date for the invoice.
- Select the order statuses to generate PDF invoices automatically.
- Choose the emails to attach PDF Invoices.
Step 3: Enable Customer Note on WooCommerce Invoices
- Go to the Customize tab.
- Enable the Customer note option. (Enabled by default)
- Then, click on Save or Save and activate.
This will add a field in the WooCommerce checkout page to allow customers to a note.
Here is a sample of the PDF Invoice with customer note added:
The store owners can respond to customer notes that don’t meet customer requirements.
Yes! What you read is right! The store owners can respond to customer notes that don’t meet customer requirements.
At present, the free users of the Woocommerce PDF invoices/packing slip plugin can’t access this feature. If required, purchase, install, and activate the premium version of this WooCommerce PDF Invoices plugin.
The premium users can follow the instructions jotted below:
Responding to customer notes
From the dashboard, select WooCommerce > orders. Select any orders to send order notes to customers as shown below.
If you select any order, there is an option to reply to your customer.
If you add a note here, the customers will be notified via email.
It is possible to respond to customer notes like this if you do not offer the services that the customer wishes for.
WooCommerce’s order notes are a useful tool for facilitating customer-store communication. It’s also a very effective way to strengthen the bond between shop owners and customers. We hope this article has helped you add customer note to WooCommerce invoices.
Keep checking back for more helpful tips.
Comment (1)
Anthony DeMarco
June 18, 2023
Great, now how do we show that reply on the invoice or packing slip? What is the meta Key and why is there no place on the internet that has this information???!!! even plugins like Woocommerce Store Toolkit which shows every order metakey related to the order, doesnt show the meta key that holds these notes…