WooCommerce’s Game-Changing Update: High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS)
WooCommerce is set to revolutionize WordPress online shops with its latest update: High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS). This feature promises to enhance the checkout experience for customers and streamline order processing for store owners.
Understanding High-Performance Order Storage
HPOS is a significant database enhancement that WooCommerce has been perfecting since January 2022. It promises to deliver up to 5x faster order creation and a 1.5x swifter checkout process. Additionally, store owners can expect up to 40x faster order retrieval, optimizing operational efficiency.
The Rationale Behind HPOS
The introduction of HPOS is a direct response to the developer community’s most requested feature. It’s not just about enhancing store performance; it’s a strategic move to benefit all developers associated with WooCommerce. From extension creators to store managers, everyone stands to gain.
Transitioning to a New Order Storage System
Traditionally, WooCommerce stored order data using the same database technology as WordPress posts. HPOS shifts this paradigm, moving order data to a commerce-centric database storage system. This change ensures faster order processing and quicker backend access, setting the stage for scalable growth.
Better backups and website merges expected
Before the introduction of HPOS, orders were stored alongside posts, making backups or staging pushes risky as it could lead to lost orders. Overwriting the database required extreme caution. With HPOS separating orders from posts, merging a website from staging or a backup is anticipated to be much simpler. This update paves the way for hassle-free website merges without the fear of losing order data. We are looking forward to see all the great products evolving from this new feature!
HPOS Rollout Plan
While August 2023 is the targeted general availability date, WooCommerce acknowledges that some developers might need additional time for extension compatibility. However, for those eager to experience HPOS, it’s currently available as an experimental feature.
Impacting Existing Stores
Existing WooCommerce stores won’t immediately default to HPOS. While the platform encourages store owners to activate and benefit from HPOS, the transition will be gradual, ensuring a seamless experience. WooCommerce plans to communicate with all existing stores before making HPOS mandatory.
Who Can Experience HPOS Now?
Stores running WooCommerce 7.1 or later can opt-in to HPOS under advanced settings. However, it’s crucial to note that some extensions might not yet be compatible with the new database architecture. WooCommerce is actively collaborating with third-party developers to ensure widespread compatibility.
Future Stores and HPOS
For those launching a new WooCommerce store post-HPOS release, they’ll automatically benefit from this advanced database structure. However, it’s essential to be aware that some extensions might remain incompatible and will be removed from the Woo Marketplace to ensure smooth store operations.
For those keen on diving deeper into HPOS, WooCommerce offers comprehensive documentation and developer guides.
