Why Your Store Needs a Flexible Quote System

Have you ever had a potential customer leave your store just because they couldn’t get a clear idea of pricing? Or maybe you’ve had B2B buyers who need to negotiate before purchasing? That’s where a flexible quote system steps in — and it’s more important than ever in today’s online shopping world.

Whether you’re managing a wholesale store, selling customizable products, or just want more control over who sees your prices, adding a quote request system can help bridge the gap between interest and conversion.

In this article, we’ll explore how a flexible quote system — especially using a tool like the WooCommerce request a quote plugin by Extendons — can make your store more user-friendly, negotiation-ready, and capable of handling custom orders.

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• What is a Quote Request System?

• Why Standard Add-to-Cart Isn’t Always Enough

• Benefits of Using a Quote System in Your WooCommerce Store

  • For B2B & Wholesale Sellers

  • For Custom or Personalized Products

  • For Competitive Pricing Strategy

• Key Features of Extendons’ Request a Quote Plugin

• How It Works

• Use Cases and Real-World Applications

• Tips for Making the Most of Your Quote System

• FAQs

• Final Thoughts

What is a Quote Request System?

A quote request system allows customers to request a price estimate instead of purchasing a product right away. Instead of seeing a fixed price and an “Add to Cart” button, users see an “Add to Quote” option. After selecting one or more items, they can submit a form with details about their needs, and the store admin can respond with a custom price or offer.

This kind of setup is especially useful for:

• Businesses dealing in large orders

• Stores with complex or custom products

• Companies wanting to hide prices from competitors

Why Standard Add-to-Cart Isn’t Always Enough

Most eCommerce platforms, including WooCommerce, are designed with simple retail in mind. A product has a price, customers click “Add to Cart,” and checkout follows.

But what if your products are:

• Made-to-order with varying prices?

• Aimed at B2B buyers needing volume discounts?

• Subject to location-based pricing?

In such cases, a standard checkout doesn’t support negotiation, custom pricing, or private deals. That’s why adding a request quote WooCommerce feature is a smart move — it puts you back in control of your pricing and sales communication.

Benefits of Using a Quote System in Your WooCommerce Store

Let’s break it down by common store needs:

For B2B & Wholesale Sellers

B2B customers usually don’t make instant purchases. They expect personalized pricing, quantity-based discounts, and flexible payment options. The WooCommerce request a quote plugin helps manage this by hiding fixed prices and offering a quote submission form instead. You can show the quote button to specific user roles (like wholesalers or logged-in users) while keeping the regular prices for others.

For Custom or Personalized Products

If your products are built-to-spec or come with various customization options, it doesn’t make sense to set a fixed price. A flexible quote form lets customers provide details and helps you respond with an accurate estimate. You can add unlimited form fields, require specific inputs, and ensure your quote reflects the customer’s actual needs.

For Competitive Pricing Strategy

Want to keep your pricing under wraps to prevent competitors from undercutting you? A quote system lets you hide prices from the public and share them only with interested buyers. This keeps your pricing strategy flexible and protects sensitive business information.

Key Features of Extendons’ Request a Quote for Price for WooCommerce

Let’s dive into the features offered by this powerful plugin from Extendons.

Display “Add to Quote” Button Where You Need It

• Show on product pages, category pages, or both

• Display for all users, logged-in users, or specific roles

• Hide for out-of-stock products if needed

Hide Prices and Add to Cart Button

You can replace the product price and “Add to Cart” button with an Add to Quote option. This feature helps steer customers toward submitting quotes instead of checking out with incomplete information.

Customizable Quote Request Form

Build a custom form that matches your store’s needs:

• Add unlimited fields

• Choose from 13 field types like text, dropdown, checkbox, file upload

• Set fields as required or optional

• Customize labels, placeholders, and positions

• Apply fields for specific user types

Manage Quote Attributes

You can tailor how quotes appear to your customers:

• Show product price, offered price, and subtotal

• Enable “Convert to Order” when quote is accepted

• Assign quote numbers and order references

Personalized Quote Buttons

• Choose between button or text link style

• Customize button colors and hover styles

• Match the button to your theme branding

Email Notifications

Stay in touch throughout the process:

• Notify admin and customer when a quote is submitted

• Use email templates for different stages: pending, accepted, declined, etc.

• Insert placeholders like customer name, quote number, and order ID

Spam Protection with reCAPTCHA

Enable reCAPTCHA to prevent spam submissions and ensure only real customers can submit quote requests.

How It Works – A Simple Walkthrough

1. Customer Browses Products – Instead of a price or buy button, they see “Add to Quote.”

2. Customer Adds Products to Quote List – Functions like a quote-specific cart.

3. Customer Fills Out the Form – They can include quantity, specs, and other needs.

4. Admin Reviews the Request – You evaluate the inquiry and respond with pricing.

5. Customer Accepts the Quote – If they’re happy, they can convert the quote into an order.

6. Order is Processed – Just like any WooCommerce order.

It’s as simple as that. No coding, no manual emailing, no confusion.

Use Cases and Real-World Applications

Let’s look at some common scenarios where this plugin shines:

• Industrial Supplies Store: Quotes vary depending on size, material, and delivery area.

• Wholesale Apparel Store: Pricing differs based on bulk quantities.

• Furniture Customization: Buyers need to choose fabric, dimensions, finishes, and delivery.

• Art or Print Shops: Personalized items like canvases or photo prints require customer input.

• B2B eCommerce: Hide prices for guests and only show them to approved user roles.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Quote System

• Use clear button text like “Request a Quote” or “Get Pricing Info”

• Tailor your form fields to the product type

• Respond to quote requests quickly to maintain buyer interest

• Monitor which products get the most requests — it’s great market research

• Set realistic expectations on response times or processing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I hide the “Add to Cart” button completely?
Yes. The plugin allows you to hide the “Add to Cart” and price for selected products or categories.

Q2: Can guest users request a quote?
Absolutely. You can allow guests, logged-in users, or specific roles to see the quote option.

Q3: Can I receive notifications when a quote is submitted?
Yes, both store admins and customers get email notifications at every stage.

Q4: Can I customize the quote form?
Yes. You can add multiple field types and customize them fully — labels, order, status, and more.

Q5: What happens after a quote is accepted?
The customer can convert it directly into an order through WooCommerce.

Final Thoughts

Having a flexible quote system is more than just a convenience — it’s a smart way to adapt your store to how modern customers (especially B2B) actually shop. Whether you're selling in bulk, dealing with custom projects, or simply want more control over pricing, the WooCommerce request a quote plugin by Extendons gives you the tools to manage your pricing interactions smoothly.

By allowing customers to request a quote instead of forcing a checkout, you create room for negotiation, better customer service, and ultimately, more sales.

Ready to take your store to the next level with a flexible quoting experience? Consider implementing a quote system today and turn inquiries into long-term customers.