What is WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway?
The WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway is an official extension developed by Woo that allows your online store to accept purchase orders as a valid payment method. This is particularly useful for businesses selling to other businesses (B2B) where purchase orders are a common practice. Instead of requiring immediate payment via credit card or other online methods, customers can select ‘Purchase Order’ at checkout and enter a pre-approved PO number. The order is then placed on hold, allowing you to process the order based on the purchase agreement you have with the customer. This streamlined approach simplifies transactions for your B2B clients and can help increase sales by catering to their preferred payment workflows. It integrates directly into the standard WooCommerce checkout experience.
Key Features of WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway
- Simple Plug and Play Setup: Requires minimal configuration to get started, making it quick to implement on your store.
- Integrated Checkout Field: Adds a dedicated field on the checkout page for customers to easily enter their purchase order number.
- Automatic Order Status Management: Orders placed using the Purchase Order Gateway are automatically set to an ‘On-hold’ status, awaiting manual review and completion by the store administrator.
- Clear PO Display: The entered purchase order number is clearly displayed within the order details in your WooCommerce admin area and typically on the customer invoice, aiding in order management.
- Customizable Instructions: Allows you to easily edit the instructions displayed to customers on the checkout page, providing specific guidance for your PO process.
The latest version, 1.5.4, ensures compatibility with the latest versions of WordPress and WooCommerce, supports Cart & checkout blocks, and works with High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS), ensuring a stable and efficient experience for modern WooCommerce stores.
How to Download WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway
1. Visit the Official WooCommerce Marketplace:
- Navigate to the official WooCommerce.com website.
- Search for the “WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway” extension in their marketplace [https://woocommerce.com/products/woocommerce-gateway-purchase-order/].
2. Purchase the Extension:
- Choose your preferred billing option (1 year or 2 years).
- Add the extension to your cart and complete the purchase process on WooCommerce.com.
3. Download from Your WooCommerce Account:
- Log in to your account on WooCommerce.com.
- Go to the “Downloads” section of your account dashboard where your purchased extensions are listed. Download the plugin’s zip file.
For a hassle-free setup, consider WPX Hosting from top rated reliable and managed providers, which comes with pre-install WordPress and WooCommerce with optimized performance. Alternatively, you can find other reliable WooCommerce hosting providers.
Installing WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Upload the Plugin to Your WordPress Site:
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Plugins -> Add New and click the “Upload Plugin” button at the top of the page.
2. Select and Install the Plugin:
- Click “Choose File” and select the WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway zip file you downloaded from WooCommerce.com.
- Click “Install Now” and wait for the plugin to upload and install.
3. Activate and Configure the Gateway:
- After installation is complete, click the “Activate Plugin” button.
- Navigate to WooCommerce -> Settings -> Payments -> Purchase Order to enable and configure the gateway. You can customize the title and instructions displayed to customers.
Note: Back up your site before installing or updating plugins/themes. Always use the official WooCommerce.com source for downloads and licensing. After activation, ensure you enable the gateway within the WooCommerce payment settings.
WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway Pricing
| Component | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Year Plan | $49 | Includes product updates, improvements, and customer support for one year. |
| 2 Year Plan | $78.40 | Includes product updates, improvements, and customer support for two years (20% savings compared to two 1-year plans). |
| License Type | N/A | This is a per-site yearly subscription. |
WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway Alternatives
Custom Payment Gateways:
- Pros: Can be tailored exactly to your business’s specific B2B needs and workflows, potentially integrating with external systems.
- Cons: Requires significant development effort and cost, ongoing maintenance, and may not have official support guarantees.
- Best For: Large businesses with very unique B2B processes or complex integrations.
Third-Party B2B Plugins with PO Features:
- Pros: Often include a suite of B2B features like wholesale pricing, customer groups, and minimum order quantities, in addition to PO payments.
- Cons: Can be more complex and expensive than a dedicated PO gateway, and you might be paying for features you don’t need. Examples include B2BKing or B2B for WooCommerce.
- Best For: Businesses requiring a comprehensive B2B solution beyond just purchase orders.
Manual Order Creation:
- Pros: No additional cost or plugin needed. Can be managed directly within the WooCommerce admin.
- Cons: Highly manual and time-consuming process, especially for a significant volume of B2B orders. Prone to errors. Doesn’t offer a direct checkout experience for the customer.
- Best For: Businesses with very few B2B customers or infrequent PO orders.
WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway vs. Other Payment Methods
Comparing the WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway to standard payment methods like credit cards or PayPal highlights its specific role in B2B transactions. Unlike immediate online payments, the Purchase Order Gateway doesn’t require instant fund transfer. It facilitates a delayed payment process based on a pre-established agreement. This is crucial for businesses that operate on credit terms or require formal purchase documentation before payment is issued. While other gateways handle direct financial transactions, the PO gateway manages the workflow of accepting purchase requests tied to internal company processes, placing the onus of payment collection after order fulfillment rather than at the point of sale checkout.
- Delayed Payment Advantage: Allows B2B customers to place orders based on pre-approved budgets and processes.
- Workflow Integration: Fits seamlessly into existing business purchasing procedures that rely on POs.
- Increased Accessibility for B2B: Opens your store to companies that may not use traditional online payment methods for large orders.
- Administrative Overhead: Requires manual review and processing by the store owner to mark orders as completed.
This gateway is specifically designed for the B2B environment, offering a distinct advantage over consumer-focused payment options for certain types of customers.
Tips for Using WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway Effectively
- Clearly Communicate Your PO Process: Provide explicit instructions on your website or checkout page regarding how customers should obtain and use purchase order numbers.
- Customize Checkout Instructions: Use the gateway settings to tailor the text displayed at checkout, guiding customers through entering their PO number correctly.
- Establish a Review Workflow: Define an internal process for reviewing ‘On-hold’ PO orders, verifying the PO number against your records, and manually marking the order as ‘Processing’ or ‘Completed’ once payment is arranged or verified.
- Use Order Notes: Utilize the order notes section in WooCommerce to track communication with the customer regarding the purchase order and payment status.
- Integrate with Accounting: If possible, integrate your WooCommerce setup with your accounting software to streamline the invoicing and payment tracking process for PO orders. Consider plugins like ZipBooks WooCommerce Integration or other WooCommerce accounting plugins.
Pairing WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway with Complimentary Tools
While the WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway functions effectively on its own, pairing it with complimentary tools can significantly enhance your B2B operations. Integrating with a robust accounting plugin is highly recommended for managing the invoicing and payment collection triggered by purchase orders. Plugins that offer detailed B2B customer management, pricing rules, or customer group functionalities can also work in tandem with the PO gateway to provide a more tailored experience for your business clients. Additionally, using a PDF invoice plugin ensures that the customer receives a professional invoice including the purchase order number, which is essential for their internal processes.
Should You Invest in Premium Extensions for B2B?
The WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway is a premium extension itself, offering the core functionality to accept POs. However, for businesses with growing B2B needs, investing in additional premium extensions can be highly beneficial. While the PO gateway handles the payment method, premium B2B specific plugins often provide a broader range of features that streamline the entire B2B workflow, including:
- Advanced functionality like wholesale pricing tiers based on user roles or quantity.
- Enhanced features such as minimum order requirements, hidden pricing for guests, or private stores.
- Integration with CRM or ERP systems for centralized customer and order management.
- Customization options for B2B registration forms and dashboard experiences.
If your B2B operations are expanding and require features beyond just processing purchase orders, exploring comprehensive premium B2B plugins alongside the Purchase Order Gateway can provide a more complete solution. Visit the official sites for various B2B plugins on the WooCommerce marketplace and other reputable sources for pricing details and feature comparisons.
Frequently Asked Question:
How does the order management work with the Purchase Order Gateway?
When a customer places an order using the Purchase Order Gateway, the order is automatically put on ‘On-hold’ status. The store owner then needs to manually review the order, the provided purchase order number, and typically arrange for payment offline before marking the order as ‘Processing’ or ‘Completed’ within the WooCommerce admin.
Where can I find the customer’s entered purchase order number?
The purchase order number entered by the customer at checkout is displayed within the order details screen in your WooCommerce admin panel. It is also typically included on the customer’s invoice.
Can I change the instructions shown to customers on the checkout page?
Yes, the plugin allows you to easily customize the instructions displayed to customers during the checkout process. You can find these settings under WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Purchase Order.
Is the WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway compatible with WooCommerce Subscriptions?
The Purchase Order field will appear during checkout for subscription products if manual renewals are enabled in your WooCommerce Subscriptions settings. If automatic renewals are active, the PO option may not be available as it requires manual payment processing.
Do I issue the purchase order number to my customers?
Typically, in a B2B context, the business placing the order (your customer) generates and manages their own purchase order numbers based on their internal procurement systems. Your role is to accept and process orders based on the PO number they provide, which signifies their authorization to purchase.
Where can I get support for the WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway?
As this is an official WooCommerce extension, you can get support directly from the WooCommerce Happiness Engineers. You can typically access support through your WooCommerce.com account under the support section, provided your subscription is active.
Conclusion
The WooCommerce Purchase Order Gateway is an essential tool for any WooCommerce store selling to businesses that rely on purchase orders. It seamlessly integrates into your checkout process, providing a professional and convenient payment option for your B2B customers. Simple to set up and manage, it helps you cater to the specific needs of your business clientele, potentially expanding your customer base and increasing sales volume. By streamlining the acceptance of purchase orders, this gateway enhances the overall B2B experience on your WooCommerce store. If accepting purchase orders is a requirement for your business, this plugin offers a straightforward and official solution.
Disclaimer: Always purchase plugins from official sources like WooCommerce.com to ensure authenticity, support, and updates. Pricing and features are subject to change; verify the latest information on the product page before purchasing.
