At Creating a product in WooCommerce you must specify what type of product it is. This selection is important because WooCommerce provides different settings and features depending on the product type.
WooCommerce natively includes four product types:
- Simple product
- Grouped product
- External/Affiliate Product
- Variable product
Briefly explained: For most standard single products, a Simple product. If a product requires selectable variants like size or color, you use a Variable product. Grouped and external products fulfill special tasks.
Where do I select the product type? #
Open an existing product in the WordPress backend or create a new product via:
Products
→ Add new product
Scroll then to the area Product data.
There you will find a selection for the product type. For a new product, it is usually Simple product preselected.
When you change the product type, WooCommerce changes the available settings in the product data section. This is normal because not every product type requires the same information.
Note: Additional WooCommerce extensions can add more product types. If you see more options in your store than in this guide, these likely come from an additional plugin or extension.
An overview of the four WooCommerce product types #
| Product type | Suitable for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple product | A single product without selectable variants | Book, cup, tool |
| Variable product | A product with multiple selectable variants | T-shirt in multiple sizes and colors |
| Grouped product | Displaying multiple existing products together on one product page | A furniture series consisting of a table, chair, and stool |
| External/Affiliate Product | Present product on your own website, but sell on an external website | Affiliate product of another shop |
1. Simple product #
The Simple product is the most straightforward and commonly used WooCommerce product type.
This is a single product where the customer does not need to select a variant.
Typical examples are:
- a specific book
- a coffee cup
- a lamp in a fixed design
- a tool
- a spare part
- a single electronic device
For a simple product, you can enter the following information, among other things:
- regular price
- Offer price
- SKU or item number
- Inventory
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Shipping class
- Properties
- Upsells and cross-sells
- Product image and gallery
We explain step by step in the article how to fully create such a product Create first product in WooCommerce.
When is a simple product the right choice? #
Use a simple product when a customer only needs to decide whether and how many units they want to buy.
An example:
Product:
Ceramic coffee mug – 350 ml
Price:
CHF 29.90
Customer selection:
Quantity: 1, 2, 3, ...
No selection of:
Size
Color
Design
Then a simple product is usually the right solution.
Simple product with attributes #
A common misconception is that a product must automatically be configurable as soon as attributes such as color, material, or size are present.
That is not true.
You can also assign attributes to a simple product.
For example:
Product:
Ceramic coffee mug
Features:
Color: White
Material: Ceramic
Capacity: 350 ml
These properties merely describe the product. The customer cannot select a different variant based on them.
What matters is: An attribute describes a product. A variant is a version of the product that can be selected by the customer.
We explain how to use properties correctly in the article How to correctly use categories, tags, and attributes for products.
3. Variable Product #
A Variable product Use this when a product is available in multiple versions and the customer needs to select a variant before purchasing.
The classic example is a t-shirt.
Product:
T-Shirt
Size:
S
M
L
XL
Color:
Black
White
Blue
WooCommerce variations can be created from the attributes.
One possible option would be:
T-Shirt
Size: M
Color: Black
Another variation:
T-Shirt
Size: XL
Color: White
WooCommerce can manage separate product information for individual variations.
This may include, among other things:
- Price
- SKU
- Inventory
- Product image
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Shipping class
This allows you to specify, for example, that the T-shirt in size M is still available ten times, while size XL is already sold out.
When do I need a variable product? #
A variable product makes sense if the customer needs to choose between different versions of the same product before purchasing.
Typical examples are:
- Clothing in different sizes
- Products in different colors
- Shoes in different sizes
- Storage media with different capacities
- Products in various dimensions
- other versions of the same basic product
We explain the complete setup in the article Creating variable products: Sizes, colors and other variants.
Simple or variable product – a simple comparison #
| Situation | Suitable product type |
|---|---|
| White mug, 350 ml, no selection | Simple product |
| Mug optionally in white, black or red | Variable product |
| T-shirt only in size M and black | Simple product |
| T-shirt in S, M, L, and XL | Variable product |
| Book as a single printed edition | Simple product |
| Product with multiple customer-selectable options | Variable product |
Grouped Product #
A Grouped product works differently than a variable product.
It combines several existing products onto a common product page.
The individual products remain independent products.
An example is a furniture range:
Bundled product:
„Classic“ furniture series
Included individual products:
├── Classic Sofa
├── Classic Armchair
├── Classic Ottoman
└── Classic Side Table
The customer sees the associated items on a shared product page and can select which ones and in what quantity they want to add to the shopping cart.
The grouped product itself does not have its own regular selling price or its own inventory. Price and inventory are managed via the respective included products.
Grouped product is not a complete bundle #
This difference is particularly important.
A grouped product does not automatically mean:
Buy this complete set for CHF 199.–
Instead, several independent products are presented together and can be selected individually by the customer.
Note: „In WooCommerce, “grouped" primarily means that multiple products are displayed together. It is not automatically a tightly bundled product package with a shared bundle price.
When does a grouped product make sense? #
A grouped product is suitable, for example, for:
- coordinated furniture ranges
- a product series
- several books in the same series
- similar items to be presented together
- Frequently bought together products
The products must first be created as standalone products. Afterwards, they can be assigned to a grouped product.
This is generally how a grouped product is created #
The procedure consists of two parts:
- The individual products are being created.
- A grouped product is created, and the existing products are assigned to it.
For the grouped product, you select in the area Product data:
Product type:
→ Grouped product
The associated products are subsequently in the area Linked products or selected under the corresponding grouping option.
Since the price and inventory are tied to the individual products, you do not maintain this data on the grouped main product.
Grouped product or variable product? #
These two product types are frequently confused by beginners.
The difference is best explained with an example.
Variable product #
A product:
T-shirt
Customer must choose a version:
→ Size M
→ Color Black
All variants belong to the same basic product.
Grouped product #
Several independent products:
→ Table
→ Chair
→ Stool
Joint presentation:
→ Furniture series „Classic“
The products remain independent and can also be managed independently of each other.
| Variable product | Grouped product | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic idea | Multiple versions of a product | Display several independent products together |
| Example | T-shirt in S, M, and L | Table, chair, and stool from one series |
| Custom price | Variants can have their own prices | The included products have their own prices |
| Own inventory | Can be managed per variant | Is managed in the included products |
| Customer chooses | a product variant | one or more standalone products |
5. External/Affiliate Product #
With a External/Affiliate product Can you showcase a product in your WooCommerce store even though the actual purchase takes place on another website?.
WooCommerce refers to this product type as External/Affiliate Product.
An example:
Your website:
Product description
Product image
Price
Customer clicks:
„Buy product“
Redirect to:
External online store
So the product is shown on your website, but not sold through your own WooCommerce cart.
Product URL for external product #
If you External/Affiliate Product you select, WooCommerce will display additional fields.
This includes the Product URL.
Here you enter the external address to which the customer should be redirected.
For example:
https://www.beispielshop.ch/produkt/mein-produkt
When the customer clicks the buy button, this URL leads to the external provider.
Change button text #
For an external product, you can also determine the button text.
For example:
Buy from provider
or:
View product
This allows you to make it clear that the actual purchase is not completed in your shop.
What happens to the shopping cart? #
An external product is not purchased via its own shopping cart like a normal WooCommerce product.
Instead of a normal „Add to cart“ action, the button leads to the stored external product URL.
Price, payment, shipping, order, and other terms of purchase will subsequently be determined by the external provider.
Important: If you use affiliate links, legal labeling and information obligations may apply. This article only explains the technical WooCommerce function and does not replace legal advice.
When is an external product useful? #
This product type is suitable, for example, when:
- you present affiliate products,
- you link to a partner's products,
- you show a product catalog, but the actual purchase takes place on another website.
If you want to sell the product yourself through your own WooCommerce store, this product type is usually not the right choice.
6. Virtual is not a separate main product type #
In addition to selecting the product type, for simple products you will also find the option Virtual.
This sometimes leads to the assumption that „virtual“ is another equivalent product type.
However, in the WooCommerce product interface, it is an additional property of a simple product or a variation.
A virtual product does not require physical shipping.
Typical examples can be:
- Services
- Consulting services
- other offers without physical delivery
If a simple product is marked as virtual, the shipping section for this product is not needed.
An additional product feature is also downloadable. #
Also Downloadable is an additional option.
It allows assigning downloadable files to a product.
Examples are:
- PDF documents
- E-Books
- Photos
- Music
- other digital files
After activation, WooCommerce displays additional fields for:
- downloadable files
- Download limit
- Download expiration date
After a successful purchase, WooCommerce can grant the customer access to the stored file.
Virtual and downloadable are not the same #
These two options are also frequently confused.
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Virtual | The product does not require physical shipping. |
| Downloadable | Files can be assigned to the product for download. |
A product can therefore be virtual and downloadable at the same time.
For example:
E-Book
Virtual:
Yes
Downloadable:
Yes
However, it can also be downloadable and still physical.
Example:
Printed textbook
+
additional PDF file
Virtual:
No
Downloadable:
Yes
The printed book must still be shipped, even though a file for download is also offered.
Which product type should I choose? #
If you are unsure, you can use this simple decision guide:
Do I sell the product in my own shop?
│
├── No
│ └── External/Affiliate product
│
└── Yes
│
├── Should the customer choose between variants
│ of the same product?
│
├── Yes
│ └── Variable product
│
└── No
│
├── Do I want to present multiple independent
│ products together?
│
├── Yes
│ └── Grouped product
│
└── No
└── Simple product
Some typical examples #
| What do you want to sell? | Product type |
|---|---|
| A specific book | Simple product |
| Coffee mug in a solid color and size | Simple product |
| T-shirt in multiple sizes and colors | Variable product |
| Shoes in different sizes | Variable product |
| Presenting several pieces of furniture from one series together | Grouped product |
| Presenting several books of a series together | Grouped product |
| Present product, purchase takes place on a partner website | External/Affiliate Product |
| Sell PDF file for direct download | Simple product + downloadable, usually additionally virtual |
| Service without shipping | Simple product + virtual |
| Physical book with additional PDF download | Simple product + downloadable, but not virtual |
Can I change the product type later? #
WooCommerce basically allows you to change the product type of an existing product.
However, you should be careful with that.
The different product types have different settings. If you switch from a variable product to a simple product, for example, the existing variations will no longer be used for sale as before.
Therefore, do not change a product type just to try it out on an item that is already in productive use.
Tip: If you are still unsure when building a new product, you can first save it as a draft and set up the product page completely before publishing it.
Additional product types through plugins #
WooCommerce extensions can add more product types or additional product features.
Depending on the installed extension, special functions for subscriptions, bookings, product bundles, or other business models can be added, for example.
These features are not automatically part of the free WooCommerce core.
Important: If a guide on the internet shows a product type that you cannot find in your WooCommerce, it does not automatically mean that something is wrong with your shop. The guide may be using an additional WooCommerce extension.
What is the difference between grouped and a product bundle? #
Here too, a clear separation is worthwhile.
A grouped product displays several standalone products together. The customer decides which of these products they want to buy.
A real product bundle, on the other hand, can consist of several tightly integrated items, for example, and have a shared bundle price or special purchasing rules.
Such advanced bundle features are not automatically part of the basic functionality of a grouped WooCommerce product and may require an additional extension.
What's next? #
If you only sell simple products, you can already start with the guide Create first product in WooCommerce work.
However, if customers are to choose between sizes, colors, or other versions, the next step becomes a bit more extensive.
In the next article, we will therefore show you step by step how you create variable products with sizes, colors and other variants.
Summary #
WooCommerce comes with four basic product types: Simple, Grouped, External/Affiliate and Variable.
For normal single products without selectable variants, you use a simple product. If a customer needs to choose between multiple sizes or colors, for example, you use a variable product.
A grouped product combines multiple standalone products on a common product page. An external or affiliate product is presented on your website, but the actual purchase takes place on another website.
Virtual and Downloadable are additional product properties. Virtual means that no physical shipping is required. Downloadable means that files can be assigned to the product for download.
