Woocommerce How To Affiliate Out Of Stock

WooCommerce: How to Affiliate Out-of-Stock Products Without Losing Commission

Introduction:

As an affiliate marketer using WooCommerce, you’ve likely encountered the frustrating scenario: a product you promote goes out of stock on the merchant’s website. This situation poses a problem – potential customers click your affiliate link, only to be greeted with an “out of stock” message, leading to a lost sale and lost commission. This article addresses how to navigate this situation and still potentially earn revenue, even when items are unavailable. We’ll explore various approaches, from strategic plugin usage to clever communication tactics, ensuring you can maximize your affiliate potential even when faced with out-of-stock woes.

Main Part: Turning Out-of-Stock Into Opportunity

The key is to offer alternatives and maintain a positive user experience, preventing them from simply bouncing off the page. Here’s how:

1. Understanding WooCommerce’s Default Behavior

By default, WooCommerce handles out-of-stock products in one of two ways, configured under WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory:

• Hide out of stock items from the catalog: This removes the product entirely, meaning your affiliate link will lead to a “404” error or back to the shop page, a terrible user experience. Avoid this option if you’re actively affiliating.
• Allow backorders: This allows customers to order the product even though it’s not currently available. This *can* work, but it’s dependent on the merchant’s shipping timelines and honesty about expected delivery.

2. Plugin-Based Solutions: The Power of Redirection & Recommendations

The most effective approach involves using plugins that enhance WooCommerce’s capabilities and offer sophisticated out-of-stock handling.

* WooCommerce Out of Stock Manager: Many plugins provide features such as:

• Affiliate Link Redirection: When a product is out of stock, automatically redirect your affiliate link to a similar product on the same site or even a competitor’s site (where you also have an affiliate agreement). This keeps the customer within the buying funnel.
• “Notify Me” Functionality: Allow users to sign up for email notifications when the product is back in stock. This keeps them engaged and gives you another chance to earn a commission.
• Related Product Recommendations: Displaying similar, in-stock products on the product page can entice customers to purchase an alternative. WooCommerce often provides a basic “Related Products” section, but a plugin can improve its accuracy and relevance.

* Example Plugin Implementation:

While specific plugin code varies, the principle of redirection based on stock status can be illustrated with simplified PHP. Note: This is a basic example; a real plugin would have more robust error handling and configuration options.

<?php
/**
Example function to redirect out-of-stock affiliate products.
*/
function redirect_out_of_stock_affiliate_product() {
global $product;

if ( ! is_product() ) {

return; // Only run on product pages

}

if ( ! $product->is_in_stock() && $product->is_type(‘external’) ) { //Check if out of stock and an external product

$alternative_product_url = get_option(‘alternative_product_url’); //Store the alternative affiliate link in the options table

if ( ! empty( $alternative_product_url ) ) {

wp_redirect( $alternative_product_url );

exit;

} else {

// Maybe display a message if no alternative link is set

echo ‘

This product is currently out of stock. Please check back later.

‘;

}

}

}

add_action( ‘template_redirect’, ‘redirect_out_of_stock_affiliate_product’ );

?>

Important Considerations:

• Plugin Compatibility: Ensure any plugin you choose is compatible with the latest version of WooCommerce and any other plugins you use.
• Configuration is Key: Most plugins require careful configuration to ensure the redirection and recommendation logic works correctly. Thorough testing is crucial.
• Ethical Considerations: Be transparent with your audience. Clearly indicate that the product is out of stock and that you are recommending a similar alternative.

3. Manual Methods: Creating Custom Landing Pages & Content

If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can manually create landing pages or modify product page content to handle out-of-stock situations.

* Custom Landing Pages: Create dedicated landing pages for product categories or specific items. On these pages, you can list available products and clearly mark any that are out of stock. For out-of-stock items, provide alternatives and affiliate links to those alternatives.

* Product Page Modification: Customize the product page template in your WooCommerce theme (or using a child theme) to display a message when the product is out of stock. This message should include:

• A clear explanation that the product is unavailable.
• An apology for the inconvenience.
• A link to similar, in-stock products (with your affiliate links, of course!).

* Email Marketing Integration: As mentioned before, capture email addresses from interested buyers and send them a personalized notification when the product becomes available. This requires integrating an email marketing service with your WooCommerce store.

4. Optimize for SEO Even Out of Stock

Although the item is out of stock, the product page still exists. Use this to your advantage from an SEO perspective.

* Update the Title Tag and Meta Description: Include phrases like “Currently Out of Stock” or “Similar Products Available” in your title tag and meta description. This manages user expectations in search results.

* Keep the Content Relevant: Even if out of stock, ensure the content on the page still provides value. Describe the product features, benefits, and ideal uses. This can still attract visitors who might be interested in related items.

* Internal Linking: Link to the out-of-stock product page from other relevant pages on your site, but make it clear that it is currently unavailable. This helps maintain site structure and SEO juice.

Conclusion:

Dealing with out-of-stock products as a WooCommerce affiliate doesn’t have to mean lost revenue. By proactively implementing strategies such as plugin-based redirection, manual landing page creation, email marketing integration, and SEO optimization, you can transform a potential loss into an opportunity. The key is to prioritize the user experience, be transparent about availability, and offer relevant alternatives. Remember to regularly monitor product availability and adapt your strategies accordingly to maximize your affiliate earnings. Constantly testing and optimizing your approach is crucial for success.