Classic vs Block: Add, Remove & Edit WooCommerce Checkout Fields

Let’s dive into the ins and outs of customizing WooCommerce checkout fields, comparing the Classic Checkout with the Checkout Block. You’ll see exactly what’s possible (and what’s not) with PHP code, plus we’ll demo real-life examples to make it easier to implement. Whether you’re a beginner or pro, this is a must-attend session for anyone looking to fine-tune the checkout experience.

Hosted by Rodolfo Melogli

Session Overview

When it comes to customizing the checkout experience in WooCommerce, you may already be familiar with the Classic Checkout. It’s well-established, relatively easy to modify, and has a plethora of hooks and filters that allow developers to adjust fields, add custom ones, or even remove them.

But with the rise of the WooCommerce Checkout Block, things have changed. While the Checkout Block offers a more modern, user-friendly approach to customizing checkout, it comes with limitations that the Classic Checkout didn’t have.

In this session, we’ll walk through both systems in detail and compare them side-by-side. If you thought editing the Classic Checkout was straightforward, the Checkout Block may give you pause. The experience isn’t quite as flexible when it comes to direct code customization. Many tasks you could easily accomplish with the Classic Checkout are either more difficult or outright impossible using the Checkout Block, and we’ll explore why.

We’ll start by diving into the fundamentals of the Classic Checkout fields. You’ll see how you can add, remove, and edit fields using PHP, and we’ll go through code examples that demonstrate each process. The Classic Checkout system is rich with actions and filters that allow you to hook into almost every step of the checkout process. If you’ve worked with WooCommerce before, you’ll feel right at home here.

But once we switch over to the Checkout Block, things start to change. We’ll examine how the Checkout Block operates differently, focusing on the challenges it presents. The block-based system relies heavily on React, which can make customizations less intuitive for developers who are used to working with PHP. The flexibility you’re accustomed to with the Classic Checkout simply isn’t the same in the Checkout Block.

We’ll show you examples where the Checkout Block is limited and explore the reasons behind those restrictions. For instance, while it’s possible to add custom fields in the Checkout Block, the process differs significantly from the Classic Checkout, and not every customization is feasible through PHP. You’ll also learn where the two systems overlap, so you can choose the right approach depending on your needs.

By the end of this class, you’ll not only understand the differences between the Classic Checkout and the Checkout Block but also how to handle both effectively. We’ll focus on practical, real-world examples so you can see exactly what’s possible and what’s not. Whether you’re working with the legacy system or migrating to the new one, you’ll have the knowledge to master checkout customization and enhance your WooCommerce store like never before.

So, if you’re looking to level up your WooCommerce development skills and truly understand how to optimize the checkout process—no matter which system you’re using—this is a must-attend session. You’ll walk away with the expertise to tackle any checkout customization challenge, giving you the confidence to refine and perfect your WooCommerce store’s checkout experience.

Author, WooCommerce expert and WordCamp speaker, Rodolfo has worked as an independent WooCommerce freelancer since 2011. His goal is to help entrepreneurs and developers overcome their WooCommerce nightmares. Rodolfo loves travelling, chasing tennis and soccer balls and, of course, wood fired oven pizza.

Rodolfo Melogli@rmelogli

Video Recording

Resources & Links

• Classic Checkout: Fields Customization https://www.businessbloomer.com/woocommerce-checkout-customization/
• Classic Checkout: Virtual Cart https://www.businessbloomer.com/woocommerce-hide-checkout-billing-fields-if-virtual-product-cart/
• Checkout Block: Removing Fields https://developer.woocommerce.com/docs/block-development/extensible-blocks/cart-and-checkout-blocks/removing-checkout-fields/
• Checkout Block: Adding Fields https://developer.woocommerce.com/docs/block-development/tutorials/how-to-additional-checkout-fields-guide/
• Simple Checkout Fields Manager for WooCommerce https://nakedcatplugins.com/product/simple-custom-fields-for-woocommerce-blocks-checkout/
• WooCommerce Checkout block, what you missed! https://wordpress.tv/2025/05/19/woocommerce-checkout-block-what-you-missed/

Slides

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