In a recent Business Bloomer Club discussion, members shared their thoughts and solutions for a WooCommerce client who wants to implement a blacklist to prevent certain customers from placing new orders.
Blacklisting customers can be a helpful strategy for preventing unwanted or fraudulent transactions, but there are a few ways to approach this based on client needs and security requirements.
This article discusses some recommended plugins, custom code solutions, and advanced approaches to building an effective WooCommerce blacklist.
Why Blacklist Customers in WooCommerce?
Blacklisting customers can help businesses protect themselves from repeat fraud, scam attempts, or other unwanted activity. Whether it’s blocking specific email addresses, IPs, or even user IDs, blacklisting enables store owners to control who can access and make purchases in their online store.
However, each business may have unique requirements based on the types of abuse they encounter and the level of security they want to implement.
Plugin Options for Blacklisting Customers in WooCommerce
WooCommerce Blacklist Manager Plugin
One of the first recommendations shared in the discussion was WooCommerce Blacklist Manager, a plugin designed specifically for WooCommerce to block customers based on various criteria. This plugin allows store owners to easily set up blacklists for emails, IP addresses, or other identifiers associated with unwanted customers.
For businesses looking for a straightforward, user-friendly way to prevent certain individuals from placing orders, this plugin offers an accessible solution. However, it may be limited if you require more advanced or specific blacklist criteria.
Business Bloomer’s Blacklisting Tutorial
Rodolfo Melogli shared a tutorial on Business Bloomer that offers code snippets for creating a custom WooCommerce blacklist based on email, IP, and phone number. This approach is particularly beneficial if you want a flexible and highly customizable blacklist setup without relying on additional plugins.
This solution can be easily adapted to blacklist based on specific data points that the client deems critical. If implementing via code, developers can place the blacklist functionality into WooCommerce’s checkout validation to ensure unwanted customers cannot complete their orders. As one member suggested, this can be accomplished in under 10 lines of code for simpler email-based blacklists.
Creating a Custom Blacklist Solution with PHP Code
For developers or businesses seeking full customization, here are some approaches discussed in the Business Bloomer Club that can provide a tailored solution:
1. Simple Email Blacklist with Validation Hook
- Adding an email-based blacklist is simple with WooCommerce’s
woocommerce_after_checkout_validationhook. You can create an array of blocked email addresses and loop through them during the checkout process. If the customer’s email matches an entry in the blacklist, the system can halt the order and display an error message.
2. Advanced Blacklist Table in the Database
- For more robust requirements, developers can create a custom database table that includes fields such as
ID,enabledstatus,description,meta key, and regular expression fields. This table can store advanced blacklist criteria and apply specific rules, like blocking customers based on certain keywords in their email addresses or IP ranges. - This approach is more complex and may require additional SQL queries but allows for extensive blacklist management. It is particularly useful for stores that need to identify and block customers based on more than just email addresses.
3. Admin-Editable Text Area for Blacklist Management
Another effective solution is to create an editable text area within WooCommerce’s settings where the store owner can input blacklisted emails, IPs, or other criteria. Each entry would be separated by a new line, making it easy to add or remove items from the blacklist without modifying code.
Final Thoughts on Implementing a Blacklist in WooCommerce
Creating a blacklist for WooCommerce is an effective way to safeguard your store from repeat offenders or fraudulent customers. Whether you choose to use a plugin like WooCommerce Blacklist Manager, implement a custom code snippet, or develop a comprehensive database-driven blacklist, there are plenty of options for tailoring this feature to your needs. The Business Bloomer tutorial provides a helpful starting point for those who want to implement a custom blacklist solution with minimal code.
