WooCommerce 9.5 Release | Latest Features, Changelogs & Release Date

Attention, all WordPress fans, store owners, and developers: WooCommerce 9.5.1 was officially released on December 17, 2024. It is the new stable version of WooCommerce, which was released after minor tweaks in the WooCommerce 9.5 version.

NOTE: WooCommerce 9.5 was released on the date of December 16, 2024. However, after fixing a bug, they immediately released another better version: WooCommerce 9.5.1.

This new version comes with exciting features such as improved product collections, account creation flows, and other critical performance optimizations, making managing your online store smoother.

Whether you want to convert guest shoppers into loyal customers or provide a more dynamic shopping experience, WooCommerce 9.5.1 is full of tools to help you step up your eCommerce game. In this blog, we’ll dive into everything you need to know-from key highlights to why this release is a game-changer.

Stay tuned as we dissect every last feature, changelog, and update, making WooCommerce 9.5.1 one of the most impactful releases.

Main Features of WooCommerce 9.5

So here are some teasers before going deep into the update: 

WooCommerce 9.5 Release Date: December 16, 2024

NOTE: But wait, just after a day of highly-anticipated 9.5 update, WooCommerce 9.5.1 got released. This unusual rollout hit us when the WooCommerce developer team discovered a critical issue in the Product Gallery feature.

This Product Gallery feature issue was causing a fatal PHP error for some users. The team acted quickly and resolved this issue, which could impact the stores. That was the reason that led to the immediate release of the newer WooCommerce 9.5 version.

Newer, Stable WooCommerce 9.5.1 Release Date: December 17, 2024

What’s New:

• New & Classy Product Editor.

• Cross-sells were added to product collections alongside hand-picked products, upsells, and related products.
• New sorting options for Product Collections (Manual, Rating-based, and Random).
• Payment Status was added to order receipts for improved clarity.
• The delayed account creation feature was finalized and enabled by default.
• React 18 rendering flag introduced for developers.
• New API endpoint /orders/{id}/actions for order management.
• Performance enhancement through autoloading optimizations for admin queries.

WooCommerce 9.5 Timeline

• Beta Release: WooCommerce 9.5 Beta was released for testing on November 11, 2024. To download and test: click here.
• Code Freeze: On November 11, 2024, the development teams began freezing the code to focus on stage bug fixes and improve stability.
• Accurate WooCommerce 9.5 Release Date: WooCommerce 9.5.1 went live on December 17, 2024.

Now is the ideal time for a developer or merchant to try out the WooCommerce 9.5 stable version and ensure that configurations are compatible with the changes. For the perfect transition to WooCommerce 9.5, trust the experts! WPExperts are the best WordPress service providers. You can rely on them to configure the latest WooCommerce versions and WordPress updates.

WooCommerce 9.5 Features that Stand Out

1. Product Collections Block Upgrades

WooCommerce 9.5.1 expands Product Collections with the addition of Cross-Sells, joining the existing Handpicked Products, Upsells, and Related Products. These collections allow merchants to showcase products based on context or set specific references dynamically.

Dynamic Adjustments:

• Add a block to a Single Product Page to display relevant products, such as Cross-Sells or Related Products.
• Merchants can nominate specific products as a reference point for the collections.

New Sorting Options for Product Collections:

To offer merchants greater flexibility, WooCommerce 9.5.1 introduces:

• Manual (menu order): Drag and drop to customize the display order.
• Rating-based sorting: Sort products from high to low or low to high based on ratings.
• Random: Products shuffle dynamically on every page load.

2. New Failed Payments Notification for Customer

Earlier, only merchants were notified of failed transactions, but with the latest WooCommerce 9.5.1, customers will receive failed payment notifications, thus easily solving issues. This option can be set up within WooCommerce > Settings > Email > Failed Order.

3. Payment Status in Receipts

Order receipts in WooCommerce 9.5.1 now include a Payment Status field. This addition helps customers quickly identify whether their payment was successful or failed, boosting transparency and improving customer satisfaction.

4. Delayed Account Creation Launches

The Delayed Account Creation feature is now officially part of WooCommerce and is no longer experimental. This feature is empowered by default for users of Checkout Blocks and Block Themes.

Key Benefits:

• Streamlined checkout with the option to create an account after purchase.
• Enables faster repeat checkouts, order tracking, and personalized offers.
• Merchants can fully customize the block in the editor, including advertised benefits, styles, and whether to hide the password field.

5. Experimental Add-to-Cart Stepper

WooCommerce 9.5 version adds a stepper layout for the Add-to-Cart block to facilitate easier quantity selection. Whether the feature will be dispersed to everyone depends on user feedback.

Developer-Focused Updates from WooCommerce 9.5 Release

1. React 18 Rendering Flag

WooCommerce 9.5.1 introduces an opt-in React 18 rendering flag, allowing developers to test their plugins and themes for compatibility before this becomes the default. This prepares WooCommerce for future advancements in React.

2. New API Endpoint for Order Actions

The new /orders/{id}/actions endpoint simplifies order management by enabling developers to efficiently trigger actions such as resending orders.

3. Autoloading Optimization

Performance enhancements include autoloading for the woocommerce_allow_tracking option. This small improvement reduces query times across WooCommerce admin pages, contributing to smoother backend performance.

WooCommerce 9.5 Changelogs

With 100+ bug fixes and enhancements, WooCommerce 9.5 is an exceptionally stable and polished platform. Here are some key WooCommerce 9.5 features:

– WooCommerce 9.5 Fixes

• Accessibility improved with input fields and buttons having focus indicators.
• Styling corrected for mobile and dark theme compatibility.
• Screen reader support enhanced for better ADA compliance.
• Fatal errors were fixed in cart and session functions.

– WooCommerce 9.5 Additions

• Minimum Rating feature in the Rating Filter block.
• Sales sorting options, including low-to-high and high-to-low for blocks in Product Collection.
• Collapsible summary of order on the checkout page for smaller screens.

– WooCommerce 9.5 Performance Improvements

• Optimization of asset loading to improve performance and page load times.
• Improved cache usage for Product Collection blocks and patterns.

Why WooCommerce 9.5 Release Matters

– Benefits of WooCommerce 9.5 For Merchants:

• The new Product Collections and delayed account creation features streamline product showcasing and customer retention.
• Enhanced payment visibility ensures smoother customer communication during failed transactions.

– Benefits of WooCommerce 9.5 For Developers:

• API updates and React 18 compatibility testing ensure that WooCommerce remains future-ready.
• Deprecation of unused features like Navigation simplifies codebases.

– Benefits of WooCommerce 9.5 For Customers:

• Improved checkout experience and transparency build trust.
• Enhancements to notifications and order tracking make for a smooth shopping experience.

Final Words

With WooCommerce 9.5.1, merchants and developers alike benefit from a stable, feature-rich platform. The enhancements to Product Collections, delayed account creation, and payment visibility empower merchants to create better customer experiences. At the same time, developers can explore future-ready updates like React 18 and improved API capabilities.

Prepare your store for the WooCommerce 9.5.1 upgrade by reviewing these updates and ensuring compatibility for a seamless transition sooner.

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