WooCommerce 2.1 has arrived with a host of new features and updates, giving users plenty of reasons to explore the latest version. One of the most noticeable changes in this update is the redesigned back-end, which I find to be more intuitive and user-friendly. However, as with any major update, there are several key things to be aware of before diving in.

Back-Up Before You Update

The first and most critical piece of advice when updating any significant part of your website is to back up everything. This rule is especially important when updating WooCommerce, as there are multiple moving parts that could be affected. Should anything go wrong during the update, having a recent backup ensures that you can easily roll back to your previous version without losing any of your hard work or data.

Changes to WooCommerce Widgets

One significant change in WooCommerce 2.1 is how it handles widgets. If you’ve upgraded a few sites, you may have already noticed this: the WooCommerce Widgets have been updated in a way that causes WordPress to remove them from your widget areas after the upgrade. These updated widgets are not simply moved to “Inactive Widgets,” but in many cases, they’re just gone altogether. This change can be a bit alarming if you’re not prepared for it. The reason behind this is that WooCommerce 2.1 includes a new version of these widgets, which means the old versions no longer exist in the same form. As a result, you’ll need to re-add and reconfigure your WooCommerce widgets after updating.

Preparing for the Widget Update

To avoid a headache post-update, it’s best to be proactive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you transition your widgets smoothly:

1. Expand All Widget Areas Before updating, go to Appearance > Widgets in your WordPress admin area. Expand all your current widget areas to reveal all of the WooCommerce widgets you have configured. This step will let you see which widgets are currently in place and how they are set up.
2. Take Screenshots of Your Widget Settings Using a screenshot tool like FireShot or your preferred browser extension, take screenshots of each widget’s configuration. This ensures that you have a visual reference for exactly how everything looked before the update. It may seem like a small detail, but having a clear visual record of your settings will save you time and frustration later on.
3. Save Your Screenshots for Reference Store the screenshots in a safe location, such as a project folder or cloud storage, so you can easily access them when it’s time to reconfigure your widgets.

Restoring Your Widgets After the Update

Once you’ve completed the WooCommerce update, you’ll need to go back to Appearance > Widgets and manually re-add each of your WooCommerce widgets. Refer to the screenshots you took earlier to restore each widget’s settings. While this process may seem tedious, it’s much faster and more efficient than trying to recall every widget setting from memory.

Where to Find Additional Support

If you run into any issues or unexpected changes after updating to WooCommerce 2.1 (or any later versions), there are plenty of resources available to help:

• WooCommerce Development Resources: Visit develop.woothemes.com/woocommerce for a wealth of documentation and tutorials. This resource is ideal for developers and advanced users looking for technical details about WooCommerce.
• WordPress.org Support Forum: For more general support, you can also reach out to the community on the WooCommerce WordPress.org support forum. There, you can find answers to common questions, troubleshooting tips, and advice from fellow WooCommerce users.

Final Thoughts

WooCommerce 2.1 brings exciting changes and upgrades, making the platform even more robust and flexible. However, it’s important to approach updates with caution and a plan. Backing up your website and preparing for changes to your WooCommerce widgets can help you avoid unnecessary complications and downtime. By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy all the benefits of the latest WooCommerce update without the stress. If you have any questions about updating WooCommerce or if you need help navigating the changes, don’t hesitate to reach out to support resources wpXPRESS or connect with other WooCommerce users in the community.