Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about VerdantCart AI, the free WordPress plugin, VerdantCart AI Pro, snapshot-based reporting, exports, privacy, and how it all works inside WooCommerce.
What is VerdantCart AI?
VerdantCart AI is a sustainability intelligence platform for WooCommerce. It ships as two products: a free WordPress.org plugin (VerdantCart Carbon Reports) that provides the reporting engine, and VerdantCart AI Pro that layers executive reporting, AI-generated summaries, automation, customer transparency, and branding on top.
Does VerdantCart work inside WordPress?
Yes. VerdantCart is designed to work directly inside WordPress and WooCommerce, so reporting stays close to the store data you already manage. No separate dashboard, no external data warehouse.
Who is VerdantCart built for?
VerdantCart is built for WooCommerce store owners, sustainability teams, agencies, and growing ecommerce brands who want carbon reporting to be visible, understandable, and useful as part of everyday store operations.
Is the plugin free?
Yes. VerdantCart Carbon Reports is available on WordPress.org at no cost and runs entirely inside your WooCommerce store. VerdantCart AI Pro is a separate paid extension that adds advanced reporting and intelligence on top, but the free plugin is fully functional on its own and never expires.
Where do I install the plugin?
Install it from the WordPress.org plugin directory or upload the plugin ZIP through your WordPress admin under Plugins → Add New.
What does the free plugin include?
Carbon calculations per WooCommerce order, customer and admin dashboards, monthly, weekly, and yearly reporting views, product hotspot reporting, sustainability insights, CSV and PDF exports, and a historical backfill tool — all based on WooCommerce order data and stored inside your WordPress database.
Can I export reports?
Yes. The free plugin supports CSV exports and print-ready PDF exports for reporting periods where snapshot data exists. Pro adds branded PDF reports with your logo, brand colors, and custom footer.
Does VerdantCart work with WooCommerce orders?
Yes. VerdantCart is built specifically for WooCommerce stores and uses eligible WooCommerce order data to generate reporting views and insights.
Is it difficult to set up?
No. After activation, the plugin can process eligible WooCommerce orders and build reporting data for your dashboard. Stores with existing completed orders can run the Backfill tool once to generate historical reporting data.
Is VerdantCart suitable for small stores?
Yes. It is designed to be useful for smaller WooCommerce stores while still supporting growing businesses that want better operational sustainability visibility.
Do I need the free plugin to use Pro?
Yes. VerdantCart AI Pro is built on top of the free VerdantCart Carbon Reports plugin from WordPress.org. Install and activate the free plugin first — it provides the reporting engine, dashboards, calculations, and exports that Pro extends. Pro will not run without the free plugin active, and shows a clear admin notice if it detects the free plugin is missing.
What does VerdantCart AI Pro add?
Pro adds twelve capabilities on top of the free plugin: Executive Summary Dashboard, Strategic Sustainability Insights, AI Executive Summaries (OpenAI or Anthropic Claude), Branded PDF Reports, Scheduled Email Reports, Reduction Goal Tracking, Customer CO₂ Messaging, White-Label Branding, Multiple Report Recipients, Executive Export Enhancements, and Priority Support.
How do I get Pro?
Pro is sold from our pricing page at $19/month or $179/year (1 site, 14-day free trial — no credit card required). After purchase you receive a license key. Install the Pro plugin alongside the free plugin, then enter your license key from VerdantCart AI → Advanced → License Key to activate.
Can I try Pro before paying?
Yes. Pro includes a 14-day free trial. Install the free VerdantCart Carbon Reports plugin from WordPress.org, then start your trial directly from the "Upgrade" prompt inside WordPress admin. No credit card required to start. Cancel anytime before day 15 from your account page and you will not be billed.
What is a snapshot?
A snapshot is a saved reporting record for a specific period, such as a month, week, or year. Snapshots keep charts, exports, and summaries stable because they are based on saved reporting data instead of constantly changing raw totals.
Why does weekly reporting sometimes show the latest available week instead of the current week?
If the current week does not yet have completed orders or a saved snapshot, the dashboard may show the latest available weekly snapshot instead. This keeps weekly reporting useful until new order activity is available.
Why is my dashboard empty or showing no data?
The dashboard may show no data if there are no eligible completed WooCommerce orders for the selected period, or if reporting data has not been generated yet. Running Backfill can help rebuild historical reporting data.
When does reporting update?
Reporting updates when eligible WooCommerce order data is processed and saved into reporting snapshots. Historical data can also be rebuilt manually by running Backfill.
Does my store data leave WordPress?
The free plugin runs entirely inside your WooCommerce store. Reporting data is generated from WooCommerce order data and stored in your WordPress database — it never leaves your site. Pro adds optional AI executive summaries that call OpenAI or Anthropic Claude using your own API key, so you stay in control of which AI provider sees your store data and can switch providers or turn the feature off entirely.
How accurate are the emissions estimates?
The reports are estimates based on available WooCommerce order and product data. Accuracy depends on the quality of store data, such as product weights, order information, shipping assumptions, and configured reporting logic.
Is VerdantCart a carbon certification tool?
No. VerdantCart is a reporting and visibility tool. It helps WooCommerce stores estimate and understand emissions, but it does not provide official carbon certification, legal compliance verification, or audited environmental claims.
Can I use it for real reporting?
It is designed for operational carbon visibility and internal sustainability reporting. It is not a certified carbon accounting audit product and is not a replacement for accredited third-party verification.