Have you ever wanted to control product visibility based on your customer’s location? Whether you’re restricting access for compliance reasons or targeting specific markets, the WooCommerce geolocation plugin is a game-changer. It allows store owners to hide or show products, categories, and even entire pages based on user location.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up geolocation-based product rules in WooCommerce, step by step. Let’s dive in!

Why Use Geolocation-Based Rules in WooCommerce?

If you’re selling products worldwide, not everything is available to every region. Here’s why geolocation WooCommerce features are crucial:

• Legal Compliance: Restricting certain products in specific countries due to regulations.
• Market Targeting: Displaying relevant products to different regions.
• Shipping Limitations: Hiding items that cannot be shipped to certain locations.
• Traffic Management: Blocking unwanted visitors from specific countries.
• Pricing & Taxation: Showing localized prices based on user location.

Features of the Best WooCommerce Geolocation Plugin

The WooCommerce geolocation plugin offers a range of features to help store owners efficiently manage their online store’s visibility based on location. Here are some key benefits:

• Auto-detect user location based on IP.
• Create rules to restrict users from a specific country or region.
• Restrict access to your entire website from certain regions.
• Hide specific products, categories, and pages.
• Redirect banned users or show them a custom error message.
• Whitelist specific IP addresses to allow exceptions.
• Schedule GEO IP Ban Rules.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Geolocation-Based Product Rules in WooCommerce

Step 1: Install and Activate the WooCommerce Geolocation Plugin

To get started, you first need to install the Extendons WooCommerce Geolocation Plugin:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for Extendons WooCommerce Geolocation Plugin.
4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Step 2: Enable Geolocation Settings

After activation, configure the basic settings:

1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Geolocation.
2. Enable Geolocation-based product restrictions.
3. Choose how the plugin should detect user location (Auto-detect via IP is recommended).

Step 3: Create a Geolocation Rule

1. Navigate to WooCommerce > Geolocation Rules.
2. Click on Add New Rule.
3. Choose Rule Type:
   • Block users from specific countries.
   • Restrict products/categories/pages visibility.
   • Redirect users or show a custom error message.
4. Select the regions or countries to restrict.
5. Configure additional settings like whitelisted IPs.
6. Save the rule and test it.

Step 4: Hide Specific Products for Certain Locations

1. Go to Products > All Products.
2. Select a product you want to hide.
3. In the Geolocation Restrictions section:
   • Choose Hide for specific countries.
   • Select the targeted locations.
4. Click Update.

Step 5: Restrict Access to Entire Website

For stores that only serve specific regions:

1. Navigate to WooCommerce > Geolocation Rules.
2. Create a new rule.
3. Select Block Entire Website.
4. Choose the countries or regions to block.
5. Set up a custom error message or redirection.
6. Save and test the settings.

Step 6: Redirect Users Based on Location

Want to send blocked users to a specific page instead of showing an error?

1. Go to WooCommerce > Geolocation Rules.
2. Enable Redirection.
3. Enter the URL where users should be redirected.
4. Save the settings.

Step 7: Whitelist IP Addresses

To allow exceptions for specific users:

1. Open WooCommerce > Geolocation Settings.
2. Enter the IP addresses of users who should bypass restrictions.
3. Save the changes.

Step 8: Schedule GEO IP Ban Rules

You can schedule restrictions for a limited time:

1. Go to Geolocation Rules.
2. Enable Scheduling.
3. Select the start and end dates.
4. Save the rule.

FAQs

Q1: How does the WooCommerce geolocation plugin benefit my store?

The plugin helps restrict access to specific products, categories, or the entire store based on user location, ensuring a better shopping experience.

Q2: How does the plugin detect user locations?

It automatically identifies visitors’ physical locations using IP addresses.

Q3: Can I block users from specific countries or regions?

Yes, you can select individual countries or entire regions to block.

Q4: Is it possible to display a custom message to restricted users?

Yes, you can configure a custom message explaining the restriction.

Q5: Can I whitelist specific IP addresses to bypass restrictions?

Absolutely, you can add IP addresses to an exception list, allowing those users to access restricted content.

Conclusion

The WooCommerce geolocation plugin is a powerful tool to control access to your store based on visitor location. Whether you want to restrict products, block regions, or redirect users, it provides complete flexibility. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure your WooCommerce store operates efficiently and securely, focusing on your intended market.