Running an online store can be unpredictable—sometimes demand for a product outpaces supply. Fortunately, WooCommerce backorders are a solution that allows businesses to continue selling items marked as “out of stock”.
By enabling WooCommerce backorders, store owners can keep generating sales even when inventory is temporarily unavailable. This setup lets customers purchase the item as a backorder, ensuring they don’t miss out and that your business doesn’t lose a sale due to stock limitations.
Managing backorders effectively is vital for a few key reasons.
- Firstly, it maintains customer satisfaction by providing transparency and keeping them informed about expected restock times.
- Secondly, when handled well, backorders can also protect and even boost a brand’s reputation, showing customers that the store prioritizes their needs.
- Thirdly, keeping backorders open can help secure steady revenue, minimizing the impact of fluctuating stock levels on your sales.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about managing WooCommerce backorders. From understanding setup and best practices to exploring tools that simplify backorder handling, this blog is designed to help you make the most of WooCommerce backorders.
What Are WooCommerce Backorders?
WooCommerce backorders provide a way for e-commerce stores to continue selling products that are temporarily out of stock.
By marking items as “on back order,” business owners ensure that customers can still place orders even when inventory is unavailable, keeping sales steady and fulfilling demand without delay.
This setup helps avoid missed sales opportunities, especially for popular or high-demand products that may sell out quickly.
How WooCommerce Backorders Work?
1- Marking Products as “On Back Order”
You can activate WooCommerce backorders directly on the product settings page in WooCommerce.
Once enabled, the product will display a “backorder” status instead of “out of stock,” allowing customers to purchase the item.
2- Adding Estimated Re-Stock Times
WooCommerce also lets you set expectations by adding estimated restock dates, giving customers clarity on when they can expect their purchase to be shipped.
3- Customer Notifications
You can enable notifications to keep customers updated on their back-ordered items, ensuring they are informed at every stage of the fulfillment process.
Benefits of Backorders
The backorder feature has several benefits that go beyond merely preventing stock-related sales losses.
Firstly, it allows businesses to capture revenue from potential sales, even when stock levels are low.
Secondly, backorders can help reduce cart abandonment, as customers are less likely to abandon their purchase if they see the option to secure their item.
Finally, allowing backorders keeps customers engaged and reassures them that the business prioritizes their needs, fostering loyalty and trust.
Setting Up WooCommerce Backorders
Enabling WooCommerce backorders is straightforward and it provides flexibility for managing out-of-stock products.
By following a few simple steps, you can allow customers to purchase items on backorder, keeping them engaged and informed throughout the process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up WooCommerce backorders on your online store.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Backorders
- Navigate to the Product Settings – Go to your WordPress dashboard, select the “Products” tab, and choose the product you want to enable for backorders.
- Edit Inventory Settings – Within the product’s settings, navigate to the “Inventory” tab.
- Enable Backorders – In the Stock status dropdown, select the “Manage Stock” option and then look for the “Allow Backorders” setting. Here, you have three options:
- Do Not Allow – Prevents any purchases when the item is out of stock.
- Allow – Allows backorders without notifying customers (the product will appear to the customer as “in stock”), which can be useful if you have a steady restocking process. However, this option is not recommended if you will need a significant amount of time to replenish your stock.
- Allow, but Notify Customer – Allows backorders while notifying customers on the product page that the item is backordered.
- Save Changes: Once you’ve chosen the appropriate option, save your changes to apply the backorder setting.
Configuring Backorder Notifications
Keeping customers informed about their back-ordered items can improve trust and satisfaction.
WooCommerce offers settings for customer notifications in your email settings, under WooCommerce > Settings > Emails.
You can customize these emails to include messages about estimated restock times and status updates, providing reassurance to customers waiting for their items.
Setting Estimated Restock Dates
If an item is on backorder, customers may be reluctant to place a backorder if they don’t know how long it will take for that item to be restocked.
Think about it, would you backorder an item that has a restock date or would you backorder an item that does not indicate in any way when it will be restocked?
Therefore, another effective way to manage customer expectations is to provide estimated restock dates for back-ordered products. Use the product description field or a custom message on the product page to share realistic timelines for restocking.
Another option would be to use a plugin that adds the expected restocking time to your product pages.
If restocking times vary, be transparent and add any relevant information, like anticipated shipping delays or supplier updates, to help customers make informed purchase decisions. This approach enhances the customer experience and builds credibility, as customers feel valued and informed.
Speaking of shipping delays, just as taking backorders increases your revenue, so does setting up optimum shipping rates for your deliveries.
By setting up backorders carefully and keeping customers updated, you’ll create a seamless experience that encourages purchases and minimizes frustration with out-of-stock products.
Challenges of Managing WooCommerce Backorders
While enabling WooCommerce backorders can be beneficial, it also presents certain challenges that require careful management.
From inventory complexities to customer satisfaction risks, understanding these challenges is crucial for a seamless backorder experience.
Inventory Management
One of the main challenges of WooCommerce backorders lies in inventory management.
Backorders add layers of complexity as you will need to track not only current stock but also future availability to meet demand.
Unlike standard inventory, where items are either in stock or out of stock, backorders require proactive forecasting and close coordination with suppliers to ensure timely fulfillment.
For businesses managing multiple locations or dealing with varying lead times, this complexity can increase further, making it essential to have systems in place that provide accurate, real-time inventory updates.
Customer Dissatisfaction
Customer dissatisfaction is another risk associated with WooCommerce backorders, particularly if delays extend longer than expected.
When a customer purchases a back ordered item, they expect transparency about when it will be available. Furthermore, inconsistent or unclear communication can lead to frustration and even lost trust in the brand, especially if the customer’s wait time stretches out.
To maintain positive customer relationships, businesses need to provide realistic expectations and update customers promptly about any changes in availability.
High Demand Products
Managing high-demand items and stockouts is also challenging when relying on WooCommerce backorders. If not handled effectively, high demand can lead to longer wait times, which might push customers to competitors who have the item readily available.
In addition, a poorly managed backorder process can result in an overload of pending orders that strain operational capacity, further delaying order fulfillment and increasing the risk of cart abandonment.
Proper backorder management is essential not only to retain customers but to ensure that business operations remain smooth and efficient.
Effectively managing these challenges is key to leveraging the advantages of WooCommerce backorders without sacrificing customer satisfaction or operational efficiency.
Introducing Multi-Store Addons for WooCommerce: A Solution Beyond Backorders
For WooCommerce users managing inventory across multiple locations, handling backorders is only one part of the equation.
Effective multi-store management requires a robust system that seamlessly connects stock, shipping, and location-specific features.
This is where the Multi-Store Addons for WooCommerce plugin comes in.
Designed for businesses that operate multiple locations, this comprehensive tool streamlines inventory and order management, reducing the operational strain often associated with backorders and multi-location fulfillment.
Features
Multi-Store Addons for WooCommerce provides a wide array of features tailored for multi-location WooCommerce stores, these include:
- Local Pickup – The plugin includes local pickup options, enabling your customers to select their preferred pickup location, making it convenient for both customers and store managers
- Table Rate Shipping – Advanced shipping configurations, such as distance-based shipping rates and table-rate calculations, allow you to set customized delivery fees based on distance, order value, order weight, etc.
- Store Rate Shipping – Set different flat rate fees for all your stores to optimize delivery rates
- Store-wise Shipping Methods – Set different shipping methods for different stores
- Store-wise Inventory – Allows you to create store-level product stock, so that each product stock can be tracked on individual store levels
- Store-wise Payment – Allows you to set specific payment methods for each of your stores
- Store Selection Widget – Enables users to add a store selection widget on your website that your customers can use to choose their preferred shop
These features create a flexible and efficient approach to handling orders across various locations, adapting to the unique needs of each store.
With these powerful features, Multi-Store Addons for WooCommerce goes beyond managing backorders—it transforms the overall experience of running a multi-location WooCommerce store.
By offering centralized control over inventory and shipping for multiple stores, the plugin helps business owners avoid common issues like overselling or inconsistent stock updates. Moreover, it also reduces logistical complexity, making it easier to keep each store’s inventory up-to-date and ready to fulfill both in-stock and back-ordered items efficiently.
This streamlined approach ultimately enhances customer satisfaction, as orders are processed more smoothly and customers can enjoy convenient options that fit their needs.
In essence, Multi-Store Addons for WooCommerce equips WooCommerce stores with tools that go beyond backorder management, supporting every aspect of a multi-location setup.
By integrating this plugin, store owners can create a cohesive and efficient system that optimizes both inventory and customer service, ensuring that the entire order process is well-managed from start to finish.
Alternatives to WooCommerce Backorders
WooCommerce backorders may seem like a no-brainer strategy to keep orders from stopping. However, in reality, relying on backorders for the long term is a sign that you are not able to properly manage your inventory. Moreover, on average, it costs a business between $15 to $20 to fulfill backorders. Therefore, instead of relying on backorders, you should instead focus on improving your inventory and stock management.
While WooCommerce backorders can be an effective solution for maintaining sales on out-of-stock items, they aren’t the only option available to WooCommerce store owners.
Depending on your business needs and customer expectations, there are other ways to manage demand and keep customers informed about product availability. In this section, we’ll explore a few alternative approaches to backorders that can enhance the shopping experience and reduce wait times.
Pre-Orders
One alternative to WooCommerce backorders is a Pre-Order Option.
By allowing customers to pre-order items, you enable them to reserve products in advance before they are officially restocked. This approach keeps customers engaged and assures them they won’t miss out on popular items.
With pre-orders, businesses can gauge demand before stock arrives, providing valuable insights for inventory planning. Additionally, pre-orders create a sense of exclusivity, as customers feel they’re securing a product ahead of general availability, which can increase sales.
Notification (“Notify Me”)
Another effective strategy is to implement a Notify Me feature.
Rather than allowing WooCommerce backorders, the “Notify Me” option alerts customers as soon as an item is back in stock.
This method keeps customers informed without committing them to a purchase while the product is unavailable. It’s an excellent way to maintain interest without the challenges associated with backorder management.
WooCommerce has several plugins available that integrate “Notify Me” buttons, sending automatic emails or notifications once stock is replenished.
Other useful plugins you should consider getting to make your business operations easier are shipping plugins and WooCommerce product plugins.
Physical Store Visits
A third alternative, especially for multi-location businesses, is encouraging In-store visits. Moreover, in-store visits can be encouraged by adding a store locator widget to your website. Using tools like Agile Store Locator, you can easily and quickly add a store locator widget to your website without any coding.
For those who are not familiar with a store locator widget, it is a section on your website that shows all your physical store locations on a map. Furthermore, the widget ensures your website visitors have all the information they need to come to your stores.
A store locator can easily be added to your website using store locator plugins.
By using a store locator widget, you can display nearby store locations that have a customer’s desired product in stock.
By displaying your physical locations, store locator software, such as Agile Store Locator, provide an option for customers to find what they need without waiting for backorders, and this is done by encouraging customers to visit your physical locations. In addition, this approach can drive foot traffic to physical stores and improve customer satisfaction, as they can get their items faster than waiting for online restocking.
Exploring these alternatives allows WooCommerce stores to meet customer needs in a variety of ways, making it easier to manage demand and maintain a smooth purchasing experience.
Each option offers unique benefits that can enhance customer satisfaction and help build loyalty by keeping customers informed and engaged.
Conclusion
Managing WooCommerce backorders can be a valuable strategy for maintaining sales even when stock is temporarily unavailable.
By enabling WooCommerce backorders, you provide customers the option to purchase items they want without losing sales due to stockouts. However, backorders come with their own challenges, such as managing inventory complexity, meeting customer expectations, and handling high demand.
For stores managing inventory across multiple locations, solutions like Multi-Store Addons for WooCommerce can be a game changer for businesses. With its features for multi-location management, local pickup, and advanced shipping options, this plugin not only supports backorder handling but also streamlines inventory across different locations, offering a seamless shopping experience for customers.
Additionally, exploring alternatives like pre-orders, “Notify Me” options, and encouraging in-store visits can further optimize stock management while keeping customers engaged and informed.
By understanding and applying these strategies, you can make the most of WooCommerce’s capabilities, offering a flexible, customer-friendly approach to managing inventory and demand across your stores.