Introduction
Stock Guardian Pro seamlessly integrates with WooCommerce to provide real-time stock monitoring and alerting. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the complete integration process, from installation to advanced configuration, ensuring your store has optimal inventory management.
Prerequisites
Before integrating Stock Guardian Pro, ensure you have:
- WooCommerce installed and activated (version 5.0 or higher)
- WordPress version 5.8 or higher
- Administrator access to your WordPress site
- At least one product with stock management enabled
Installation Process
Step 1: Download and Upload
- Download the Stock Guardian Pro ZIP file from your purchase dashboard
- Go to WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New
- Click “Upload Plugin”
- Select the ZIP file and click “Install Now”
- Wait for the installation to complete
Step 2: Activation
- Click “Activate Plugin” after installation
- Verify that Stock Guardian Pro appears in your plugins list as active
- Check that no error messages appear
Step 3: Verify WooCommerce Integration
After activation, Stock Guardian Pro automatically detects WooCommerce. You should see:
- A new “Stock Guardian” menu item under WooCommerce
- Stock Guardian settings available in product edit pages
- No compatibility warnings in the admin dashboard
Initial Configuration
1. Access the Settings Page
Navigate to WooCommerce → Stock Guardian → Settings to access the main configuration panel.
2. Configure Default Threshold
- Set your “Default Low Stock Threshold” (e.g., 10 units)
- This threshold applies to all products unless overridden at the product level
- Consider your average sales velocity when setting this value
3. Enable Notification Methods
Choose how you want to receive stock alerts:
- Email Notifications: Enable and configure email addresses
- Telegram Notifications: Set up Telegram bot integration (optional)
- Admin Dashboard Alerts: Enable visual alerts in WordPress admin
4. Configure Alert Frequency
Set how often you receive alerts:
- Immediate: Alert sent as soon as threshold is reached
- Daily Digest: Receive one summary email per day
- Weekly Summary: Weekly report of all low stock items
Product-Level Configuration
Setting Custom Thresholds
- Go to Products → All Products
- Edit any product
- Scroll down to the “Stock Guardian Pro” meta box
- Enable “Use Custom Threshold”
- Enter your desired threshold value
- Click “Update” to save
Configuring Variable Products
For products with variations:
- Edit the variable product
- Go to the “Variations” tab
- Expand each variation
- Set individual thresholds in the “Stock Guardian Threshold” field
- Save each variation
Advanced Integration Features
Bulk Configuration
Use the bulk edit feature to configure multiple products at once:
- Select multiple products from the Products list
- Choose “Edit” from the bulk actions dropdown
- Click “Apply”
- Configure Stock Guardian settings for all selected products
- Click “Update”
Category-Based Thresholds
Set default thresholds for entire product categories:
- Go to Products → Categories
- Edit a category
- Set the “Default Stock Threshold” for that category
- All products in that category will inherit this threshold (unless overridden)
Integration with Other Plugins
Stock Guardian Pro works seamlessly with:
- WooCommerce Subscriptions: Monitor subscription product stock
- WooCommerce Bookings: Track booking availability
- Multi-Vendor Plugins: Monitor stock across vendors
- Import/Export Plugins: Thresholds are preserved during imports
Testing the Integration
Test Alert System
- Create a test product or use an existing one
- Set a high threshold (e.g., 100) for testing
- Reduce stock below the threshold
- Verify that alerts are received via your configured methods
- Check the dashboard for alert history
Verify Dashboard Functionality
- Navigate to WooCommerce → Stock Guardian → Dashboard
- Verify low stock items are displayed correctly
- Check that statistics are accurate
- Test the export functionality
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Plugin Not Detecting WooCommerce
- Ensure WooCommerce is activated before Stock Guardian Pro
- Check WooCommerce version compatibility
- Deactivate and reactivate Stock Guardian Pro
Alerts Not Sending
- Verify email settings in WordPress (Settings → General)
- Check spam/junk folders
- Ensure notification methods are enabled in settings
- Test email functionality with WordPress mail test plugin
Thresholds Not Working
- Verify stock management is enabled for products
- Check that products have stock quantities set
- Ensure custom thresholds are saved correctly
- Clear any caching plugins
Best Practices
- Start with Default Thresholds: Use global defaults first, then customize per product as needed
- Regular Monitoring: Check the dashboard weekly to review alert patterns
- Adjust Based on Data: Use sales data to refine thresholds over time
- Document Your Settings: Keep notes on threshold decisions for future reference
- Test Before Going Live: Always test the alert system with a test product first
Maintenance and Updates
Keep Stock Guardian Pro updated:
- Check for updates regularly in Plugins → Installed Plugins
- Backup your site before updating
- Review changelog for new features and improvements
- Test after updates to ensure everything still works correctly
Conclusion
Stock Guardian Pro integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce to provide powerful stock monitoring capabilities. Following this guide will ensure a smooth integration and optimal configuration for your store’s inventory management needs. Regular monitoring and adjustment of settings will help you maintain optimal stock levels and prevent stock-outs.