Every COD order is a risk. Every prepaid order is guaranteed revenue. The goal isn’t to eliminate COD — in many markets you’d kill your conversion rate — but to shift the balance in your favour without alienating customers.
Prepaid Discounts
One of the most effective techniques: offer a small discount on prepaid orders. The Smart COD Control plugin pairs naturally with this strategy — tighten COD eligibility rules while making prepaid more attractive.
COD Fees as a Nudge
Add a visible handling fee to COD orders. When a customer sees “Cash on Delivery + ₹40 handling fee” vs “Pay online — free”, many will choose prepaid. The fee doesn’t have to be large to be effective.
Customer Trust Scoring
New customers with no order history are higher risk. Smart COD Control lets you restrict COD to customers who have already placed and received at least one prepaid order — building trust before extending COD eligibility.
Category and Product Rules
Some products are higher risk than others. Block COD on fragile items, high-value electronics, or custom/personalised products where returns are especially costly.
Transparent Reporting
Track your COD vs prepaid split, RTO rates and blocked order counts directly in WooCommerce. The data helps you tune your rules over time.