🎉 Up to 40% off on WooCommerce Plugins. The sale discount will be calculated and shown at checkout.

Ways To Change WooCommerce Out Of Stock Text

September 16, 2025,
Ways To Change WooCommerce Out Of Stock Text

Do you have too many products with out-of-stock labels on your WooCommerce store? Guess what? Your bounce rate is going to hike like never before. 

If you want to cut this bounce rate and improve the sales, then you need to think of ways to change the out-of-stock text. While there is an option to hide the out-of-stock products, this is not sufficient. With a stock manager, you can tackle things the best way possible. 

We are not jumping straight to how a stock manager WooCommerce plugin helps you in changing the out-of-stock text. We will explore both methods:

  1. Changing the out-of-stock text via coding
  2. Changing out-of-stock text with a WooCommerce stock management plugin

So, let’s deeply analyze each of the methods to change out-of-stock text in WooCommerce and give a verdict on the best option between these two. 

Why Change the Default "Out of Stock" Text?

The standard “Out of Stock” notice does the job, but it’s basic. In a world where micro-interactions can make or break sales, small changes like this can improve. 

Enhance User Experience

  1. Personalization: Custom texts can reflect your brand's tone, whether friendly, humorous, or professional, helping to keep the shopping experience consistent.
  2. Reducing Frustration: A message like “Coming Back Soon—Stay Tuned!” not only informs but also reassures customers.
  3. Guiding Action: Prompts like “Join or sign up for exclusive offers” can boost engagement and conversions.

Boost Conversion Rates

  1. Retention Opportunities: Instead of a dead end, the new message can direct visitors to sign up for alerts, check alternative products, or even get exclusive discount codes.
  2. Seamless Navigation: Encouraging customers to browse other products reduces bounce rates and enhances overall site navigation.

Let’s explore the most effective methods to do this the right way.

Method #1: Using a Code Snippet

For store owners or developers who prefer a code-based approach, this method is highly efficient. With only a few lines of PHP code, you can update the default text across your WooCommerce store without adding any plugins.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access Your Theme Files:
  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor and open your function.php file. Make sure to make changes to the child theme instead of the parent theme.
Insert the code snippet:

Add the code snippet below to your theme file:

add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_availability_text', 'custom_out_of_stock_text', 10, 2 );

function custom_out_of_stock_text( $availability, $product ) {

    if ( ! $product->is_in_stock() ) {

        // Replace 'Coming Back Soon!' with your custom message.

        $availability = 'Coming Back Soon! Sign up for updates.';

    }

    return $availability;

}

Save and Test:

  1. Save the changes you have made
  2. Visit the product page for which you have changed the out-of-stock text and check for the display of the updated one.

Method #2: Through a WooCommerce Stock Management Plugin

If you are looking for an alternate option instead of coding, then choosing a plugin is the ideal option. You may find ample stock manager plugins to manage everything related to WooCommerce stock.

How Does the Plugin Work?

Follow these steps to make the stock manager plugin work and change the out-of-stock text. 

Also, go through the plugin guide for detailed instructions. 

Step #1: Install the Plugin
  1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard and search for your desired WooCommerce plugin. 
  2. Install and activate your chosen plugin.
Step #2: Configure Settings
  1. Navigate to the plugin’s settings page.
  2. Locate the option for altering the stock status text.
  3. Enter your customized message (could be anything other than out-of-stock yet engaging).
Step #3: Verify Results

Check the product pages for the custom message you have just updated.

Benefits of Choosing a Plugin

  1. Ease of Use: No technical knowledge is required.
  2. Flexibility: Many plugins offer styling options, conditional texts for different products, and even analytics on how often customers interact with these messages.
  3. Future-Proofing: Plugin updates can automatically align with WooCommerce updates, keeping your customizations intact.

Best Practices for Crafting the Perfect Message

When rethinking your WooCommerce out-of-stock text, remember that the message is a subtle yet crucial part of your store’s user experience. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  1. Keep It Positive: Avoid negative wording. Instead of “Sold Out,” include words like “Coming Back Soon” or “Restock Alert.”
  2. Invite Action: Include calls to action to encourage users to take an action to get updated on the stock. 
  3. Reflect Your Brand: There should be consistency between the tone of the newly added text and your brand.
  4. Test and Iterate: Conduct multiple tests to figure out which text type holds more potential and improves conversions.

Are You Ready To Change The Text?

Changing the WooCommerce "change out of stock" text isn’t merely about altering words—it’s about enhancing the customer journey. Whether you’re a coder comfortable with PHP snippets or a beginner using plugins, the key is to ensure that your message aligns with your brand values and encourages customers to remain engaged.

If you have not changed the WooCommerce out-of-stock text, then you are missing out on a lot. So, change this text without any delay by opting for any of the methods mentioned above.

Buy Now

Relevant Blogs: 

  1. 10 Reasons to Use a WooCommerce Stock Management Plugin for Your Online Store
  2. Features to Look for in a WooCommerce Stock Manager Plugin
  3. 5 Best WooCommerce Stock Manager Plugins in 2025
  4. Managing Large Inventories in WooCommerce With a Stock Manager
  5. Efficiently Manage Product Attributes and Stock with Stock Manager for WooCommerce
  6. Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Stock Manager for WooCommerce