How to create a virtual/downloadable product

Step 1: Log into the Vendor Dashboard

• Log in to your Store Dashboard using your vendor credentials.

Step 2: Add a New Product

1. From the dashboard, navigate to the Products section.
2. Click Add New Product.

Step 3: Set the Product Type

1. In the Product Data section, you will see a dropdown menu called Product Type.
2. Select Simple Product as the product type.
3. Ensure you check the boxes for:
   • Virtual: This marks the product as a digital item (no physical shipping required).
   • Downloadable: This option enables you to upload a file that customers can download after purchase.

By selecting both Virtual and Downloadable, you’re indicating that the product is a digital file, such as a PDF.

Step 4: Product Title and Description

1. Product Title: Enter a clear title for the product, such as “Crochet Pattern PDF”.
2. Product Description: Provide a detailed description of the product. For instance, describe the content of the PDF file and how it will help the customer.

Step 5: Set the Product Price

Under the General tab in the Product Data section, enter the Regular Price for your digital product.

Optionally, you can set a Sale Price if there is a promotion.

Making a Product Free:

If you want to offer your product for free, simply set the price to 0 (zero). This allows the product to go through the checkout process, but no payment will be required.

• Sales Tracking: The product will still be recorded as a sale in your reports.
• Customer Information: You will receive the customer’s contact details for further marketing purposes, which can be valuable for follow-up promotions or future sales.

This option is useful for offering free samples, giveaways, or promotional content while maintaining customer interaction.

Step 6: Product Images

You can upload an image that represents the product in the Product Image section (e.g., a thumbnail of the pattern or product description). Additionally, you can add extra images in the Product Gallery if needed.

To ensure your product images look professional and remain sharp when zoomed in, we recommend the following image upload guidelines:

1. Recommended Image Dimensions:
   For the best appearance and clarity, ensure your product images are at least 1500px on the longest side. This helps maintain sharpness even when users zoom in.
2. Consistent Image Size:
   Make sure all product images have the same dimensions to create a visually appealing gallery and avoid alignment issues.
3. Optimal File Size:
   Keep each image file size below 700KB for faster page loading. Use tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh to reduce image file sizes without compromising quality.
4. Supported Image Formats:
   You can upload images in the following formats:
   • JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg)
   • PNG (.png)
   • WebP (.webp)
   • GIF (.gif)
   • BMP (.bmp)
   • TIFF (.tiff)
5. Images per Product:
   You can upload a maximum of 10 images per product.
6. Important:
   Products without at least one image will be removed from the site. It is mandatory to have a product image for every item listed. Please ensure that your product has at least one photo before submitting it for sale.

Step 7: Categories and Tags

1. In the Product Categories section, select the relevant category (e.g., Crochet, Knitting, Sewing, or something specific to your craft type).
2. Optionally, add tags to make your product easier to find (e.g., crochet pattern, knitting tutorial, etc.).

Step 8: Catalog Visibility

In the Catalog Visibility section, you can control how your product appears in your store and search results. By default, products are set to be visible in both Shop and Search Results. This ensures maximum visibility, making it easier for customers to find your product.

Visibility Options:

• Shop and Search Results: The product is visible in both your online store and when customers search for products. (Default and Recommended)
• Shop Only: The product appears in your store but does not show up in search results.
• Search Results Only: The product is hidden from your store but is visible in search results.
• Hidden: The product is not visible in either the store or search results, but it can still be purchased if customers have the direct link.

Recommendation:

We strongly recommend keeping the default setting (Shop and Search Results) for the best visibility and sales potential. Adjust these options only if you have specific reasons, such as creating exclusive products or private offers.

Step 9: Upload the PDF File

In the Downloadable Files section, you will upload the actual file that your customers will download after purchasing.

1. File URL: Click the Upload button to upload your PDF file from your Media Library or directly from your computer.
2. File Upload Limit: Important: The maximum allowed file size for uploading directly to the Media Library is 20 MB. This means if your file is less than 20 MB, you can directly upload it to your Media Library.
   • Once you upload the file, select it from your Media Library.
3. For Files Larger Than 20 MB: If your file exceeds 20 MB, you can still make it available for download by using a cloud storage service. In this case, upload the file to a third-party storage service (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3), and paste the URL of the uploaded file into the Upload field. Important Note: If you store the file on a cloud service, the URL will not be visible to customers, and they won’t be able to access the cloud storage page directly. Only the download link (which will be generated after purchase) will be visible to customers. Recommended Cloud Storage Services:
   • Google Drive: Upload the file to your Google Drive and get a shareable link (make sure the file is accessible via the link).
   • Dropbox: Upload the file to Dropbox, then generate a shareable link for the file.
   • Amazon S3: If you’re using Amazon Web Services, you can upload the file to an S3 bucket and use the provided URL.
   Once the file is hosted in the cloud and the URL is added, customers will be able to download it automatically after purchasing the product.

Step 10: Set File Download Limits (Optional)

1. Optional Limits: You can set a Download Limit (how many times the customer can download the file) and a Download Expiry (how long the download link will remain active after the customer completes the purchase).
   • Example: You can set 3 downloads or allow the link to expire after 7 or 30 days.
2. Recommendation:
   We strongly recommend leaving the Download Limit and Expiry fields unset (i.e., do not enter any values) to allow customers to download their files as many times as they need and without any time restrictions. This approach ensures a smooth experience for your customers, where they can access the file whenever they need it, even if they lose the link or experience any technical difficulties. Limiting the number of downloads or the time frame can lead to confusion or dissatisfaction, which might result in negative reviews.
3. If You Set Download Limits:
   If you do choose to set download limits or an expiry date, it is absolutely crucial that this information is clearly highlighted in the product description.
   • Make sure to bold or color the text, making it very clear that the product will have limitations on downloading and that the file might expire after a certain time. This will help avoid any confusion or frustration and prevent negative feedback from customers who might not understand why they can’t access the file after the download limit or expiration date has passed.

Step 11: Set Product Attributes (Highly Important for Searchability)

1. Why Attributes Are Important:
   Setting up attributes for your products is crucial because they make it easier for customers to find the products they are looking for. Attributes are essentially characteristics or features of your product that define its specific traits, like its material, size, use, and more.
2. Categories and Corresponding Attributes:
   Each product category has its own set of relevant attributes. For example, if you are selling knitting patterns, here are some of the most relevant attributes:
   • Accessories: Choose the accessory you’re selling the description or pattern for (e.g., scarf, hat, gloves).
   • Clothing: Specify whether the product is for clothes (e.g., sweater, blouse).
   • Components: This is for specific components related to the product (e.g., buttons, yarn).
   • Difficulty Level: Specify whether the pattern is easy, intermediate, or advanced.
   • Home Decor: For products meant for home decor (e.g., pillow covers, table runners).
   • Intended Use: Define what the product is specifically for (e.g., for casual wear, for parties).
   • Language: Indicate the language of the pattern or description (e.g., English, Spanish).
   • Occasion: Specify for what occasion the product is suitable (e.g., winter, Christmas).
   • Pet: For pet-related clothing or accessories (e.g., dog sweaters).
   • Material Format: Indicate the format (e.g., magazine, pattern, book).
   • Release Year: The year the product was created or released.
   • Season: Specify which season the product is most suitable for (e.g., summer, winter).
   • Toys/Hobbies: If the product is related to toys or hobbies.
3. How to Fill Out Attributes:
   When creating or editing your product, be sure to fill in as many relevant attributes as possible. The more attributes you provide, the easier it will be for customers to find your product through search filters, improving its visibility on the website.
   • Tip: If an attribute doesn’t apply to your product, simply skip it.
   • Highly Recommended: Make sure to select the option “Visible on the product page” for each attribute. This will display all the filled attributes in a section titled “Additional Information” on your product page.
4. Customer Benefits:
   When customers visit your product page, they will immediately see a clear, structured list of attributes in the “Additional Information” section. This helps them quickly decide if the product is the right fit for their needs, improving their shopping experience and increasing the likelihood of a sale.

Step 12: Linked Products: Up-Sells and Cross-Sells

In WooCommerce, Up-Sells and Cross-Sells are types of linked products that help you increase sales by suggesting additional products to customers.

• Up-Sells are products that you recommend to customers as a better alternative to the one they’re viewing. For example, if a customer is looking at a basic pattern, you might suggest a more premium pattern as an up-sell.
• Cross-Sells are products that you recommend to customers based on the product they’re already viewing, but not necessarily as alternatives. For instance, if a customer is viewing a crochet pattern, you might suggest yarn or hooks as cross-sells.

How to Add Up-Sells and Cross-Sells:

1. In the Linked section of your product settings, you’ll see options to add Up-sells and Cross-sells.
2. To find the right products to link, use the search bar and type the beginning of the product’s name you want to link. A list of matching products will appear.
3. You can select multiple products at once for either up-selling or cross-selling.

This feature allows sellers to strategically suggest products, improving the chances of customers purchasing additional items.

Step 13: Product Policies & Advanced Settings

Product Policies: Override Policy Fields

In the Product Policies section, you have the option to Override Policy Fields to set specific, product-based policies. This allows you to tailor the terms and conditions, returns, shipping, or any other policy according to the product you are selling, rather than using the default site-wide policies.

Advanced Settings

In the Advanced tab, you can adjust several important settings for your product:

1. Disable Reviews: You can choose to disable reviews for the product. However, we do not recommend this. Reviews play a crucial role in the purchasing decision process, as many customers rely on feedback from previous buyers before making a purchase. Disabling reviews may reduce trust and potential sales.
2. Menu Order: You can set a custom ordering position for your product in the menu. This allows you to organize your products in a specific order that makes sense for your store layout and marketing strategy.
3. Purchase Note: You can add a purchase note. This is an optional message that will be sent to the customer after their purchase. It’s useful for providing additional information, instructions, or thanks for the purchase, enhancing the post-purchase experience.

Step 14: Publish the Product

Once all the details are filled out, click Submit to make your product live on your store.

Important Notes for Vendors:

1. Cloud Storage URLs: When using cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3 to store large files, ensure that the URL provided is publicly accessible so the download can work for your customers.
2. Visibility: The cloud storage page URL is not accessible to the customer. They will only see the download button once the transaction is complete.
3. Clear Instructions: In your product description, specify that the product is a digital download, so customers know they won’t receive a physical item.