WooCommerce: Selling a Non-Downloadable eBook (For Beginners!)
So, you’ve written an amazing eBook! Congratulations! Now you want to sell it through your WooCommerce store, but it’s not a downloadable file. Maybe it’s a subscription-based online book, a paid-access web page, or a printed copy you’ll ship. No problem! WooCommerce is flexible enough to handle this. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Why Sell a Non-Downloadable eBook on WooCommerce?
Before we dive in, let’s quickly consider *why* you might choose this route.
* Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Downloadable eBooks can easily be copied and shared. Selling access to an online version, or providing a printed copy, offers better protection against piracy. Think of it like Netflix versus buying a DVD. Netflix controls access.
* Subscription Model: You might offer a continuing series or updates to your eBook, justifying a subscription. This creates recurring revenue!
* Value-Added Services: Perhaps your eBook comes with online consultations, forum access, or other perks. Selling access allows you to bundle these services effectively. Imagine buying access to an exclusive course and community tied to your eBook content.
* Printed Copies: Let’s face it, some people still prefer reading a physical book! WooCommerce is perfect for selling printed versions that you’ll ship to your customers.
* Preventing Instant Gratification: You might want users to get their ebook in some days and have them more happy because they were waiting for it instead of getting it instantly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selling a Non-Downloadable eBook
Here’s how to set up your WooCommerce store to sell your non-downloadable eBook:
1. Create a New Product
* In your WordPress dashboard, go to Products > Add New.
2. Enter Product Information
* Give your eBook a title (e.g., “The Ultimate Guide to Baking Sourdough Check out this post: How To Disable Related Products In Woocommerce Bread”).
* Write a compelling product description. Highlight the benefits and what readers will learn.
* Add relevant categories and tags to help customers find your eBook. Consider categories like “Cooking,” “Baking,” or “Sourdough.”
* Set a product image (the cover of your eBook is ideal).
3. Configure Product Data
This is where the magic happens!
* In the “Product data” dropdown, choose “Simple product” (for a one-time purchase) or “Variable product” (if you offer different packages, like basic access vs. premium access with consultations).
* Important: Uncheck the “Downloadable” checkbox. Since it’s not a downloadable file, we don’t want this option selected.
* Check the “Virtual” checkbox. This tells WooCommerce that no shipping is involved (even for printed copies, we’ll handle shipping settings separately).
4. Set Your Price
* Enter the “Regular price” for your eBook.
* If you’re running a sale, enter the “Sale price.”
5. Configure Inventory (Optional, but Recommended)
* Go to the “Inventory” tab.
* If you want to manage stock (especially for printed copies), check “Manage stock?” and enter the number of copies you have.
* If you’re selling access to an online version, you might not need to manage stock, but it’s good practice to at least enable it and set a high stock quantity (like 9999) to avoid accidental sell-outs.
6. Configure Explore this article on How To Use Product Filters In Woocommerce Beaver Builder Shipping (For Printed Copies ONLY)
* If you are selling printed versions of your eBook, go to the “Shipping” tab.
* Enter the weight and dimensions of your book. This is crucial for accurate shipping calculations.
* Choose a shipping class (you can create these under WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Shipping classes). This helps you group products with similar shipping needs.
7. Write a Short Product Description
* Add a short, attention-grabbing summary of your eBook in the “Product short description” box. This will often appear near the product title in your store.
8. Publish Your Product!
* Click the “Publish” button. Your non-downloadable eBook is now for sale!
Example Scenario: Subscription Access eBook
Let’s say you’re selling access to an online eBook that’s regularly updated.
1. Product Type: “Simple product” or “Variable product” (if you offer different subscription tiers).
2. Product Description: “Get access to our continuously updated eBook on Python Programming! New chapters and examples added weekly.”
3. “Virtual” is checked.
4. “Downloadable” is NOT checked.
5. Implementation: After purchase, you could use a plugin like “WooCommerce Memberships” or “Restrict Content Pro” to grant access to the online content. These plugins integrate with WooCommerce and automatically grant access to the eBook’s online pages based on the product purchased.
Example Scenario: Selling Printed Copies
1. Product Type: “Simple product” or “Variable product” (if you offer different cover types or signed copies).
2. Product Description: “Order a physical, printed copy of ‘The Ultimate Guide to Baking Sourdough Bread’ delivered right to your door! Beautifully printed and bound.”
3. “Virtual” is NOT checked. (because you ARE shipping something)
4. “Downloadable” is NOT checked.
5. Shipping: Weight and dimensions *must* be accurate. Offer various shipping options (e.g., Standard, Express) to cater to different customer needs.
Important Considerations for Non-Downloadable eBooks
* Delivery Instructions: Clearly communicate how customers will access the eBook (e.g., “You will receive a link to the online version within 24 hours of purchase,” or “Your printed copy will ship within 3 business days”). You can add this information to the product description, confirmation emails, and order notes.
* Customer Support: Be prepared to handle inquiries about access or shipping. Provide clear contact information on your website.
* Payment Gateways: Make sure your WooCommerce store is set up with a reliable payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe.
* Taxes: Configure tax settings appropriately based on your location and the type of product you’re selling.
Adding Functionality with Code (Example)
Here’s a simple code snippet that adds a custom note to the order after a customer purchases the online eBook (assuming you have implemented the online access with a specific product ID):
add_action( 'woocommerce_thankyou', 'add_custom_order_note' );
function add_custom_order_note( $order_id ) {
$order = wc_get_order( $order_id );
foreach ( $order->get_items() as $item_id => $item ) {
$product_id = $item->get_product_id();
// Replace ‘123’ with the actual product ID of your eBook
if ( $product_id == 123 ) {
echo ‘
Important Information: You will receive access to the online eBook within 24 hours. Check your email for instructions.
‘;
break; // No need to check other items if eBook is found
}
}
}
How this code works:
* `add_action( ‘woocommerce_thankyou’, ‘add_custom_order_note’ );` This line tells WordPress to run the `add_custom_order_note` function when the “thank you” page (order confirmation page) is displayed after a purchase.
* `wc_get_order( $order_id )` retrieves the order object.
* The `foreach` loop iterates through each item in the order.
* `$product_id = $item->get_product_id();` gets the ID of the product purchased.
* `if ( $product_id == 123 )` checks if the product ID matches your eBook’s product ID. Remember to change ‘123’ to the actual ID.
* If it’s the eBook, it outputs a custom message to the customer.
Where to add this code: You can add this code to your theme’s `functions.php` file (child theme recommended!) or using a code snippets plugin.
SEO Tips for Your eBook Product Page
* Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to identify relevant keywords that people use when searching for eBooks in your niche.
* Optimize Title and Description: Include your target keywords in your product title and description naturally.
* Use Alt Text for Images: Describe the image of your eBook cover using relevant keywords.
* Internal Linking: Link to your eBook product page from other relevant pages on your website.
* Get Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews on your product page. Positive reviews can boost your SEO ranking and build trust.
Conclusion
Selling a non-downloadable eBook on WooCommerce is very possible and opens doors to new business models. By following these steps and customizing your approach Explore this article on How To Update Template Woocommerce Pressable to your specific product, you can successfully sell your eBook and provide a valuable experience for your customers. Remember to focus on clear communication, excellent customer support, and providing high-quality content. Happy selling!
