# How to Enable Pre-Ordering with WooCommerce and Square: A Beginner’s Guide
Selling products before they’re available is a fantastic way to generate hype, build customer anticipation, and secure early sales. This is especially useful for limited-edition items, seasonal products, or new releases. With WooCommerce and Square, setting up pre-orders is surprisingly straightforward. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Why Use Pre-Orders?
Before diving into the technical aspects, let’s understand the benefits:
- Generate excitement: Pre-orders create a buzz around your product. Customers feel like they’re part of something exclusive. Think of the limited-edition sneakers that sell out instantly – that’s the power of pre-orders!
- Manage inventory: Knowing how many units to order from your supplier becomes much easier. Pre-orders give you a clear picture of demand.
- Secure early sales: Get revenue flowing before your product even ships. This improves your cash flow and allows for better planning.
- Market validation: The number of pre-orders acts as a valuable indicator of market demand for your product.
- Pre-order message: What text will customers see on the product page? For example: “Available to pre-order. Expected shipping date: October 26, 2024“.
- Pre-order status: How will the order appear in your WooCommerce orders list? Usually, a dedicated status like “On Pre-order” is created.
- Shipping date: Set the expected shipping date. Be realistic! It’s better to slightly overestimate than to disappoint customers.
- Payment options: Decide if you want to take full payment upfront or a deposit.
- Enable the pre-order option: Within the product settings, use your plugin’s interface to enable the pre-order feature.
- Set the pre-order date: Specify the expected shipping date.
- Set the product price: Adjust the price based on whether you’re taking a deposit or full payment.
- Add a clear description: Communicate all relevant information to your customers, including the pre-order date, shipping information, and any relevant policies.
Setting Up Pre-Orders with WooCommerce and Square
While WooCommerce itself doesn’t have a built-in pre-order feature, we can achieve this functionality using a combination of WooCommerce extensions and Square’s capabilities. There are several ways to do this, but we will focus on a straightforward method.
Step 1: Install and Activate the “Pre-orders” Plugin
This is crucial. You’ll need a reliable pre-order plugin for WooCommerce. Several options are available, both free and paid. Search for “WooCommerce Pre-orders” in your WooCommerce plugins section. Look for one with good ratings and reviews. Popular options include (but aren’t limited to) Pre-orders for WooCommerce.
Step 2: Configure the Pre-Order Settings
Once activated, configure the plugin’s settings. This typically involves specifying:
Step 3: Connect WooCommerce to Square
If you haven’t already, connect your WooCommerce store to Square. This allows for seamless payment processing. Square’s WooCommerce integration typically involves installing a specific plugin from their marketplace. Follow Square’s instructions to correctly link the two systems.
Step 4: Create Your Pre-Order Product
Now, create a new product in WooCommerce. Make sure to:
Step 5: Test Your Setup
Thoroughly test your pre-order process. Place a test order to ensure that everything works as expected. Check your Square account to verify that payments are being processed correctly.
Example Scenario: A Local Bakery
Imagine a local bakery launching a new limited-edition holiday cake. Using WooCommerce and Square with a pre-order plugin, they can:
1. Create a product page for the cake, highlighting its unique features and the limited availability.
2. Set up pre-orders with a clear shipping date (around the holidays).
3. Accept payments via Square securely and efficiently.
4. Manage inventory effectively based on pre-order numbers, ensuring they bake just the right amount.
Conclusion
Enabling pre-orders with WooCommerce and Square is an effective strategy to boost sales and manage inventory. By following these steps and choosing appropriate plugins, you can easily implement this feature and leverage the benefits of pre-orders for your business. Remember to always clearly communicate with your customers about expected shipping dates and policies. Happy selling!
