Not every customer wants to buy a product right away. Some want to ask for a price first especially in wholesale, bulk, or custom product stores. That’s where “Request a Quote” comes in. But how does it compare to the usual “Add to Cart” button that most online stores use?
Let’s break it down and see which one fits your store better and why many store owners are turning to the WooCommerce Request a Quote Plugin to make selling easier.
What Is “Add to Cart”?
“Add to Cart” is what most people are used to. It works like this:
- A customer sees a product
- They add it to their cart
- They check out and pay
It is very simple and quick, and functions well for stores that sell products and goods with fixed prices. Clothes, gadgets, books, and other everyday items are typically sold this way.
What Is “Request a Quote”?
“Request a Quote” is quite different from “Add to Cart.” The store shows a Request a Quote button instead of showing the price and checkout button. If customers are purchasing in bulk quantities or want something custom, they can fill out a small form to ask for a price.
It’s great for businesses that sell:
- Bulk orders
- Wholesale products
- Custom items
- Services or packages
Many online stores now use the WooCommerce Request a Quote Plugin to offer this feature without changing their whole setup.
When to Use Add to Cart
The Add to Cart button is perfect when:
- Products have fixed prices
- There are no custom options
- The store sells to regular retail customers
- The goal is quick purchases with fewer steps
Simple products that don’t need a lot of back and forth or discussion with the consumer are a good fit for it.
Best examples: Shoes, Shirts, books, and mobile accessories.
When to Use Request a Quote
The Request a Quote option is better for stores that need more flexibility.
Use it when:
- Prices change depending on quantity or customer needs
- The product is made-to-order or customizable
- The store deals with B2B or wholesale buyers
- The product is out of stock but still open for inquiries
Allowing request a quote gives a way to them a way to start a chat. They can explain what they need, and the store can offer the best price. This is where the WooCommerce request for quote plugin becomes very useful. It replaces the regular “Add to Cart” with a “Request a Quote” button and gives store owners full control over how quote requests work.
Why WooCommerce Stores Are Using Request a Quote Plugins
If a store runs on WooCommerce and sells more than just simple products, adding a quote option can make a big difference.
Here’s why many store owners are installing the WooCommerce Request a Quote Plugin by Extendons:
1. Hides Prices and Cart Buttons
It doesn’t make any sense to show prices up front for some products. Maybe the price depends on the size of the shipping location and order. This plugin lets store owners hide prices and the Add to Cart button for specific products.
2. Adds a “Request a Quote” Button
The plugin adds a new button that says “Request a Quote.” Once prices are hidden. Customers can click it, fill out a simple form, and send their request.
3. Lets Store Owners Manage Requests Easily
When a customer submits a request, the store owner gets a message. They can then review the details, send a price, and if the customer agrees, turn it into an order.
4. Works for Guest and Logged-in Users
The plugin gives the choice to show the quote button to all visitors, only logged-in users, or certain user roles like wholesalers. That way, store owners can keep control over who can request quotes.
5. Custom Form Fields
WooCommerce quote plugin also allows the store owners to create their own form fields. They may ask for the name, quantity, delivery date, and any other relevant details of the consumer in order to figure out what they need.
When to Offer Both Options
Some stores need both “Add to Cart” and “Request a Quote.” And that’s okay.
Here’s how to use both:
- For simple products: Show Add to Cart
- For complex or bulk items: Show Request a Quote
With the right plugin, like the one by Extendons, it’s easy to set this up. Store owners can enable quotes only for certain products or certain customer types.
Example Scenarios
A Furniture Store
A WooCommerce store sells dining chairs. Single orders are available at a fixed price with Add to Cart. But when a customer wants 50 chairs for a restaurant, they can click Request a Quote. The store can then offer a better price for the large order.
A Printing Business
A store offers custom t-shirt printing. Since the price depends on the number of shirts and the design, there’s no fixed price. So instead of showing a checkout button, the product page has a Request a Quote button powered by the WooCommerce request a quote plugin.
Why Recommend WooCommerce Request a Quote Plugin by Extendons
There are many plugins out there, but Extendons’ WooCommerce request for quote plugin stands out because it’s easy to use and packed with useful features.
Here’s what it does well:
- Replaces price and cart buttons with a clear quote option
- Allows custom quote forms with different field types
- Sends email updates when quotes are received or accepted
- Helps convert quotes into orders
- Works well with B2B, wholesale, and custom products
- Offers control over who sees the quote button
For WooCommerce store owners who want to make quoting easy and organized, this plugin is a reliable choice.
Add to Cart vs Request a Quote: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Add to Cart | Request a Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast checkout | Slower, needs admin review |
| Fixed Prices | Yes | Not needed |
| Best For | Retail, simple products | B2B, bulk, or custom items |
| Customer Input | Minimal | High |
| Manual Work | No | Yes |
| Used In | Online shops | Service-based, B2B, custom orders |
How to Add a Request a Quote Feature to WooCommerce
Setting it up is simple:
- Install the WooCommerce Request a Quote Plugin by Extendons
- Choose which products will show the quote option
- Set up the request form with fields like name, quantity, or special notes
- Decide who sees the quote button all users or just certain roles
- Start receiving quote requests, send prices, and turn them into orders
There’s no need to change the whole store setup. This plugin works smoothly with WooCommerce and gives store owners everything needed to manage quotes.
FAQs
Can a store use both Add to Cart and Request a Quote?
Yes. With the WooCommerce quote plugin, it’s possible to offer both options depending on the product.
Is the WooCommerce Request a Quote Plugin easy to use?
Yes. The Extendons plugin is made for store owners. It has a clean interface and does not need coding skills.
Can guest users send quote requests?
Yes. Store admins can allow quotes from guest users or limit it to logged-in users.
Is this feature only for wholesale?
No. It’s useful for any product or service that doesn’t have a fixed price or needs customer input before finalizing the price.
Can the quote be turned into an order?
Yes. Once a quote is accepted, the store owner can convert it into a regular WooCommerce order.
