How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout (Without Losing Leads) [2025]

Ever tried to buy something online and bailed the moment they asked you to create an account?

I know it’s frustrating! Especially when you realize how often it happens.

According to Baymard Institute, 24% of shoppers abandon their cart when they’re asked to create an account.

And that’s where WooCommerce Guest Checkout comes in.

It lets your customers complete their purchase without logging in or creating an account. For first-time shoppers or mobile users in a hurry, that one change can make all the difference between a sale and a bounce.

And if you are concerned about acquiring new contacts while implementing guest checkout, this guide is specially for you.

In this guide, you’ll see:

• What is WooCommerce guest checkout & why does it matter
• How to enable it
• Smart ways to keep collecting leads even without accounts

Let’s dive in.

What is WooCommerce Guest Checkout?

WooCommerce guest checkout is a feature that helps optimize the shopping experience by removing the need to create an account before making a purchase.

This means your customers can select items, proceed to checkout, and place the order even without an account. This is especially important when a customer is in a rush but wants to make an order.

Why Should You Allow Guest Checkout?

Before I share the process to enable it, let’s break down why WooCommerce guest checkout matters for your store.

• Enhances Mobile Experience: Mobile users appreciate the convenience of woocommerce checkout without login, as it reduces the hassle of inputting details on a smaller screen. It allows you to shop seamlessly from anywhere.

• Speeds Up the Buying Process: Guest checkout allows you to skip the account creation step, making your purchase journey quicker and more efficient—especially helpful if you’re in a rush or making a one-time purchase.

• Reduces Cart Abandonment: One of the main reasons for abandoned carts is the requirement to create an existing account. By enabling guest checkout, you can remove this barrier. Significantly it helps to reduce cart abandonment rates.

• Increases Customer Satisfaction: Offering a guest checkout option shows that you respect your time, leading to higher satisfaction and encouraging loyalty among your first-time customers.

• Appeals to First-Time Shoppers: New customers are more likely to complete a purchase without the commitment of account creation. It makes guest checkout ideal for attracting one-time buyers.

• Boosts Conversion Rates: Simplifying the checkout experience with a better guest checkout option can increase the likelihood of completed purchases, positively impacting your conversions.

With these benefits in mind, let’s look at the steps to enable WooCommerce guest checkout and enhance the shopping experience for your customers.

How to Enable Guest Checkout in WooCommerce?

If you want to win back your sales or recover your abandoned cart, you need to follow some major steps by enabling WooCommerce quick checkout options to streamline the buying process for your customers.

To enable guest checkout in WooCommerce, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Accounts & Privacy, check “Allow customers to place orders without an account,” and save changes.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings.

2. Here, go to the Accounts & Privacy tab.

3. Now, you will find the guest checkout option, “Allow customers to place orders without an account.” Enable it.

4. Scroll down and click on “Save changes.”

That’s it. You now have WooCommerce guest checkout enabled in your store.

Special Note: Allow Option to Log in or Create an Account During Checkout

You have already established how to enable WooCommerce guest checkout is a great feature for your online stores.

However, you can go one step further by using two more additional features that WooCommerce comes with.

i. Create an Account During Checkout

While guest checkout is an option, this feature will allow the buyer to give consent with a checkbox to create an account, right on the checkout page while the order is placed.

This means, the user will not have to go for a complete registration process. He can complete his account later and just create an account while placing the order.

You can enable this feature in the same settings area under Accounts & Privacy.

ii. Allow Logging in During Checkout

Another option is, when people are in a hurry, sure, they can go for guest checkout. But you can also allow the user to log in on the checkout page so that all he has to do is input the username and ID while placing the order.

Again, you can enable this feature in the settings area under Accounts & Privacy.

Allowing Guest Checkout Only for Specific Products

You may not want to allow guest checkout for all of your products. Rather, you may choose to allow it only for specific products or product categories.

Following are some product types or scenarios where guest checkout is a good idea:

1. High-Demand or Seasonal Items: For products that are typically bought during specific seasons or are in high demand (like holiday gifts or limited-time offers), guest checkout can expedite the buying process. Customers looking for quick purchases appreciate the convenience.
2. First-Time Shoppers: If you’re attracting customers who are likely to make a one-time purchase, offering guest checkout for those specific products can reduce friction and encourage a sale.
3. Promotional or Low-Cost Items: For items used in promotions or those with lower prices, the guest checkout option can simplify transactions. It’s particularly effective for deals that are designed to attract new customers who might not want to commit to creating an account.
4. Digital Products and Downloads: For digital goods like e-books, music, or software, where immediate access post-purchase is expected, guest checkout can make the process faster and more efficient.
5. Gift Purchases: If your product is often bought as a gift, buyers might prefer guest checkout to avoid receiving marketing emails or creating an account for a one-time purchase.
6. Simplifying Bulk Orders: For products often bought in bulk (like corporate gifts or supplies), guest checkout can simplify the process, especially for buyers who may not be regular customers.

To implement this selective approach, you may look into the following plugins:

1. Flux Checkout for WooCommerce: It enhances your checkout process with a sleek, multi-step experience, and it allows you to enable guest checkout for specific products.
2. AIO Checkout: This tool, on the other hand, offers a drag-and-drop builder for custom checkout forms and the flexibility to apply guest checkout options to chosen products.

Both instant checkout tools provide a tailored experience, ensuring your store caters to various customer preferences and shopping scenarios.

How To Collect Leads Even with WooCommerce Guest Checkout Enabled?

Guest checkout makes it easier for people to complete their purchase but it also means they might leave without giving you their email. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on valuable leads and running email marketing campaigns.

You can still grow your email list by adding a simple checkbox to the checkout page. This lets shoppers choose to hear from you—even if they don’t create an account.

If you’re using WooCommerce, the easiest way to do this is with Mail Mint.

Mail Mint is a WordPress email marketing plugin built to work with WooCommerce. Once you install it, you’ll get the option to add a consent checkbox to your checkout form.

Let’s see how it works.

1. After installing Mail Mint, go to Mail Mint’s Settings > WooCommerce
2. Enable the box ”Opt-in on Checkout” and put on the subscription confirmation message into the ”Checkbox Label”
3. Now, add them to the lists and tags to onboard your guest users and finally press ”Save Settings”

When someone checks that box during guest checkout, their name and email will be added to a list inside Mail Mint.

From there, you can:

• Add them to a welcome email series
• Send product updates or offers
• Or trigger any automation you’ve set up in Mail Mint

This way, you don’t lose potential subscribers—while still keeping the checkout process fast and easy.

Potential Drawbacks of Enabling WooCommerce Guest Checkout

While enabling guest checkout can enhance convenience for your customers, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks that may arise from this option.

• Less Customer Data: When you allow customers to checkout as guests, you collect less information, which means fewer insights for your marketing efforts and customer retention strategies.
• Limited Repeat Purchases: Customers who use the online checkout option may be less likely to return, as they won’t have an existing account to easily access their order history or preferences.
• Account Opening Opportunities: By enabling guest checkout, you can miss opportunities to encourage users to create an account, which can help build a loyal customer base over time.
• Increased Support Issues: Without an account, some customers can encounter issues during checkout or post-purchase, leading to more inquiries and potential frustration.
• Potential for Lower Engagement: Customers who choose to checkout as guests may feel less connected to your brand since they haven’t engaged with account features like newsletters or promotions.

Consider these drawbacks while deciding to enable guest checkout for your WooCommerce store to ensure you maintain a balance between convenience and valuable customer relationships.

How to Improve WooCommerce Guest Checkout Process

Now that you’ve made guest checkout work and even found a way to collect emails, now you can take a few extra steps to make the experience better for your customers and easier to manage on your end.

Here’s what you can do next:

1. Keep the checkout form short

Only ask for the fields you absolutely need. Name, email, billing address, and payment info are enough in most cases. The more fields you add, the higher the chance they’ll leave.

You can remove unnecessary fields using plugins like WPFunnels that has an easier checkout field editor.

2. Auto-fill details for returning users

If someone’s already used your store—even as a guest—enable browser-based autofill or payment gateways that support stored info. This makes repeat checkouts faster, even without an account.

3. Use a distraction-free checkout page

Avoid cluttering the checkout page with banners, popups, or menu links. Keep their focus on finishing the order. A one-column layout with clear progress helps a lot.

If your current theme doesn’t do this well, try checkout optimization plugins like Checkoutify.

4. Add express payment options

Gateways like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal make it easier for mobile users to check out quickly. They reduce the need to enter card details and are perfect for guest checkouts.

5. Let them create an account after the order

Instead of forcing account creation upfront, offer it after the purchase is completed. Add a button on the thank-you page like “Create an account to track your order”—and pre-fill their info.

This gives them a reason to stay connected without slowing down the checkout.

6. Always test the flow

Once you’ve made these changes, place test orders in both desktop and mobile. Check where it feels slow, where errors pop up, or where the layout breaks. Fixing small friction points can boost conversions fast.

These tweaks don’t take long to implement but they do make a difference. They remove friction, make things easier for first-time shoppers, and help you recover sales without complicating the setup.

Now let’s wrap things up.

Conclusion

Enabling WooCommerce guest checkout is one of the simplest ways to improve your store’s buying experience and reduce cart abandonment.

It removes unnecessary steps for first-time shoppers and helps them complete purchases faster without forcing account creation.

And if you’re worried about losing leads, using a tool like Mail Mint gives you a smart way to keep growing your email list even when customers check out as guests.

It’s a small tweak with a big payoff for both conversions and long-term growth.

** FAQs **

How do I enable guest checkout in WooCommerce?

Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to:
WooCommerce > Settings > Accounts & Privacy

Check the box next to “Allow customers to place orders without an account” and click Save changes. This lets users complete their purchase without registering.

How to allow WooCommerce existing customers to checkout without being logged in?

WooCommerce doesn’t force login for existing customers unless you’ve enabled that requirement.

To allow existing users to check out without logging in:

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Accounts & Privacy
• Make sure the box labeled “Allow customers to place orders without an account” is checked
• Also, make sure “When creating an account, automatically generate a username/password” is unchecked if you want full flexibility

This way, both new and returning customers can check out as guests if they prefer.

How do I turn off WooCommerce guest checkout?

To turn off WooCommerce guest checkout:

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Accounts & Privacy
• Uncheck the box that says “Allow customers to place orders without an account”
• Click Save changes

This will force all customers to either log in or create an account before completing a purchase.

How do I buy as a guest in WooCommerce?

If the store has guest checkout enabled, you can simply:

1. Add a product to your cart
2. Go to the checkout page
3. Fill in your billing details without logging in
4. Complete the payment and place the order

You won’t need to register or create an account unless the store requires it.

Is WooCommerce guest checkout secure?

• Yes, Guest checkout offers the same security measures as transactions with an existing account. It ensures that customer billing details and payment information remain protected throughout the purchasing process, just like any other user account transaction.

Will I lose valuable customer data with WooCommerce guest checkout?

• No. With Mail Mint, you can add an opt-in checkbox to your checkout page. When a guest checks it, their name and email are added to your list—so you still collect leads without forcing account creation.