WooCommerce 8.5.1: Tackling the JavaScript Overload

If you’re a WooCommerce user, you might have noticed your site slowing down after updating to version 8.5.1. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. This article will dive into the recent JavaScript file overload issue, its causes, and what you can do about it. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the problem and practical solutions to keep your online store running smoothly.

The JavaScript Conundrum

WooCommerce 8.5.1 introduced a new feature called Order Attribution Tracking. While this feature aims to help store owners track the effectiveness of their marketing efforts, it came with an unexpected side effect: a significant increase in the number of JavaScript files loaded on each page.

According to user reports on the WordPress.org support forums, more than 39 JavaScript files are now being loaded, compared to previous versions. This increase has led to slower loading times and, in some cases, site timeouts.

The Culprit: Order Attribution Tracking

The Order Attribution feature, introduced in WooCommerce 8.5, is designed to track marketing activities that drive orders. It uses cookies to monitor the last interaction before a purchase, providing valuable data for store owners. However, this feature relies on several scripts, including wc-blocks-checkout and wp-data, which are now being loaded on every page. You can find more details in the WooCommerce Order Attribution Tracking Documentation.

Impact on Site Performance

The additional JavaScript files have a noticeable impact on site performance:

1. Increased page load times
2. Potential site timeouts
3. Higher server resource usage

These issues can lead to a poor user experience and potentially affect your store’s conversion rates.

Solutions and Workarounds

While the WooCommerce team is working on a permanent solution for the 8.6 release, there are several steps you can take to mitigate the issue:

1. Disable Order Attribution

The simplest solution is to disable the Order Attribution feature. You can do this in two ways:

• Via WooCommerce Settings:
  1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced > Features
  2. Uncheck the box next to “Order Attribution”
  3. Save changes
• Using a Code Snippet: Add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file or a site-specific plugin: add_filter( 'woocommerce_enable_order_attribution', '__return_false' );

2. Remove Specific Scripts

If you want to keep Order Attribution but remove specific scripts, you can target them individually. For example, to remove sourcebuster.min.js, add this code to your functions.php file:

function remove_sourcebuster_script() {
    wp_dequeue_script( 'sourcebuster' );
    wp_deregister_script( 'sourcebuster' );
}
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'remove_sourcebuster_script', 100 );

3. Use a Caching Plugin

Implementing a caching plugin can help mitigate the performance impact of additional JavaScript files. Popular options include:

• WP Rocket
• W3 Total Cache
• WP Super Cache

These plugins can significantly improve your site’s loading times by caching static content and minimizing server requests.

Verifying Script Removal

After implementing any of the above solutions, it’s crucial to verify that the unwanted scripts have been removed. You can do this by:

1. Opening your website in an incognito browser window
2. Right-clicking and selecting “View Page Source”
3. Searching for the script names (e.g., “sourcebuster.min.js” or “order-attribution.min.js”)

If the scripts are no longer present, your solution has been successful.

What’s Next for WooCommerce?

The WooCommerce development team is aware of the issue and is actively working on a solution. According to GitHub discussions, they are addressing the problem of order-attribution.min.js causing JavaScript errors. The fix is expected to be included in the upcoming WooCommerce 8.6 release.

In the meantime, developers have created pull requests to address specific issues, such as checking for the existence of shipping fields before executing certain code snippets.

Wrapping Up: Balancing Features and Performance

The JavaScript file overload in WooCommerce 8.5.1 highlights the delicate balance between introducing new features and maintaining optimal performance. While Order Attribution Tracking offers valuable insights for store owners, its implementation has caused unexpected issues for some users.

By understanding the problem and implementing the solutions discussed in this article, you can ensure your WooCommerce store continues to run smoothly. Remember to always test any changes in a staging environment before applying them to your live site.

Stay tuned for the WooCommerce 8.6 release, which should provide a more permanent solution to this JavaScript conundrum. In the world of e-commerce, every second counts, and keeping your site lean and fast is key to success.