Order Limit for WooCommerce

The Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin lets you define specific order restrictions in WooCommerce. Whether managing inventory, production limits, or promotional sales, this plugin offers flexibility to control orders effectively.

You can set rules based on products, categories, customers, or cart totals. This flexibility helps in managing inventory, production, and promotions.

For example, if you have a limited daily production capacity, you can set a maximum limit on orders to prevent overselling. Similarly, if you’re running a promotional discount, you can restrict the quantity of items a single customer can purchase to avoid stock depletion

Make sure you meet the following requirements before installing the Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin:

• WordPress 5.0 or higher
• WooCommerce 4.0 or higher
• PHP 7.0 or higher

Follow these steps to start using the Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin:

1. Download the plugin: Log in to your WooCommerce account and download the order-limit-for-woocommerce.zip file.
2. Install the plugin:
   • Open the WordPress Admin Dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
   • Click Upload Plugin and select the order-limit-for-woocommerce.zip file.
   • Click Install Now to proceed with the installation.
3. Activate the plugin: Click Activate to enable the plugin.

To learn more, refer to the Install WooCommerce Extensions documentation.

After activating the plugin, the “WC Order Limit” option appears on the left-hand side of your WordPress dashboard.

The Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin provides three types of rules to limit/restrict orders. These rules let you apply restrictions at the product, category, or customer level, which makes order management flexible and organized.

1. Product Rule: Set restrictions for individual products or a group of products.
2. Category Rule: Apply order limits to product categories.
3. Customer Rule: Define limits for specific customers or user roles.

What is a product rule?

A product rule allows you to define minimum and maximum limits for specific products. Use this rule to manage stock levels or limit purchases of high-demand items.

Example

A custom furniture store can set a limit of 10 pieces per product weekly to match production capacity.

To create a new product rule for order restrictions in WooCommerce, follow the steps below:

1. Access the rule section:
   • Navigate to WC Order Limit in your WordPress Dashboard.
   • Click Add New Rule.
   • Name this rule (i.e., Logo T-Shirt Rule)

2. Select the rule type:
   • Choose Products Rules from the dropdown menu.
3. Configure rule settings:
   • Select products: Choose one or more products to which the rule applies.
   • Set a minimum limit: Define the minimum quantity or order value (amount).
   • Choose applied on: You can choose whether to apply the limit on Amount or Quantity
   • Apply rule: Decide whether the limits apply individually or cumulatively across the selected products. (If you checkmark the box the plugin combines the quantities or total amounts of all selected products. It applies the limit to the combined (accumulative) total.)

More options in the product rule:

Click the More Options link at the bottom and you will see additional options:

• Disable rule: Temporarily deactivate the rule without deleting it.
• Check previous orders:
  • None: No checks on previous orders.
  • Current user: Restrict based on the current user’s order history.
  • All users: Apply the limit across all users cumulatively.
• Enable maximum limit: Define the maximum quantity or order value (amount).
• Enable time span: Set limits to refresh daily, weekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule.
• User-specific rules: Apply the rule to specific users, roles, or guest users.
• Enable for payment method:
  • This checkbox activates the functionality to restrict the rule to specific payment methods.
  • When checked, the plugin will enforce the rule only if the customer uses one of the payment methods specified in the next field (Payment Method).

4. Save and publish:

• After configuring the rule, click Publish to activate it.

The Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin lets you create product-specific order rules directly from the product page. This method allows you to define limits without navigating to the WC Order Limit tab in the main menu.

• Go to Products > All Products.

• Select the product for which you want to set order limits.
• Click on the “WC Order Limit” tab.
• Any rules already created for this product will appear in this section.
• Click the Add New button to create a new rule specifically for this product.
• Configure the rule by selecting the desired settings, such as minimum and maximum order limits, time spans, and applied options.

NOTE: When creating a rule from the product page, the rule applies exclusively to the current product. You cannot select multiple products or apply cumulative rules using this method.

What is a category rule?

Category rules allow you to control order quantities or values for groups of products. Use these rules to effectively manage inventory for product categories.

Example:

A dairy shop can apply a daily limit of 50 items for all products in the “Milk and Cream” category.

Follow the steps below to create a new category rule:

1. Select the rule type:
   • Choose Category Rule from the rule Select Rule Type menu.
2. Choose categories:
   • Select one or more categories to apply the rule to, in the Select Items field.
3. Set limits:
   • Set a minimum limit: Define quantity or order value limits.
   • Choose applied on: You can choose whether to apply the limit on Amount or Quantity
   • Apply rule: Decide whether the limits apply individually or cumulatively across the selected categories. (If you checkmark the box the plugin combines the quantities or total amounts of all selected categories. It applies the limit to the combined (accumulative) total.)

More options in the category rule:

A list of additional options will appear when you click the More Options link at the bottom:

• Disable rule: Temporarily deactivate the rule without deleting it.
• Check previous orders:
  • None: No checks on previous orders.
  • Current user: Restrict based on the current user’s order history.
  • All users: Apply the limit across all users cumulatively.
• Enable maximum limit: Define the maximum quantity or order value (amount).
• Enable time span: Set limits to refresh daily, weekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule.
• User-specific rules: Apply the rule to specific users, roles, or guest users.
• Enable for payment method:
  • This checkbox activates the functionality to restrict the rule to specific payment methods.
  • When checked, the plugin will enforce the rule only if the customer uses one of the payment methods specified in the next field (Payment Method).

4. Save and publish:
   • Click Publish to save the rule.

The Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin lets you create category-specific order rules directly from the category page. This method allows you to define order limits without navigating to the WC Order Limit tab in the main menu.

1. Go to Products > Categories:

• Navigate to the Categories screen under the Products section.

2. Select the category:

• Hover over the category for which you want to set order limits and click Edit.
• If you’re creating a new category, you will see the WC Order Limit Rules option on the Add Category page.

3. Locate WC Order Limit option:

• On the Edit Category page, scroll down to find the WC Order Limit section.
• Any rules already applied to this category will be displayed here.

4. Add a new rule:

• Click the Add New Rule button to create a rule for this category.
• Configure the rule by selecting the desired settings, such as minimum and maximum order limits, time spans, and applied options.

NOTE: Rules created from the category page apply only to the selected category. This method does not allow you to select multiple categories or apply cumulative rules.

What is a customer rule?

Customer rules allow you to set order restrictions based on customer roles or individual user accounts.

Example

For wholesale customers, you might require a minimum order value of USD $500 to qualify for checkout.

You can create a new rule for customers’ order restrictions in WooCommerce by following the steps below:

1. Select customer rule:

• Choose Customer Rule as the rule type from the dropdown menu.

2. Define customer scope:

• Apply the rule to one of the following:
  • All users: Apply the rule across all users (cumulatively).
  • Every single user: Apply the rule individually to each user.
  • Selective users: Choose specific customers for the rule.
  • Roles: Apply the rule to user roles such as “Shop Manager,” “Subscriber,” etc.
  • Guest users: Apply the rule to guest users. Use parameters like IP Address, Cookies, Email, or Phone Number to define the guest users.

3. Choose applied on: You can choose whether to apply the limit on Amount or Quantity.
4. Set the maximum limit:

• Enter the maximum order quantity or total value allowed for the selected users or roles.

5. Set up more settings for the customer rule:

• Disable rule: Temporarily pause the rule without removing it.
• Enable time span: Define a time frame for the rule (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly, or Custom).
• Enable for payment method:
  • This checkbox activates the functionality to restrict the rule to specific payment methods.
  • When checked, the plugin will enforce the rule only if the customer uses one of the payment methods specified in the next field (Payment Method).

6. Save and publish:

• Click Publish to activate the rule and enforce it for the defined customer scope.

The Storewide Order Limit Settings lets you configure global restrictions and rules for your WooCommerce store. These settings apply universally, providing consistency across products, categories, and customer orders.

To access the settings, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Order Limit Settings, where you will find four sub-tabs:

1. General
2. Store Limit
3. Order Total
4. Shortcode

The General sub-tab allows you to configure global options for store-wide limits, product-level restrictions, category-level restrictions, customer-based rules, and cart totals. These settings provide flexible control over how limits are displayed and applied in your store.

– Store limit options:

Enable store limits:

• Checkmark this option to apply store-wide order limits.
• If this option is not enabled, store-level rules will not apply.

Message for store limit:

• Enter a message to inform customers about the store-wide order restrictions.
• This message appears on the cart page when store limits are reached.

Example: “Our store accepts a maximum of 100 orders daily.”

• Use placeholders for dynamic content:
  • {store-name} for the store’s name.
  • {max-order-limit} for the maximum number of orders allowed.
  • {max-amount-limit} for the maximum order value.
  • {time-span} for the rule’s time frame (e.g., daily, weekly).
  • {limit-reset-day} for the date the limit resets.

Message for store total order or amount:

• Use this field to customize a message about the maximum number of items or order value allowed within the specified time frame.

Example: “You can purchase items worth up to USD $500 per day.”

These messages will look something like this:

Optional display:

• Leave any message field blank if you do not want to display it on the cart page.
• You can configure one or both messages based on your requirements.

– Product limit options:

Enable product limits:

• Check this box to activate product-level restrictions.
• If disabled, all product-level rules will stop functioning.

Message for product limit:

• Add a message to communicate product-specific order limits on the cart page.
• Use placeholders such as:
  • {product-name} for the product name.
  • {min-limit} for the minimum quantity or value.
  • {max-limit} for the maximum threshold.
  • {remaining} for the quantity or value still available for purchase.

Example: “You can order up to 5 units of this product today.”

• This message is shown when a simple rule is applied with the options:
  • Check Previous Orders: None
  • Accumulatively: Unchecked

Message for parent product limit:

• Configure messages for rules tied to parent product categories.
• Include {parent-product-names} to reference related parent products.

Message for product limit (current user):

• Enter a message for scenarios where the product rule applies specifically to the current user.

Example: “You have reached the limit of 10 units for this product this week.”

Message for product limit (all users):

• Add a message for situations where the product rule applies across all users collectively.

Example: “This product has a total purchase limit of 100 units today.”

Message for product limit (accumulative rules):

• Customize a message for accumulative product rules where the limit applies to the combined total of selected products.

Example: “You can buy a maximum of 10 units from this product group today.”

– Category limit options:

Enable category limits:

• Activate category-level restrictions by checking this box.
• Disabling this option will stop all category-level rules from applying.

Message for category limit:

• Enter a message to inform customers about order limits for specific categories.

Example: “You can add up to 20 items from this category per day.”

• Use placeholders such as:
  • {category-name} for the category name.
  • {min-limit} and {max-limit} for the minimum and maximum limits.
  • {remaining} for the remaining quantity or value.
• This message applies when a simple rule is set with these options:
  • Check Previous Orders: None
  • Accumulatively: Unchecked

Message for parent category limit:

• Include placeholders like {parent-category-names} to reference parent categories affected by the rule.

Message for category limit (current user):

• Add a message for cases where the rule applies to the current user’s purchases in a category.

Example: “You have reached your weekly limit of 30 items in this category.”

Message for category limit (all users):

• Customize a message for rules applied across all users.

Example: “This category has a global limit of 500 items today.”

Message for category limit (accumulative rules):

• Write a message for accumulative category rules where the limit applies to the combined total of selected categories.

Example: “You can purchase a total of 50 items from these categories today.”

– Customers limit options:

Enable customer limits:

• Activate this feature to apply rules based on customer roles, specific users, or guest users.
• Disabling this option will deactivate all customer-level restrictions.

Monthly limit reset day:

• Specify the day of the month when monthly limits reset.

Example: “Set to the first to reset limits at the beginning of each month.”

Weekly limit reset day:

• Choose the day of the week when weekly limits reset.
• Options include Monday through Sunday.

Message for the number of orders:

• Add a message to inform customers about order quantity restrictions.

Example: “You can place up to 3 orders this week.”

• Use placeholders:
  • {rule-limit} for the maximum order limit.
  • {time-span} for the time frame (e.g., daily, weekly).
  • {remaining} for the remaining number of orders available.

Message for total order amount:

• Enter a message to notify customers about the total order value restrictions.

Example: “Your total order amount cannot exceed USD $1,000 this month.”

– Cart total limit options:

Enable cart total limits:

• Check this box to enforce rules for the total value or number of items in the cart.
• Disabling this option will deactivate all cart-related rules.

Message for cart total:

• Add a message to inform customers about cart-level restrictions.
• Use placeholders such as {min-limit} and {max-limit} for minimum and maximum thresholds.

Example: “Your cart cannot contain more than 50 items.”

– Other options:

The Other Options section provides additional settings to control order flow and reset limits. These include hiding the checkout button to restrict purchases and configuring the exact time for daily limit resets.

Hide checkout button:

• Enable this option to disable the checkout button on your store.
• The checkout button remains hidden as long as this setting is active, preventing customers from proceeding to checkout.

Limit reset time:

• Use this setting to define when daily limits reset.
• Choose one of the following options:
  • Midnight: Resets limits at 12:00 am
  • Purchase time: Resets limits exactly 24 hours after the customer’s last purchase

The Store Limit sub-tab lets you apply global rules for the total number of orders or the total value of orders placed in your store over a specified time period. These settings take precedence over product, customer, and category-level rules.

Enable for store closed:

• Activate this option to temporarily close your store.
• Use this setting when stock is unavailable or when you need to pause orders temporarily.

Store total amount maximum limit:

• Set the maximum total order value allowed in your store during the selected time frame.
• Example: If set to USD $10,000, the store will stop accepting orders once the total order value reaches this amount.

Store total number of orders maximum limit:

• Define the maximum number of orders allowed in your store within the specified time period.
• Example: If set to 500, no further orders will be accepted after the 500th order.

Enable time span:

• Activate this option to apply limits for a specific time period.

Select time span:

• Choose how long the limit applies:
  • Daily: Resets every day.
  • Weekly: Resets every week.
  • Monthly: Resets every month.
  • Yearly: Resets every year.
  • Custom: Specify a custom start and end date for the time span.

After configuring these settings, click Save Changes to activate the rules.

In the Order Total tab, you will configure minimum and maximum cart limits, including restrictions for single categories or overall cart totals. These settings override product, customer, and category-level rules.

Cart total minimum limit:

• Define the minimum order value required for customers to proceed to checkout.

Example: If set to USD $50, customers cannot check out unless their cart value is USD $50 or more.

Enable cart total single category limit:

• Use this option to limit the number of items in any single category within the cart.

Example: If the maximum is set to 100 items per category, customers cannot add more than 100 items from any one category.

Enable cart total maximum limit:

• Activate this option to set an overall cart limit.

Cart total maximum limit:

• Specify the maximum total value or number of items allowed in the cart.

Example: If set to USD $500, customers cannot proceed to checkout if their cart total exceeds USD $500.

Applied on:

• Choose the type of limit to apply:
  • Total items in the cart: Restricts the total number of items in the cart.
  • Cart total: Restricts the total value of the cart.

After configuring these settings, click Save Changes to apply the restrictions.

Shortcodes allow you to display or track order limits directly on your store pages. In the the Shortcode sub-tab, you can see two types of shortcodes:

1. Global shortcode:
2. Remaining limit shortcode:

1. Global shortcode:

[wc-order-limit rules=”rule_ids”]: Displays the limits for multiple rules.

Example: [wc-order-limit rules=”1,2,3,4″] shows the applied limits for rules 1, 2, 3, and 4.

2. Remaining limit shortcode:

[wc-order-limit-remaining rule=”rule_id”]: Displays the remaining limit for a specific rule.

Example: [wc-order-limit-remaining rule=”1″] shows the remaining quantity or value for rule ID 1.

The Order Limit for WooCommerce plugin allows you to use the following dynamic shortcodes to personalize messages displayed to customers when order limits are applied. These shortcodes help deliver clear and relevant information about the rules you have set.

These shortcodes allow you to create detailed and customized messages that are clear and informative for your customers. Use them in your message fields to enhance the user experience.

The exclude rules allow you to exempt specific products from the order limit rules you have configured.

Example:

Exclude gift cards from the rules if most products in your store have a maximum order limit. However, gift cards should remain unrestricted.

1. Access exclusion settings:
   • Navigate to the Exclude Rules tab under WC Order Limit.
2. Select products:
   • Choose the products you want to exclude from the order limit rules.
   • Select a single product or multiple products.
3. Exclude from limit rules:
   • Check the Exclude from Limit Rules checkbox to exempt the selected products.
   • The option to enter a maximum limit will be disabled for these products.
4. Set a maximum limit:
   • If you prefer not to exclude products entirely but need to override the maximum limit, enter the desired limit without checking the exclusion checkbox.
   • The specified limit will apply based on global settings or specific rules created for those products.

Additional options:

• Disable Rule: Temporarily deactivate an exclusion rule without deleting it.
• Delete Rule: Select the exclusion rule and click Delete Selected to remove it permanently.

5. Save changes:

Click Save to apply the exclusions or updates.