In a recent Business Bloomer Club Slack thread, a WooCommerce user asked if there was a simple plugin to enable pre-orders without unnecessary bloat.
The request was straightforward: allow customers to place a pre-order, then complete the order and ship when the product is ready. Several perspectives emerged on how to handle this effectively.
Let’s break down the options discussed.
Handling Pre-Orders Without a Plugin
One of the simplest approaches suggested was to take orders as usual and ship them when the product becomes available. In this case, store owners could:
- Keep the order status as Processing until the item is ready.
- Manually update the order to Completed once the product is shipped.
- Inform customers about estimated shipping dates through the short description or order confirmation emails.
This method eliminates the need for additional plugins, reducing complexity and potential compatibility issues. It also ensures that store owners maintain full control over their orders without relying on third-party software. However, it does require some manual work, especially if multiple pre-orders are being handled at once.
Does “Pre-Order” Mean “Book Now, Pay Later”?
Another key point in the discussion was whether “pre-order” meant customers should be able to reserve a product without paying upfront. WooCommerce’s default order process requires immediate payment unless a store explicitly enables a “Pay Later” option through custom code or a plugin.
If offering “book now, pay later” functionality is necessary, store owners may need:
- A custom checkout option to delay payment.
- A plugin that allows pre-orders without immediate charges.
- Clear communication about when payment will be collected.
Some store owners may opt for a hybrid approach where a deposit is required upfront, with the remaining balance charged when the product is ready to ship. This setup ensures a level of commitment from the customer while providing flexibility in payment processing.
Plugin Options for Pre-Orders
For those preferring a plugin-based solution, a recommendation was made for Pre-Orders for WooCommerce. This plugin allows store owners to add a custom cart message for pre-orders, ensuring customers know when the item is expected to ship. Other premium plugins, such as WooCommerce’s official Pre-Orders extension, offer additional automation, including automatic payment processing when the product becomes available.
Alternatively, for a minimalistic approach, store owners can simply place a custom pre-order message in the short description, such as:
“This is a pre-order item. Currently scheduled to ship on XX YY ZZ.”
This ensures customers understand the situation without requiring a full-fledged pre-order system. While this method lacks automation, it is a lightweight solution for store owners who only occasionally sell pre-order items.
Finding the Right Balance
As one participant pointed out, the choice often comes down to either having a simple, lightweight solution or a feature-rich plugin—but rarely both.
If an official pre-order structure is required, using a plugin may be unavoidable. However, for many store owners, a manual approach with clear customer communication may be the simplest and most effective solution.
Additionally, it’s crucial to set clear expectations with customers about shipping timelines, potential delays, and payment terms. Whether using a plugin or a manual process, transparency will help avoid misunderstandings and improve customer satisfaction.
Testing different methods and gathering customer feedback can help store owners determine the best pre-order approach for their WooCommerce store.
