Easy Digital Downloads Recently Viewed Items Addon

In the world of e-commerce, reducing friction and helping customers find what they want is the key to conversion. The Easy Digital Downloads Recently Viewed Items addon is a powerful extension designed to replicate the “Amazon-style” shopping experience for digital product stores. By displaying a history of products a visitor has previously browsed, this plugin reminds customers of their interests, encourages repeat visits, and significantly increases the likelihood of a purchase.

Whether you are selling software, e-books, or digital art, the Easy Digital Downloads Recently Viewed Items addon provides a personalized journey that keeps your products top-of-mind for every visitor.

Key Features of the EDD Recently Viewed Items Addon

This addon isn’t just a simple list; it is a strategic tool for EDD Recently Viewed Products management. It integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow to provide the following benefits:

1. Increased Sales and Conversion Rates

By reminding customers of items they previously explored, you tap into their existing intent. This is particularly effective for digital stores where users often “window shop” across multiple tabs before making a final decision.

2. Flexible Display Locations

You have full control over where the Recently Viewed Products EDD list appears:

• Single Product Pages: Automatically show a list of recently viewed items at the bottom of your product descriptions.
• Checkout Page: Capture last-minute additions by showing browsing history on the checkout page, complete with “Add to Cart” buttons.
• Widget Areas: Use the dedicated “EDD Recently Viewed” widget to place product history in sidebars, footers, or any widgetized area of your theme.

3. Full Customization and Control

• Adjust Item Count: Decide exactly how many items to show (default is 3, but you can increase this based on your layout).
• Custom Headings: Change the title of the section to match your brand voice, such as “Continue Where You Left Off” or “Products You Recently Viewed.”
• Developer Friendly: The addon supports template overrides, allowing developers to customize the HTML and CSS to perfectly match a custom theme.

Installation and Setup Guide

Setting up WordPress EDD recent products is straightforward and requires no coding knowledge. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Requirement Check: Ensure you have the core Easy Digital Downloads plugin installed and activated.
2. Download and Upload: Download the Recently Viewed Items addon from your EDD account. Navigate to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Activation: Once uploaded, click Activate.
4. Configuration:
   • Go to Downloads > Settings > Extensions.
   • Locate the Recently Viewed Items section.
   • Choose whether to enable automatic display on single product pages or the checkout page.
   • Enter your custom heading and set the number of items to display.
5. Widget Setup (Optional): Navigate to Appearance > Widgets and drag the EDD Recently Viewed Items widget into your desired sidebar or footer area.

Practical Usage and Best Practices

To get the most ROI from the Easy Digital Downloads Recently Viewed Items extension, consider these professional strategies:

Optimize the Checkout Page for Upsells

One of the best ways to boost EDD sales is to enable the recently viewed list on the checkout page. If a customer is about to buy a $20 e-book but sees a $50 software package they looked at earlier, the “Add to Cart” button on the checkout page makes it incredibly easy for them to increase their order value.

Enhancing Sidebars for Better Engagement

For blogs or resource-heavy sites, users often get lost in content. By placing the “Recently Viewed” widget in the sidebar, you ensure that even if they are reading a blog post, your digital products remain visible and accessible, improving customer engagement on WordPress.

Manual Placement for Custom Layouts

If you use page builders like Elementor or Beaver Builder, you might prefer to disable the automatic display and use the widget or shortcodes (if available via your theme) to place the history in a specific, high-converting “hot spot” on your landing pages.

Technical Specifications & Compatibility

• Core Plugin: Requires Easy Digital Downloads (v2.9 or higher recommended).
• PHP Version: Supports PHP 5.5 and above (latest PHP 8.x recommended for performance).
• Theme Compatibility: Designed to work with any standard-compliant WordPress theme.
• Integration: Fully compatible with other official EDD addons, including Recurring Payments and Software Licensing.

FAQ & Troubleshooting

What is the EDD Recently Viewed Items addon?

The Easy Digital Downloads Recently Viewed Items addon is a WordPress extension that tracks a user’s browsing history on your digital store and displays those products in a list to encourage sales and improve user experience.

Can I display recently viewed items on my EDD checkout page?

Yes. You can enable this feature in the plugin settings. It will display the items the customer previously viewed directly on the checkout screen, allowing them to add those items to their cart instantly.

Is EDD Recently Viewed Items compatible with all themes?

Yes, the addon is designed to be theme-agnostic. It uses standard EDD styling, and for advanced users, it supports template overrides to ensure a perfect visual fit with any layout.

How do I change the number of products shown?

Go to Downloads > Settings > Extensions and look for the “Recently Viewed Items” settings. You can modify the “Number of Items” field to show more or fewer than the default three products.

Does this addon impact site performance?

The addon is lightweight and built by the official EDD team. It uses efficient browser tracking (cookies/sessions) to store history, ensuring minimal impact on your server’s load and site speed.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

If you are looking for an effective way to enhance your online store’s customer experience, the Easy Digital Downloads Recently Viewed Items addon is a must-have. It transforms your store from a static catalog into a personalized shopping experience that follows the user.

By leveraging product history, you not only make it easier for customers to find what they need but also create natural opportunities for upsells and repeat purchases. For any serious digital store owner, this extension offers a high ROI with virtually zero configuration hassle.

For more tips on optimizing your WordPress store, visit wppick.com.