How to Set Up Coming Soon Products in WooCommerce: A Step-by-Step Guide

Launching a new product is always an exciting moment for any eCommerce store owner. However, generating anticipation and ensuring customers are aware of upcoming products can be challenging. This is where a WooCommerce product coming soon feature can make a big difference.

By adding a coming soon product WooCommerce option, you can create buzz, build anticipation, and encourage pre-orders before the product officially launches. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a WooCommerce product coming soon status in your store, along with the best plugins to help you achieve this effectively.

Why Use a WooCommerce Product Coming Soon Feature?

Adding a coming soon WooCommerce product to your store can provide several advantages, including:

✅ Building anticipation – Generate excitement before the product launches.
✅ Collecting customer interest – Capture emails for notifications or pre-orders.
✅ Improving SEO – Rank for the product before it becomes available.
✅ Boosting pre-sales – Allow customers to reserve the product in advance.
✅ Enhancing user experience – Keep customers informed about upcoming releases.

With these benefits in mind, let’s explore how to set up coming soon products in WooCommerce.

Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Coming Soon Product Plugin

One of the easiest ways to enable the WooCommerce coming soon product feature is by using a plugin. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Install and Activate a Coming Soon Plugin

There are several plugins available to help you add coming soon products to WooCommerce. Some of the best options include:

???? WooCommerce Coming Soon Product Plugin
???? YITH WooCommerce Pre-Order Plugin
???? Product Coming Soon for WooCommerce

To install a plugin:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for a WooCommerce coming soon product plugin (e.g., “Product Coming Soon for WooCommerce”).
4. Click Install Now, then Activate the plugin.

Step 2: Configure the Plugin Settings

Once activated, you’ll need to configure the settings:

1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Coming Soon Products.
2. Enable the Coming Soon feature.
3. Customize options like:
   • Adding a WooCommerce coming soon badge to highlight the product.
   • Displaying a countdown timer for product launch.
   • Allowing customers to sign up for notifications.

Step 3: Set Products to Coming Soon Status

Now, you can apply the WooCommerce product coming soon feature to specific products:

1. Navigate to Products > All Products in WooCommerce.
2. Select the product you want to mark as “Coming Soon.”
3. Under the Product Data section, find the “Coming Soon” option.
4. Enable the setting and set an expected release date.
5. Save changes to update the product status.

Now, customers visiting your product page will see a coming soon badge and any additional information you’ve configured, such as a countdown timer or an email signup form.

Method 2: Manually Setting a WooCommerce Product to Coming Soon

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can manually set up a coming soon WooCommerce product by tweaking some settings.

Step 1: Create the Product

1. Go to WooCommerce > Products > Add New.
2. Enter the product name, description, and images as usual.

Step 2: Hide the Add to Cart Button

Since the product is not yet available for purchase, you need to hide the “Add to Cart” button:

1. In the Product Data section, select Simple Product or Variable Product based on your needs.
2. Change the Stock Status to “Out of Stock” (this disables the purchase option).
3. Alternatively, add custom code to functions.php to remove the “Add to Cart” button:

This will prevent customers from purchasing the WooCommerce coming soon product, while still allowing them to view the page.

Step 3: Add a Coming Soon Badge

To visually indicate that the product is not yet available, add a WooCommerce coming soon badge:

1. Create an image with the text "Coming Soon" and upload it as a product label.
2. Alternatively, use custom CSS to overlay a badge on the product thumbnail:

Apply this class to your product images to make them stand out.

Step 4: Add a Countdown Timer (Optional)

To create urgency and excitement, you can add a WooCommerce coming soon product with countdown using a free plugin like “HurryTimer” or “Countdown Timer Ultimate.”

1. Install and activate the countdown timer plugin.
2. Navigate to Settings > Countdown Timer and configure the launch date.
3. Copy and paste the countdown timer shortcode into the product description or sidebar widget.

This helps customers track the release date and boosts anticipation.

Best Plugins for WooCommerce Coming Soon Products

Here are some of the best plugins to help you set up a WooCommerce product coming soon page:

1. YITH WooCommerce Pre-Order Plugin

???? Allows customers to pre-order upcoming products.
???? Displays estimated release dates.
???? Supports both free and premium versions.

???? Pricing: Starts at $69.99/year

2. Product Coming Soon for WooCommerce

???? Adds a coming soon badge and countdown timer.
???? Supports email notifications for interested customers.
???? Fully customizable settings.

???? Pricing: Free and Pro version available ($39).

3. WooCommerce Coming Soon & Pre-Order

???? Lets customers register interest in new products.
???? Integrates with WooCommerce subscriptions.
???? Provides analytics on pre-order demand.

???? Pricing: $49/year

Final Thoughts

Setting up a WooCommerce product coming soon feature is an effective way to build anticipation, boost engagement, and increase sales before a product officially launches. Whether you choose to use a WooCommerce coming soon product plugin or set it up manually, the key is to make the product visually appealing and easily accessible to potential customers.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Use a WooCommerce coming soon product with countdown to create urgency.
✅ Add a WooCommerce coming soon badge to highlight the product status.
✅ Collect customer emails for notifications or pre-orders.
✅ Choose a WooCommerce coming soon product plugin for easy setup.