How to Set Up WooCommerce Backorders – Easy Ways

Backorders in WooCommerce allow customers to purchase products that are unavailable or out of stock. Setting up backorders allows WooCommerce store owners to manage inventories efficiently. WooCommerce backorders provide invaluable sales opportunities for managing any WooCommerce store successfully. Besides, it helps manage the stock-out issue without hassle.

This blog post will outline the steps to set up WooCommerce backorders.

What Do You Mean By Backorders in WooCommerce?

Backorders help you sell products to customers when they are unavailable or out of stock. Store owners can easily accept orders for products that are unavailable in their inventory through the backorder feature.

This feature allows customers to place their orders, but they will need to wait a few days for the final delivery of the product. WooCommerce backorders ensure customers that they will receive their products once the stock is replenished.

How to Set Up Backorders in WooCommerce?

You can smartly set up WooCommerce backorders by following the steps below:

Step 1: Install and Configure WooCommerce

In this step, you must install and configure WooCommerce on your website. To do this, go to “Plugins” and click “Add New” using your WordPress admin dashboard. Now, look for “WooCommerce” and install the plugin once it appears on the screen.

Once you have installed the plugin, don’t forget to activate it. Additionally, you must follow the setup wizard to make your store fully functional.

Step 2: Set Up Products

In this step, you should set up your products. To do so, go to “Products” > “All Products.” Choose a product for which you want to activate backorders. Then, use the “Product Data” section to navigate to the “Inventory” tab.

Step 3: Enable Stock Management and Backorders

Ensure that you have activated stock management for the product. If not, you can easily enable it by marking the “Stock Management” checkbox. Furthermore, ensure that you select your desired options by using the radio button labeled “Allow backorders.”

For example, you can select options such as “Allow, but notify customer” or “Allow”, depending on your needs.

If you select the “Allow” option, you can display your out-of-stock product as “In Stock.” You have not shown the customer the out-of-stock product as a backorder.

If you select “Allow, but notify customer,” you can showcase the unavailable product to the customer as “Available on Backorder.” As a result, customers can place orders without fuss. You must click “Update” to save all the changes to the product.

Step 4: Check the Backorder Settings

You must check the settings for backorders. To do this, you must see the product page as a customer on your website’s front end.

That’s how you can benefit from the WooCommerce plugin when enabling the backorders feature.

Can We Use a Dedicated Plugin to Set Up Backorders in WooCommerce?

Fortunately, you have several options for managing WooCommerce backorders. Different WooCommerce plugins enable you to elevate inventory management to the next level by utilizing the backorders feature.

For instance, you can use ShopEngine, an impactful WooCommerce backorder plugin that considerably boosts your store’s functionality. With this plugin, you can smartly manage your inventory, enabling new and current customers to place orders for products that aren’t available.

To set up backorders in WooCommerce with ShopEngine, here is what you should do:

• You should install and activate ShopEngine.
• Once you have activated the plugin, find and activate the backorder module.
• You can explore the Back-Order Module using the module list.
• Click the Settings icon, then toggle the Back-Order module on.
• Don’t forget to save the changes, though.
• Use your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the “Products” section.
• Click “Edit” and go to “Inventory”.
• Mark the checkbox “Track stock quantity for this product”.
• Also, mark the checkbox “Allow, but notify customer.”
• Change the product’s stock status to “On backorder.”
• You must place an order to check the order status in the WooCommerce list.
• You will likely see the status in “Processing” mode. Check the details to view the order, which is shown as “Backorder: Yes.”

Note: ShopEngine helps you customize the below settings:

• Maximum Backorder Limit: It allows you to set the maximum quantity of a product.
• Backordered Product Available Date: This feature enables you to specify the date by which the product will be replenished.
• Backorder Notice Message: It helps you display a message that informs customers regarding backorders.

This way, you can set up backorders in WooCommerce. Remember, you must install the Elementor plugin before using the ShopEngine plugin.

Best Practices for Managing WooCommerce Backorders

If you want to manage backorders in WooCommerce without compromising your sales and revenues, follow the tips below:

• Inform customers regarding tentative restock dates and set actual timelines for replenishment.
• Utilize tools to predict stock levels accurately and proactively identify potential shortages before they occur.
• You must create a results-driven communication plan to keep customers informed regarding the status of their backorders. Use email updates, SMS notifications, or dashboard widgets when providing regular and transparent updates.
• Enhance customer experience by offering incentives, such as discounts on future purchases for backordered items.

Wrapping Up

There is no denying that WooCommerce enables website owners to create customized, yet customer-oriented, online stores. Setting up backorders in WooCommerce is crucial for enhancing customer engagement and revolutionizing inventory management.

WooCommerce backorders help improve conversions, sales, and revenues in the long run. Therefore, e-commerce store owners should not undermine the value of backorders in WooCommerce.