In a strategic move brimming with anticipation, WooCommerce has undergone a transformation, emerging anew as “Woo” – a concise, spirited rendition of its former nomenclature. This evolution comes on the heels of Automattic’s acquisition of WooCommerce in 2015, coupled with WooThemes. The repercussions of this rebranding ripple across the expansive domain of Woo, encompassing the Woo Marketplace, WooExperts program, and all facets of the Woo encounter. Notably, the metamorphosis extends to the very virtual fabric of the company, with WooCommerce.com migrating to the succinct domain of woo.com.
David Callaway, the VP of Creative and Communications at Woo, shed light on the rationale behind this lexical shift, affirming that “Woo” has long been the endearing moniker bestowed upon them by their devoted clientele. This jubilant rechristening, according to Callaway, encapsulates the exuberance with which Woo aspires to catalyze success for merchants and developers alike.
The strategic transition to “Woo” is not merely a lexical dalliance; it also serves to homogenize and streamline the nomenclature of Woo’s products and services. As part of this overarching strategy, product names are undergoing a metamorphosis, with WooCommerce Payments now rechristened as WooPayments. This coherent nomenclature is envisaged to foster seamless connectivity among Woo’s core software, extensions, and programs.
Callaway was careful to elucidate that while “Woo” encapsulates the essence of the brand and company, WooCommerce remains steadfast as the open-source e-commerce platform tailored for WordPress – the core offering of Woo.
Amidst this lexical symphony, the recently introduced “Woo” Express stands out as a harmonious note, having embraced the abbreviated nomenclature from its inception. Unveiled during the 2023 State of the Woo at WooSesh, Woo Express has swiftly garnered attention as Woo’s boldest venture to date. Operating as an all-encompassing Woo plan hosted on WordPress.com’s robust infrastructure, Woo Express witnessed a surge in popularity, securing over 1,000 customers by July 2023. Boasting a revamped onboarding process and a personalized shopping experience, the product is fortified with a setup guide and recommendation engine, steered by an AI-driven assistant.
Reassuringly, this lexical evolution does not disrupt the equilibrium for Woo’s loyal customer base. While merchants may chance upon a notification regarding the nomenclature shift in their dashboards or emails, no onerous actions are mandated from store owners. The essence of “Woo” endures, encapsulated in a name that echoes the resonance of anticipation and excitement.