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How Do Backorders Work in WooCommerce?

Last updated on October 2, 2022 @ 12:12 am

A backorder is when a customer orders a product that is out of stock. The customer’s order is placed on hold until the product becomes available. Backorders are common in eCommerce and are a way to keep customers happy when inventory levels are low.

There are two main ways to handle backorders in WooCommerce. The first is to allow backorders and the second is to disable them.

If you allow backorders, the customer’s order will be placed on hold until the product becomes available. The customer will be notified of the delay and given an estimated shipping date. Once the product arrives, it will be shipped out to the customer.

If you disable backorders, the customer’s order will be cancelled and they will be notified that the product is out of stock. The customer will need to place a new order for the product once it becomes available.

Which option you choose depends on your business and what you feel comfortable with. Allowing backorders can help keep customers happy, but it can also lead to inventory issues if you’re not careful. disabling backorders can frustrate customers, but it can help prevent oversold products.

How Do Backorders Work in WooCommerce?

Backorders are a common occurrence in eCommerce, and WooCommerce has two different ways of handling them: by allowing or disabling backorders.

PRO TIP: If you are using WooCommerce to manage your online store, you may occasionally have products that are backordered. This means that the product is out of stock, but you are still taking orders for it. When a customer orders a backordered product, they will be notified of the expected delivery date.

There are a few things to keep in mind when managing backorders in WooCommerce:

1. You will need to keep track of your inventory levels for backordered products manually, as WooCommerce does not do this automatically.

2. Be sure to set an expected delivery date for backordered products, so your customers know when to expect their order.

3. If a customer’s order includes both in-stock and backordered products, the order will not be shipped until all items are in stock. This could delay your shipping timeframe if you are not prepared for it.

4. You may want to consider offering a discount or other incentive for customers who are willing to wait for a backordered product. This can help offset any inconvenience caused by the delay.

Allowing backorders means that the customer’s order will be placed on hold until the product becomes available again. They will be notified of any delays and given an estimated shipping date. Once the product arrives, it will be shipped out immediately.

Disabling backorders means that the customer’s order will be cancelled and they will be notified that the product is currently out of stock. They will need to place a new order for the product once it becomes available.

Which option you choose depends on your business needs and what you feel comfortable with.


Kathy McFarland

Kathy McFarland

Devops woman in trade, tech explorer and problem navigator.