DK WC Store Message Docs

Store Message has moved into DK WC Store

This standalone plugin is retired. Use DK WC Store 2.2.0 or later and its Store Message Settings tab for operational announcements. Store Notice remains separate for content such as current deals.

The built-in message is disabled by default and does not import standalone settings. Configure it when needed, then deactivate DK WC Store Message to avoid duplicate banners.

Read the replacement setup guide. The existing standalone release remains available for existing installations. The instructions below describe the legacy plugin.

Welcome to the DK WC Store Message Docs page. Instructions for writing, scheduling, and displaying your store notice can be found here.
If an answer cannot be found in the docs or a new feature or setting request is needed, please email me.

Getting Started

DK WC Store Message displays one scheduled notice for your store, cart, and checkout. Use it for announcements such as shipping delays, holiday closures, or a temporary store update.

Requirements: WordPress 6.0 or later, PHP 8.0 or later, WooCommerce 8.0 or later, and an installed and activated DK Base Plugin.

  1. Install and activate DK WC Store Message through DK Plugins.
  2. Open DK Plugins → Store Message. You need permission to manage the site's settings.
  3. Write your notice in the Message editor.
  4. Set at least one date under Start Date/Time or End Date/Time. Both dates blank means the message is off.
  5. Click Save Changes, then visit a supported store page while the schedule is active.

Turning the Message Off

Clear both schedule dates and save to turn the notice off while keeping its text for later. An empty Message also prevents it from displaying. There is no separate enable switch.

Delete Data On Uninstall

This checkbox is off by default. Leave it unchecked to retain the message and schedule if you delete the plugin. Check it and save before deleting the plugin through WordPress if you want its saved settings removed. Deactivating the plugin stops its output and retains these settings.

Schedule Rules

All dates and times use the WordPress site timezone configured under Settings → General. Each boundary has a date, a time selection in 15-minute increments, and an AM/PM selection.

  • Start and end dates: Displays during that window. Set the end after the start.
  • Start date only: Displays from the start onward until you change or clear the schedule.
  • End date only: Displays immediately until the end, provided the end is still in the future.
  • Both dates blank: The notice is off. A time without a date does not activate it.

Choosing Times

Choose No time to use the beginning of the start date (12:00 AM) or the end of the end date (11:59:59 PM). If you select a time, select AM or PM as well; a blank AM/PM selection is treated as AM. A selected end time includes the entire selected minute.

Examples

  • One-day announcement: Set both dates to the same day and choose No time for each. The notice displays for that whole day.
  • Shipping delay starting tomorrow: Set tomorrow as the start date, choose No time, and leave the end date blank. The notice starts at midnight in the site timezone.
  • Notice ending this afternoon: Leave the start date blank, set today's end date, and select 5:00 PM. The notice displays through 5:00:59 PM.

When the Schedule Takes Effect

The schedule is checked when WordPress renders the notice. An already open page does not automatically add or remove it at the boundary; reload the page to see the current state. Page caching can delay the change, so arrange cache expiration or a purge around time-sensitive announcements.

Writing Your Notice

The Message field uses the WordPress editor with Visual and Text editing. Use paragraphs, emphasis, and links to make the notice clear. The editor has no Add Media button. Saved content is filtered to permitted WordPress post HTML, and paragraph formatting is applied when the notice is displayed.

Shortcodes supplied by other active plugins can run inside the message. DK WC Store Message does not provide its own display shortcode; its notice is placed automatically.

Where the Message Appears

  • WooCommerce store: Uses the theme's standard WooCommerce content and shop-loop positions.
  • Classic cart: Appears before the cart content.
  • Classic checkout: Appears before the checkout form.
  • DK WC Store: Supports the main store archive loop and individual store entries when that plugin is installed.

The same message and schedule apply to these locations. There are no separate page-specific messages or location switches. The plugin prevents duplicate output when multiple supported positions run during the same request.

Placement depends on the theme rendering those positions. The plugin has no dedicated Cart or Checkout block integration, so check your actual pages rather than assuming the notice will appear in a block-based layout. Standard WooCommerce content positions may also run on product archives or product pages.

Appearance

The notice uses a full-width box with a light background, padding, a border, rounded corners, and a blue left accent. Links are blue. There are no color or layout controls in the settings and no dismiss button. Theme styles can affect its final appearance.

Message Is Missing

  1. Confirm DK WC Store Message, DK Base Plugin, and WooCommerce are active.
  2. Open DK Plugins → Store Message and confirm the Message is not empty.
  3. Check that at least one schedule date is set, and that the current time is within the intended window.
  4. Check the site timezone and AM/PM selections. Make sure the end is not earlier than the start.
  5. Save changes and refresh the store page. Clear any page cache that could be serving an older result.
  6. Check the page layout. Custom templates and Cart or Checkout blocks may not run the standard positions used by this plugin.

Message Appears at the Wrong Time

Schedules use the site timezone, not the visitor's device timezone. No time means midnight for a start date and the end of the day for an end date. If a time is selected but AM/PM is blank, it is interpreted as AM.

Message Remains After Its End

Refresh the page and check your page cache. The plugin evaluates the schedule during rendering; it does not update an already open page or purge your site's cache automatically.

Formatting or Shortcodes Look Wrong

Review the saved Message in the editor. Unsupported HTML is removed when saving. For a shortcode, confirm that its providing plugin is active and that the shortcode is valid. If the box looks different on one page, check that page's theme styles.