WooCommerce order confirmation emails: Setup, customize & fix

Your WooCommerce order confirmation email is automatically sent after every order. It confirms payment, shares order details, and builds trust from the first interaction. 

Automated emails averaged a 38% open rate in 2025. This is crucial as confirmation emails are a type of transactional automated messages. Since they’re timely and expected, they’re almost always opened. 

Every order confirmation email WooCommerce sends is a chance to ease post-purchase anxiety and nudge customers toward buying again.

WooCommerce includes basic email tools by default, but customization stays limited. Omnisend makes it easier to personalize emails, automate campaigns, and drive more repeat sales. We’ll learn how.

(Looking for the WooCommerce order confirmation page in the block editor? This guide focuses on the confirmation email, not the on-screen thank-you page.)

How to send an order confirmation email in WooCommerce

To send an order confirmation email in WooCommerce, you use the built‑in “Processing order” email. Once payment clears, WooCommerce will automatically send an email after order placement, no plugins or extra setup required. (If you’re wondering about the “Completed order” email – that’s a separate WooCommerce notification for when an order is marked complete/shipped, which we’ll cover later.)

Below, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process to make sure these confirmation emails send without a hitch.

Important: WooCommerce doesn’t send confirmations for orders stuck in “Pending payment.” Customers only get an email once the order status switches to Processing (i.e. payment received).

Steps to send WooCommerce order confirmation emails:

1. Access your email controls
2. Enable the customer order confirmation email
3. Customize the email content
4. Set up admin notifications
5. Configure global email settings
6. Test your emails

Step 1 — Access your email controls

• WordPress dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings
• Hit the Emails tab up top
• You’ll see a list of all the notification emails WooCommerce can send (new order, canceled order, processing order, and more)
• Find the entry for the customer order confirmation email in this list – it’s labeled “Processing order”

Step 2 — Enable the customer order confirmation email

• Spot Processing order in that list — this is your order confirmation email
• Click the Manage button on the right
• On the next screen, make sure the “Enable this email notification” checkbox is checked

Enabling email notifications ensures WooCommerce will actually send the confirmation email when an order is paid. If you’re learning how to set up confirmation emails in WooCommerce, make sure this option is checked. An unchecked box is often why confirmations don’t send.

Step 3 — Customize the email content

• While you’re in Processing order settings, make it yours
• The Subject line defaults to “Your {site_title} order has been received!” — boring, change it
• The email heading shows inside the email itself
• Additional content box = your chance to add personality, policies, or promos
• Placeholders work magic — for example, {customer_first_name} becomes “Sarah”, {order_total} becomes “$127.50”
• Preview your email within the settings page:

While viewing the Processing order email settings, you can tailor the content to fit your brand. WooCommerce lets you modify a few fields here: the Subject line, the Email heading, and an Additional content text box.

By default, the subject is “Your {site_title} order has been received!” – which is generic and could be improved. Feel free to change it to something more personalized or on-brand (e.g. “Thanks for your order, {customer_first_name}! Your purchase is confirmed.”). The email heading (which appears at the top of the email body) can also be adjusted from the default “Order Received” to better match your tone.

Use the Additional content box to add a custom message. This is a great place for a friendly note, store policies, or even a small promo for a future purchase. For instance, you might thank the customer for their business, remind them of your support contact, or suggest they follow your social media.

Tip: WooCommerce supports placeholders in these fields to personalize the message. For example, {customer_first_name} will insert the buyer’s first name (“Hi Sarah”), and {order_total} will insert the order amount (“$127.50”). WooCommerce provides a list of available placeholders right on that settings page, so use them to make your email feel individual.

As you make changes, you can preview what the email will look like. WooCommerce’s email settings page offers a built-in preview for the template, which updates with your new subject, heading, and content. Always preview to ensure everything looks good.

Step 4 — Set up admin notifications

• Return to the main Emails tab
• Find New order and click Manage:

• Enable this notification to get alerted about new orders
• Add multiple admin emails by separating them with commas
• Customize subject and heading if needed

It’s not just customers who should get emails – you (and your team) likely want a notification when a new order comes in. To enable this, go back to the main Emails tab in WooCommerce settings. Find the “New order” email (this one is for the store admin) and click Manage.

Ensure this New order notification is enabled so that the store owner/admin receives an email every time an order is placed. You can enter the recipient addresses for these alerts (it can send to multiple admins – just separate emails with commas).

While you’re here, you can customize the New order email’s subject line and heading if needed. For example, you might add “[Store Name] New Order: {order_number}” as the subject so it’s clear and easy to spot in your inbox.

Step 5 — Configure global email settings

• Scroll below the email list to Email sender options:

• Set your “From” name (your store name)
• Enter a “From” address using your domain (not Gmail/Yahoo)
  Note: This is critical for your email deliverability. Always use an email address from your own domain (like [email protected]) as the ‘From’ address — many hosts block or flag messages sent from generic emails.
• Under Email template, add your logo and adjust colors
• Customize the footer text with support info or social links

Scroll further down below the list of individual emails to find the Email sender options section. Settings here apply to all WooCommerce emails globally: “From” name: Set this to your store name or the sender name you want customers to see. For example, Awesome Store Team.

“From” address: Use an email address on your own domain (e.g. [email protected]) rather than a personal Gmail/Yahoo address. Using a domain-based email is critical for deliverability – many hosts will block or flag messages sent from free email providers.

Email template: Here you can add your store’s logo to the top of the emails. You can also adjust the color scheme (background color, email body color, text color, link color) to better match your branding. WooCommerce 9.8 (April 2025 version) introduces an expanded color palette for finer branding control. It also features a broader font selection library, and live Email Preview enhancements.

Footer text: Customize the small print at the bottom of emails. You might include a thank-you note, your support email/phone, or social media links here.

After updating these settings, click Save changes. These global settings will ensure all your WooCommerce emails (including the order confirmation) have the right sender info and basic styling.

Step 6 — Test your emails

• Save all changes first
• Place a test order on your site
• Use a mail logging plugin like WP Mail Logging (4.7★, 300,000+ active installs) to verify sending status
• Check that both customer and admin emails arrive correctly
• Adjust formatting if needed based on how they look in real inboxes

With everything configured, it’s important to test that your WooCommerce order confirmation emails are working properly before customers start relying on them. Save all your changes and then simulate a purchase on your store (you can create a test product priced at $1 or use a coupon to minimize cost).

Place a test order as a customer would, going through checkout and payment. Once completed, verify that the customer order confirmation email is received at the customer’s address. Also check that the admin New order notification arrives in the admin inbox.

If you have trouble getting emails, install a mail logging plugin like WP Mail Logging. This tool records every email WordPress/WooCommerce attempts to send. After your test order, look at the mail log (under Tools → WP Mail Log) to see if the emails were generated. If they appear in the log but never reach your inbox, it indicates a deliverability issue.

Remember: If emails aren’t arriving, the culprit is usually your hosting provider blocking or not properly sending PHP mail. This is common on shared hosts. The quick fix is to install an SMTP plugin (such as WP Mail SMTP) to send emails via a proper SMTP server instead of PHP mail. We’ll discuss deliverability fixes more in the Troubleshooting section, but keep this in mind during testing.

Adjust formatting or content as needed based on your test. For instance, you might find you need to tweak the logo size, or maybe the additional content message could be clearer. It’s easier to refine now than after real customers start seeing the emails.

Want to go beyond WooCommerce’s built-in options? Further below, we explore how Omnisend’s native WooCommerce integration delivers branded, automated confirmation emails with analytics and A/B testing built in. 

How to customize WooCommerce order confirmation emails

There are several ways to edit your WooCommerce order confirmation email, including using built-in settings, plugins, code, and email marketing platforms. The right approach depends on how much control you need. 

Using WooCommerce’s built-in email settings

WooCommerce includes basic tools for editing confirmation emails without installing extra plugins. 

Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails. Click the Manage button for the email you want to edit, and update the subject line, heading, additional content, and recipient details.

There are other customizable settings beneath the table of email notifications here: WooCommerce > Settings > Emails.

These let you customize your email sender options (“From” name and address) across your email templates. Other elements you can tweak include the color palette, logo, header alignment, fonts, and footer text. 

WooCommerce 9.8+ only: Includes expanded color palette controls, font selection options, and email preview tools that make branding easier. 

Action: Adjust your logo and color scheme to match your store branding, then save changes to apply instantly.

Using an email customizer plugin

If you want more design flexibility, consider a dedicated email customizer plugin. Popular options include YayMail – WooCommerce Email Customizer and Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer. 

These tools give you drag-and drop design freedom, letting you:

•  Add banners and images
• Create custom content sections
• Insert buttons and promotional offers
• Preview changes before publishing

For example, you could add a “Track your order” or “Shop Again” button below the order summary. This approach works well for stores that want to improve design without touching code.

Action: Install a customizer plugin and create a test email to compare against the default template. 

Using code to customize WooCommerce emails

For complete control, you can customize WooCommerce email templates with code. This method lets you add custom content, modify layouts, or display additional order information.

Copy the email file (for example, customer-processing-order.php) from woocommerce/templates/emails/ into your theme’s /woocommerce/emails/ folder. Then modify it safely in a child theme. 

Many developers use a child theme and WooCommerce hooks instead of editing core files directly. Here’s an example of a code snippet adding a custom message to the Processing Order email: 

Always test code changes on a staging site before publishing them to your live store.

Action: Copy and modify your template files or use the hook above to add custom content safely.

Using an email marketing platform 

Email marketing platforms don’t just redesign your WooCommerce confirmation email. They replace the entire sending infrastructure, unlocking capabilities customizer plugins can’t match.

You get behavioral automation beyond the order confirmation. Think abandoned cart sequences, win-back campaigns, and post-purchase flows. You also get deliverability tools, list management, and segmentation based on purchase history.

A WooCommerce Mailchimp order confirmation email setup, for example, adds branding and follow-up campaigns. Klaviyo offers deeper segmentation and customer data tools. 

For WooCommerce stores seeking the most seamless integration, Omnisend connects natively without manual webhook setup. It also generates an average of $79 in revenue for every $1 spent, and includes 24/7 support on every plan.

You can design branded confirmation emails using its drag‑and‑drop builder, automate follow-ups, and recommend related products.  

Action: Connect your WooCommerce store to Omnisend and build automated on‑brand confirmation emails.

Keep in mind: WooCommerce offers solid basic customization, but advanced personalization usually requires plugins, code, or a dedicated marketing platform. If your goal is to create branded, revenue-generating confirmation emails without technical work, Omnisend provides the easiest upgrade path. 

Default WooCommerce order email settings and limitations

The first thing you’ll notice about default WooCommerce order confirmation emails is their lack of flexibility. You can’t easily add dynamic elements, extra sections, or product recommendations without editing PHP templates.

For instance, here’s an example of the stock order confirmation email in WooCommerce, without any setting changes other than to the background color:

Notice how plain it is? The email editor isn’t much better, with options to sync the color palette to your theme, change the logo size, select a font, and add custom footer text:

The bottom line is that WooCommerce emails get the job done — barely. They trigger reliably and include order details, but that’s where the good news ends.

What WooCommerce order confirmation emails can and can’t do

✓ What works

• Automatic triggers for all order statuses
• Basic text customization (subject lines, headings, footer)
• HTML/plain text formatting options
• Multiple admin recipient addresses
• Logo and color customization (WooCommerce 9.8+, from April 2025)
• Manual sending for invoices and notes

✗ What’s missing

• Design flexibility? Forget it. You get one template with swappable colors — unless you’re comfortable editing PHP files directly.
• Lack of advanced marketing features. WooCommerce’s default emails don’t support tailored product recommendations or follow-up sequences — they’re just a one-and-done receipt.
• Want to send a three-email welcome series? Not happening. WooCommerce fires single emails, not sequences or campaigns.
• Curious if anyone’s reading your emails? Too bad. Zero analytics means you’ll never know open rates, clicks, or delivery success, so you’ll have no idea how your audience interacted with your email.
• Emails landing in spam? A common problem. WooCommerce relies on your web server’s PHP mail, which is often throttled, blocked, or hurt by a shared IP reputation — this causes messages to never make it to customers.

Here’s how the default WooCommerce confirmation email (left) compares with Omnisend’s customized design (right). 

The delivery problem

Here’s the kicker — WooCommerce sends through your web server’s PHP mail function, the same overworked server running your entire store. 

Shared hosting providers hate this setup, often blocking or throttling emails. Even when emails are sent, they lack proper authentication, making inbox placement a gamble.

It’s best practice to bypass this mess entirely with SMTP services or dedicated platforms like Omnisend to route emails via optimized infrastructure designed for getting messages delivered.

How to send WooCommerce confirmation emails from a different address

WooCommerce gives you two ways to control where your confirmation emails come from. The first is a simple settings change. The second goes deeper and involves fixing the actual server that sends your mail. 

Both can make your WooCommerce confirmation email appear like it’s coming from a branded domain or specific department. For example, [email protected] instead of the default WordPress address.

Changing the sender address in WooCommerce settings

You can change the sender details shown in your emails directly in the dashboard. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails and scroll to Email sender options.

Here, you can update:

• “From” name: The sender name customers see in their inbox
• “From” address: The email address displayed as the sender

Update both to reflect your store’s domain, and save changes when done.

Note: Changing these fields only updates the display address, which is what customers see. It doesn’t change the actual server that sends the email. WooCommerce may still use your hosting provider’s default mail system unless SMTP is configured separately.

Using WP Mail SMTP to send from a custom domain

By default, WordPress uses the wp_mail() function, which often causes deliverability issues because messages aren’t authenticated. 

To send your WooCommerce order confirmation email from a verified domain, install and configure WP Mail SMTP. It’s currently the most recommended plugin on WordPress, with over 4 million active installations and a 4.8‑star rating. To set it up:

1. Go to WP Mail SMTP → Settings and choose a mailer (for instance, Gmail or your host)

2. Enter your SMTP credentials and sender address

3. Send a test email to confirm delivery

For reliable delivery, your sending domain must have SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records configured. Your mailer provider will walk you through this during setup.

Omnisend users: If using Omnisend for your WooCommerce confirmation emails, sending domain configuration happens through Omnisend’s sender authentication settings. No separate SMTP plugin is required. 

How to optimize order confirmation emails with Omnisend

If the default WooCommerce emails feel lacking, Omnisend offers a comprehensive solution to elevate your order confirmations. 

Whether you want WooCommerce to send a custom email after order placement or create fully branded customer journeys, Omnisend replaces basic emails with automated messages. These include dynamic order details, product recommendations, and professional designs, no coding needed.

Start with installing the Omnisend WooCommerce integration plugin to sync your store data. Then follow these steps to improve your WooCommerce order confirmation emails with Omnisend:

1. Access the workflow builder
2. Configure your email settings
3. Design your confirmation email
4. Add advanced features
5. Disable WooCommerce’s default email
6. Test and launch your WooCommerce post-purchase email

Step 1 — Access the workflow builder

• Log in to your Omnisend account
• Click Automation in the left sidebar
• Hit the + Create workflow button 
• Search for Order confirmation in the top bar (or filter by Transactional)
• Click Customize workflow to launch the visual flow builder:

Log in to your Omnisend account and navigate to the Automation section from the dashboard.

Click the “+ Create workflow” button. Omnisend provides a library of pre-built automation templates. In the search bar at the top, type “Order Confirmation” (or filter by the Transactional category) to find the Order Confirmation workflow template.

Click on Order Confirmation and choose “Customize workflow”. This will launch Omnisend’s visual workflow builder, loaded with the default order confirmation flow. You should see a preset trigger (Order Placed) and an email ready to be configured, among other elements.

Note: Omnisend’s workflow builder is designed for speed and clarity. It uses predictive AI to segment customers automatically and generative AI to help you write engaging copy that fits your brand tone. Combined with Omnisend’s five‑year customer‑service award streak (since 2022), you get expert support and intelligent automation that saves time while improving results.

Step 2 — Configure your email settings

• Click the Email block in the flow diagram:

• The right sidebar opens with these fields:
  • Subject line — try “Order #{order_number} confirmed! Thanks {first_name}”
  • Preheader — preview text like “Track your order and earn 15% off”
  • Sender’s name — your store name
  • Sender’s email — use your domain email, not Gmail
  • Reply-to address — optional support email
• Save these settings before moving to content

In the workflow diagram, click on the Email block (the email step that’s included by default in the Order Confirmation workflow). This opens the settings sidebar for that email.

Set up the basic details in the sidebar as you edit your WooCommerce confirmation emails: 

Subject line: Craft a clear yet engaging subject. For example, “Order #{order_number} confirmed – thank you, {first_name}!” This uses merge tags to include the actual order number and customer’s first name for a personal touch.

Preheader: This is the preview text that appears after the subject in inboxes. Use it to provide a sneak peek or incentive. E.g., “Your order is on its way – track it here and enjoy 15% off next time.”

Sender’s name: Specify the name you want the email to appear from (usually your store or brand name).

Sender’s email: Enter the email address that the email will be sent from. Just like in WooCommerce, you should use your own domain here (e.g., [email protected]) for better deliverability. Omnisend will handle the proper authentication for you once your domain is verified on the platform.

Reply-to address: Optionally, set a reply-to email (for instance, your support inbox) if you want customers’ replies to go to a different address.

Save these settings. Omnisend will apply them to the email in this automation. This ensures your confirmation email has a compelling subject line and is coming from a trustworthy sender identity.

Step 3 — Design your confirmation email

• Click Edit content to open the drag-and-drop builder:

• Your template includes pre-built order blocks:
  • Order details auto-fills order number, date, and total
  • Product list shows items, quantities, prices, with images
  • Shipping info displays addresses and delivery methods
  • Order summary breaks down subtotal, tax, and shipping
  • Customize colors, fonts, and add your logo
  • Insert product recommendation blocks for cross-sells — here’s an image showing all the additional Items you can add:

• Click Send test email to preview formatting
• Click Finish editing to save your work and return to the flow builder

Here’s an example of an unformatted, unbranded order confirmation email in Omnisend:

You can customize the look and feel extensively: add your logo at the top, change colors and fonts to match your brand, and modify text as needed. All of this is done with a visual editor – just drag in content blocks or click to edit text/styles. For instance, you might want to add a thank-you message at the top, or a discount code at the bottom for the customer’s next purchase. Simply drag in a text block or coupon block.

A huge advantage of Omnisend is you can easily include product recommendation blocks even in a confirmation email. For example, you could drag in a “Recommended Products” section to showcase items similar to what they purchased (great for upsells). This is something not possible with WooCommerce’s default email without custom coding.

While editing, you can see a live preview of exactly what the email will look like. You can also click “Send test email” at any time to send a test copy to yourself to verify formatting and deliverability.

Once you’re happy with the design, click “Finish editing” to save your changes and return to the workflow view.

Step 4 — Add advanced features

• Return to the flow builder
• Drag in additional elements:
  • SMS block for instant order notifications
  • Delay block to space out follow-up messages
  • Split block for A/B testing subject lines
  • Tag contact to segment customers by purchase

Here’s an image showing what you can add to your WooCommerce order confirmation flow:

• Configure exit conditions (default — order cancelled)
• Set audience filters if targeting specific customer groups

One of the powerful things about Omnisend’s workflows is that you’re not limited to just sending an email. You can enhance the Order Confirmation automation with additional elements if needed. For example:

• Add an SMS block: If you have the customer’s phone number and SMS consent, you could send a text message confirmation in addition to the email. SMS can reach customers instantly and is great for urgent info like order confirmations or updates.
• Add a delay and a follow-up email: While the initial confirmation goes out immediately, maybe you want to send a follow-up a few days later – for instance, asking for a review or suggesting related products. You could drag in a Delay block (e.g., 3 days) and then another Email block to create a two-step post-purchase sequence.
• A/B testing: Omnisend allows split testing in workflows. You might add a Split (A/B) block after the trigger to test two different subject lines or email designs for your confirmation, to see which yields higher engagement.
• Tag or segment customers: You can add a Tag block to label customers who made a purchase (e.g., tag them as “First-time buyer” or “VIP” based on order value). This can help with segmentation for future campaigns.

These enhancements are optional, but they can turn a simple confirmation into a more robust retention workflow. For instance, adding a small delay and a second email that goes out when the order is delivered (“Hope you’re enjoying your purchase! Review it here for 10% off your next order.”) can boost engagement and repeat sales.

Step 5 — Disable WooCommerce’s default email

• In WordPress, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails
• Click Manage next to “Processing order”
• Uncheck Enable this email notification
• Save changes
• Repeat for other emails you’re replacing (like completed, refunded, and others)

Once you have Omnisend handling your order confirmation, you don’t want WooCommerce sending a duplicate email. To avoid confusing customers, go back to your WordPress admin > WooCommerce → Settings → Emails. Find Processing order (the same one we enabled earlier) and click Manage.

This time, uncheck the “Enable this email notification” box and save changes. This turns off WooCommerce’s version of the email.

If you set up Omnisend workflows for other types of notifications (like shipping confirmations or refunds), you would disable those corresponding WooCommerce emails too. For now, you can at least turn off the order confirmation so that Omnisend’s email is the only one customers receive for order placement.

By doing this, you’re ensuring that Omnisend’s infrastructure handles all order confirmation emails, which means better deliverability and a more polished experience for your shoppers (no more plain default emails).

Step 6 — Test and launch your WooCommerce post-purchase email

• Place a test order on your store
• Verify Omnisend triggers correctly
• Check email formatting on mobile and desktop
• Monitor the first 24 hours for any issues
• Review your automation’s open and click rates in Omnisend’s reports weekly

Time to test the Omnisend automation. Place a new test order on your WooCommerce store (you can use a real order or a staging site).

Verify that the Omnisend workflow triggers correctly – you should see the order appear in Omnisend’s automation logs and the email should arrive in the customer inbox (since you might be using a test email of yours, check that inbox).

Check the email on both desktop and mobile to ensure the design is responsive and looks as expected. Omnisend’s templates are mobile-friendly, but it’s always good to double-check images, text alignment, and other elements on a phone screen.

Monitor for any issues on the first day. Omnisend provides reports for automations, so you can see if the email was sent and delivered. Down the line, you can also track open and click rates for this confirmation email in Omnisend’s reporting dashboard. This is a big improvement over WooCommerce’s zero analytics.

Finally, go live with the workflow by making sure it’s enabled (Omnisend usually prompts you to activate it). From now on, every customer order will receive the shiny new confirmation email from Omnisend.

If you want to see Omnisend’s order confirmation workflow in action, check out our video walkthrough. And for broader tips, below you might find our guides on transactional emails best practices and post-purchase email strategies helpful in making the most of these messages.

Email types WooCommerce sends after an order

WooCommerce includes 11 default email notifications covering order management, customer communication, and account activity. You can find all of them under WooCommerce → Settings → Emails in your dashboard.

Here’s a screenshot of all the default emails in WooCommerce:

This is how the default email types in WooCommerce compare.

New order email (Admin)

Alerts you when orders arrive. Shows customer info, items, and payment details. Enable under New order settings — add multiple admin emails separated by commas for team notifications.

Cancelled order email (Admin)

Notifies about cancellations after processing starts. Perfect for stopping shipments quickly. It uses the same setup as new orders — just verify your recipient list includes fulfillment staff.

Failed order email (Admin & Customer)

Two emails — diagnostic details for you, and a payment retry link for customers. The customer email can include a link back to checkout, and you can customize it to sound helpful.

Order on-hold email (Customer)

Explains payment delays to anxious customers, triggering automatically for bank transfers or manual reviews. Edit the template to include your typical verification timeframe and reduce support questions.

Processing order email (Customer)

This is the main order confirmation email sent after successful payment. It reassures customers that the order was received and is being prepared. Many merchants choose to customize or replace this email because it is often the highest-engagement post-purchase message. 

Completed order email (Customer)

Often referred to as the WooCommerce “Order Completed” email (or the WooCommerce completed order email). It’s sent when an order is fulfilled and marked Completed. 

Many stores use this email as a shipping or fulfillment confirmation. Including tracking information and delivery expectations can reduce “Where is my order?” support requests. You can add a tracking number via a plugin or the built-in WooCommerce Shipment Tracking.

Processing vs Completed order: What’s the difference? The Processing Order email is the primary WooCommerce order confirmation email. It’s sent after payment is received and confirms the order is being prepared. The Completed Order email is sent later, when the order has been fulfilled or shipped. Think of Processing as the purchase confirmation and Completed as the fulfillment confirmation.

Refunded order email (Customer)

Separate templates for full and partial refunds. They trigger automatically when you issue refunds. Customize both to specify when customers should see funds in their account.

Customer invoice / Order details email (Customer, manual)

This email isn’t automatic on order events — it’s something you can trigger manually. For example, if customers need to pay for orders you created in the admin, send them Customer Invoices with payment links. 

It’s also used to send order details to the customer on demand. In the order admin screen, you choose “Email invoice” from the actions and WooCommerce sends it. Make sure to enable the payment link option if you want it to include a one-click payment for unpaid orders.

Customer note email (Customer)

Your Swiss Army knife for updates. Add any Note to customer on orders to trigger personalized emails — shipping delays, thank-you messages, special instructions, anything goes.

Reset password email (Customer)

Security email for password recovery. Customers trigger it from the login page. Can’t customize much here — WooCommerce prioritizes security over branding for password resets.

New account email (Customer)

Welcome email for fresh registrations. Includes login details and account page link. Customize this heavily — first impressions matter. Add welcome discounts or setup guides here.

Each of these emails can be toggled on/off and have their basic text customized in WooCommerce’s settings. However, redesigning layouts or adding complex logic (like showing different content based on products purchased) quickly runs into native limitations. 

That’s when you either resort to custom coding the templates or using a platform like Omnisend to create advanced email workflows. For example, you could use Omnisend to handle order confirmations, send follow-ups after order completion, or automate win-back campaigns.

Essential elements of WooCommerce order email

At a minimum, a WooCommerce order confirmation email should confirm the purchase, answer common post-purchase questions, and reassure customers that their order is on track.

Here’s a checklist covering what to include:

• Clear subject line with order number and store name for instant recognition
• Personalized greeting using their first name (Sarah beats “valued customer” every time)
• Readable order summary, with items, quantities, and prices in clean rows
• Billing and shipping information, displayed clearly since everyone double-checks addresses
• Payment method and status — was it PayPal? Credit card? Are you still waiting on that bank transfer? Spell it out
• Shipping method and delivery estimate because “when will it arrive?” is question #1
• Order tracking link if you’ve got one — saves countless “where’s my order?” emails
• Customer support information front and center, not buried in tiny footer text
• Branding elements that make it yours, including logo placement, color choices, and the way you write
• Optional upsell or coupon tucked at the bottom — subtle wins over desperate
• Return and exchange policy — even a short note or link helps cut down on “what if it doesn’t fit?” questions
• Social or referral prompt — a light nudge to follow your socials or share with a friend once the essentials are covered

The goal is that after reading the email, the customer feels informed and confident. They should know what they bought, how much they paid, when it’s coming, and that you’re grateful for their business. Anything that a customer might email you to ask – try to have the answer in the confirmation email. This reduces support load and increases customer satisfaction. 

Tools like Omnisend make it easy to add all of these elements with a drag-and-drop builder, so you can create professional emails without coding. As a bonus, a well-designed, friendly email leaves a positive impression of your brand.

Illustration: An example of a WooCommerce order confirmation email template with key elements labeled. Notice the personalized greeting, clear order details and pricing, shipping information and address, a prominent call-to-action button to view the order, FAQ and Returns buttons and customer service contacts. By covering these elements, your confirmation email will preempt common customer questions and reinforce trust.

As WordPress expert, entrepreneur, and “Tutor on YouTube” Ferdy Korpershoek notes, WooCommerce’s default confirmation emails “do not look that good” and are hard to adjust. That’s why tools like Omnisend are essential to create professional, customer-friendly designs.

WooCommerce order confirmation email templates

Writing an order confirmation email from scratch can be daunting, so it’s helpful to start from a template. Below are a few order confirmation email templates that you can adapt for your own WooCommerce store. 

Each WooCommerce order confirmation email template has a different style or purpose, and you can tweak the wording to fit your brand voice. To use any, copy the text and paste it into your WooCommerce email settings (or Omnisend email editor), then adjust placeholders and details as needed.

Pro tip: Send yourself a test message to check that everything displays correctly before making your order confirmation email live.

Template 1: Default-style confirmation (WooCommerce basic)

Template 2: Branded and friendly

Here’s an example of a branded order confirmation email.

Template 3: WooCommerce order confirmation email with upsell

Template 4: Minimal transactional

Want to use these templates inside a fully automated WooCommerce workflow? Omnisend’s drag-and-drop builder lets you implement any of these designs with personalization, A/B testing, and analytics — no developer needed.

Troubleshooting: Why is WooCommerce not sending order confirmation emails?

Missing order emails frustrate customers and flood your support inbox. If your WooCommerce confirmation email isn’t sending, here’s a quick checklist to run through first:

1. Email notification disabled: In WooCommerce → Settings → Emails, make sure Processing order is enabled. If it’s unchecked, no emails will send — this is one of the most common oversights.
2. Check order status: WooCommerce only sends confirmation emails for orders marked Processing (that is, paid). If an order is Pending payment, no email goes out.
3. From address misconfigured: Ensure your store’s “From” address is a domain-based email (for example, [email protected]). Using Gmail, Yahoo, or another free provider often causes rejections due to DMARC policies.
4. Spam folder check: If WooCommerce shows the email as sent, but it’s missing in the inbox, check spam/junk. Some providers silently filter these messages without warning.
5. Hosting or deliverability issues: Shared hosts like GoDaddy or Bluehost sometimes block PHP mail to prevent spam. Even if WooCommerce “sends” it, the email never leaves the server. Use an SMTP plugin to bypass this.
6. Authentication missing: Every sending domain should have valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records configured. SPF and DKIM help prove the email is legitimate, while DMARC tells receiving providers how to handle messages that fail authentication. DMARC has become a baseline requirement for reliable inbox placement across major providers. Add SPF and DKIM to your domain’s DNS or use an SMTP plugin to handle authentication automatically. 

Note: If you’re using the Email Verification for WooCommerce plugin, ensure you’re running version 3.2.4 or newer. Older versions, like 2.8.10 and earlier, were affected by a reported SQL injection vulnerability. While this has been fully patched, it’s a good reason to always keep the plugin updated. 

7. Dark mode rendering issues: Most email opens now happen on mobile, making dark mode optimization increasingly important. If your confirmation email uses hardcoded dark text on white backgrounds, it can become unreadable when a device inverts colors. Ensure your email design inherits colors correctly in dark mode, especially text, buttons, and form fields, to maintain contrast and legibility. 

Perhaps you’ve gone through all the above and the order confirmation email still isn’t sending. The best solution is usually to stop relying on PHP mail and switch to a more reliable method.

Solution: Configure SMTP or use a dedicated email service. WooCommerce’s documentation and many experts strongly recommend using an SMTP plugin to send emails. Plugins like WP Mail SMTP can be set up to route your store’s emails through a proper SMTP server (Gmail, Outlook, SendGrid, and others — many options, some free). This bypasses the host’s PHP mail and dramatically improves deliverability. 

Alternatively, use a service like Omnisend (or other transactional email services such as Mailgun, SendGrid, Amazon SES). This ensures emails are sent via servers designed for high deliverability. These services handle the technical bits like authentication and reputation, so your emails have a much better chance of reaching the inbox.

Once SMTP is set up, test again by placing an order. In most cases, this resolves the issue. And remember, if you use Omnisend’s workflow for order confirmations, those emails will be sent through Omnisend’s system. This already optimizes deliverability, often making these issues a thing of the past.

Conclusion

WooCommerce confirmation emails are more than just receipts. They’re an opportunity to build customer trust and enhance the post-purchase experience. These emails provide clear information (like tracking links and order details), match the email design and sender details to your brand, and proactively fix delivery issues. In short, they help turn a simple notification into a standout customer service moment. They also matter more than many merchants think: they set the tone for the customer’s entire fulfillment experience.

The default order confirmation email in WooCommerce “works” in a bare-bones way. However, leveraging tools like Omnisend can transform it into a professional, high-converting message. With visual builders, automation workflows, and multi-channel messaging, you can deliver the polished, engaging experience customers expect. You don’t even have to worry about technical limitations or deliverability glitches. In short, WooCommerce gives you the basics, but Omnisend helps you level up.

FAQ

What is a WooCommerce order confirmation email?

A WooCommerce order confirmation email is an automated message sent after a customer places an order. It confirms payment, shares order details, and reassures buyers that the purchase was successful. WooCommerce calls it a “Processing order” email.

Does WooCommerce automatically send order confirmation emails?

Yes, WooCommerce automatically sends transactional emails after certain order actions. The default setup includes processing order and completed order emails. 

However, you can customize your WooCommerce confirmation email using plugins or marketing platforms like Omnisend. This gives you access to better branding and automation features.

How do I send an order confirmation email in WooCommerce?

To send an order confirmation email in WooCommerce, go to Settings → Emails. Click Manage next to “Processing order” and check “Enable this email notification.” WooCommerce will then send the message automatically after checkout.

How do I customize my WooCommerce order confirmation email?

To customize your WooCommerce order confirmation email template, go to WooCommerce → Settings → Emails. Click the Manage button for “Processing order” to edit the header, footer, colors and content. 

For deeper changes to WooCommerce email templates, edit PHP files or use plugins. Tools like Omnisend’s no-code drag-and-drop email builder offer full design control, including branded layouts and product blocks.

How do I resend a WooCommerce order confirmation email?

To manually resend a WooCommerce order confirmation email:

• Go to WooCommerce → Orders and open the relevant order
• Head to the Order actions panel in the top right
• Select “Email invoice / order details to customer” 
• Click the arrow (>) button to trigger it 

This process resends the confirmation to the customer’s email address on file.

How do I enable email verification in WooCommerce?

Since WooCommerce doesn’t include built-in email verification, you can add this feature through plugins or email marketing platforms. 

Enabling double opt-in via Omnisend, for example, ensures customers confirm their address before receiving emails. This reduces fake accounts and improves both list quality and delivery rates.

Why is WooCommerce not sending order confirmation emails?

Common reasons include spam filters, a misconfigured SMTP setup, or a conflict with your hosting provider. To fix this, install an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP and authenticate your sending domain. 

Alternatively, use a reliable email marketing platform like Omnisend or Mailchimp if wary of plugin conflicts. Also, check WooCommerce → Settings → Emails to confirm the Processing Order email is enabled.

What should a WooCommerce order confirmation email include?

A WooCommerce confirmation email should include the customer’s order summary:

• Order number
• Itemized product list
• Total cost
• Shipping information
• Estimated delivery dates
• Support contacts 

You can also add a thank-you message, product recommendations, or a subtle next-purchase offer to drive repeat sales. 

Can I use Mailchimp or Klaviyo for WooCommerce confirmation emails?

Yes. A WooCommerce Mailchimp order confirmation email setup is straightforward and effective for basic marketing needs. Meanwhile, Klaviyo leans more toward advanced segmentation and data‑driven campaigns for larger stores.  

But Omnisend offers deeper ecommerce automation through its native WooCommerce integration. You get robust AI features, faster and intuitive setup, and 24/7 support. There’s also a very generous free plan.