If you’ve built a WooCommerce plugin and want to release extra features, you’ve probably asked yourself a simple question:
How should I name the add-on?
It might seem like a small thing, but how you format “addon” can affect how users understand your plugin and even whether it creates trademark issues down the line.
A recent conversation among developers brought up a few common WooCommerce extension naming options and why they matter.
Here’s a quick breakdown on how to name WooCommerce extensions.
The Problem of Naming WooCommerce Extension: Addon, Add-On, or AddOn?
When naming a plugin that adds on to another, developers often run into this:
- Add-On
- Addon
- AddOn
For example, you might be naming an extra feature for a plugin called “WooCommerce Do Whatever.” You’d end up with names like:
- WooCommerce Do Whatever – Another Add-On
- WooCommerce Do Whatever – Another Addon
- WooCommerce Do Whatever – Another AddOn
So, which one works best?
It depends on what matters more to you: clarity, style, or legal safety.
Using The Word “Extension” Instead
One idea that came up: skip the word “addon” completely and use “extension” instead. It’s common in the software world and avoids the formatting debate.
So instead of:
WooCommerce Do Whatever – Extra Add-On
Try:
WooCommerce Do Whatever – Extra Extension
It’s clear and easy to understand.
A Cleaner Format: “X for Y”
Another option is to flip the format. Instead of adding more words to your plugin name, try this:
[Feature Name] for [Main Plugin Name]
So, if you’re adding a payment plan tool, your name could be:
Payment Plans Checkout for WooCommerce
This keeps it simple. You know what the feature is, and you know what it connects to.
Legal Tip: Mind the Trademarks
Here’s an important point: “WooCommerce” is a trademark. Using it at the start of your plugin’s name can sometimes be a problem.
To stay safe, some developers recommend placing “WooCommerce” at the end. Like this:
Add-On for Do Whatever for WooCommerce
Yes, it’s a bit longer, but it might help you avoid legal trouble.
What About a One-Word Format?
Some developers prefer to keep things short by using a single, combined word like:
Do Whatever Addon for WooCommerce
It’s compact and saves space in plugin directories. But there’s a tradeoff: it can look less polished or harder to read than the hyphenated version.
If you go with this approach, make sure it’s consistent across all your add-ons. Otherwise, your WooCommerce extension naming may look inconsistent or confusing to users.
So, What’s the Best Way to Name WooCommerce Addon?
There’s no official rule. But here’s what you should aim for:
- Keep the format consistent across your plugin suite
- Be clear about what the add-on does
- Put “WooCommerce” at the end to reduce trademark risk
A good all-around choice?
[Your Plugin Name] Add-On for WooCommerce
It’s clear, readable, and safe from a legal standpoint.
Final Thoughts
Naming your add-ons isn’t just about style. It’s about helping users understand what your plugin does and staying legally sound while doing it. Stick to a format that makes sense, keeps things clean, and doesn’t create confusion. It’ll save you (and your users) time and hassle.
