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How to Add Pre-Order Products in WooCommerce

Ever wanted to sell a product before it’s ready?

You’ve got this amazing product idea. But—it’s not here yet, still in production. Or maybe you’re just waiting on a batch to land in your warehouse. Meanwhile… customers are asking. Excited. Curious. Ready.

That’s where pre-orders come in.

You don’t need to wait until stock hits your shelves. You can sell it now. Let people reserve it. Pay upfront or later. Simple.

Well, not so fast. WooCommerce doesn’t do pre-orders out of the box. But with the right plugin, it’s pretty smooth.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set up pre-order products in WooCommerce. No coding. No stress. Let’s get into it.

What’s a Pre-Order, Anyway?

A pre-order means someone buys something before it’s officially released or in stock. They agree to wait. You agree to deliver later.

You’ve probably seen it:

Tech gadgets with release dates
Limited-edition merch
New books, games, skincare… whatever

It’s a clever move. You test interest. Earn early money. Plan your inventory.

It’s like a sneak peek… but with revenue.

Why Should You Use Pre-Orders?

Okay, so here’s the deal. Pre-orders aren’t just about being trendy. They’re an innovative business.

Sell Before Stock Arrives

Running low on funds? Or waiting for your supplier? No problem. Start selling now, deliver later.

Gauge Demand

Do people want it? Pre-orders show you if the market’s hot or not.

Build Anticipation

Drop a countdown. Use FOMO. Let your audience feel like they’re in on something early.

Improve Cash Flow

Cash now. Product later. Helps with restocking or covering production costs.

Stay Ahead

Competitors launching next month? Beat them by selling today.

So yeah. Lots of perks.

How to Make It Happen

Now to the how. You’ll need a plugin. WooCommerce doesn’t do this stuff on its own.

Best Plugin for the Job

The WooCommerce Pre Order plugin by Motif Creatives is a good pick. Solid. Simple. Customizable.

It lets you:

Set a release date/time
Offer fixed or % discounts
Change button labels
Show timers
Handle both simple and variable products

It’s flexible. Affordable. Easy to use. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll get the hang of it.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add Pre-Order Products in WooCommerce

Step 1: Install the Plugin

Step 2: Enable Pre-Order for Your Product

Step 3: Set Release Date & Time

Step 4: Add a Pre-Order Price (and Discount)

Step 5: Set Quantity Limits (If Needed)

Step 6: Customize Labels, Buttons & Timers

Step 7: Email Notifications Setup

Step 8: Show All Pre-Orders in One Place

Step 9: Cart View & Mini-Cart Preview

Step 10: What Happens After the Launch Date?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Quick list. Don’t fall into these traps:

Forgetting to set the release date
Not testing the checkout flow
Using vague product copy (be clear it’s a pre-order)
Failing to email customers with updates
Offering too long a wait (people forget they ordered)

Please keep it clean. Keep it honest.

Extra Tips for Even More Sales

Bundle it – Combine a pre-order with an in-stock item for more value.
Use urgency – Add “Only 100 left” or show how many people already pre-ordered.
Promote hard – Email, socials, banners on your homepage.
Add reviews – If the product is a restock, show testimonials from earlier buyers.
FAQs help – Add a section answering “When will it ship?” and “Can I cancel?”