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Settings reference (free edition)

Accessing Settings​

This page provides a complete reference for all settings available in the free edition of Free Downloads for WooCommerce. Settings are organized into tabs on the plugin settings page.

Go to WP Enhanced > Free Download Woo in your WordPress admin dashboard.

General Settings Tab​

Display Options​

Button Classes​

Setting: Button classes
Default: somdn-download-button single_add_to_cart_button button
Description: CSS classes applied to download buttons. The default classes ensure buttons match most WordPress themes automatically.

Usage:

  • Add custom classes separated by spaces
  • Classes are added to the default classes (not replaced)
  • Use for styling with your theme's CSS

Example:

my-custom-button primary-button large

Button CSS​

Setting: Button CSS
Default: Empty
Description: Inline CSS styles applied directly to download buttons.

Usage:

  • Add CSS properties without selectors
  • Overrides theme styles
  • Use sparingly - prefer CSS classes when possible

Example:

background-color: #ff6600; color: white; padding: 15px 30px; border-radius: 8px;

Setting: Link classes
Default: somdn-download-link
Description: CSS classes applied to download links (used in multiple file displays and link display method).

Usage:

  • Add custom classes separated by spaces
  • Use for styling download links

Example:

my-download-link custom-link-style

Setting: Link CSS
Default: Empty
Description: Inline CSS styles applied directly to download links.

Usage:

  • Add CSS properties without selectors
  • Use for quick styling adjustments

Example:

color: #0073aa; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: underline;

Product Selection​

Include Paid Items on Sale for Free​

Setting: Include paid items that are currently on sale for free
Default: Unchecked (disabled)
Description: When enabled, products with a regular price > 0 but sale price = 0 will show download buttons.

Usage:

  • Enable if you run temporary free promotions
  • Not recommended if using "Redirect" WooCommerce download method
  • Download buttons appear/disappear automatically based on sale dates

When to use:

  • ✅ Temporary free promotions
  • ✅ Flash sales with free products
  • ❌ With "Redirect" download method
  • ❌ If you want permanent free products only

Include Selected Products Only​

Setting: Include selected products only
Default: Unchecked (disabled)
Description: When enabled, only products with "Include this product" checked will show download buttons.

Usage:

  • Enable for precise control over which products use the plugin
  • Manually select products on each product edit page
  • Useful for testing or gradual rollout

When to use:

  • ✅ Testing the plugin on specific products
  • ✅ Precise control needed
  • ✅ Gradual feature rollout
  • ❌ You want all free products to work automatically

Login and Access​

Require Login to Download​

Setting: Require login to download
Default: Unchecked (disabled)
Description: When enabled, users must be logged in to download files.

Usage:

  • Enable to track downloads by user
  • Prevents guest downloads
  • Shows login message to logged-out users

Benefits:

  • Track who downloads what
  • Build registered user base
  • Reduce abuse and scraping
  • Enable user-specific features

Considerations:

  • Adds friction to download process
  • May reduce conversion rates
  • Requires users to create accounts

See Login Requirements for details.

Login Required Message​

Setting: Login required message
Default: "You must be logged in to download this file"
Description: Message shown to logged-out users when login is required.

Usage:

  • Customize to match your site's tone
  • Explain the benefit of logging in
  • Keep it friendly and action-oriented

Examples:

  • "Please log in to access this free download"
  • "Create a free account to download this resource"
  • "Sign in to get your free download"

Shop and Archive Pages​

Allow Download on Shop/Archive Pages​

Setting: Allow download on shop / archive pages
Default: Unchecked (disabled)
Description: When enabled, single-file products can be downloaded directly from shop and archive pages.

Usage:

  • Enable for quick downloads from shop pages
  • Only works for single-file products
  • Multiple-file products always show "Read More"

When to use:

  • ✅ Simple product catalogs
  • ✅ All products are single files
  • ✅ Maximize convenience
  • ❌ Products have multiple files
  • ❌ You want customers to visit product pages

Read More Text​

Setting: Read More text
Default: "Read More"
Description: Text shown on shop/archive pages when direct downloads are disabled or for multiple-file products.

Usage:

  • Customize the button text
  • Leave blank if direct downloads are enabled
  • Applies to all products on shop pages

Examples:

  • "View Details"
  • "See Download"
  • "Get Free"
  • "View Files"

Product Sorting​

Enable Sorting by Free Download Count​

Setting: Enable sorting by free download count
Default: Unchecked (disabled)
Description: Adds "Sort by popularity (downloads)" option to shop page sorting dropdown.

Usage:

  • Enable to let customers sort by most downloaded
  • Download counts are tracked automatically
  • Shows most popular free downloads first

Benefits:

  • Highlight popular content
  • Social proof
  • Help customers find best resources

PDF Viewer​

Enable PDF Viewer​

Setting: Enable PDF Viewer
Default: Unchecked (disabled)
Description: Shows "View PDF" button for PDF files, opening them in Google Docs Viewer.

Usage:

  • Enable to let customers preview PDFs before downloading
  • Works for all PDF files globally
  • Can be overridden per-product

Requirements:

  • PDFs must be publicly accessible
  • File size under 10MB recommended
  • Internet connection required

When to use:

  • ✅ Public PDFs
  • ✅ Preview is beneficial
  • ✅ Files under 10MB
  • ❌ Private/sensitive PDFs
  • ❌ Very large files

See PDF Viewer for details.

PDF Viewer Button Text​

Setting: PDF Viewer button text
Default: "View PDF"
Description: Text shown on the PDF viewer button.

Usage:

  • Customize to match your site's language
  • Keep it short and clear

Examples:

  • "Preview PDF"
  • "Read Online"
  • "View in Browser"
  • "Browse PDF"

Single Files Tab​

Settings for products with one downloadable file.

Display Method​

Setting: Display method
Default: Button
Options: Button, Link
Description: How single file downloads are displayed.

Button:

  • Shows a prominent download button
  • Uses button text and styling settings
  • Clear call-to-action

Link:

  • Shows filename as clickable link
  • More subtle display
  • Good for technical audiences

Button Text​

Setting: Button text
Default: "Download Now"
Description: Text shown on single file download buttons.

Usage:

  • Customize to match your content type
  • Keep it short (2-3 words)
  • Use action verbs

Examples:

  • "Download eBook"
  • "Get Template"
  • "Download Plugin"
  • "Access Now"

Multiple Files Tab​

Settings for products with multiple downloadable files.

Display Method​

Setting: Display method
Default: Links Only
Options:

  • Links Only
  • Button Only
  • Button + Checkboxes
  • Button + Links
  • Button + Filenames

Description: How multiple files are displayed to customers.

Links Only:

  • Individual download links for each file
  • No ZIP creation
  • Simple and fast

Button Only:

  • Single "Download All (.ZIP)" button
  • Creates ZIP with all files
  • Clean interface

Button + Checkboxes:

  • Checkboxes to select files
  • Button to download selected as ZIP
  • Maximum flexibility

Button + Links:

  • Both individual links and download all button
  • Offers both options
  • Good middle ground

Button + Filenames:

  • List of filenames with download all button
  • Shows contents without clickable links
  • Encourages bulk download

See Multiple File Downloads for details.

Button Text​

Setting: Button text
Default: "Download All (.ZIP)"
Description: Text shown on the download all button for multiple files.

Usage:

  • Include "(.ZIP)" so customers know it's an archive
  • Customize to match your content

Examples:

  • "Download Complete Package (.ZIP)"
  • "Get All Files (.ZIP)"
  • "Download Course Materials (.ZIP)"
  • "Download Selected Files (.ZIP)" (for checkbox method)

Per-Product Settings​

Some settings can be configured per-product on the product edit page.

Free Downloads Meta Box​

Located in the right sidebar when editing a product.

Include This Product​

Setting: Include this product
Description: Only visible when "Include selected products only" is enabled globally.

Usage:

  • Check to include this product
  • Uncheck to exclude this product
  • Overrides automatic detection

Enable PDF Viewer for This Product​

Setting: Enable PDF Viewer for this product
Description: Override global PDF viewer setting for this product.

Usage:

  • Enable to show PDF viewer for this product only
  • Disable to hide PDF viewer for this product only
  • Overrides global setting

WooCommerce Settings​

Some WooCommerce settings affect how the plugin works.

Download Method​

Location: WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Downloadable Products
Options: Force Downloads, X-Accel-Redirect/X-Sendfile, Redirect

Force Downloads:

  • ✅ Hides file URLs
  • ✅ Works with all file types
  • ✅ Most secure
  • ✅ Recommended

X-Accel-Redirect/X-Sendfile:

  • ✅ Hides file URLs
  • ✅ Better performance
  • ❌ Requires server configuration

Redirect:

  • ❌ May expose file URLs
  • ✅ Fastest
  • ⚠️ Not recommended for sensitive files

Product Settings​

For products to work with the plugin:

  • ✅ Downloadable checkbox must be checked
  • ✅ Virtual checkbox must be checked
  • ✅ Regular price must be exactly 0
  • ✅ At least one downloadable file must be added

Troubleshooting Settings​

Settings Not Saving​

If settings don't save:

  1. ✅ Check for JavaScript errors in browser console
  2. ✅ Verify you have admin permissions
  3. ✅ Check for plugin conflicts
  4. ✅ Try disabling other plugins temporarily
  5. ✅ Check server error logs

Settings Not Taking Effect​

If settings don't apply:

  1. ✅ Clear all caches (browser, server, plugin)
  2. ✅ Verify settings are actually saved
  3. ✅ Check for theme overrides
  4. ✅ Test with default WordPress theme
  5. ✅ Check for custom code overriding settings

Button Styling Not Working​

If button styling doesn't apply:

  1. ✅ Check CSS specificity using browser inspector
  2. ✅ Verify CSS is valid
  3. ✅ Clear browser cache
  4. ✅ Check for theme CSS conflicts
  5. ✅ Try using !important (last resort)

Best Practices​

General Recommendations​

  • Start with defaults: Test with default settings first
  • Change incrementally: Modify one setting at a time
  • Test thoroughly: Test each change on frontend
  • Document changes: Keep notes on what you changed
  • Backup settings: Take screenshots before major changes

Button Styling​

  • Use classes over inline CSS: More maintainable
  • Match your theme: Use theme's button classes
  • Test on mobile: Ensure buttons work on small screens
  • Consider accessibility: Maintain good color contrast

Product Selection​

  • Automatic is easier: Use automatic mode unless you need precise control
  • Manual for testing: Use manual selection when testing
  • Document exceptions: Note which products are excluded and why

Login Requirements​

  • Consider your audience: Technical users may not mind logging in
  • Balance security and convenience: Login adds friction
  • Provide value: Make login worthwhile (tracking, personalization)

What's Next​