Downloadable products file download method woocommerce

Download limit and expiry are very useful to restrict the file downloads. However, many times customers may request for downloading after the expiry of the limits.

In this case, you can regenerate the download permissions for a specific order. This will help customer to get a new link with new limits. In certain cases, you may need to handle conflicts with customer.

It could be due to refund or wrong download file link. In such a case, you have to first stop the customer from downloading the file. For example, we offer multiple free eBooks in our store. Some annoying users will try to download all the eBooks under single order. If we notice this, we will revoke the download access and block the user using separate security plugin.

This will help to stop the user from downloading the file though the order was successfully completed. As you can see, WooCommerce offers all options for selling a digital downloadable product. You can setup download permission, revoke the access in case of issues and offer additional products with the same order. Getting Started Getting Started 1. Migrating to WooCommerce Importing products from Etsy.

Select a File Download Method from the dropdown. To ensure files are protected from direct linking, Force Downloads can be used. Files are served by PHP. However, if your files are large, or the server is underpowered, you may experience timeouts during download. In this case, you need to either look at your server or use the redirect method. Confirm with your web host that one of these modules is installed before using this method.

Files are also protected by an. Redirect only insecure — When users download a file, their link redirects to the file. Using this method means your files will be unprotected and whoever has the upload link will be able to access the file, even when they are not logged in.

When enabled, if for any reason an individual file cannot be served via your preferred method then a redirect will be used instead. This comes with similar drawbacks to those noted above regarding Redirect only insecure , but it can still be useful in situations where you host assets across a range of different platforms and where some of those are not suitable for your preferred method.

The biggest drawback is that users can see your file download link URL. Anyone with the link could simply access and download your valuable files. Currently, there are a few problems with WooCommerce digital product files.

Among them, the biggest loophole happens with guest purchases who can just share their order URL with anyone after purchase. Rather than providing the original — publicly accessible file URL to your customers, you protect them with our plugin and use their protected URL on your WooCommerce product instead. Many products vanished from the shelves to be in our hard drives. Books, music, photos.

In addition, many of our old appliances became apps. Calculators, watches, spreadsheets, notebooks. Even services or entire experiences are digital as well, such as courses, gift cards , or chatting with friends. Clearly, the businesses are evolving and moving more and more into the digital space.

Not just because many products are downloadable now, but also because customers are expecting it. And they are willing to pay for the convenience.

Selling digital products might not seem different from selling physical products, but there are some very important differences. In fact, they require some additional considerations and attention paid to different aspects that you may not have even considered otherwise. Now you may be thinking that the entire structure for building an online store is too much.

Thankfully, we have WooCommerce virtual products as an option. WooCommerce itself is a great plugin to turn a WordPress site into an online store. But it has by default digital products options, which can be used for a quick deploy of your digital store. We restrict the definition to WooCommerce, as each software has its own naming structure.

Inside of WooCommerce, your products can be. And these options are controlled by the checkboxes you have next to the product data: Thus, when you create your products you have the option to add shipping details and download details. This means that you can have downloadable products on top of physical products. For instance, you could sell your latest album, and along with a physical CD, you can send a downloadable product link. The same goes for posters, books or even instruction manuals.

Non-downloadable products are usually services , memberships or personal coaching. Additionally, the virtual products can be used for donations and crowdfunding campaigns.

As for virtual downloadable products, they are the pure digital products.