How to Set Up Add-to-Cart Redirect to Checkout in WooCommerce

Want to grow your online store community and sales? Well, then you need to do something about the complex processes happening in your store.

One of the complexities is the customer getting redirected to the cart page with additional steps that make them leave your website. This is where the need for a redirect after add to cart WooCommerce action becomes apparent. 

In this blog, we will take you through the possible methods of redirecting the customer straight to the checkout after an item is added to the cart.

So, keep reading!

Why Redirect to Checkout After Add to Cart in WooCommerce?

Offer your customers convenience while shopping because that is what they want the most. To limit the cart abandonment rates, you have to remove the distractions that lead to these abandonments. With the WooCommerce add to cart redirect to checkout method, you minimize distractions and move customers toward completing their purchase faster.

Key benefits include:

• Reduced cart abandonment: Fewer clicks mean fewer chances of dropping out.
• Faster checkout process: Ideal for one-product or impulse-purchase stores.
• Improved user experience: Keeps buyers focused on buying, not browsing.
• Increased conversions: The quicker the checkout, the higher the chance of sales.

Methods to Set Up Add-to-Cart Redirect to Checkout in WooCommerce

There are two main ways to enable WooCommerce redirect after add to cart:

1. Using WooCommerce’s default settings
2. Using a plugin for advanced control

Let’s break down each method in detail.

Method #1: Configure WooCommerce Settings

The basic WooCommerce settings allow you to enable the WooCommerce add to cart redirect without integrating any third-party plugin.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to WooCommerce > Settings.
3. Click on the Products tab.
4. Under Add to cart behavior, check the option Redirect to the cart page after successful addition.
5. Save changes.

Now, whenever a customer clicks Add to Cart, they’ll be redirected straight to the cart page. From there, they can proceed to checkout.

Drawbacks Of This Method:

Seems like a simple method with fewer steps, right? But guess what? It has its own limitations, making it the least preferred method over a WooCommerce plugin dedicated only to this task.

These are the limitations:

• It only redirects to the cart page, not directly to checkout.
• No option to customize redirects based on product or category.
• Not suitable for stores that want a one-step purchase flow.

So if your goal is a WooCommerce redirect to checkout after add to cart, the built-in setting doesn’t go far enough. This is where a plugin provides more flexibility.

Method #2: WooCommerce Add To Cart Custom Redirect Plugin

If you want more control over how customers are redirected after adding a product, a plugin is the smarter choice. The WooCommerce Add to Cart Redirect plugin allows you to send customers directly to the checkout page or any custom page you choose.

How Does This Plugin Work?

Before starting with how the plugin lets you enable the add to cart redirect to checkout, here are the steps you need to follow for its installation:

• Go to WooCommerce.com and navigate to the “My Subscriptions” page
• From here, locate the “Add to store” button provided against the subscribed plugin
• Click on the button, and the plugin will be added to your store
• Now, go to your WordPress dashboard and find the added plugin
• Click on install and then activate the plugin 

After you have installed the plugin, you can now define and apply the redirection rules. 

These are the steps you need to follow:

• Click on the Add Redirect Rule button to configure 
• Set the rule title
• Click on  the checkbox to enable the redirection after  the add-to-cart action
• Define the rule priority if you have more than one redirection rule.
• Choose the product or categories for which you want to apply the redirection rule
• Include/exclude certain products or categories from these redirection rules
• Choose where you want to redirect after the add-to-cart action

These are some of the options from which you can choose the page option if you want to redirect to the checkout page:

1. Product
2. Page 
3. Post
4. An Internal URL
5. External URL

Now, whenever the user adds an item to the cart, they will be redirected to your selected page. 

With just a few clicks and easy steps, you can redirect the customer to anywhere on your website or to any external URL. 

Go through the plugin documentation for a detailed understanding. 

Benefits over WooCommerce settings

The fewer steps with the WooCommerce settings may convince you to proceed with that method, but the benefits of choosing a plugin are more convincing. 

• Skips the cart page entirely if desired.
• Greater flexibility with conditional redirects.
• Useful for single-product stores, event ticket sales, and digital downloads.
• Saves customers time and reduces clicks.

Why Plugins Work Best for Add-to-Cart Redirects

While enabling WooCommerce redirect to cart after adding a product through settings is quick, it’s not always effective. 

Plugins offer:

• Customization freedom: Set unique redirect rules for different scenarios.
• Better control: Decide whether to skip the cart or keep it for upsells.
• Improved checkout flow: Customers go where you want them to, reducing distractions.

In short, if you want a WooCommerce redirect to checkout after add to cart strategy that truly works, plugins are the most practical solution.

Comparison: WooCommerce Settings vs Plugin

Here is a tabular depiction of why a WooCommerce Add to Cart custom redirect plugin is better than the default WooCommerce settings. 

It’s clear that while WooCommerce’s default option covers basic needs, a plugin provides the flexibility needed for stores aiming to enhance conversions.

Do You Want To Enable Redirects After Add to Cart?

If you want to enable a redirect to the checkout or any page after the add-to-cart action, then you have two options: the default WooCommerce settings or a plugin. The method you will choose decides the ease and effectiveness, and you must proceed with a custom redirect plugin for WooCommerce. The built-in WooCommerce settings lack the flexibility to fully optimize the checkout journey.

If you’re ready to take your WooCommerce store to the next level, consider implementing this feature today. A smoother checkout journey could be the missing piece to unlocking higher conversions.

 

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