---
title: Customizing Customer Messages
description: "Address Guard Pro lets you customize the messages customers see when an address cannot be verified, appears invalid, needs correction, or matches one of your address rules. You can edit these messages from the **Messages** tab. Table of Contents [Toggle](#)…"
url: "https://wpruby.com/knowledgebase/customizing-customer-messages/"
updated: "2026-07-24"
category: WooCommerce Address Guard Pro
---

# Customizing Customer Messages

Address Guard Pro lets you customize the messages customers see when an address cannot be verified, appears invalid, needs correction, or matches one of your address rules.

You can edit these messages from the **Messages** tab.

Table of Contents

 [Toggle](#)

- [Opening the Messages Tab](#Opening_the_Messages_Tab)
- [General Validation Messages](#General_Validation_Messages)
  - [Address Could Not Be Verified](#Address_Could_Not_Be_Verified)
  - [Address Appears Invalid](#Address_Appears_Invalid)
  - [Suggested Corrected Address](#Suggested_Corrected_Address)
  - [Provider Temporarily Unavailable](#Provider_Temporarily_Unavailable)
- [Warning and Blocking Messages](#Warning_and_Blocking_Messages)
  - [Address Accepted with Warning](#Address_Accepted_with_Warning)
  - [Checkout Blocked](#Checkout_Blocked)
- [Rule-Specific Messages](#Rule-Specific_Messages)
  - [PO Box Not Allowed](#PO_Box_Not_Allowed)
  - [Parcel Locker Not Allowed](#Parcel_Locker_Not_Allowed)
  - [Missing House Number](#Missing_House_Number)
  - [Country/Postcode Mismatch](#CountryPostcode_Mismatch)
- [Message Placeholders](#Message_Placeholders)
- [Previewing Messages](#Previewing_Messages)
- [Resetting a Message](#Resetting_a_Message)
- [Best Practices](#Best_Practices)
- [Recommended Setup](#Recommended_Setup)

## Opening the Messages Tab

Go to:

**WooCommerce → Address Guard → Messages**

The Messages tab contains editable message templates for different checkout situations.

Each message card includes:

- Message label
- Description
- Message template field
- Placeholder insert buttons
- Preview
- Reset to default button

## General Validation Messages

These messages are shown when the address validation provider returns a result that needs customer attention.

### Address Could Not Be Verified

Shown when the provider cannot fully verify the address.

Example:

```php
This address could not be verified. Please review your {address_type} address before placing your order.
```

### Address Appears Invalid

Shown when the address appears invalid.

Example:

```php
This address appears invalid. Please check your {address_type} and try again.
```

### Suggested Corrected Address

Shown when Address Guard Pro has a suggested standardized version of the address.

Example:

```php
Did you mean: {suggested_address}?
```

### Provider Temporarily Unavailable

Shown when the validation provider cannot be reached or returns an error.

Example:

```php
Address validation is temporarily unavailable. Please review your {address_type} carefully.
```

## Warning and Blocking Messages

These messages are shown depending on your checkout action.

### Address Accepted with Warning

Shown when the customer is allowed to continue even though the address could not be fully verified.

Example:

```php
This address may not be deliverable. Please review it before placing your order.
```

### Checkout Blocked

Shown when the customer cannot place the order until the address is fixed.

Example:

```php
We cannot ship to this address. Please enter a different delivery address.
```

## Rule-Specific Messages

Address Guard Pro also includes messages for local address rules.

### PO Box Not Allowed

Shown when a PO box address is detected.

Example:

```php
PO box addresses are not supported for this order.
```

### Parcel Locker Not Allowed

Shown when a parcel locker or Packstation address is detected.

Example:

```php
Parcel locker addresses are not supported for this order.
```

### Missing House Number

Shown when the street address appears to be missing a house or building number.

Example:

```php
Please include a house or building number in your {address_type}.
```

### Country/Postcode Mismatch

Shown when the postcode format does not match the selected country.

Example:

```php
The postcode {postcode} does not match the selected country {country}.
```

## Message Placeholders

You can use placeholders to insert dynamic information into customer messages.

Common placeholders include:

| Placeholder | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `{address_type}` | Shipping or billing address |
| `{original_address}` | Address entered by the customer |
| `{suggested_address}` | Suggested corrected address |
| `{city}` | City |
| `{postcode}` | Postcode or ZIP |
| `{country}` | Country |
| `{state}` | State or region |
| `{validation_status}` | Validation result status |

Available placeholders may differ depending on the message.

Use the placeholder buttons next to each message field to insert placeholders safely.

## Previewing Messages

Each message card includes a preview.

Use the preview to check how the message will look before saving.

This helps avoid awkward spacing, missing punctuation, or unclear wording.

## Resetting a Message

To restore a default message:

1. Find the message card.
2. Click **Reset to default**.
3. Save your changes.

## Best Practices

Keep customer messages short and clear.

Good messages should:

- Explain what is wrong.
- Tell the customer what to do next.
- Avoid technical provider language.
- Avoid blaming the customer.
- Avoid long paragraphs during checkout.

Example of a good message:

```php
Please include a house or building number in your shipping address.
```

Example of a message to avoid:

```php
Validation failed because the provider returned an invalid status code for address line 1.
```

## Recommended Setup

When first configuring the plugin, keep messages polite and non-blocking.

After you are confident your rules work correctly, you can make blocking messages more direct.