Automatically Unpublish Variable Products in WooCommerce

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to automatically unpublish variable products in WooCommerce using the PublishPress Future plugin. This feature is particularly useful for scheduling product expirations, ensuring that your store remains up-to-date without manual intervention. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to set expiry dates for your variable products efficiently.

Step 1: Install the PublishPress Future Plugin

To get started, you need to install the PublishPress Future plugin on your WordPress site.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for "PublishPress Future."
4. Click Install Now and then Activate once installed.

Step 2: Configure PublishPress Future Settings

After activating the plugin, you need to configure its settings to manage product expiration.

1. Go to PublishPress in your dashboard menu.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Ensure that the plugin is enabled for your WooCommerce products.
4. Explore any additional settings that may be relevant for your needs, such as notifications or scheduling options.

Step 3: Set Expiry Dates for Variable Products

Now it’s time to schedule expiry dates for your variable products.

1. Navigate to Products > All Products.
2. Select a variable product you want to edit.
3. Scroll down to the PublishPress Future section in the product data panel.

Set the Expiry Date

• Choose the date and time when you want the product to be unpublished.
4. Save the changes by clicking Update.

Step 4: Use Action Workflows for Automation

To automate the process of unpublishing variable products, you can use Action Workflows.

1. Go to PublishPress > Workflows.
2. Create a new workflow by clicking Add New.

Name your workflow and define the trigger

• Select Expiry Date as the trigger condition.
3. Set the action to Unpublish the product when it reaches the expiry date.
4. Save the workflow.

Step 5: Test Your Configuration

Before relying on the automated process, it's essential to test your settings.

1. Create a test variable product and set a near-future expiry date.
2. Monitor the product to ensure it gets unpublished on the specified date.
3. Adjust any settings or workflows if the product does not expire as expected.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the expiration of variable products in WooCommerce using the PublishPress Future plugin. This not only saves time but also helps maintain the integrity of your online store. As a next step, consider exploring other features of the PublishPress Future plugin to enhance your product management capabilities further.