How to Take Preorders on WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Want to build excitement and secure sales *before* your product even hits the shelves (or digital download platform)? You’ve come to the right place! Taking preorders is a fantastic way to gauge demand, finance production, and reward early adopters. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up preorders in WooCommerce, even if you’re brand new to the platform.
Think of it like this: You’re launching a brand new artisanal coffee blend. Instead of hoping people will buy it when it’s ready, you offer a preorder discount and guaranteed early access. This not only generates initial revenue but also validates your product idea and builds a loyal following.
Why Use Preorders?
Preorders are beneficial for both you and your customers. Here’s a breakdown:
* Gauge Demand: See how much interest there is in your product before investing heavily in production.
* Secure Funding: Generate revenue upfront to cover manufacturing or development costs.
* Build Hype: Create anticipation and excitement around your launch.
* Reward Early Adopters: Offer discounts, exclusive content, or early access to customers who preorder.
* Inventory Management: Get a clearer picture of how much inventory you’ll need.
For your customers:
* Guaranteed Availability: They know they’ll get the product when it launches.
* Exclusive Offers: Preorder bonuses make them feel valued.
* Early Access: They can be among the first to experience your product.
Setting Up Preorders in WooCommerce: The Plugin Route
While WooCommerce doesn’t have built-in preorder functionality, several excellent plugins can easily add this feature. We’ll focus on one of the most popular and reliable options: WooCommerce Pre-Orders by SomewhereWarm (now part of Liquid Web).
Why WooCommerce Pre-Orders?
* Easy to Use: Simple setup and configuration, perfect for beginners.
* Flexible: Customize preorder availability, release dates, and payment options.
* Automation: Automatically charges customers when the product is released.
* Notifications: Sends email notifications to both you and your customers.
Steps to Set Up WooCommerce Pre-Orders:
1. Installation and Activation:
* Go to your WordPress dashboard.
* Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
* Search for “WooCommerce Pre-Orders.”
* Find the plugin by SomewhereWarm (now Liquid Web) and click “Install Now.”
* After installation, click “Activate.”
2. Configuring the Plugin:
* After activation, a new “Pre-Orders” tab will appear in your WooCommerce settings.
* Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Pre-Orders.
* Here, you’ll find several options to customize your preorder process:
* Automatic Completion: Determines whether preorders are automatically marked as complete when the product is released.
* Release Date: Choose how you want to define the release date (fixed date or relative to the purchase date).
* Emails: Customize the email notifications sent to customers (e.g., preorder confirmation, release notification, etc.).
* Cancellation: Define the cancellation policy for preorders.
3. Creating a Preorder Product:
* Go to Products > Add New (or edit an existing product).
* Scroll down to the “Product data” meta box.
* Check the “Is Pre-Order?” checkbox.
* Important: A new “Pre-Order Options” meta box will appear.
4. Pre-Order Options Explained:
* Enable Pre-Order: This should already be checked.
* Availability Starts: Set the date and time when preorders become available. Leave blank to start immediately.
* Availability Ends: Set the date and time when preorders end. Leave blank to continue indefinitely. Setting an end date creates a sense of urgency.
* Release Date: This is the crucial date when the product will be available and customers will receive it.
* Pre-Order Fee: You can charge an upfront fee for the preorder, a percentage of the total price, or none at all. This is useful for covering initial costs or incentivizing early adoption.
* Payment:
- When placing the order: Allows you to charge the customer at the time of the order, which is often used with the fee option
- Upon release: Automatically charges the customer when the product is released. Requires a payment gateway that supports automatic charges (like Stripe or PayPal).
- Force a payment: Can be used in combination with other settings to specify the payment gateway you want users to use.
* Message: Customize the message displayed on the product page to inform customers about the preorder. For example: “Preorder now and receive a 10% discount and a free bonus item! Shipping starts on [Release Date].”
5. Pricing and Inventory:
* Set the regular price of the product.
* Manage your inventory as you normally would in WooCommerce. Even though the product isn’t immediately available, setting an initial inventory limit can prevent overselling.
6. Publish the Product:
* Click “Publish” or “Update” to make your preorder product live.
Example Scenario: Handmade Leather Wallets
Let’s say you make beautiful handmade leather wallets. You want to fund the purchase of new leather hides and tools before you start production.
1. You list a new wallet design on your WooCommerce store.
2. You enable preorders and set the release date for 6 weeks in the future.
3. You offer a 15% discount to those who preorder, clearly stating the release date and discount on the product page.
4. You collect preorder fees upfront to help cover the cost of the leather.
5. You send out email updates to those who preordered, Explore this article on How Do You Connect Woocommerce To Your Store Items keeping them informed of your progress.
6. On the release date, you ship out the wallets, fulfilling the preorders.
Important Considerations
* Clear Communication: Be upfront about the release date and any potential delays. Honesty builds trust.
* Payment Gateways: Ensure your payment gateway supports automatic charging if you plan to charge customers upon release. Stripe and PayPal are popular choices.
* Legal Considerations: Review your local laws regarding preorders and refunds.
* Testing: Thoroughly test the entire preorder process before launching it to the public. Place a test preorder yourself to ensure everything works smoothly.
* Marketing: Promote your preorders through social media, email marketing, and other channels. Highlight the benefits of preordering.
Conclusion
Taking preorders in WooCommerce is a powerful strategy for building excitement, securing funding, and streamlining your launch process. By using a reliable plugin like WooCommerce Pre-Orders and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can create a successful preorder campaign and set your business up for success. Good luck!
