Get Pre-sales by Setting WooCommerce Preorders [Beginner’s Guide]

Set Up Pre-orders in WooCommerce

Using ShopEngine makes setting up pre-orders in WooCommerce so simple. But make sure you have WooCommerce and Elementor installed on your WordPress site.

Here is the exact workflow to get your pre-orders live.

Step 1: Download and Activate ShopEngine

1. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for ShopEngine, then click Install and Activate.

3. If you have the Pro version, upload the zip file provided at purchase and activate your license under the ShopEngine dashboard.

Step 2: Enable the WooCommerce Pre-order Add-on

ShopEngine uses a modular system, so you only need to activate the features you use to keep your site fast.

1. Go to ShopEngine > Add-ons from your WordPress admin sidebar.
2. Locate the Pre-Order and click the Settings icon.
3. Toggle the Enable Pre-Order? switch to ON.
4. Customize your settings: You can set the “Add to Cart” button label (e.g., “Pre-order Now”) and customize the countdown timer style.
5. Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Set Pre-order Option for your Product

Now that the functionality is active, you need to apply it to specific items.

1. Go to Products > All Products and select the product you want to edit.
2. Scroll down to the Product Data section and click on the Inventory tab.

3. In the Stock status dropdown, select On Pre-Order.
4. Fill in the pre-order details:
   • Maximum Order: Limit how many units can be pre-ordered.
   • Available On: Select the date the product will officially launch.
   • Pre-order Price: Set a special discounted price or the regular retail price.
   • Message: Add a custom note for customers (e.g., “Expected shipping: Mid-March”).

5. Click Update to save the product.

And here’s the final look!

FAQs

1. Can You Charge a Different Price for Pre-orders? 

Yes. ShopEngine allows you to set a specific Pre-order Price, which is a great way to offer “Early Bird” discounts to incentivize early buyers.

2. Do Pre-orders Work for Variable Products? 

Yes, you can enable pre-orders for specific variations (like a certain color or size) within the product settings.

3. What Happens When the “Available Date” is Reached? 

Depending on your settings, the product can automatically switch from “Pre-order” status to a regular “In Stock” item once the release date arrives.

4. Can You Limit the Number of Pre-orders? 

Absolutely. By using the Pre-order Limit field in the Inventory tab, you can ensure you don’t sell more than your initial production run can handle.

5. How can You Inform Customers About Shipping Timelines?

You can add a custom Pre-order Message (for example, “Expected shipping: Mid-April”) directly in the product settings. Clear communication helps manage expectations and reduces support inquiries.

Conclusion

Setting up pre-orders can help you generate pre-sales and early revenue. This guide ensures your pre-order system for pre-sales is configured correctly. You can easily enable the module, launch dates, pricing, and order limits.

So, if you want to get pre-sales for your new products, set up a pre-order system with the use of ShopEngine. You can protect your inventory and avoid overselling and sales opportunities.