WooCommerce: Enabling Checkout Without Payment – When and How To Do It
Introduction:
WooCommerce is a powerful and flexible e-commerce platform, but sometimes you need to bend the rules. One such scenario is allowing customers to complete the checkout process without requiring any immediate payment. This might seem counterintuitive, but there are legitimate business reasons why you’d want to offer this functionality. This article will explore when this approach makes sense, how to implement it, and potential downsides to consider. We’ll cover various methods, from simple settings adjustments to code snippets, enabling you to tailor the WooCommerce experience to your specific needs.
Main Part:
Why Allow Checkout Without Payment in WooCommerce?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s clarify the “why.” Here are some common reasons for enabling checkout without immediate payment:
- Request a Quote Systems: If you offer custom services or products with variable pricing, allowing users to submit their requirements through the checkout process is ideal. You can then provide them with a personalized quote after reviewing their order details.
- Pre-Orders: For products that are not yet available, taking “orders” without immediate payment can gauge interest and secure future sales. You’ll collect payment when the product is shipped.
- Offline Payment Options: If you primarily deal with bank transfers, checks, or other offline payment methods, allowing customers to complete the order and then remit payment separately is essential.
- B2B Transactions with Credit Accounts: If you’re dealing with business clients who have established credit accounts with you, you might want to let them complete the order and invoice them later.
- Free Products or Services: You might offer free products, samples or trials that still require customers to go through the “checkout” process to collect necessary shipping information or to register an account on your site.
Methods to Enable Checkout Without Payment
There are several ways to achieve checkout without payment in WooCommerce, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
#### 1. Enabling Cash on Delivery (COD) as a “Free” Payment Option
The simplest and most straightforward method is to enable the built-in Cash on Delivery (COD) payment gateway and modify its name. Here’s how:
1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments.
2. Enable “Cash on Delivery.”
3. Click “Manage” next to “Cash on Delivery.”
4. Change the “Title” field to something like “Request a Quote” or “Submit Order.”
5. Leave the “Instructions” field blank or add instructions like “We will contact you shortly with a quote.”
6. Save the changes.
This method leverages the existing WooCommerce functionality, presenting COD as a general option for submitting orders without payment.
#### 2. Creating a Custom “Request a Quote” Payment Gateway
This method provides more control over the payment gateway’s appearance and functionality. You’ll need to add a custom payment gateway using code. Here’s a basic example:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_payment_gateways', 'add_request_a_quote_gateway' );
function add_request_a_quote_gateway( $gateways ) {
$gateways[] = 'WC_Request_A_Quote_Gateway';
return $gateways;
}
add_action( ‘plugins_loaded’, ‘init_request_a_quote_gateway’ );
function init_request_a_quote_gateway() {
class WC_Request_A_Quote_Gateway extends WC_Payment_Gateway {
public function __construct() {
$this->id = ‘request_a_quote’;
$this->icon = apply_filters( ‘woocommerce_request_a_quote_icon’, ” );
$this->has_fields = false;
$this->method_title = ‘Request a Quote’;
$this->method_description = ‘Allows customers to request a quote without immediate payment.’;
// Load the settings.
$this->init_form_fields();
$this->init_settings();
// Define user set variables
$this->title = $this->get_option( ‘title’ );
$this->description = $this->get_option( ‘description’ );
$this->enabled = $this->get_option( ‘enabled’ ) === ‘yes’ ? true : false;
// Actions
add_action( ‘woocommerce_update_options_payment_gateways_’ . $this->id, array( $this, ‘process_admin_options’ ) );
add_action( ‘woocommerce_thankyou_’ . $this->id, array( $this, ‘thankyou_page’ ) );
}
public function init_form_fields() {
$this->form_fields = array(
‘enabled’ => array(
‘title’ => ‘Enable/Disable’,
‘type’ => ‘checkbox’,
‘label’ => ‘Enable Request a Quote’,
‘default’ => ‘yes’
),
‘title’ => array(
‘title’ => ‘Title’,
‘type’ => ‘text’,
‘description’ => ‘This controls the title which the user sees during checkout.’,
‘default’ => ‘Request a Quote’,
‘desc_tip’ => true,
),
‘description’ => array(
‘title’ => ‘Description’,
‘type’ => ‘textarea’,
‘description’ => ‘Payment method description that the customer will see on your checkout.’,
‘default’ => ‘We will contact you shortly with a quote.’,
‘desc_tip’ => true,
)
);
}
public function process_payment( $order_id ) {
$order = wc_get_order( $order_id );
// Mark as processing (payment won’t be taken)
$order->update_status( ‘processing’, __( ‘Request a Quote received.’, ‘woocommerce’ ) );
// Reduce stock levels
wc_reduce_stock_levels( $order_id );
// Remove cart
WC()->cart->empty_cart();
// Return thankyou redirect
return array(
‘result’ => ‘success’,
‘redirect’ => $this->get_return_url( $order )
);
}
public function thankyou_page() {
if ( $this->instructions ) {
echo wpautop( wptexturize( $this->instructions ) );
}
}
}
}
How to Implement:
1. Save the code: Save the code above as a PHP file (e.g., `woocommerce-request-a-quote.php`).
2. Activate: Upload the file to your `wp-content/plugins/` directory and activate the plugin through the WordPress admin.
3. Configure: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments and configure the “Request a Quote” gateway.
This code creates a new payment gateway called “Request a Quote” that customers can select during checkout. It updates the order status to “processing” (you can modify this), reduces stock levels (if necessary), and redirects to the thank you page.
Important Considerations with Custom Code:
* Testing: Thoroughly test the code in a staging environment before implementing it on your live site.
* Security: Ensure the code is secure and doesn’t introduce any vulnerabilities. Regularly review and update the code.
* Maintenance: Maintain the code and ensure it remains compatible with future WooCommerce updates.
* Error Handling: Implement proper error handling to gracefully manage unexpected situations.
* Alternative: Consider using a plugin to implement a Request a Quote or similar feature if you’re not comfortable with custom code. There are many plugins available that offer similar functionality with varying levels of customization.
#### 3. Using a WooCommerce Plugin
There are numerous plugins available in the WooCommerce ecosystem specifically designed for “Request a Quote” functionality. These plugins offer a user-friendly interface and often include advanced features like:
- Quote management dashboards.
- Automatic quote generation.
- Customizable quote forms.
- Integration with email marketing platforms.
Popular options include:
* YITH WooCommerce Request A Quote: A widely used and feature-rich plugin.
* Quote Up – WooCommerce Request a Quote: Another popular choice with good customization options.
Benefits of Using a Plugin:
- Ease of Use: Plugins are generally easier to set up and configure than custom code.
- Reduced Maintenance: Plugin developers handle updates and compatibility issues.
- Additional Features: Plugins often provide additional features beyond basic checkout without payment.
Drawbacks of Using a Plugin:
- Cost: Many plugins are premium (paid).
- Bloat: Some plugins can add unnecessary code to your site, potentially affecting performance.
- Compatibility: Ensure the plugin is compatible with your version of WooCommerce and other plugins.
What Happens After the Order is Placed?
Regardless of the method you choose, you’ll need a process for handling orders placed without payment. This might involve:
- Sending a Confirmation Email: Send an email to the customer confirming their order and outlining the next steps (e.g., you’ll contact them with a quote).
- Reviewing the Order: Manually review the order details to prepare a quote, confirm product availability, or assess their requirements.
- Contacting the Customer: Reach out to the customer via phone or email to discuss their order, provide a quote, and arrange for payment.
- Updating the Order Status: Update the order status in WooCommerce to reflect its progress (e.g., “Quote Sent,” “Payment Received,” “Completed”).
Conclusion:
Enabling checkout without payment in WooCommerce can be a valuable strategy for businesses offering custom products, services, or offline payment options. Whether you choose to use the simple COD trick, implement a custom payment gateway, or utilize a dedicated plugin, remember to prioritize a clear communication strategy with your customers. Consider the pros and cons of each method based on your technical expertise and budget. Careful planning and execution will allow you to streamline the order process and improve the customer experience. Remember to thoroughly test your chosen method to ensure a smooth and secure checkout process.
