Do you want to change the WooCommerce default user role to Subscriber in WordPress?
When you set up a WooCommerce store, new users are automatically assigned the default WordPress user role, typically “Customer.”.
However, there may be cases where you want to change the default user role to “Subscriber” or another role to better manage user permissions or control access to your site’s content.
Changing the default user role to “Subscriber” can help limit users’ access to certain WooCommerce features while allowing them to engage with your content, like receiving updates or managing their subscriptions.
Why Change WooCommerce default user role to “Subscriber”?
Here are some key reasons why you might want to change the default user role in WooCommerce to “Subscriber”:
1. Assign “Customer” Role Only to Paid Users
One of the most significant reasons to change the default user role to “Subscriber” is to assign the “Customer” role only to paid users.
This allows you to differentiate between general subscribers, who might only engage with free content or newsletters, and paying customers, who need access to specific WooCommerce features, such as managing orders, accessing digital downloads, and viewing order history.
This clear distinction helps ensure that only those who have made a purchase are granted full customer privileges.
2. Limit Access to WordPress Dashboard
The “Customer” role in WooCommerce allows users to manage their account details, view orders, and even make purchases, but it also grants them certain backend permissions that might not be necessary for your business.
By setting the default role to “Subscriber,” you can restrict access to the WordPress dashboard, ensuring users can only access what they need to — such as their profile or subscriptions — without any additional backend access.
3. Focus on Content Subscriptions
If your site revolves around subscriptions to exclusive content, newsletters, or membership-based services, the “Subscriber” role is ideal.
It limits user capabilities to logging in, reading content, and subscribing to newsletters, making it a more suitable role for sites that don’t need users to interact with WooCommerce functionalities like purchasing products.
4. Streamline User Management
When your WooCommerce store doesn’t require customers to have full purchasing access but instead needs them to engage with content or newsletters, changing the default role to “Subscriber” makes user management easier.
How to Change the WooCommerce default user role to “Subscriber”?
Use the below code snippet to change the default user role to “Subscriber” in WooCommerce.
/**
* Change WooCommerce default user role to "Subscriber"
*
* @param array $args
* @return array $args
*/
function maverick_change_default_woocommerce_role($args)
{
$args['role'] = 'subscriber';
return $args;
}
add_filter('woocommerce_new_customer_data', 'maverick_change_default_woocommerce_role', 10, 1);