Ever get tired of chasing down payments for digital downloads like a caffeinated squirrel after a nut? Let’s face it: sometimes, customers just don’t click that ‘Pay Now’ button, or maybe you’re cutting a deal the system can’t handle. That’s where the Simple Digital Downloads – Manual Orders Addon comes in – because who has time to babysit every single transaction? It’s designed to give you, the digital overlord, the power to manually create orders, bypassing the usual checkout rigmarole. Think of it as your digital download cheat code.

This nifty addon, forked from the solid foundation of Easy Digital Downloads – Manual Purchases, is your secret weapon for handling those edge-case scenarios. Need to comp a download for a loyal customer? Done. Want to process an order received via carrier pigeon (okay, maybe email)? Easy peasy. We’re talking streamlined efficiency, reduced frustration, and more time for you to focus on what really matters: creating awesome digital products that people actually want to buy (manually or otherwise!).

So, ditch the payment processing panic and embrace the zen of manual order management. With this addon, you’re not just selling digital goods; you’re curating experiences. Now, let’s dive into how this thing works and why you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Unleashing the Power: Manually Crafting Orders

Manually creating orders gives you precise control. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access the Manual Order Interface: Navigate to the “Orders” section. Look for the “Add New Order” option. It’s usually prominently displayed. Clicking it opens the manual order creation screen.

2. Adding Products: Start adding products to the order. Use the product search field. Type in the name or part of the name to locate the desired item. Click the product to add it to the order.

3. Setting Prices and Quantities: Adjust the price and quantity of each item added. Click the respective fields and enter the correct values. Be sure to double-check these values. Incorrect prices impact revenue reporting.

4. Applying Discounts: You can apply discounts to individual products or to the entire order. Look for the discount input fields. Enter the discount amount or percentage. Ensure that the discount is correctly applied.

5. Calculating Totals: The system automatically calculates the subtotal, discounts, and total order amount. Verify the final amount before proceeding. Any discrepancies should be investigated immediately.

6. Adding Notes: Consider adding notes to the order. These can be helpful for internal tracking or for communicating specific details to the customer.

7. Finalizing the order: Save the order as a draft or process the payment. Understand the implications of each action.

Customer Wrangling: Assigning Orders to Existing or New Users

Assigning the manual order to the correct customer is important. You can link the order to an existing user or create a new user directly. To find an existing user, use the search bar. It is located in the customer assignment section of the manual order creation screen. Enter the customer’s name, email address, or username. The system will display matching users. Select the correct user from the search results to associate them with the order.

If the customer is new, create a new user account. A “Create New User” button is available. Click this button to display the new user creation form. Enter the customer’s information. This includes their email address, first name, and last name. A username will be automatically generated, or you can set it manually. After entering the information, save the new user account. The order will be automatically assigned to this newly created user. Verifying the customer information before finalizing is vital. Ensuring the correct user is associated with the order prevents complications later.

The Art of Pricing: Setting Custom Prices and Discounts

When creating manual orders, flexibility in pricing is crucial. This addon provides several options for tailoring the order total to specific customer needs or situations.

You can override the default price of a product. Instead of the standard price, enter a custom amount directly into the price field for that item in the order. This is useful for negotiated rates or special circumstances.

Discounts can be applied in two primary ways:

• Percentage Discounts: Reduce the price by a specific percentage. Input the percentage value, and the system will automatically calculate the discount amount.
• Fixed-Amount Discounts: Subtract a fixed monetary value from the order total. Simply enter the discount amount.

These discounts can be applied to individual items or to the entire order. Remember to consider any potential impact on taxes.

Calculating taxes on manually created orders requires careful attention. The addon uses the store’s configured tax settings. When applying discounts, understand how the store calculates taxes (before or after discount). Ensure the final price reflects the correct tax amount based on the specific product and customer location. Incorrect tax calculation can lead to accounting discrepancies, so verify tax amounts diligently.

Notification Nirvana: Customizing Order Confirmation Emails

Ensuring your customers receive clear and informative order confirmations is key. The manual orders addon provides several ways to customize these email notifications. After a manual order is created, an email is automatically sent. You can tailor this email to fit your brand and provide specific order details.

To customize the email, navigate to the settings panel for the digital sales platform. Find the section related to manual order configurations. Here, you will find options to modify the subject line of the email. Create a subject that is both informative and engaging. For example, “[Your Store Name] – Order Confirmation” is clear and branded.

The body of the email is equally customizable. You can use plain text or HTML to format the message. Include essential details such as the order number, a list of purchased items, the total amount, and any applied discounts. Also, add a personalized thank you message. You can also add links to relevant pages on your store, like the order history page. Shortcodes are also available to dynamically insert data into the email. These shortcodes pull information directly from the order. Examples include the customer’s name, email, or the order total. Review and test your customized email thoroughly before sending real order confirmations.

Troubleshooting Tips: Solving Common Manual Order Issues

Creating manual orders can sometimes present unexpected challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions.

Incorrect Pricing: Double-check the prices entered for each product. Verify that discounts are correctly applied. Ensure your system’s currency settings are accurate. A discrepancy here will cause errors in the final calculation.

Customer Assignment Errors: If you can’t assign an order to a customer, first, confirm the customer account exists. Check the email address entered. A typo can prevent proper assignment. If the customer is new, ensure the required account fields are filled correctly when adding them.

Email Delivery Failures: If order confirmation emails aren’t being delivered, examine your email logs for errors. Ensure your server’s email settings are configured correctly. Try using an SMTP plugin for reliable email delivery. Sometimes, emails may end up in the spam folder, so advise customers to check there first. Also, confirm that the email address associated with the order is valid and correctly typed.

Order Status Issues: If an order status isn’t updating correctly, manually change the status in the order details. Investigate any conflicting plugins that might interfere with the order processing. If you are using custom order statuses, ensure that they are correctly configured and compatible with this particular extension.

Final words

The Simple Digital Downloads – Manual Orders Addon isn’t just a plugin; it’s your digital Swiss Army knife for handling the unpredictable world of online sales. It empowers you to bypass the automated systems and directly manage orders, offering a level of control that’s often missing in standard eCommerce platforms. Whether you’re comping a download for a VIP customer, processing an unconventional payment, or simply want the flexibility to create custom deals, this addon has you covered.

By taking the reins of your order management, you’re not just streamlining your workflow; you’re also enhancing customer relationships. The ability to quickly and easily fulfill unique requests fosters loyalty and turns customers into advocates. Plus, with the customization options available, you can ensure that every interaction feels personal and tailored to the individual.

Ultimately, the Manual Orders Addon is about giving you the freedom to run your digital download store your way. It’s a tool that adapts to your specific needs, rather than forcing you to conform to rigid processes. So, embrace the power of manual control and unlock new possibilities for your digital business. Now go forth and create some orders!