WooCommerce Hook:woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review

When developing custom WooCommerce-powered online stores, hooks and actions are invaluable tools for developers. One such hook, woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review, offers an opportunity to modify or validate data during the checkout process. This blog will take you through its use cases, benefits, and implementation examples.

What is `woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review`?

The woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review hook fires whenever the checkout order review is updated. This occurs during actions like changing the shipping method, applying coupons, or updating any checkout field. It allows developers to perform custom actions or modify checkout behavior in real-time.

Hook Syntax

This hook is an action hook, so you can attach custom functions to it like this:

add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review', 'custom_function_name', 10, 1 );

function custom_function_name( $post_data ) {
    // Your custom logic here
}

Parameters:

$post_data: This parameter contains serialized checkout form data sent via AJAX during the update process.

Common Use Cases

Custom Validation You can use this hook to validate data entered by customers at checkout, ensuring they meet specific business requirements before proceeding further.

add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review', 'validate_custom_field', 10, 1 );

function validate_custom_field( $post_data ) {
    parse_str( $post_data, $form_data );

    if ( empty( $form_data['custom_field'] ) ) {
        wc_add_notice( __( 'Please fill in the required field.', 'text-domain' ), 'error' );
    }
}

Dynamic Pricing Adjustments Use the hook to dynamically calculate or modify cart totals based on user inputs or other conditions.

add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review', 'apply_dynamic_pricing', 10, 1 );

function apply_dynamic_pricing( $post_data ) {
    if ( WC()->cart->get_cart_contents_total() > 100 ) {
        WC()->cart->add_fee( 'Discount Adjustment', -10 );
    }
}

Updating Shipping Costs Adjust shipping rates dynamically based on specific conditions.

add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review', 'custom_shipping_adjustment', 10, 1 );

function custom_shipping_adjustment( $post_data ) {
    $chosen_shipping_methods = WC()->session->get( 'chosen_shipping_methods' );

    if ( in_array( 'free_shipping', $chosen_shipping_methods ) ) {
        // Perform custom logic for free shipping.
    }
}

Things to Keep in Mind

AJAX Context: This hook works during AJAX calls, so debugging it may require browser developer tools or logging mechanisms.
Performance Impact: Since this hook triggers frequently during checkout updates, ensure that any attached functions are optimized to avoid performance bottlenecks.
Testing: Comprehensive testing is crucial to ensure the customizations work seamlessly across various checkout scenarios.

Conclusion

The woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review hook is a powerful tool for customizing the WooCommerce checkout experience. Whether you want to validate input, adjust pricing, or modify shipping costs, this hook gives you the flexibility to tailor the checkout process to your business needs. With careful implementation, it can significantly enhance the user experience and ensure a smoother checkout flow.

Happy coding!