In the previous roadmap update, I introduced the concept of Store Editing which is used to describe a collection of technologies and interfaces that allow merchants or store builders to customize their store via a no-code-required visual canvas. In the ensuing months we’ve been steadily working away at bringing this to WooCommerce and it’s time for an updated look at what we’re working on.

A few reminders:

• The GitHub discussions feature in the WooCommerce Blocks repository is used to collect ideas, feature requests, feedback, and general Q&A around extensibility and customizations. We’ve recently also started using this to highlight topics specific to WooCommerce and full site editing.
• We’re also collecting feedback and ideas through this form that doesn’t require any login if you’d prefer to use it instead.
• This roadmap is not exhaustive and in most places not detailed. Along with actually building the things mentioned here, we’re also involved in design explorations, user research and collaborating with the Gutenberg project. These are all a part of the work we’re doing.

Note: these roadmaps are intended to give directional updates without being precise about delivery dates. Plans can and do change. For these updates, I’m following the Now, Next, Later format.

---

Now

Work on Filter Block improvements and patterns

These blocks are an important part of the shopper experience when browsing a store catalog (and refining search results). The work we’re doing here adds some design improvements to the filter blocks and we’re also creating and bundling some patterns using these blocks for easier use when customizing a store. By bundling these in WooCommerce core, themes can also reference these in custom block templates.

We’re also planning on implementing these new patterns in relevant product archive templates.

We also plan on releasing a new Filter Products by Ratings block which will allow shoppers to further refine the displayed products in a catalog by their rating.

Product Query Block

We’re currently working on creating a foundational product query block that will be a variant of the WordPress Query Loop block. This will both utilize all the functionality present in the WP core block as well as curate the UX/UI for product use. 

The focus initially will be on contributing necessary improvements to Gutenberg as well as releasing an initial iteration of this block to provide the structure for eventually rolling it out to power existing product archive type blocks and templates.

Patterns

Block patterns are one of the most useful features in Gutenberg that make it easier to distribute and implement beautiful element designs composed of blocks. Also usable in block templates and template parts, we are working on creating a set of key commerce-oriented patterns to be bundled with WooCommerce core for merchants and themes to rely on in their store customization and design.

Besides the product filter block patterns already mentioned earlier, other areas we’re working on for patterns:

Various header and footer patterns.

These will provide variations for stores to modify their template headers and footers to be more commerce-oriented. We also welcome feedback on the header patterns and footer patterns on our GitHub discussions board.

As a part of this work, we’ll also be finishing off the improvements to the Product Search block (which becomes a variation of the WordPress search block) and looking at creating a My Account link block.

Commerce adjacent patterns

This is used to describe patterns that are commerce-oriented and that aren’t connected to WooCommerce-specific data. Things like really beautiful hero-type patterns for showcasing a product, or location-aware and contact information type patterns usable in store footers. 

---

Next

Blockifying Product Archive Templates and migrating existing Product Grid type blocks.

Using the Product Query block (and related element blocks) as a foundation, we’ll be able to fully blockify all the product archive templates so merchants and builders can completely customize the layout and design of these templates. 

We’re also going to be working on migrating all our existing product grid type blocks (eg On Sale Products, Best Selling Products)  over to be powered by the new Product query block so that they all have a consistent interface and extensibility patterns. Finally, we’ll be able to provide clear paths for extenders to enhance and provide additional functionality to all these blocks.

Blockified Single Product Template Prototype

We’ve got initial designs prepared and our initial focus will be working on getting a prototype in place for this important template. Two key pieces that we think will be interesting opportunities here will be the Product Image and Add To Cart element blocks. We also have some explorations to do around handling the UX around different Product Types.

---

Later

Complete the Blockified Single Product template

Taking what is learned from the earlier explorations the focus here will be on completing the work necessary to surface the completely blockified single product template. It’s likely this will accommodate various product types as well (including those that might be added by extensions).

New Blocks

Related to blockifying the single product template, we’ll be working on some new blocks including:

• Reviews Element Block
• Product Image Gallery Block

We also will be working on a Categories Grid block/pattern for more rapidly displaying selected (or all) categories to shoppers for browsing.

---

And that’s it for this roadmap! As you can see, we’re planning to work on many exciting investments into the block-based future of WooCommerce. Stay tuned for the next update — and if you have any questions, please reach out here in the comments or in any of the other places mentioned earlier in this post.