How to Add a Currency Converter in WordPress (2 Easy Ways)

By Naveed Ahmed | Reviewed by Syed Balkhi | October 14, 2024 | Reader Disclosure

As an expert in WordPress with over 15 years of experience, I’ve helped countless website owners enhance their user experience and expand their reach. One common request I receive is how to add a currency converter to their WordPress site. It’s a simple yet powerful feature that can significantly improve your site’s accessibility and attract more international customers.

A currency converter allows your website visitors to quickly calculate the exchange rate of different currencies without leaving your website. It makes it convenient for customers to purchase products in their own currency, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through two simple and effective methods to add a currency converter to your WordPress site. Whether you’re running an online store, a blog, or a business website, these methods will empower you to cater to a global audience.

What Types of Websites Need a Currency Converter?

You might be wondering if a currency converter is truly necessary for your website. The answer is simple: if you have an international audience and are selling something, you can benefit from using a currency converter. Here are a few examples of websites that would find a currency converter particularly useful:

• eCommerce stores: If you’re running an eCommerce store with WordPress and selling products internationally, a currency converter can help your users quickly calculate costs in their local currency. This can lead to increased trust and conversions.
• Travel blogs: A travel blog can help users plan their trips by letting them easily calculate travel costs in different currencies. This can be a valuable tool for budget-conscious travelers.
• Business websites: Businesses with a global presence can benefit from a currency converter to help their users see the exchange rates of different currencies. This can be particularly helpful for businesses that deal with international transactions.
• Finance and banking websites: Websites in the finance and banking industries can add currency calculators for their visitors to calculate conversion rates without leaving their website. This can be a valuable tool for users who need to quickly understand the exchange rates of different currencies.
• Coin and forex exchange sites: Websites that deal with cryptocurrencies, forex trading, and similar niches need a currency converter so their users can quickly calculate conversion rates. This can be a crucial tool for users who are actively trading in these markets.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other WordPress websites that could benefit from a currency converter. Now, let’s dive into the practical steps to add one to your site.

Adding a Currency Converter in WordPress

The easiest way to add a currency converter to your WordPress site is using the CBX Currency Converter plugin. It’s a free plugin that calculates and displays up to 117 currencies. Here’s how to use it:

1. Install and Activate the CBX Currency Converter Plugin

First, you need to install and activate the CBX Currency Converter plugin. You can do this from your WordPress dashboard by navigating to Plugins > Add New. Search for “CBX Currency Converter” and install it. Once installed, activate the plugin.

2. Configure Plugin Settings

Once the plugin is activated, go to Settings > Currency Converter. Here, you can manage general settings, including choosing a layout for your currency converter and selecting your API source to fetch the exchange rates.

By default, the plugin uses Exchangerate.host, which doesn’t require an API key. However, you can choose other sources like Alphavantage, Openexchangerates, and Currencylayer. If you select a source that requires an API key, you can add it within the plugin settings.

3. Select a Layout

After choosing your API source, select a layout for your currency converter. There are four layouts to choose from: Calculator, List, Calculator & List, and Custom. Using these layouts, you can display a currency calculator, an exchange rate list, or both. You can also define the decimal point position for currency display.

4. Customize Layout Settings

You can further edit the settings for each currency converter layout. For example, in the ‘Calculator Default’ tab, you can set the default values for the currency calculator. This allows you to enable currencies, set default options for from and to currencies, and more.

In the ‘List Default’ tab, you can customize the currency rate list settings. You can select the primary currency and then add a list of other currencies to display in the rate list.

After making any changes, remember to click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

5. Displaying the Currency Converter on Your Site

You can easily display the currency converter anywhere on your website using the CBX Currency Converter block. Create a new page or edit an existing one, and click the ‘+’ button in the content editor to add the CBX Currency Converter block.

Alternatively, you can display the currency converter in the sidebar of your website. Go to Appearance > Widgets and add the CBX Currency Converter widget block to the sidebar area. You can then customize the title, select a layout, change the decimal points, choose the default currency, and more.

After adding the widget block, click the ‘Update’ button. Now, visit your website to see the currency converter in action. Your users will be able to enter an amount, select the currency they want to check, and click the ‘Convert’ button to see the results.

Adding a Currency Converter in WooCommerce

If you have a WooCommerce store, you can add a currency converter to display prices in local currencies and boost conversions. The easiest way to do this is by using the CURCY plugin. It’s a free WooCommerce plugin that’s easy to use and offers multi-currency support.

1. Install and Activate the CURCY Plugin

First, install and activate the CURCY plugin from your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for “CURCY,” install it, and then activate it.

2. Configure Plugin Settings

After activation, go to the Multi Currency page in your WordPress dashboard. In the ‘General’ settings tab, click the ‘Enable’ toggle to activate currency converter options for WooCommerce. The plugin also lets you fix prices for different currencies.

3. Add Currencies

Scroll down and add different currencies by clicking the ‘Add Currency’ button. Remember that in the free plugin, you can only add two currencies at a time. You can add more currencies if you upgrade to the premium version.

4. Manage Location Settings

Switch to the ‘Location’ tab to manage location-based currency settings. You can choose to auto-detect currencies based on the visitor’s location or manually set a specific currency for users from different countries. This ensures that users see prices in their preferred currency.

5. Customize the Currency Converter’s Appearance

Head to the ‘Design’ tab to customize the appearance of your currency converter. You can choose its position, add a title, change the text color, style, main and background color, and much more. This allows you to seamlessly integrate the currency converter into your WooCommerce theme.

Once you’ve made all the necessary changes, save your settings. You can now visit your WooCommerce store to see the currency converter in action. Your customers will be able to easily switch between different currencies, making it easier for them to shop on your website.

Conclusion

Adding a currency converter to your WordPress website is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your user experience and reach a global audience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily implement a currency converter using either the CBX Currency Converter or CURCY plugins. Both plugins offer easy-to-use interfaces and comprehensive settings that allow you to customize the functionality and appearance of your currency converter to perfectly suit your website.

Remember, a well-integrated currency converter can significantly improve your website’s accessibility and attract more international customers. So, take the time to explore the options available and choose the plugin that best suits your needs. Your global customers will thank you for it!

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Currency Converter?

A currency converter is a tool that lets you convert one currency into another. For example, if you’re visiting a website that sells products in US dollars but you live in Canada and prefer to see prices in Canadian dollars, you can use a currency converter to see the price of the product in your local currency.

Why Should I Add a Currency Converter to My WordPress Site?

Adding a currency converter to your WordPress site can help you reach a wider audience by making it easier for international customers to shop on your site. It can also increase trust and conversions, as customers are more likely to buy products when they see prices in their local currency.

Is It Difficult to Add a Currency Converter to WordPress?

No, it’s not difficult at all. There are many plugins available that make it easy to add a currency converter to your WordPress site. The plugins I mentioned in this article, CBX Currency Converter and CURCY, are both free and easy to use.

How Does a Currency Converter Work?

Currency converters work by using an API (Application Programming Interface) to get the latest exchange rates from a reliable source. They then use this data to calculate the conversion between two currencies.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Currency Converter?

The benefits of using a currency converter include:

• Reaching a wider audience
• Increased trust and conversions
• Improved user experience
• Enhanced accessibility for international customers

What are the best currency converter plugins?

The best currency converter plugins depend on your specific needs. The CBX Currency Converter and CURCY plugins are good options for general use. Other popular plugins include:

• Multi-Currency Switcher Converter
• Currency Converter Pro
• WooCommerce Currency Switcher

What if I want to define the exchange rates myself?

While most plugins use external APIs to fetch exchange rates, there are plugins that allow you to set custom exchange rates. However, this is not recommended as it can lead to inaccurate conversions. It’s always better to rely on a reliable API that provides up-to-date exchange rates.

Can I integrate a currency converter into my WooCommerce store?

Yes, you can easily integrate a currency converter into your WooCommerce store. The CURCY plugin is specifically designed for WooCommerce and offers multi-currency support. You can also use other plugins that offer WooCommerce compatibility.

Can I customize the appearance of my currency converter?

Yes, most currency converter plugins allow you to customize the appearance of the converter. You can choose the position, colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your website’s theme.

Where can I learn more about tech news?

If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.

I hope this comprehensive guide has been helpful in understanding how to add a currency converter to your WordPress site. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to assist you.