Supaks Order Builder — Simple User Guide
The Supaks Order Builder plugin lets customers browse products, select items, choose options, and submit an order request without using a full ecommerce checkout or online payment system.
It works like a shopping cart, but the final step creates an order request for the Supaks team to review, quote, process, and manage.
1. User Roles and Access
Administrator Access
Administrators have full access to the plugin and the entire WordPress site.
Admins can manage:
- Products
- Product categories
- CSV imports
- Order requests
- Order status updates
- Admin notes
- PDF quote/order downloads
- Email templates and plugin settings
- WordPress plugins, themes, settings, and users
Editor Access
Editors now have full access to the Supaks Order Builder plugin areas.
Editors can manage:
- Order Products
- Product categories
- CSV product import
- Order Requests
- Order status updates
- Admin notes
- PDF quote/order downloads
- Settings and email templates
Editors do not become full WordPress Administrators. They still do not have access to unrelated WordPress admin areas like plugins, themes, full site settings, or user management.
Supaks Order Manager Access
The plugin also includes a dedicated Supaks Order Manager role.
This role is useful for staff who only need to manage the order system.
Supaks Order Managers can:
- Add, edit, publish, and delete order products
- Upload product images
- Manage product categories
- Import products by CSV
- View and manage order requests
- Update order status
- Add admin notes
- Download quote/order PDFs
They cannot manage WordPress plugins, themes, users, or core site settings.
2. Shop Page
The shop page uses this shortcode:
The shop page displays available products in alphabetical order.
Customers can:
- Browse products
- Filter by category
- View product images
- Select quantities
- Add products directly to the order/cart
- Click a product to view the full product detail page
The shop page is designed for customers who already know what they want and want to quickly add several items to an order.
3. Product Detail Page
Each product has its own product page.
A product page can include:
- Product image
- Product name
- SKU or item number
- Description
- Price or display price
- Stock or availability details
- Lead time
- Minimum quantity
- Product options
- Quantity selector
- Add to order/cart button
Product options may include things like:
- Color
- Size
- Length
- Gauge
- Finish
- Material
- Trim type
- Custom notes
The available options are controlled by the admin, editor, or order manager from the product edit screen.
4. Order / Cart Page
The order/cart page uses this shortcode:
Review Your Order
Your order cart is empty. Return to shop.
Contact Information
Login is optional. Creating an account lets you view order history and download quote PDFs later. Log in here.
This page lets customers review their selected items before submitting the order request.
Customers can:
- Review selected products
- Confirm product options
- Update quantities
- Remove items
- Add contact information
- Add order notes
- Submit the order request
No online payment is collected. The order is submitted for staff review.
5. Customer Checkout / Order Request
When a customer submits an order, they may be asked to log in or provide their contact details.
Guest customers can submit an order by entering information such as:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Company name
- Address or delivery details
- Special order notes
If customer accounts are enabled, the system can create or connect the order to a customer account.
6. What Happens After an Order Is Submitted
After the customer submits the order:
- A new order request is created in WordPress.
- The customer receives a confirmation email.
- The admin/order team receives an email notification.
- Staff can review the order in the WordPress admin area.
- Staff can update the order status as it moves through the process.
- A PDF quote/order copy can be downloaded when needed.
7. Managing Orders in WordPress
In WordPress, go to:
Supaks Orders → Order Requests
From there, Administrators, Editors, and Supaks Order Managers can:
- View customer information
- Review ordered products
- Check quantities
- Review selected options
- Add internal admin notes
- Change the order status
- Download PDF quote/order copies
Admin notes are for internal staff use and help keep track of order updates, customer requests, changes, and follow-up details.
8. Order Statuses
Orders can be updated as they move through the process.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| New / Needs Review | The order has been submitted and needs to be checked |
| In Process | Staff is reviewing, preparing, or working on the order |
| Quoted | A quote has been prepared or sent |
| Approved | The order has been approved to move forward |
| Shipping / Out for Delivery | The order is being shipped, delivered, or prepared for pickup |
| Delivered | The order has been completed and delivered |
| Returned | The order or item was returned |
| Cancelled | The order was cancelled |
When the order status changes, the plugin can send a status update email depending on the email settings.
9. Customer Order History
Logged-in customers can view their previous orders using the customer account/order history page.
Use this shortcode:
My Order History
Please log in to view your order history.
The customer order history page can show:
- Previous order requests
- Order status
- Order details
- PDF quote/order downloads, when available
10. Adding Products
To add products, go to:
Order Products → Add New
Enter the product details, including:
- Product name
- Description
- Featured image
- SKU or item number
- Price or display price
- Stock/availability
- Unit label
- Lead time
- Minimum quantity
- Product category
- Product options
Then publish the product.
Only published products will appear on the shop page.
11. Product Options
Product options are managed from the product edit screen.
Admins, Editors, and Supaks Order Managers can add options such as:
- Color
- Size
- Finish
- Length
- Gauge
- Material
- Trim style
The drag-and-drop option builder allows staff to organize product options in the order customers should see them.
12. Product Categories
Product categories help organize the shop page.
Categories can be used for groups like:
- Lumber
- Roofing
- Metal Panels
- Trim
- Hardware
- Tools
- Accessories
- Special Order Items
The shop page category filter is sorted alphabetically.
13. CSV Product Import
The plugin includes a CSV import tool for bulk product uploads.
Editors, Administrators, and Supaks Order Managers can use the import tool.
Before importing, make sure the CSV includes the correct product information, such as:
- Product name
- SKU
- Description
- Price or display price
- Stock/availability
- Unit label
- Lead time
- Minimum quantity
- Category
- Options, if supported by the import format
After importing, review the products in WordPress to make sure they are published, categorized, and displaying correctly.
14. Email Templates and Settings
Email templates are managed in the plugin settings area.
Admins and Editors with plugin access can update:
- Customer confirmation email
- Admin notification email
- Status update email
- General plugin settings
These emails help keep customers and staff informed when orders are submitted or updated.
15. Quick Shortcode Reference
| Shortcode | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Displays the product shop/order page |
| Displays the cart/order review page |
| Displays logged-in customer order history |
Optional shop limit example:
By default, the shop is set to show all published products alphabetically.