How Do I Add a Tracking Number to a WooCommerce Order?
How WooCommerce Tracking Plugins Work
Once installed, a tracking plugin adds a field (or a dedicated meta box) to the order edit screen where staff enter the tracking number and select the carrier from a supported list. From there, the plugin generates the correct tracking URL format for that specific carrier and, depending on configuration, automatically includes it in the order's shipped/completed notification email without any manual email composition.
What to Look For in a Tracking Plugin
- Support for the specific carriers actually used, since tracking URL formats differ by carrier and a plugin needs to recognize each one to generate a working link.
- Automatic customer notification, emailing the tracking number and link as soon as it's added, rather than requiring a separate manual step.
- A customer-facing tracking page or account order view, letting a logged-in customer check tracking status without needing to dig through email.
- Support for multiple tracking numbers per order, needed if an order ships as multiple separate packages.
- Bulk tracking upload, useful for stores processing many orders daily, letting tracking numbers be added via a CSV import rather than one at a time.
Adding a Tracking Number
- Install a shipment-tracking plugin supporting the carriers your store actually uses.
- Configure automatic customer email notification once a tracking number is added.
- Add tracking numbers as orders ship, using bulk upload if order volume warrants it.
Need order tracking set up and automated properly? See custom WooCommerce development.