{"id":4752,"date":"2026-04-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/?p=4752"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T10:00:00","slug":"how-to-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce-most-stores-miss-this","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/?p=4752","title":{"rendered":"How to Accept Pre-Orders in WooCommerce (Most Stores Miss This)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Pre-orders are an incredibly powerful way for online stores to launch new products, assess demand, and secure sales even before items are in stock. This strategy can bring in revenue earlier and help you manage inventory more effectively.<\/p>\n<p>However, finding the right way to set up pre-orders in WooCommerce can get tricky. With various plugins and settings to consider, it\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to pick a solution that truly fits your store\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve helped many store owners navigate these options, and I understand how important it is to choose a reliable method that won\u2019t complicate your checkout or fulfillment. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve thoroughly tested the best ways to get pre-orders working for you.<\/p>\n<p>In this guide, I walk you through exactly how to set up pre-orders on your WooCommerce store. All approaches are beginner-friendly, tested on live stores, and designed so you can start accepting pre-orders confidently.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=2005816271  fetchpriority=\"high\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"362\" src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/accept-pre-orders-for-woocommerce-products-featured.jpg?resize=640%2C362&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Accept Pre-Orders for WooCommerce Products \" class=\"wp-image-397433\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udca1Quick Answer: How to Set Up Pre-Orders in WooCommerce<\/h4>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to set up pre-orders for WooCommerce products:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Method 1 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\">Merchant by aThemes<\/a>:<\/strong> Ideal for WooCommerce store owners who want an all-in-one toolkit. Best for pre-orders plus conversion-boosting features like live sale notifications, product bundles, and more.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Method 2 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a>:<\/strong> Perfect for stores launching new products, seasonal items, or limited-stock products. Great for creating urgency, offering pre-order discounts, and letting customers pay later. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\">\n<summary><strong>What Is a WooCommerce Pre-Order?<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/woocommerce-tutorial-ultimate-guide\/\" title=\"WooCommerce Made Simple: Proven Steps to Launch Your Store Today\">WooCommerce<\/a> pre-order lets customers buy a product before it\u2019s officially available. This is useful when you\u2019re launching a new item or waiting for stock to arrive.<\/p>\n<p>You can either charge customers right away or collect payment later when the product is released, depending on how you want to handle orders.<\/p>\n<p>For example, imagine you\u2019re launching a limited-edition t-shirt. Customers can pre-order it today, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/plugins\/how-to-add-buy-now-pay-later-payment-plans-to-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Add \u201cBuy Now Pay Later\u201d Payment Plans to WordPress\">pay now or later<\/a>, and be guaranteed one as soon as it\u2019s in stock. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=610757048  fetchpriority=\"high\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pre-ordered-product-launch-timeline.jpg?resize=640%2C305&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Pre-ordered product launch timeline\" class=\"wp-image-397434\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>This helps you plan inventory while keeping customers excited and engaged.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\">\n<summary><strong>Why Use Pre-Orders in WooCommerce?<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p>Pre-orders aren\u2019t just for big brands\u2014they\u2019re a way for any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-start-an-online-store\/\" title=\"How to Start an Online Store (Step by Step for Beginners)\">online store<\/a> to sell smarter, reduce risk, and get customers excited before a product even hits your shelves.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s why pre-orders can make a big difference for your store:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Better Cash Flow (More Money Upfront):<\/strong> Pre-orders let you accept payments before products are in stock. If you\u2019re launching a new gadget, this can help you fund production or cover <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/plugins\/how-to-offer-a-shipping-discount-in-woocommerce\/\" title=\"How to Offer a Shipping Discount in WooCommerce\">shipping costs<\/a> without dipping into your own savings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demand Validation:<\/strong> Instead of guessing whether a product will sell, pre-orders show you real interest from customers. For instance, if you offer pre-orders for a new t-shirt design and only a few people buy, you\u2019ll know to rethink production before ordering a large batch.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Launch Buzz:<\/strong> Pre-orders create anticipation and excitement. You can offer early-bird discounts, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/plugins\/how-to-create-a-viral-waitlist-landing-page-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Create a Viral Waitlist Landing Page in WordPress\">create a waitlist<\/a>, or offer limited editions to encourage customers to sign up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Using pre-orders makes your product launches more predictable, less risky, and more profitable, while keeping your customers engaged and excited from day one.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Plugin Should You Use to Accept WooCommerce Pre-Orders?<\/h4>\n<p>Before setting up pre-orders, it\u2019s important to pick the plugin that fits your store\u2019s needs. <\/p>\n<p>Both free and premium options have their strengths, and the right choice depends on whether you want a simple, beginner-friendly solution or a more advanced, automated pre-order system.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a quick comparison to help you decide:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Plugin<\/th>\n<th>Best For<\/th>\n<th>Cost<\/th>\n<th>Ease of Setup<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">Merchant by aThemes<\/a> (Free &amp; Premium)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Beginners or small stores who want a straightforward pre-order solution<\/td>\n<td>Free + $79\/year<\/td>\n<td>Very easy; beginner-friendly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> (Premium)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Stores that want advanced features, automation, and better control over pre-orders<\/td>\n<td>$139.99\/year<\/td>\n<td>Slightly more advanced, but guided and customizable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <strong>Recommendation:<\/strong> If you\u2019re just starting and want a simple solution with other growth tools, <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\">Merchant by aThemes<\/a> is a great pick. For advanced automation, flexible payment options, and in-depth control, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> is worth the investment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<p><strong>Expert Note:<\/strong> If you haven\u2019t fully set up your WooCommerce store yet, I recommend checking out these guides first:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/woocommerce-tutorial-ultimate-guide\/\" title=\"WooCommerce Made Simple: Proven Steps to Launch Your Store Today\">WooCommerce Made Simple: Proven Steps to Launch Your Store Today<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/profitable-ecommerce-business-ideas-for-wordpress\/\" title=\"Profitable Ecommerce Business Ideas for WordPress (Expert Pick)\">Profitable eCommerce Business Ideas for WordPress<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/best-woocommerce-hosting\/\" title=\"How to Choose the Best WooCommerce Hosting Company?\">How to Choose the Best WooCommerce Hosting Company?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/showcase\/fastest-woocommerce-themes\/\" title=\"Fastest WooCommerce Themes (I Thoroughly Tested 22 Options)\">Fastest WooCommerce Themes (I Thoroughly Tested 22 Options)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve made your choice, you\u2019re ready to move on to the step-by-step setup, so you can start accepting pre-orders:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-aioseo-table-of-contents\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce\/#aioseo-method-1-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce-with-merchant-free-plugin-46\">Method 1: Accept Pre-Orders in WooCommerce with Merchant (Free Option)<\/a>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce\/#aioseo-method-2-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce-with-merchant-free-plugin-119\">Method 2: Accept Pre-Orders in WooCommerce with YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce (Premium)<\/a>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce\/#aioseo-bonus-common-pre-order-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them-234\">Common Pre-Order Mistakes and How to Avoid Them<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce\/#aioseo-frequently-asked-questions-about-woocommerce-pre-orders-242\">Frequently Asked Questions About WooCommerce Pre-Orders<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Method 1: Accept Pre-Orders in WooCommerce with Merchant (Free Option)<\/h4>\n<p>\ud83e\udd47<em><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Small to medium WooCommerce stores looking for an all-in-one toolkit to boost sales and manage pre-orders easily.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">Merchant by aThemes<\/a> for stores that want a simple yet powerful way to start accepting pre-orders. It\u2019s perfect for small to medium WooCommerce shops that want an all-in-one toolkit without juggling multiple plugins.<\/p>\n<p>Merchant comes with a dedicated Pre-Orders module, which lets you create rules for products, categories, or tags, set shipping dates, offer discounts, and customize the pre-order button. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-opt-id=500933270  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"325\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C325&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-347144\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>Payment is taken at the time of order, and orders are tracked directly in WooCommerce with a \u2018Pre-Ordered\u2019 status. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve tested this tool multiple times on live stores, and it\u2019s consistently reliable, easy to set up, and beginner-friendly.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond pre-orders, Merchant has a full suite of modules, helping you maximize revenue without adding extra plugins. Some of them are:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-sell-product-bundles-in-woocommerce\/\" title=\"How to Sell Product Bundles in WooCommerce (Step by Step)\">Product Bundles<\/a> &amp; Frequently Bought Together<\/li>\n<li>Countdown Timers &amp; Stock Scarcity Alerts<\/li>\n<li>Side Cart &amp; Sticky Add-to-Cart <\/li>\n<li>Advanced Reviews &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/how-to-add-trust-badges-to-checkout-pages-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How I Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WordPress (&amp; Boost Sales)\">Trust Badges<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Buy X, Get Y &amp; Bulk Discounts &amp; Live Sales Notifications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This makes Merchant more than just a pre-orders plugin\u2014it\u2019s a complete toolkit for growing a WooCommerce store.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Install and Activate Merchant in WordPress<\/h5>\n<p>The first step is to get the <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/merchant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"Pre-Orders, Product Labels, Buy Now, Quick View, Discount Rules and More for WooCommerce \u2013 Merchant\">free Merchant by aThemes<\/a> plugin installed and activated on your WooCommerce store. <\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure how to install a WordPress plugin, don\u2019t worry\u2014I\u2019ve got you covered. Just follow our step-by-step guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/step-by-step-guide-to-install-a-wordpress-plugin-for-beginners\/\" title=\"How to Install a WordPress Plugin \u2013 Step by Step for Beginners\">installing WordPress plugins<\/a> and you\u2019ll be ready in minutes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=38767133  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/install-the-free-merchant-plugin.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"276\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C276&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Install the free Merchant plugin\" class=\"wp-image-397441\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udccd<strong>Note:<\/strong> Merchant\u2019s free version works perfectly for most stores and is enough to set up pre-orders. However, to unlock advanced modules like Live Sales Notifications, Product Bundles, Stock Scarcity Alerts, and more, you will need the <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">premium plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Open the Pre-Orders Module and Create Your First Rule<\/h5>\n<p>Upon activation, head over to the <strong>Merchant \u00bb<\/strong> <strong>Modules<\/strong> page from your WordPress dashboard.<\/p>\n<p>In the \u2018Boost Revenue\u2019 section, you\u2019ll see the \u2018Pre-Orders\u2019 module. Simply click on it to open the module settings page.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1560481031  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/select-pre-orders-module-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"238\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C238&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Select Pre-Orders module in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397442\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>This makes sure the rule you\u2019re creating is live and ready to accept pre-orders.<\/p>\n<p>Next, give your pre-order an \u2018Order Name.\u2019 This is an internal campaign name that only you will see that helps you organize and keep track of different pre-orders on your store.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=975580311  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/activate-pre-order-rule-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"236\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C236&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Activate Pre-Order rule in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397443\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>After that, you need to set a trigger for your pre-order. A trigger defines which products the pre-order rule will apply to. <\/p>\n<p>Merchant gives you a few options:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Trigger Type<\/th>\n<th>What It Does<\/th>\n<th>Example<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Specific Products<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Apply the pre-order rule to individual products you select<\/td>\n<td>A new limited-edition t-shirt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Specific Categories<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Apply the rule to all products in one or more product categories<\/td>\n<td>\u201cSummer Collection\u201d category<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Specific Tags<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Apply the rule to products with specific tags<\/td>\n<td>\u201cEco-Friendly\u201d tagged products<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Specific Brands<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Apply the rule to all products from certain brands<\/td>\n<td>\u201cBrand X\u201d products only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>For this tutorial, I recommend choosing the \u2018Specific Products\u2019 trigger. This is the easiest option for beginners because it gives you precise control over which items are available for pre-order.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of applying the rule to entire categories or tags\u2014which can get complicated if you have many products\u2014you can focus on the exact products you want to launch. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=50384536  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/select-a-trigger-for-pre-orders-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"262\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C262&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Select a trigger for pre-orders in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397444\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Once you choose this trigger, you can search for the products you want to include in this pre-order. <\/p>\n<p>You can select one or multiple products at a time, which makes it easy if you\u2019re launching several items together.<\/p>\n<p>You can also choose to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/first-purchase-discount-in-woocommerce\/\" title=\"How to Give a First Purchase Discount in WooCommerce\">offer a discount<\/a> on this pre-order. Merchant lets you set either a percentage or fixed amount discount for your early buyers. <\/p>\n<p>For example, you might enter 10 as the discount type to give 10% off the regular price. This is a great way to encourage customers to pre-order and reward them for being early supporters.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1597674283  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/offer-a-discount-on-pre-order-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"275\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C275&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Offer a discount on this pre-order in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397445\" \/><\/figure>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Set Shipping Dates, Pre-Order Timing, and User Conditions<\/h5>\n<p>Next, you\u2019ll configure the shipping date for your pre-order. This tells Merchant when the product will be available to ship. <\/p>\n<p>Enter the date in the format mm\/dd\/yy and, if needed, set a time. Keep in mind that this time is based on your WordPress timezone settings. <\/p>\n<p>I recommend going to <strong>Settings \u00bb General<\/strong> in your dashboard to make sure your site\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/how-to-change-date-and-time-format-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress\">timezone<\/a> matches your local time before scheduling.<\/p>\n<p>Then, set the pre-order start date. If you want the pre-order to start immediately, you can leave this field empty. The pre-order end date is optional as well, so leave it blank if you don\u2019t want to limit the pre-order period.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1026544347  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-pre-order-start-and-end-date-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"331\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C331&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure pre-order start and end date in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397446\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Merchant also lets you define \u2018User Conditions\u2019 to control who can access this pre-order. By default, it applies to all users, but you can select specific users or roles if you want to restrict access. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also an \u2018Exclusion List\u2019 where you can exclude <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/wordpress-user-roles-and-permissions\/\" title=\"Beginner\u2019s Guide to WordPress User Roles and Permissions\">certain users or roles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> For example, you might want to exclude administrators, editors, or specific customers from seeing the pre-order offer. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1404835328  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/exclude-users-or-roles-from-pre-ordering-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"299\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C299&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Exclude users or roles from pre-ordering in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397448\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>I suggest keeping it simple at first and applying the pre-order to all users, so you can test the setup and make sure everything works before adding restrictions. This gives you complete flexibility to control who can pre-order your products.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Customize the Pre-Order Button and Pre-Order Modes<\/h5>\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to make your pre-order offer clear and appealing to customers. First, you can customize the button text. I suggest keeping it simple with \u2018Pre-Order\u2019 so there\u2019s no confusion.<\/p>\n<p>You can also add a small note under the button, like \u2018Ships on {date}\u2019, which will automatically display the shipping date you set earlier. <\/p>\n<p>Merchant also lets you adjust the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-add-clickable-phone-numbers-for-smartphones-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Add a Click-to-Call Button in WordPress (Step by Step)\">button <\/a>style to match your store\u2019s branding. You can change colors for the text, hover effects, border, and background.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=728404992  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/customize-pre-order-button-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C336&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Customize Pre-Order button in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397450\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>If you want to create more pre-order campaigns\u2014for different products, categories, or special discounts\u2014you can use the \u2018Add New Pre-Order\u2019 button to set up additional rules. <\/p>\n<p>This gives you the flexibility to manage multiple pre-orders on your store, each with its own shipping date, product selection, and pricing strategy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=792721643  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/create-multiple-pre-order-rules-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"274\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C274&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Create multiple pre-order rules in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397451\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>After that, choose the \u2018Pre-order Modes\u2019. If you select \u2018Treat the whole order as pre-order\u2019, then even a single pre-order item in the cart will delay the entire order. <\/p>\n<p>For example, if a customer buys an in-stock hat and a pre-order shirt, they won\u2019t get the hat until the shirt is ready to ship. This is useful if you want to simplify fulfillment and avoid splitting shipments.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, \u2018Allow only pre-orders\u2019 forces customers to choose either pre-order products or in-stock items, so they can\u2019t mix both in a single order. This option helps avoid confusion if you\u2019re shipping pre-orders at different times than your regular stock.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1688945694  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/select-pre-order-modes-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"312\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C312&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Select pre-order-modes in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397453\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Keep in mind that this rule applies to all pre-order rules you create in Merchant. So no matter how many campaigns or products you have, the same restriction will keep your checkout process simple and easy to manage.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Save, Enable, and Check Your Pre-Orders<\/h5>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve customized all your settings, including the button text, design, pre-order modes, triggers, and shipping dates, scroll back to the top of the page and hit \u2018Save\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>This makes sure all your changes are safely stored. Then, click the \u2018Enable\u2019 button to activate the Pre-Orders module.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1775285075  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/enable-pre-orders-module-in-merchant.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"295\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C295&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Enable the Pre-Orders module in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397455\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Now, head over to your WooCommerce store and you\u2019ll see the pre-order button live on all the products you selected. <\/p>\n<p>Customers can start placing pre-orders immediately, and everything you set up\u2014from discounts to shipping dates\u2014will display correctly.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=144756287  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/live-preview-of-pre-order-button-in-merchant.jpg\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"305\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C305&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Live preview of pre-orders in Merchant\" class=\"wp-image-397456\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Checking and managing your pre-orders is just as easy. <\/p>\n<p>From your WordPress dashboard, go to <strong>WooCommerce \u00bb Orders<\/strong>. You\u2019ll see a new \u2018Pre-Ordered\u2019 status alongside the usual order statuses like Draft or Completed. <\/p>\n<p>Each pre-order entry shows the customer name, order total, and the scheduled shipping date.<\/p>\n<p>This makes it simple to track all your pre-orders in one place, monitor upcoming fulfillment dates, and stay organized.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=768956765  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/view-pre-orders-in-woocommerce-orders-page.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"283\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C283&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"View pre-orders in WooCommerce orders page\" class=\"wp-image-397458\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udca1Expert Tip:<\/strong> After enabling your pre-orders, I highly recommend checking your product page on both a desktop computer and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/11-ways-to-create-a-mobile-friendly-wordpress-site\/\" title=\"Ways to Create a Mobile-Friendly WordPress Site (Expert Tips)\">mobile phone<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This makes sure your new pre-order button looks great and doesn\u2019t overlap with other elements in your WooCommerce theme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Method 2: Accept Pre-Orders in WooCommerce with YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce (Premium)<\/h4>\n<p>\ud83e\udd48<em><strong>Best for:<\/strong> WooCommerce stores selling limited-edition or high-demand products. Store owners who want full control over pre-order pricing, scheduling, and automated payment collection.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> for store owners who want to run pre-orders like the big brands (think Amazon or Apple).<\/p>\n<p>You can create urgency, offer early-bird discounts, and let customers pay now or later. <\/p>\n<p>This plugin works especially well for new product launches, seasonal items, or limited-stock products. It handles pre-order scheduling, pricing, and payments automatically.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img data-opt-id=1532588112  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce.jpg\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\" class=\"wp-image-397461\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>I\u2019ve tested YITH thoroughly, and it\u2019s reliable for both small and large campaigns. It also comes with useful tools like automated notifications, email reminders, and table views. <\/p>\n<p>This makes it easy to manage all your pre-order products and orders in one place.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Install and Activate YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/h5>\n<p>First, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> website and purchase the premium version of the plugin. Once you have it, install and activate the plugin on your WordPress site. <\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re unsure how to do this, just follow our step-by-step guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/step-by-step-guide-to-install-a-wordpress-plugin-for-beginners\/\" title=\"How to Install a WordPress Plugin \u2013 Step by Step for Beginners\">how to install a WordPress plugin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udccd<strong>Note:<\/strong> YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce offers a free version, but I strongly recommend using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">premium plan<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>The premium version gives you full control over pre-order pricing, scheduling, and payment options. You can charge upfront, let customers pay later, or automatically charge their card when the product becomes available. <\/p>\n<p>Plus, it unlocks advanced features like email notifications, table views for managing orders, and the ability to set pre-orders for specific categories or products. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Configure YITH Pre-Order General Options<\/h5>\n<p>Once the plugin is activated, head over to the <strong>YITH \u00bb Pre-Order <\/strong><strong>\u00bb<\/strong> General Options page in your WordPress dashboard. This is where you can configure the plugin\u2019s overall behavior for your store.<\/p>\n<p>Start by enabling all pre-order features for your visitors. This makes sure that every option related to pre-orders is available on the frontend. <\/p>\n<p>Next, decide how you want to handle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/how-to-prevent-overselling-out-of-stock-items-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Prevent Overselling Out of Stock Items in WordPress\">out-of-stock products<\/a>. You can automatically enable pre-order mode for all out-of-stock products or select specific products or categories. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=2051093493  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/enable-pre-orders-for-visitors-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"292\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C292&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Enable pre-orders for all visitors in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397462\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>The pre-order price will default to the regular product price, but you can customize this for each product individually.<\/p>\n<p>You can also choose to disable pre-order mode automatically when the product becomes available. If this option is turned off, you will need to remove the pre-order status manually from each product page. <\/p>\n<p>Another useful option is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-add-a-free-shipping-bar-in-woocommerce\/\" title=\"How to Add a Free Shipping Bar in WooCommerce (Step by Step)\">offer free shipping<\/a> for all pre-order products. This can encourage more early purchases.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=109005703  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/offer-free-shipping-for-pre-orders-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"170\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Offer free shipping for pre-orders in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397463\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Next, set who can pre-order. You can allow all users, only registered users, or specific user roles to participate. <\/p>\n<p>You can also control what pre-order price is visible to guest users: show the pre-order price, the regular price, or hide prices entirely. <\/p>\n<p>If you want, you can add a fee to each pre-order to cover handling or other costs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=84853946  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/restrict-users-who-can-pre-order-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"313\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C313&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Restrict users who can pre-order in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397464\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>In the \u2018Cart Options\u2019 section, you can control how pre-order products behave in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-add-a-sliding-side-cart-in-woocommerce\/\" title=\"How to Easily Add a Sliding Side Cart in WooCommerce\">shopping cart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> For example, you can stop customers from mixing pre-order items with regular products in the same order. <\/p>\n<p>You can also limit the cart to only one pre-order product when using upfront payments.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, you\u2019re able to decide how strict you want to be. You can either let customers add restricted items to the cart but block them from checking out, or stop them from adding those products to the cart entirely.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve adjusted all these settings, make sure to click \u2018Save Options.\u2019 <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=443463172  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-pre-order-cart-options-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"312\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C312&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure pre-order cart options in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397465\" \/><\/figure>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Configure Pre-Order Payment Options<\/h5>\n<p>After that, switch to the \u2018Payment Options\u2019 tab in the left column. This is where you configure how your store handles payments for pre-orders.<\/p>\n<p>Under \u2018Charge Pre-Orders,\u2019 you have three options. You can charge customers <strong>upfront<\/strong> when they place the pre-order, which guarantees payment immediately. <\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, you can charge them <strong>upon release<\/strong>, meaning the payment is automatically collected once the product becomes available. <\/p>\n<p>This requires a supported payment gateway like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/plugins\/best-stripe-payment-plugins-for-wordpress\/\" title=\"I Tested 14 Stripe Plugins for WordPress &amp; 6 Made the Cut\">Stripe<\/a>, because the gateway needs to save the customer\u2019s credit card details so it can automatically charge them later.<\/p>\n<p>The third option is the<strong> Pay Later gateway<\/strong>, which allows customers to pay manually after the product release. With this option, customers receive an email with a link to complete their payment at checkout. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=986412408  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-pre-order-payment-option-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"213\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C213&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure pre-order payment option in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397466\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>I recommend using the upfront or automatic upon release option whenever possible. This helps reduce the risk of unpaid pre-orders.<\/p>\n<p>Next, you can choose the order status for pre-orders. By default, the plugin uses the status set by your payment gateway, but you also have the option to use a \u2018Pre-Ordered\u2019 status. This is helpful if you want to easily track pre-orders separately from regular orders. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=700533551  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-order-status-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"192\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C192&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure order status in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397468\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>After that, click \u2018Save Options\u2019 to store your settings.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Customize the Pre-Order Appearance<\/h5>\n<p>Next, switch to the \u2018Customization\u2019 tab. This section lets you control how pre-orders appear to your customers on your store. <\/p>\n<p>First, you can choose whether to show the date according to the user\u2019s format. This automatically displays the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/how-to-change-date-and-time-format-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress\">availability date and time<\/a> based on the visitor\u2019s location, which is helpful if you sell internationally.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1969726856  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-date-and-time-format-for-pre-orders-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"282\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C282&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure date and time format for pre-orders in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397469\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>You can also control the product price display. For example, you might want to show the regular price crossed out to highlight the pre-order price, or hide it entirely. <\/p>\n<p>The pre-order button label and colors are also customizable. You can change the button text from the default \u2018Add to Cart\u2019 to something like \u2018Pre-Order\u2019 and adjust the background and text colors for both normal and hover states. <\/p>\n<p>This helps the button stand out and match your store\u2019s branding.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=40154162  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/customize-the-pre-order-button-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"344\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C344&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Customize the pre-order button in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397471\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Other than that, I suggest customizing the availability text for products with or without a set release date.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you might show \u2018Ships on {availability_date}\u2019 for scheduled products or a generic message for items without a set date. <\/p>\n<p>You can choose to display this text on Shop pages, in the cart, and even for variable products where all variations are in pre-order mode.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=888314517  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/add-pre-order-availability-text-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C311&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Add pre-order availability text in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397472\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Then, take a look at all the other settings and customize them to your liking. Once you are satisfied, click \u2018Save Options.\u2019<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Configure Notifications For Your Pre-Orders<\/h5>\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to set up the notifications for your pre-orders. Switch to the \u2018Notifications\u2019 tab to control both admin and customer emails. <\/p>\n<p>For admins, I suggest enabling emails to alert you when a pre-order product is sold or when the availability date is approaching.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you can get a reminder 1 day before a product becomes available. These notifications help you stay on top of pre-order activity without constantly checking your dashboard.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=747025709  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-pre-order-notifications-for-admin-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"215\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C215&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure pre-order notifications for admin in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397474\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>For customers, there are several important emails you can enable by toggling the switches.<\/p>\n<p>These include a pre-order confirmation email, which automatically lets customers know their pre-order was successfully placed, and a pre-order release email. This informs them when the product is available to ship.<\/p>\n<p>You can also enable notifications for canceled pre-orders or when the availability date changes. This keeps customers informed and avoids confusion.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1622767575  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-pre-order-notifications-for-customers-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"243\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C243&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure pre-order notifications for customers in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397475\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re using the \u2018upon release\u2019 payment option, I also suggest enabling the payment reminder email. I usually set it to go out 1 day after the product release, which gives customers enough time to complete their payment without feeling rushed.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve configured all the emails, don\u2019t forget to save your changes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1301866751  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/activate-payment-reminder-email-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"214\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C214&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Activate payment reminder email in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397476\" \/><\/figure>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Enable YITH Stripe for Pre-Orders (Optional)<\/h5>\n<p>To automatically charge customers for pre-orders when the product becomes available, go to the <strong>YITH \u00bb Stripe<\/strong> page in your WordPress dashboard.<\/p>\n<p>Here, you can enable the plugin features using the toggle. I always suggest turning this on to make sure the Stripe payments are processed smoothly for pre-orders.<\/p>\n<p>After that, enter your Stripe API keys:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Test Secret Key<\/strong> \u2013 For test mode; find it in your Stripe dashboard.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test Publishable Key<\/strong> \u2013 For test mode; also from Stripe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Live Secret Key<\/strong> \u2013 For live transactions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Live Publishable Key<\/strong> \u2013 For live transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Enabling Stripe ensures payments are handled automatically and securely, which saves you from manually collecting them later.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=292940117  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/set-up-stripe-to-accept-pre-order-payments-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"287\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C287&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Set up Stripe to accept pre-order payments in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397477\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udccd<strong>Note:<\/strong> This step isn\u2019t necessary if you\u2019re using the \u2018Pay Later\u2019 option for pre-orders or if you plan to manually charge customers. In those cases, pre-orders will still work, but payments won\u2019t be processed automatically.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Once you\u2019re done, click the \u2018Save Options\u2019 button.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 7: Set Up a Product for Pre-Ordering<\/h5>\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to set up a product for pre-ordering in WooCommerce. Start by going to the <strong>Products \u00bb<\/strong> <strong>All Products<\/strong> page in your WordPress dashboard. <\/p>\n<p>You can either create a new product or open an existing one in the product editor. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=2122974799  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/create-new-or-use-existing-product-for-setting-up-pre-orders-with-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"315\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C315&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Create a new product or use an existing one to set up pre-orders in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397478\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Once there, add the product name, description, images, and select the appropriate categories. (If you are pre-selling a digital item, make sure to also check the \u201cVirtual\u201d and \u201cDownloadable\u201d boxes so WooCommerce doesn\u2019t try to charge for shipping!)<\/p>\n<p>Next, scroll down to the \u2018Product Data\u2019 section and switch to the \u2018Pre-Order\u2019 tab. Then, toggle on the \u2018Manage pre-order options for this product\u2019 switch.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=385579320  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/toggle-yith-pre-order-switch-in-woocommerce.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"296\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C296&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Toggle YITH pre-order switch in WooCommerce editor\" class=\"wp-image-397479\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>This will open the pre-order settings for this specific product. You can now choose to put the product in pre-order mode manually or automatically when the product is out of stock. <\/p>\n<p>If you select \u2018automatically,\u2019 the pre-order mode will turn off once the product is back in stock.<\/p>\n<p>After that, decide when the pre-order period should start: either immediately or schedule a future start date.<\/p>\n<p>You can also set when the product will be available. You can choose a specific date from the calendar or leave it open and end the pre-order manually.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s even the option for it to become available a certain number of days after a customer places their pre-order.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1146796134  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-pre-order-availability-and-schedule-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"297\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C297&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure pre-order availability and schedule in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397480\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Next, choose how you want to price your pre-order. You can keep the regular product price or offer a special discounted price to encourage early purchases.<\/p>\n<p>Then, limit the maximum quantity per user to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/beginners-guide\/how-to-prevent-overselling-out-of-stock-items-in-wordpress\/\" title=\"How to Prevent Overselling Out of Stock Items in WordPress\">prevent overselling<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=1543368101  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/set-pre-order-product-price-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"261\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C261&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Set pre-order product price in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397481\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>For the payment type, choose how pre-orders will be handled: <strong>Upfront<\/strong> (charge when the user pre-orders), <strong>Upon Release <\/strong>(charge automatically after the product release, requiring a supported gateway), or <strong>Pay Later<\/strong> (customers pay manually after release).<\/p>\n<p>Once everything is set, click \u2018Update\u2019 or \u2018Publish\u2019 to make your product live in pre-order mode.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=421455430  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/configure-payment-options-for-a-specific-pre-order-in-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"270\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Configure payment options for a specific pre-order in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397482\" \/><\/figure>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 8: Check Your Pre-Order Product in Action<\/h5>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve set up your pre-order product, visit your WooCommerce store.<\/p>\n<p>The product page will clearly display the pre-order button along with the availability date so customers know when the item will be released.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=38401747  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/preview-of-a-product-available-for-pre-order-with-yith.jpg\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"288\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C288&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Preview of a product available for pre-order in YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397483\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>When a customer places a pre-order, they will automatically receive an email with all the details, including the product name, availability date, and payment information if applicable.<\/p>\n<p>I always recommend testing this by placing a test pre-order yourself to ensure everything is working correctly.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpb-alert style-yellow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1<strong>Expert Tip:<\/strong> Some WooCommerce stores experience issues with pre-order emails not being delivered. This is usually related to your WordPress site\u2019s email settings. <\/p>\n<p>To fix this, I recommend using a plugin like <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmailsmtp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"WP Mail SMTP - Fix WordPress Email Deliverability\" rel=\"noopener\">WP Mail SMTP<\/a> to ensure all emails\u2014especially pre-order confirmations\u2014are reliably sent to your customers. <\/p>\n<p>To get started, take a look at our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-fix-wordpress-not-sending-email-issue\/\" title=\"[SOLVED] How to Fix WordPress Not Sending Email Issue\">fixing the WordPress not sending email issue<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=807846804  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pre-order-confirmed-email-sent-to-customers-with-yith.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"300\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Pre-order confirmed email sent to customers with YITH\" class=\"wp-image-397484\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>You can also monitor all pre-orders from the <strong>WooCommerce \u00bb Orders<\/strong> page in your WordPress dashboard. <\/p>\n<p>Each pre-order will show up with its status marked as \u2018Pre-Ordered,\u2019 along with the customer details, total amount, product information, and the expected release date. <\/p>\n<p>This makes it easy to manage pre-orders and track which products are pending release.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-opt-id=940249270  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/view-yith-pre-orders-on-woo-orders-page.png\"  data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"253\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E?resize=640%2C253&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"View YITH pre-orders on WooCommerce Orders page\" class=\"wp-image-397485\" \/><\/figure>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Pre-Order Mistakes and How to Avoid Them<\/h4>\n<p>Pre-orders are a powerful way to boost sales, but there are a few common mistakes that can create problems for both you and your customers. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what to watch out for:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-check\">\n<li><strong>Unrealistic Availability Dates:<\/strong> Avoid promising a delivery date you can\u2019t meet. Factor in production, shipping, and potential delays to prevent frustrating customers. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Mixing Pre-Orders with Regular Orders:<\/strong> WooCommerce does not support split shipping. If a customer buys an in-stock item and a pre-order item together, the whole order is stuck until the pre-order arrives. Use <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\">Merchant<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order\">YITH<\/a> to either block mixed carts or clearly warn customers that their entire order will be delayed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Missing Customer Notifications:<\/strong> Always test your email notifications and consider using an SMTP plugin like <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmailsmtp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"WP Mail SMTP - Fix WordPress Email Deliverability\">WP Mail SMTP<\/a> to make sure they reach customers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ignoring Quantity Limits:<\/strong> Not setting limits can lead to overselling. Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\u2019s<\/a> maximum quantity feature to avoid overselling limited-stock items.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lacking a Clear Refund Policy:<\/strong> Customers might change their minds during a long wait. Make sure your store\u2019s refund policy clearly states how pre-order cancellations and refunds are handled before you launch the campaign.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About WooCommerce Pre-Orders<\/h4>\n<p>I know pre-orders can feel a bit tricky when you\u2019re setting them up, and even experienced store owners have questions about timing, pricing, and notifications. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve put together answers to the most common questions I get about pre-orders, so you can run your campaigns smoothly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I offer a discount on pre-orders?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, you can offer discounts on pre-orders to encourage early purchases. <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">Merchant by aThemes<\/a> lets you apply discounts directly within the Pre-Order module, so customers see the special price on selected products. <\/p>\n<p>Similarly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> allows you to set a fixed or percentage discount on pre-order items. This creates urgency and boosts early sales.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does WooCommerce support pre-orders for digital\/downloadable products?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, WooCommerce pre-orders work for digital or downloadable products as well. With <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">Merchant<\/a>, you can create pre-orders for digital items and manage availability dates easily. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> also supports digital products. Customers can reserve them ahead of release and receive download access once the product becomes available.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which payment gateways work with WooCommerce pre-orders?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">Merchant<\/a> integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce\u2019s standard gateways like Stripe and PayPal. You can allow upfront payments or delayed charges.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> supports Stripe, Stripe Connect, Braintree, and WooCommerce Stripe Gateway, and can automatically charge customers when the product becomes available.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I limit pre-order units?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> lets you set a maximum quantity per user. This makes sure there\u2019s fair access for limited-stock products and helps avoid fulfillment issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What if I need to change the release date?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If a product\u2019s availability changes, both tools make updates easy. <a href=\"https:\/\/athemes.com\/merchant\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"aThemes Merchant - All-in-one WooCommerce Growth Tool\" rel=\"noopener\">Merchant<\/a> allows you to adjust the pre-order shipping date, and customers are shown the updated availability on the product page.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/refer\/yith-pre-order-for-woocommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce\">YITH Pre-Order for WooCommerce<\/a> not only lets you change the release date but can automatically notify customers via email.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I need a special email service for pre-order notifications?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I highly recommend using a dedicated SMTP service like <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmailsmtp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"WP Mail SMTP - Fix WordPress Email Deliverability\">WP Mail SMTP<\/a>. WordPress\u2019s default email system often sends transactional emails (like pre-order confirmations and updates) to spam folders. An SMTP service ensures reliable delivery, so your customers always receive important notifications.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do pre-orders affect my inventory management?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pre-orders are great for inventory planning because they give you a clear signal of demand before products are in stock. When you set up a pre-order, you can allocate upcoming inventory to those sales. Some plugins also let you limit the number of pre-orders to prevent overselling, ensuring you can fulfill all early commitments without issues.<\/p>\n<p>I hope this article helped you learn how to set up pre-orders for WooCommerce products. You may also want to see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-create-an-order-bump-for-woocommerce\/\" title=\"How to Create an Order Bump for WooCommerce (Step by Step)\">creating an order bump for WooCommerce<\/a> and our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/plugins\/woocommerce-rewards-program\/\" title=\"How I Setup a WooCommerce Rewards Program (That Actually Works)\">making a rewards program for your online store<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/wpbeginner?sub_confirmation=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Subscribe to WPBeginner YouTube Channel\">YouTube Channel<\/a>\u00a0for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wpbeginner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Follow WPBeginner on Twitter\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/wpbeginner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" title=\"Join WPBeginner Community on Facebook\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-accept-pre-orders-in-woocommerce\/\">How to Accept Pre-Orders in WooCommerce (Most Stores Miss This)<\/a> first appeared on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/\">WPBeginner<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pre-orders are an incredibly powerful way for online stores to launch new products, assess demand, and secure sales even before items are in stock. This strategy can bring in revenue earlier and help you manage inventory more effectively. However, finding the right way to set up pre-orders in WooCommerce can get tricky. With various plugins [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mlcqvjhyzqda.i.optimole.com\/cb:UNMm.7bb\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/frontlinenewsng.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/accept-pre-orders-for-woocommerce-products-featured-iW37SG.jpg?fit=680%2C385&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4752"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frontlinenewsng.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}