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Order Created → Update Order Status

Automatically advance WooCommerce order status when new orders are placed. Perfect for auto-processing digital products, approved customers, and streamlined fulfillment.

beginner 5 minutes |
#orders #status #automation #woocommerce #fulfillment

Use Case

When a new order is placed, you want to automatically update its status based on specific conditions. This streamlines fulfillment and reduces manual processing for qualifying orders.

Common scenarios:

  • Auto-complete digital product orders
  • Fast-track wholesale customer orders
  • Auto-process free orders
  • Skip to “Preparing” for local pickup
  • Move subscription renewals to processing

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create a New Workflow

Navigate to Sequensy → Workflows in your WordPress admin and click Add New Workflow.

Name your workflow “Auto-Complete Digital Orders” or “Fast-Track VIP Processing”.

2. Configure the Trigger

Select Order Created as your trigger.

Essential filters:

  • Products: Only digital/virtual products
  • Customer Role: VIP or wholesale customers
  • Order Total: Free orders (total = 0)
  • Shipping Method: Local pickup orders
  • Payment Method: Pre-approved payment types

3. Set Up the Update Order Status Action

Configure the status change:

SettingExample ValueDescription
Order{order_id}The new order
New StatusCompletedOr Processing, On-Hold
NoteAuto-processed by SequensyFor order history

4. Add Notification (Optional)

Chain a Send Email action for completed digital orders:

Subject: Your order is complete! Access your downloads

Hi {billing_first_name},

Your order #{order_id} has been automatically completed
because it contains only digital products.

Access your downloads immediately:
{download_links}

Thanks for your purchase!

5. Test Your Workflow

  1. Enable the workflow
  2. Place a test order matching conditions
  3. Verify order status changed automatically
  4. Check order notes for workflow activity
  5. Confirm any follow-up actions triggered

Pro Tips

Be specific with conditions: Only auto-advance orders that truly don’t need review. Use multiple conditions (digital products AND paid AND verified customer).

Add order notes: Always add a note explaining why status changed—helps with auditing and troubleshooting.

Consider payment verification: For auto-completing, ensure payment is confirmed. Use “Payment Complete” trigger instead if needed.

Test edge cases: Verify mixed orders (digital + physical) are handled correctly.

Auto-Processing Rules

Digital Products

Conditions:
- All items are virtual/downloadable
- Payment is complete
- No physical shipping required

Action: Set to Completed

Wholesale Orders

Conditions:
- Customer role is "Wholesale"
- Payment method is "Invoice"
- Under credit limit

Action: Set to Processing

Free Orders

Conditions:
- Order total is $0
- All items free or 100% coupon

Action: Set to Completed

Local Pickup

Conditions:
- Shipping method is "Local Pickup"
- Payment complete

Action: Set to "Ready for Pickup"

Status Workflow Diagram

Order Created
    ↓
[Check Conditions]
    ↓
Digital Only? → Complete
    ↓
Free Order? → Complete
    ↓
VIP Customer? → Processing
    ↓
Local Pickup? → Ready for Pickup
    ↓
Default → Leave as Pending/Processing

Order Status Reference

StatusWhen to Auto-Set
ProcessingPayment received, needs fulfillment
CompletedDigital products, nothing to ship
On HoldNeeds manual review
Ready for PickupLocal pickup + paid
Custom StatusBased on your workflow

Troubleshooting

Status not changing?

  • Verify all conditions are met
  • Check trigger is “Order Created”
  • Review workflow execution logs

Wrong orders affected?

  • Tighten condition filters
  • Add product-specific conditions
  • Check for condition conflicts

Downstream issues?

  • Ensure status change doesn’t break other workflows
  • Check WooCommerce status emails
  • Verify fulfillment integrations