CheckoutWC does one thing: replace WooCommerce’s default checkout page with a better-converting design. The default WooCommerce checkout is functional but cluttered – it shows all fields simultaneously on a single page without clear visual hierarchy. CheckoutWC introduces a multi-step checkout that guides customers through contact information, shipping, and payment as separate focused screens, consistently improving completion rates on mobile where the default checkout performs worst.
Why Checkout Design Affects Conversion
The checkout page is where purchase intent meets friction. A customer who has decided to buy can still abandon if the checkout feels confusing, looks untrustworthy, or requires too many steps to complete on a mobile device. WooCommerce’s default checkout puts every field on one page – billing address, shipping address, order notes, payment details, and order summary all visible simultaneously. On desktop this is manageable. On mobile, it creates a long scrolling form that feels intimidating.
CheckoutWC’s multi-step approach reduces visual overwhelm by showing only the fields relevant to each step. Step 1 is contact and shipping address. Step 2 is shipping method selection. Step 3 is payment. The order summary is always visible as a side panel (on desktop) or collapsible section (on mobile). This structure mirrors how successful SaaS and ecommerce companies (Shopify, Stripe) design their checkout flows.
Step 1: Install and Select a Template
CheckoutWC requires a license ($149/year for 1 site). Install the plugin, enter your license key in CheckoutWC -> Settings -> License, and activate. Go to CheckoutWC -> Settings -> Appearance -> Template. CheckoutWC includes several templates: Copify (Shopify-inspired), Futurist (modern minimal), Midas (premium feel). Select the template that best matches your store’s brand and activate it.
After selecting a template, your WooCommerce checkout URL automatically shows the CheckoutWC design. No shortcode changes or page rebuilding needed – CheckoutWC overrides the checkout output globally.
Step 2: Configure Checkout Fields
Go to CheckoutWC -> Settings -> Fields. CheckoutWC lets you reorder, hide, and relabel checkout fields without a separate checkout field editor plugin. Common field adjustments:
- Hide the Company Name field if you sell to consumers rather than businesses
- Combine First Name and Last Name into a single full name field
- Make Phone Number optional rather than required if your fulfilment does not need it
- Hide Order Notes if you do not act on customer notes
- Reorder fields to put email address first (most important for cart abandonment recovery)
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Step 3: Enable the Side Cart
CheckoutWC Pro includes a Side Cart – a sliding cart panel that opens from the side of the screen when customers click the cart icon rather than a full cart page. This keeps customers on the product page rather than navigating to a cart page, reducing friction in the purchase flow. Enable it in CheckoutWC -> Settings -> Side Cart.
Configure the side cart to open automatically when a product is added to cart (reduces the extra step of manually clicking the cart icon) and to include an Express Checkout section showing PayPal and Apple Pay buttons for customers who want to skip the full checkout form.
Step 4: Express Checkout Buttons
Express checkout buttons (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal Express) let customers complete a purchase without filling in any address or payment fields – their stored information fills in automatically. These buttons appear on the checkout page and optionally on product pages and the cart. Enable them in CheckoutWC -> Settings -> Express Checkout. You need the WooCommerce Stripe plugin or PayPal Payments plugin configured for express buttons to appear.
Step 5: Trust Signals and Social Proof
Go to CheckoutWC -> Settings -> Design. Add trust signals to the checkout page: security badges, money-back guarantee text, accepted payment method icons. These elements reduce purchase anxiety at the moment customers are entering payment details. CheckoutWC lets you add these as configurable elements without theme editing.