Every time a product sells out, you could be sending buyers straight to a competitor. In fact, 66% of shoppers say they will switch retailers when an item is out of stock. That is a lot of lost sales for a problem you can fix.
Pre-orders solve this. They let customers buy now and get the product later, so you keep the sale even when your shelves are empty. They also help you test demand, collect cash up front, and build hype before launch day. It works for new launches, restocks, and limited drops.
The catch? WooCommerce does not offer pre-orders on its own. This guide shows you how to set up pre-orders in WooCommerce step by step, plus the settings that protect your store and keep buyers happy.
Quick Answer: How to Set Up Pre-Orders in WooCommerce
- Install a pre-order plugin or module (this guide uses ShopBuilder).
- Turn on the Pre-Order module in your settings.
- Set your button text, pricing rule, and availability message.
- Open a product and enable pre-order for that item.
- Add an availability date so customers know when it ships.
- Turn on email alerts so buyers stay updated.
- Save and test the product page before you go live.
Most stores can finish setup in under 20 minutes.
What Are WooCommerce Pre-Orders?
A WooCommerce pre-order is an order placed for a product that is not yet available. The customer pays or reserves the item now. You ship it once the product is in stock or officially released.
Pre-orders work well for:
- New product launches
- Limited or exclusive drops
- Restocks of sold-out items
- Made-to-order or handmade goods
- Books, games, and other release-date products
Why Offer Pre-Orders in Your Store
Pre-orders do more than take early sales. They give you real data and real cash before you commit to a large order. Here is what store owners gain.
- Pre-orders do more than take early sales. They give you real data and real cash before you commit to a large order. Here is what store owners gain.
- Test demand before you spend. See how many people actually buy, not just how many say they are interested.
- Get money up front. Early payments can help cover production or supplier costs.
- Build hype around a launch. A countdown timer and a “coming soon” badge create urgency and get people to act.
- Cut down on dead stock. Ordering closer to real demand means less waste on items that do not sell.
- Keep buyers instead of losing them. When something is sold out, a pre-order button holds the sale on your site instead of sending shoppers to a competitor.
Good Read: Pre Order vs Back Order : Which Strategy Works Best for Your Products?
What You Need Before You Start
Before you set up pre-orders, make sure you have these ready:
- A live WordPress site.
- WooCommerce installed and active.
- A pre-order plugin or module (this guide uses ShopBuilder).
- At least one product you want to sell early.
- A rough shipping or release date.
ShopBuilder runs on PHP 7.4 or newer and WordPress 6.1 or newer. It works alongside Elementor and the latest version of WooCommerce.
How to Set Up Pre-Orders in WooCommerce (Step by Step)
The ShopBuilder Pre-Order module has four tabs: General, Settings, Notifications, and Style. Work through them in order. Then turn on pre-order for each product.
Step 1: Install ShopBuilder Pro
The Pre-Order module is part of ShopBuilder Pro. Install the free ShopBuilder plugin first, then add ShopBuilder Pro to unlock the module.
- Go to Plugins > Add New and install the free ShopBuilder plugin. Activate it.
- Buy ShopBuilder Pro, then upload and activate the Pro plugin under Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
- Enter your license key when asked. This turns on all Pro modules, including Pre-Order.
Make sure WooCommerce is already active, since ShopBuilder needs it to run.
Step 2: Turn On the Pre-Order Module
Go to your WordPress dashboard. Open ShopBuilder > Settings > Modules > Pre-Order. Switch on Enable Pre-Order. This step is required. Nothing else will work until this is on.
Step 3: Set Up the General Tab
Open the General tab to set your Pre-Order Text. This is where you write the words buyers see, like the “Pre-Order” button label, the closed message, the checkout button text, and the availability message. Use the {availability_date} tag to drop in the ship date. Click Save Changes when done.
Step 4: Adjust the Settings Tab
The Settings tab holds four sections that control how pre-orders work. Under Pre-Order Product Management, set the pre-order limit, order status, pricing display, and auto-convert. Under User Access and Permissions, choose who can pre-order and whether guests see the price. Under Shopping Cart Restrictions, keep pre-order and in-stock items in separate orders. In the Countdown Timer, turn on the live timer to add urgency. Click Save Changes.
Step 5: Turn On Email Notifications
Open the Notifications tab to manage your notification settings. Switch on the emails you want: new pre-order received, pre-order confirmation, product release, and cancellation.
These keep buyers updated during the wait. You can edit the wording under WooCommerce > Settings > Emails by clicking Manage next to each email.
Step 6: Style the Pre-Order Badge and Timer
The Styles tab has three sections to match your brand. Use Pre-Order Text to set the text color, background, size, weight, and border radius. Use Pre-Order Badge to set the badge colors. Use Pre-Order Counter to style the countdown timer. Click Save Changes.
Step 7: Enable Pre-Order on a Product
Now open one product and find its Product Page Settings. Go to the Inventory tab and set the stock status to “On Pre-Order.” This opens the Pre-Order Settings box, where you set the pre-order limit, availability date, pricing option, auto-convert, and sold individually. Click Update and your pre-order is live.
Good Read: 10 Proven Tips to Optimize eCommerce Product Pages for Higher Conversions.
What Customers See on the Front End
When pre-order is on, shoppers see clear signals at every step:
- Product page: A pre-order notice, a countdown timer, and the availability date.
- Cart page: A pre-order badge on the reserved item, so there is no confusion.
- Checkout page: The order summary labels the pre-order item before payment.
- Order confirmation page: The receipt marks the item as pre-ordered and shows the expected date.
Common Pre-Order Mistakes to Avoid
Most pre-order problems come from a few avoidable errors. These are the ones store owners raise most often in forums and reviews.
Promising a date you cannot hit. Add buffer time for production and shipping delays. A missed date leads to refunds and bad reviews.
Letting pre-orders and in-stock items share a cart. In many setups, one shared cart means the in-stock item waits for the pre-order item to ship. Turn on the “restrict mixing” setting to keep carts separate.
Skipping quantity limits. With no cap, you can oversell an item you only made in small numbers. Set a pre-order limit.
No clear refund policy. Waits can be long, and some buyers change their minds. Write a plain refund and cancellation policy before you launch, and link to it on the product page.
Going silent during the wait. Turn on the confirmation and release emails. Quiet stores feel risky to buyers.
Pre-Order Pricing: Upfront or on Release?
You have two common ways to charge for a pre-order.
Charge upfront. The customer pays the full amount at checkout. This gives you cash now and locks in the sale. It works best for short waits and trusted brands.
Charge on release. The customer pays when the item ships. This lowers the barrier to reserve, but some buyers may drop off before payment.
A common middle path is a small pre-order discount to reward early buyers. Show the regular price crossed out next to the lower pre-order price so the deal is clear. Whatever you pick, state the charge timing on the product page so there are no surprises.
How to Track and Manage Pre-Orders
You can view every pre-order from your WooCommerce > Orders page. If you set a custom pre-order status, those orders are marked and color-coded, so you can filter them fast. Each order shows the customer, the total, the product, and the expected release date. When the item is ready, you release it and the buyers get their notification email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WooCommerce support pre-orders by default?
No. WooCommerce does not include pre-orders out of the box. You need a plugin or module to add the feature.
Can I charge customers later instead of now?
Yes. Many pre-order tools let you charge upfront or charge when the product is released. Pick the option that fits your cash flow and your buyers’ trust in your store.
Can customers pre-order out-of-stock products?
Yes. Pre-orders are a good fit for sold-out items. Instead of showing “out of stock,” you show a pre-order button and keep the sale.
Can I offer a discount on pre-orders?
Yes. You can set a lower pre-order price and show the regular price crossed out next to it. Early buyers see the savings, which encourages them to reserve.
What happens when the release date arrives?
If you turn on auto-convert, the pre-order item switches to a normal product on the availability date. Buyers get a release email letting them know the item is ready.
Start Taking Pre-Orders Today
Pre-orders turn interest into real sales before you spend on stock. Set your button text, pick your pricing rule, add an availability date, and turn on the emails. Test one product first, watch how it sells, then roll it out to more.
Ready to launch? Install the ShopBuilder Pre-Order module, enable it, and set up your first pre-order product today.
