Boost WooCommerce Design with Custom VariationSwatch Plugins

Want to Make Your WooCommerce Store Look Better and Work Smarter?

It’s pretty surprising to admit that many websites still use those old dropdown menus on their websites, giving them a really vintage, 80’s internet vibe. And if it is an online store, you are just making people feel like they are shopping in the past. Also, it is shocking that you will see this on a WooCommerce store, which in general is a leading platform out there.

But the good news is that you won’t have to stick with that clunky and old setup anymore. You can switch it up with something way more fun and user-friendly: variation swatches for WooCommerce. These are basically color boxes, image buttons, or size labels that your customers can click instead of picking stuff from a dropdown list.

Sounds better already, right? Let’s dive in and see why this is actually a game-changer for your store.

What Are Variation Swatches, Exactly?

A majority of products out there come in different versions that consist of various colors, different sizes, materials, and versions. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could display these options in different ways? Normally, WooCommerce gives you a drop-down menu. But with variation swatches, you can turn those into clickable buttons that are actually easy (and kinda fun) to use.

So instead of:

• Select color:
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Green

You get something like:

Much cleaner. Way more obvious. And honestly, it just feels nicer to click on something visual.

Why You Should Care About Swatches

Look, it might seem like a tiny design detail, but it actually makes a huge difference. Here’s why:

It Looks Better

Dropdowns? Boring. Swatches? Stylish. When your store looks good, people trust it more and feel more confident buying stuff.

It’s Easier for Your Customers

People don’t want to squint at tiny text in a dropdown to figure out what color “Teal Mist” is. Just show them the color already.

It Makes Shopping Faster

Clicking buttons is way faster than scrolling through a dropdown, especially on phones. And since most people shop on their phones now, this really helps.

It Just Feels Nicer

Let’s be real—nobody ever said, “Wow, I loved that dropdown.” But swatches? They actually make the shopping experience kind of fun.

What Should You Look for in a Good Swatch Plugin?

Not all plugins are created equal, so here’s a little cheat sheet of stuff to look for:

• Can you use colors, images, and labels for your swatches?
  
• Is it easy to use even if you don’t know anything about coding?
  
• Does it look good on phones and tablets?
  
• Can you set it up from the WooCommerce product editor?
  
• Does it give you options like tooltips or hover effects (if you’re into that)?
  

Once you’ve got a plugin that does most of these things, you’re golden.

The Best Swatch Plugins in 2025

Alright, time to check out the actual plugins that can make your product pages way better. I’ve picked the ones that are easy to use and don’t feel like you need a tech degree to figure them out.

1. Variation Swatches for WooCommerce by Extendons

Let’s start strong. With variation swatches for Woocommerce by Extendons, it’s honestly a solid pick if you want something that just works without being all extra.

Why it’s cool:

• You can add swatches for colors, sizes, images—whatever you need
• Super simple to set up
• You don’t need to touch a single line of code
• Adds cute little hover effects so people can see details
• Works right inside your WooCommerce dashboard
  

If you’re the kind of person who just wants something straightforward that still looks great, this plugin is gonna be your new best friend.

2. WooCommerce Variation Swatches by GetWooPlugins

This one’s pretty popular and for good reason.

Stuff you’ll like:

• Supports dual colors (great for showing patterns or stripes)
• You can show whether stuff’s in stock or not
• It blurs out the variations that aren’t available, which is actually helpful
• Looks clean and sharp on both desktop and mobile
  

It’s a little more advanced but still pretty user-friendly.

3. ThemeAlien’s Variation Swatches Plugin

Cool name, simple plugin. If you don’t want a million bells and whistles, this one is chill and gets the job done.

Why it’s a good pick:

• Lightweight and won’t slow down your site
• Let’s you pick between color, image, or label swatches
• Very beginner-friendly
• Good option if you’re just starting out or on a budget
  

Not flashy, but honestly that’s kind of the charm.

4. Advanced Product Variation Plugin by Iconic

Okay, this one’s more like the deluxe version. If you’ve got a bigger store or you’re trying to really level up your product pages, this is worth a look.

What makes it fancy:

• You can show swatches on product listing pages (not just product detail pages)
• Has zoom features and product galleries
• Great for stores with lots of products and different variations
• It’s more expensive, but you get what you pay for
  

Probably not necessary if you’re just getting started, but super cool if you’re going big.

Setting It Up: A Simple Step-by-Step Process

You don’t need to be some tech wizard to get swatches working. Here’s the basic idea:

Step 1: Install the Plugin

Go to your WordPress dashboard, find the plugin you want, hit “Install,” and then “Activate.” That’s it.

Step 2: Set Up Your Swatches

Most plugins will add a new section in your product editor. From there, just choose if you want to use colors, images, or text buttons for each variation.

Step 3: Customize Stuff

You can usually change things like border size, tooltip text, swatch size, etc. Play around with it until it looks the way you want.

Step 4: Check It on Mobile

Always test on your phone. If it looks good there, you’re good to go.

Little Tips That Make a Big Difference

Wanna make your swatches look even better? Try these:

• Use clear labels if you’re using text buttons (like “Small” or “S”)
• Upload good images if you’re showing color or pattern options
• Don’t go too crazy—keep things clean and easy to click
• Preview before publishing so you can catch anything weird
• Stick with plugins that are updated regularly (because nobody likes bugs)
  

FAQs

What are variation swatches for WooCommerce?
They’re clickable boxes (like colors or buttons) that replace dropdown menus on your product pages. Way easier to use.

Do I need to know coding to use them?
Nope. Most plugins (especially the one from Extendons) are super beginner-friendly.

Can I use different swatches for different options?
Totally. You can mix and match—like use color swatches for colors and buttons for sizes.

Will this mess up my theme?
Usually no. Most of these plugins work with popular WooCommerce themes. Just test it on one product first to be sure.

Is the Extendons plugin free?
There’s a free version with the basics, and a premium version if you want extra features. Up to you.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Better Than Boring Dropdowns

Your WooCommerce store doesn’t have to look like it was built in 2012. Changing up your product variations with variation swatches for WooCommerce is a small tweak that makes a big difference.

It makes your site look better. It makes shopping easier. It helps your customers pick what they want without clicking through boring menus. And honestly? It just feels way more fun.

So if you’re tired of dropdowns and want your store to look and feel more modern (without doing a full redesign), swatches are the way to go. Pick a plugin, try it out, and give your customers something nicer to click on.

And if you don’t know where to start? Try the one by Extendons. It’s simple, clean, and actually kinda fun to use. Just saying.