SLSWC adds software tabs and specialized add-to-cart forms to WooCommerce product pages for software products. These pages are where you browse available plugins and themes, review version history and installation instructions, and begin the purchase process.
Software Tabs
Software products get up to three extra tabs alongside the standard WooCommerce product tabs (Description, Reviews, etc.):
- Software Description — A detailed overview of the software, including features, requirements, and use cases.
- Installation — Step-by-step guide for installing and configuring the product. This typically covers downloading the ZIP file, uploading it via the WordPress admin, and entering your license key to activate.
- Changelog — Version history showing what has changed in each release.
The content for each tab is managed by the store owner on the product edit screen and can include formatted text such as headings, lists and links. The store owner chooses which tabs appear in WP Admin > License Server > Settings > Product, so a product may show only some of them.
Tip: Check the Changelog before updating to a new version to understand what has changed and whether any action is required on your part.
Product Information
The store owner also records the software's current version, the WordPress version it is compatible up to, and a documentation link. These are not printed on the product page; they are sent to your WordPress site with each update, so you see them under View details on the Plugins or Themes screen.
Product Types
SLSWC introduces two custom WooCommerce product types:
Software
A simple software product with a single price and a fixed set of features. The product page displays a quantity selector and an Add to Cart button. This type is ideal when the store offers one license tier with a set activation limit and renewal period.
Variable Software
A variable software product that offers multiple pricing tiers (e.g., Personal, Business, Developer licenses with different activation limits or support terms). The product page shows:
- Variation selectors — Dropdown menus for each attribute (such as license tier).
- Dynamic pricing — The price updates as you select different variations.
- Add to Cart button that appears after selecting a valid combination.
Use the Clear link to reset your variation selections.
Tip: Different variations often come with different activation limits and renewal periods. Read the variation description carefully to pick the tier that matches your needs. For example, a "Developer" tier might allow 25 site activations while a "Personal" tier allows only 1.
Purchasing Flow
- Browse the store and find the software product you want.
- For variable software, select your preferred license tier or options.
- Click Add to Cart.
- Complete the WooCommerce checkout. Payment methods vary by store — see the FAQ for common options.
- After payment, your license key is generated automatically and attached to your order.
- Go to My Account > License Keys to view your new license. You can copy the key and see its activation limit, expiry date, and status.
- Download the plugin or theme from your order confirmation email or the My Account > Downloads section.
- Install the software on your WordPress site and enter your license key in its settings to activate.
- Once activated, your site is registered with the license server and you will receive automatic updates.
Tip: If you plan to manage your software installations with Composer instead of manual downloads, see the Composer guide for setup instructions.
Warning: Do not share your license key publicly. Each activation counts toward your limit, and anyone with the key can activate it on their own site.
Subscriptions
If the product uses a subscription billing model, a subscription is created alongside your license. The subscription handles recurring payments, and your license stays active as long as the subscription is current. You can pause, cancel, or resume subscriptions from My Account > Subscriptions.
Related Pages
- License Keys — View and manage your licenses after purchase
- Subscriptions — Manage recurring billing for subscription products
- Composer — Install and update purchased software via Composer
- FAQ — Common questions about purchasing and licensing