Simplifying your WooCommerce checkout is crucial to prevent cart abandonment and boost your sales.
Allowing customers to check out without creating an account is one of the best ways to make the process quick and simple.
24% of customers abandon checkout when asked to sign up.
By offering this option, you can reduce drop-offs and provide a faster shopping experience.
This guide will walk you through enabling guest checkout in WooCommerce. It also ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience for all customers.
Let’s dive in,
What is WooCommerce Guest Checkout?
![How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout for Better Experience [2025] 10 WooCommerce Guest Checkout](https://getwpfunnels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WooCommerce-Guest-Checkout-.webp)
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.
For example, let’s say a person is on a business trip, but on his way, he saw an Ad about your product that he liked. He was about to place an order when he reached his destination.
Now, when trying to pay, if he would see that he would have to input all the information and create an account to place the order, that would feel like a nuisance and he would leave the site for later, only to forget.
Benefits of Allowing Guest Checkout
With these benefits in mind, let’s look at the steps to enable WooCommerce guest checkout and enhance the shopping experience for your customers.
- Enhances Mobile Experience: Mobile users appreciate the convenience of guest checkout, 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.
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.
You will find separate settings options for each element including account and privacy in WooCommerce. Follow the steps below.
1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings.
2. Here, go to the Accounts & Privacy tab.
![How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout for Better Experience [2025] 11 WooCommerce Guest Checkout - Settings](https://getwpfunnels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WooCommerce-Settings.webp)
3. Now, you will find the guest checkout option, “Allow customers to place orders without an account.” Enable it.
![How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout for Better Experience [2025] 12 WooCommerce Guest Checkout - Enable](https://getwpfunnels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Enable-WooCommerce-Guest-Checkout.webp)
4. Scroll down and click on “Save changes.”
That’s it. You now have guest checkout enabled in your WooCommerce store.
Tip: It’s always a good idea to test new settings. Open your website in Incognito mode and try placing a test order to see if guest checkout works. (You can enable Cash on delivery for the time being for testing purposes).
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.
![How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout for Better Experience [2025] 13 WooCommerce Guest Checkout - Create an Account](https://getwpfunnels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Create-An-Account-During-Checkout-WooCommerce.webp)
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.
![How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout for Better Experience [2025] 14 WooCommerce Guest Checkout - Allow Login](https://getwpfunnels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Allow-Logging-In-During-Checkout-WooCommerce.webp)
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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 do I Collect Customer Data for Email Marketing When WooCommerce Guest Checkout is Enabled?
It is natural to be concerned about the fact that guest checkout will reduce your chances of getting potential customer contacts for email marketing and promotions in the future.
One way to handle this is to use an email marketing tool that integrates with WooCommerce and allows you to collect customer data with a content checkbox on the checkout page.
I recommend the following plugin:
Mail Mint
![How to Enable WooCommerce Guest Checkout for Better Experience [2025] 15 WooCommerce Guest Checkout - Mail Mint](https://getwpfunnels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mail-Mint-4.webp)
Mail Mint is an email marketing automation plugin in WordPress that integrates beautifully with WooCommerce.
you can enable a custom content checkbox on your WooCommerce checkout form. During guest checkout, whoever checks that box, his/her contact information will be added to your desired Mail Mint list.
Then you can set up email automation workflows or send exclusive email campaigns to this list.
Potential Drawbacks of Enabling 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.
Conclusion
In conclusion, enabling WooCommerce guest checkout is a great way to improve your online store’s sales and customer experience.
By removing the need for account creation, you make it easier for potential buyers to complete their purchases. It reduces cart abandonment and attracts more first-time customers.
Don’t forget to explore helpful plugins to enhance your store’s performance.
With tools like WP Funnels, you can further simplify the checkout process and drive more sales.
** FAQs **
Can guest checkout increase sales?
- Yes, guest checkout can significantly boost sales by enhancing the guest checkout experience for new users. It helps to reduce cart abandonment and allows first-time customers to complete their purchases easily without the need for an existing account.
Is 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 guest checkout?
- Not at all. You can still gather essential customer email addresses with consent. It enables you to maintain connections for future marketing efforts and promotional campaigns, enhancing your customer retention strategy.
Can I offer both guest and account-based checkouts?
- Yes, you can offer both options, catering to guest customers and existing users alike, which improves flexibility and overall satisfaction during the checkout process while accommodating different shopping preferences with plugins.
How does guest checkout affect customer loyalty?
- Guest checkout enhances customer loyalty by providing a hassle-free shopping experience, demonstrating that you value their time, while also allowing you to collect valuable customer information for effective marketing, ultimately leading to more conversions.