Purchase History
Definition
Purchase history refers to the record of all previous orders made by a customer in your WooCommerce store.
It includes product details, quantities, order dates, and total amounts.
Good or Bad?
Good when used to personalize experiences and reward loyalty.
Bad if ignored or not tracked, as it limits your ability to understand customer behavior.
Why does it matter?
Tracking purchase history helps you understand what your customers like and how often they shop.
It’s essential for personalized marketing, upselling, and offering relevant discounts or product recommendations.
Common Mistakes
- Not syncing purchase data with marketing tools
- Failing to analyze repeat purchase patterns
- Not using purchase history for segmentation or loyalty rewards
How to Improve It?
- Use plugins to automatically record and display purchase history in customer accounts
- Segment email campaigns based on past purchases
- Offer tailored product suggestions or exclusive discounts to repeat customers
Real-World Example
A customer who regularly buys coffee beans every 3 weeks gets an automated email offering a bulk discount if they reorder today.
This improves customer retention and boosts average order value.
Related Terms
- Order History
- Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
- Repeat Purchase Rate
- Purchase Behavior
FAQs
Can I view a customer’s full purchase history in WooCommerce?
Yes.
You can access it from the customer’s profile in the WordPress dashboard.
How can I use purchase history to boost sales?
By offering personalized deals, sending restock reminders, or suggesting complementary products.
Is it possible to show purchase history to the customer?
Yes.
WooCommerce shows it under the “My Account” section by default.