The majority of stores just list a product’s price and don’t do anything else. Giving your customers an option to control their prices could bring many benefits. No matter what your objective is, letting the customers choose or control the product pricing can help you achieve that. Why? Because it comes with benefits not only for customers but for businesses as well.
Why Give Customers a Price Choice?
Offering individuals an option has a certain impact. Customers frequently react generously when they feel trustworthy.. This kind of pricing helps you:
- Build stronger relationships with your audience
- Reach people who might not afford your set price
- Let loyal customers support you in their own way
It’s not just about making sales—it’s about inviting support.
What Is Pay-What-You-Want Pricing?
Pay what you wish to. You don’t set a fixed price when you use (PWYW) pricing. Rather, consumers input the price they choose to pay for a good or service.
This is often used by:
- Artists sharing music or designs
- Writers offering eBooks or guides
- Nonprofits raising donations
- Creators who want to keep things open and community-driven
Some people will pay the minimum. Others will pay more than you expect. It’s a chance to see the value people place on what you’re offering.
When This Pricing Works Well
PWYW isn’t for every product. But it makes a lot of sense in these cases:
- Donations – Great for fundraising or support pages
- Digital products – No shipping or production costs involved
- New product launches – Learn what people think your product is worth
- Community support – Give fans and followers a way to pitch in
If you’re offering real value, people usually respond with fairness.
How to Set It Up in WooCommerce
Keep in mind that WooCommerce doesn’t have this feature by default. Instead, you can use a plugin called Custom Price for WooCommerce, that is also available on WooCommerce official marketplace
Steps:
- Install and activate the plugin
- Open the product you want to offer
- Enable the option for user-defined pricing
- Set a minimum or default amount if needed
- Save the product
Now your customers will see a price input box where they can enter their own amount.
Make It Clear What to Do
When people see an empty box for the price, they may feel unsure. Help them out with clear instructions.
- Add a label like “Enter the amount you want to pay”
- Use placeholder text such as “e.g., 10”
- Show a message if someone tries to enter too little
- Display the field next to “Add to Cart” button so it’s easy to view.
Everyone will benefit from being clear and helpful.
Use Minimum and Suggested Prices Wisely
If you’re worried about people entering very low amounts (like $0), don’t worry. The plugin gives you some control.
You can:
- Set a minimum price to cover basic costs
- Suggest a price so people have a starting point
- Decide whether to allow very low payments or block them
For instance, you might propose $10 and specify a minimum of $3 if you’re selling an eBook. That gives people room while still protecting your time and effort.
How to Track What Customers Pay
Once people start buying, you’ll be able to see what they paid just like any other order.
In your WooCommerce dashboard, you can:
- View individual payment amounts
- Compare prices entered by different customers
- Notice patterns—like average payments or best-performing products
This helps you decide whether to keep using this model, raise your minimum, or try other options.
Show These Products in the Right Places
If customers don’t see the option, they won’t use it. Here are a few smart ways to get more attention:
- Create a page with products set up for donations or support
- Feature the products on your homepage or in a banner
- Add a “Support Our Work” item during checkout
- To help others understand how it operates, include it in your emails or blog.
More people will try it if it is clear and easy to grasp.
Check Tax Settings Before Going Live
If you’re using this pricing for donations or running a nonprofit, take a minute to review your tax settings. Some products may be tax-free, while others aren’t.
WooCommerce allows you to:
- Mark certain products as non-taxable
- Set up tax rules based on product type or location
Final Words
Letting customers name their own price might seem risky at first, but many shop owners are surprised by how well it works—especially for digital products that support a community
Customers appreciate being trusted. And when you offer something valuable, they often pay more than you think.
With one simple plugin and a few thoughtful settings, you can try this out on your WooCommerce store today. It doesn’t take much to set up—and you may be pleasantly surprised by the response.