Phone Orders for Woocommerce: Free vs Pro versions

Introduction

If you’re running an online store, you know how important it is to provide a seamless and efficient ordering process for your customers. While many customers prefer to place orders online, there are still those who prefer to order over the phone. That’s where Phone Orders for Woocommerce comes in.

Phone Orders for Woocommerce is a powerful plugin that allows merchants to take orders quickly and easily over the phone. The plugin comes in two versions: Free and Pro. Both versions come with powerful order management features such as order tracking, customer account management, and order notifications. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, Phone Orders for Woocommerce can help you take orders quickly and easily over the phone.

When it comes to choosing between the Free and Pro versions of Phone Orders for Woocommerce, there are a few key factors to consider. The Free version is a great option for small businesses or those on a tight budget. It offers basic order management features that can help streamline your phone order process. However, if you’re looking for more advanced features and customization options, the Pro version is the way to go. With the Pro version, you’ll have access to additional features such as advanced reporting, custom order statuses and fields. Moreover, it is an ideal solution for those who want to take their business to the next level.

Advantages of Pro

The Pro version offers an amazing range of features that make it easier to run and manage your business. The table shows the main ones.

Features Free Pro
Separate web page for adding orders (without access to /wp-admin) +
A lot of UI options to suit different workflows and setups +
Create new order based on existing order +
Pause and resume the order +
Customer search by shipping/billing fields +
Configure fields and default values while adding new customers +
Define products that can be sold +
Support composite/bundled/other complex products +
Add any additional fees +
Setup custom fields for the order/customer +
Extra WooCommerce reports +
After creating the order, you can “Pay order as customer” +

Let’s look at what each function is.

Separate web page for adding orders (without access to /wp-admin)

Don’t want your employee to have access to the site’s control panel? Create a separate page for adding orders. This solution will simplify the work of the call operator. And you will be sure that the employee will not make “unnecessary” movements in your online store.

A lot of UI options to suit different workflows and setups

The plugin also has a range of user interface (UI) options that allow businesses to customize their order forms. It allows you to add custom fields and set the required fields for each order, so you can ensure that all the necessary information is collected. In addition, you can hide some fields or rearrange them. With all these UI options, it’s easy to create an order form that looks and works the way you want it to.

Create new order based on existing order

Creating a new order based on an existing order is a great way to streamline the process of fulfilling a customer’s needs. By taking an existing order, you can quickly and easily create a new order that meets the customer’s needs without having to start from scratch. This saves time and energy while ensuring the customer receives the products and services they requested.

Pause and resume the order

Pausing and resuming orders is a great way to manage your orders more efficiently. By pausing an order, you can stop it from being processed and fulfilled, while still keeping all the details of that order on your site. This can be especially helpful if you need to adjust the order details. For example, adding or removing items, or if you need to change shipping methods.

Customer search by shipping/billing fields

By having the ability to search by shipping or billing address, companies can quickly and accurately locate customer information. This information can be used to provide better customer service, process returns or exchanges, and even to provide targeted offers.

Configure fields and default values while adding new customers

Setting a default city in phone orders is very relevant for local businesses, as it allows them to better serve their customers. This will save time for both the customer and the store, as the store won’t have to manually enter the city for each order.

Define products that can be sold

Selling out of stock products is a great way to boost sales and keep customers engaged. It encourages customers to keep checking back to see when the product is back in stock, and makes them feel like they are part of the product’s journey. For retailers, selling out of stock products can increase revenue, as customers may purchase other items while they wait for the product to come back in stock. Additionally, it increases customer loyalty, as customers will know that the retailer is actively trying to get the product back in stock as quickly as possible. Furthermore, it gives the retailer an opportunity to remind customers of the product when it is back in stock, and potentially drive more sales.

Selling out of stock products can also help retailers better understand their customers’ needs and preferences. By tracking which products are selling out quickly and which are not, retailers can gain insight into what their customers are looking for and adjust their product selection accordingly.

Support composite/bundled/other complex products

The pro version of the plugin also makes it easy to support complex products such as composite and bundled products. To do this, activate the plugin for complex products, configure orders at frontend page (see Separate web page for adding orders above), insert the php code (look in our documentation) corresponding to your plugin into the snippet. If you click on the Configure products button, you can configure the bundle.

Add any additional fees

Fees are an important part of any business, as they help to cover the costs of running the business. Fees can cover the costs of rent, supplies, salaries, utilities, taxes, and other expenses associated with running a business. By collecting the right fees, businesses can ensure that their customers are satisfied and that they can remain competitive. In some cases, fees may even act as an incentive for customers to purchase more products or services. For these reasons, fees are becoming increasingly important for businesses of all sizes.

Setup custom fields for the order/customer

With custom fields, you can create additional fields to better capture relevant information from customers and orders. This information can be used to personalize customer experience, track orders, and increase efficiency in the back-end.

Custom fields can be created for both customers and orders. For customers, you can add fields like gender, age, location, or other demographic information. For orders, you can add custom fields like delivery instructions, order notes, or any other details that customers may need to provide.

Extra WooCommerce reports

The plugin adds 3 new reports to the Reports tab: Sales by Phone, Sales Online, Sales by Phone, per creator. The Sales by Phone provides detailed information about telephone sales, total orders accepted, total sales volume, and total number of items sold. The Sales Online report shows an overview of sales made through the website, including total number of orders, total sales amount, and value of coupons redeemed. The Sales by Phone, per creator report provides information about each author’s sales, such as total sales and total orders. With these new reports, businesses can quickly and easily analyze their sales and identify areas in need of improvement.

After creating the order, you can “Pay order as customer”

If the customer wishes to pay for the order with a credit card immediately then the “Pay order as customer” function is the perfect solution. This allows customers to make payments without having to go through the browser. All your employee needs to do is click on the “Pay order as customer” button and enter customer’s credit card details. Once the details have been confirmed, the order will be processed immediately and a confirmation email will be sent to the customer. This ensures that the customer can pay for the order quickly and easily without any hassle.

Conclusion

Overall, Phone Orders for Woocommerce provides an easy and efficient way to take orders over the phone and process them in your store. Whether you choose the Free or Pro version, you’ll be able to save time and money and streamline your phone ordering process.

The Dos and Don’ts of Taking Phone Orders in Your WooCommerce Store

Taking phone orders can be a great way to increase sales and provide convenience for your customers. However, it is important to have a well-organized system in place to ensure that the process runs smoothly and efficiently. In this article, we will discuss the dos and don’ts of taking phone orders in your WooCommerce store.

Dos of Taking Phone Orders

  1. Have a designated phone line or customer service number: The first step in taking phone orders is to have a designated phone line or customer service number for customers to call. This will help to streamline the process and avoid any confusion.
  2. Train your staff: It is important to train your staff on how to take phone orders effectively. They should be knowledgeable about your products and services, as well as any current promotions or discounts. They should also be familiar with your store’s policies and procedures.
  3. Create a script: Having a script or a set of guidelines for taking phone orders can help ensure consistency and accuracy. This will also help your staff to handle any unexpected questions or situations that may arise.
  4. Repeat the order: Once the customer has placed their order, it is essential to repeat it back to them to confirm that all the details are correct. This will help to avoid any mistakes and ensure customer satisfaction.
  1. Offer alternative payment options: Some customers may not be comfortable giving their credit card information over the phone. Therefore, it is important to offer alternative payment options such as PayPal or cash on delivery.

Don’ts of Taking Phone Orders

  1. Don’t rush the customer: Taking phone orders requires patience and attention to detail. It is important not to rush the customer and give them enough time to browse through your products and ask any questions they may have.
  2. Don’t keep customers on hold for too long: While it is understandable to put a customer on hold to check on an item or confirm a price, it is important not to keep them waiting for too long. This can lead to frustration and a negative experience for the customer.
  3. Don’t forget to ask for contact information: In case there are any issues with the order, it is crucial to have the customer’s contact information. This will also allow you to follow up with them and provide updates on their order if needed.
  1. Don’t neglect to update your inventory: It is important to regularly update your inventory to avoid any discrepancies between what is available online and what is available for phone orders. This will help to avoid any disappointments for customers who may have their heart set on a particular item.
  2. Don’t forget to thank the customer: It is essential to thank the customer for their order and for choosing to shop with your store. This will leave a positive impression and make them more likely to return to your store in the future.

Remember to always prioritize customer satisfaction and to continuously review and improve your phone order system for optimal results.

Top 4 best pricing rules for the Black Friday day

Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year when people flock to stores and websites to take advantage of the biggest discounts of the year. It’s no surprise that retailers are always looking for ways to maximize their profits on this day and one of the best ways to do this is by implementing pricing rules. Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce is a great tool for automating your pricing and taking the guesswork out of setting your prices for Black Friday.

Here are the top 4 best pricing rules for Black Friday when using Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce.

Organize Sitewide Discount

This is an old and proven method on Black Friday. By offering an attractive and irresistible discount, customers are more likely to visit your website and make a purchase.

How to create this type of discount in Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce?

  1. Select the type of discount “Product discount” from the list.

  1. To apply the discount to a product, click on “Any products” in the product filter.

  1. In “Product discounts” choose persentage discount 15.

  1. Way to go!

Create Price Bundles

Price bundles are a great way to encourage customers to purchase multiple items at once. For example, a business can offer customers a discounted price if they purchase two or more items from the store. This will help the business increase their average order size and maximize their profits.

You can easily create this rule in Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce. For example, let’s take a common option – the cheapest product with a 50% discount.

To do this rule you need:

  1. Select the type of discount “Product discount” from the list.

  1. Click on “Any products” in the product filter.

  1. Add one more position using the “Add product filter” button. Select “Select most expensive products” for one item and “Select cheapest products” for another.

Note: This feature is only available in the pro version.

  1. To add a discount for each product individually, click on the “Split” checkbox. For a cheap item, add a 50 percent discount.

  1. That’s it!

Increase your cart value

By focusing your offering on increasing basket value, you can significantly increase your profits and overcome rising costs.

Step-by-step guide on how to do this in the plugin:

  1. Select the type of discount “Product discount” from the list.

  1. Click on “Any products” in the product filter.

  1. In “Product discount” choose percentage discount 20.

  1. Add Cart Conditions by clicking button.

  1. Set “Subtotal (exc. VAT) ≥ 200” in “Cart Conditions”.

  1. Well done!

Offer free gifts

Gifts when making a purchase are also an effective tool for motivating the client. Motivate the client to buy more and thank him with a gift – a satisfied client will perceive the purchase as more profitable and will certainly become more loyal.

A rule with a free gift can be created in Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce in the following way:

  1. Select the type of discount “Gifts” from the list.

  1. Choose Cap as a gift.

  1. Set “Subtotal (exc. VAT) ≥ 45” in “Cart Conditions”.

  1. Perfect!

Tips in BF

  • Influence the buyer with urgency messages. The principle of scarcity and the effect of urgency are the fuel for increasing sales. Display your store’s inventory at a reduced price for a limited period of time, and customers will be more willing to make purchases. The terms of such promotions may be valid for 24-48 hours, but the discount on the product can reach 80%.
  • Take advertising from influencers. Find among the opinion leaders those your audience trusts. Most often, advertising is ordered from Instagram bloggers, owners of popular YouTube channels and thousands of people on other social networks. For a certain amount, a blogger will praise your product, make a review and, of course, provide a link to the online store. If you prepare in advance, you can send the product to the blogger so that he can try it and tell his subscribers about it.
  • Develop brand values. A growing trend around Black Friday is the number of stores offering to donate some or all of their profits to charity. This marketing idea not only attracts shoppers who aren’t tempted by discounts, but it can also promote positive perception of your brand.

These are just a few of the many pricing rules available with Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce. With this powerful tool, you can create custom discounts to maximize your sales on Black Friday.