How To Set Up a Pre-Order on Shopify: A Guide

If you’re a Shopify store owner looking to boost anticipation and sales for new products before they hit the shelves, setting up pre-orders could be a game-changer.

In this comprehensive guide, Website On Demand walks you through the finer points of pre-orders, from their benefits and how to set up a pre-order on Shopify to essential tips for a successful pre-order strategy and answers to frequently asked questions to help you maximize this marketing strategy.

Learn How To Set Up Pre-Order on Shopify

Pre-orders not only help you build early momentum but also give you a solid foundation for successful product launches. They reduce risk, increase revenue, and get customers excited. What’s not to love?

Here we break down absolutely everything you need to set up a pre-order on Shopify. 

What Are Pre-Orders—And Why Are They Valuable? An Overview

Pre-orders let customers buy items before you officially release or restock them. This powerful business tactic packs a punch: it builds buzz and determines demand for future product launches. By offering pre-orders, you tap into customer anticipation to drive early sales and gain better control over your inventory. As a Shopify store owner, this is huge. 

There are so many benefits of pre-orders, and making the most of your Shopify pre-order strategy requires understanding their advantages:

• Generate Anticipation: Pre-orders spark excitement. You engage customers, creating anticipation and boosting brand interest.
• Capture Advance Sales: Pre-orders secure revenue before your product is live, helping to cover production costs and improve cash flow.
• Determine Product Demand: Pre-orders provide a clear picture of what customers want. You get to make smarter decisions regarding inventory, marketing, and even product development.

Strategic use of pre-orders on Shopify gives you a valuable competitive edge and lays the groundwork for successful launches. 

How To Set Up Pre-Orders on Shopify Step by Step

Like other online marketing techniques, there’s no one-size-fits-all method when learning how to do pre-orders on Shopify. However, there is a right approach. 

In general, these are the best practices to set up a pre-order on your Shopify store.

Install a Pre-Order App

This is one of the most user-friendly ways to set up and manage pre-orders on Shopify. It automates the process and offers a seamless experience end-to-end. It’s by far the top approach when ease and control are at the top of your list of priorities. 

Here’s how to get started with the Pre Order Now app for Shopify: 

• Step 1: Go to the Shopify App Store and search for “Pre Order Now” or click here to install the app.

• Step 2: Once installed, open the app from your Shopify admin dashboard.

• Step 3: Customize settings for your pre-order options. You can decide whether to add pre-order buttons to out-of-stock items or all products. This ensures that you can selectively offer pre-orders where appropriate.

• Step 4: Set up your pre-order messaging and display options. This includes the button text (“Pre-Order Now”) and any additional information like estimated delivery dates or special offers.

• Step 5: Publish the changes to your store. Once everything is set, your products will have pre-order buttons where applicable, and your customers can start purchasing items before they officially launch.

The Pre Order Now App also lets you track pre-order purchases, manage inventory, and even send automatic email notifications to keep customers updated about their orders. This makes it easy to provide a great customer experience and avoid any surprises.

Try Alternative Methods to Set Up Pre-Orders

The Pre-Order Now App is easily the most powerful solution. Still, you can also use other methods to enable pre-orders on your Shopify store. 

• Manual Inventory Management: If you prefer to handle things manually, you can change the availability of your products to “Pre-Order” in the Shopify admin panel. This method can be great for smaller stores, but requires some deliberate effort to track inventory and notify customers about order status. 

• Shopify Plus & Custom Checkout Flow: If you’re on Shopify Plus, you can customize the checkout flow using Shopify Scripts to add pre-order functionality. This is an advanced method that requires a lot of manual customization on your end, but offers customers the option to pre-order and pay in advance.

• Pre-Order by Variant or Product Type: If you’re selling multiple variants of a product, you can set up pre-orders by creating a pre-order variant for specific items that are out of stock. This gives customers a clear understanding of the pre-order process but requires extra setup to distinguish regular and pre-order items.

These methods are less efficient than using an app like Pre Order Now, but they’re viable options depending on your goals, skills, and needs. While exploring options, prioritize reliability and seamless integration with your online store.

Crafting a Strong Shopify Pre-Order Strategy

A successful pre-order strategy goes beyond simply allowing customers to buy products before they’re available. Here’s how to maximize the benefits of pre-orders on Shopify and ensure a smooth launch. 

1. Choose the Right Pre-Order Model for Your Products

There are a few main types of pre-order models that can suit different needs:

Traditional Pre-Orders: This is your basic model, where customers place orders for products that have not yet been released. You set a specific release date and customers reserve their items in advance. It’s great for getting paid upfront, capturing customers when they’re ready to buy, or keeping customers informed on your latest inventory.

Backorders: This allows customers to buy products that are temporarily out of stock. When the items become available again, fulfillment resumes in the order shoppers placed their backorder. It’s a great method for high-demand items with occasional stock shortages

2. Incentivize Pre-Orders to Drive Early Sales

Encouraging customers to pre-order can be a challenge. The solution? Offer incentives like: 

• Exclusive discounts to give customers a deal that’s only available ahead of release 
• Limited-edition items or exclusive content to make offers more enticing

These pre-order incentives enhance the perceived value of your product and do a lot of legwork to encourage customers to act sooner, boosting early sales and excitement.

3. Communicate Clearly and Transparently

Clear communication is everything when it comes to building trust and keeping customers satisfied with their pre-order experience. When setting up pre-orders on Shopify, make sure to:

• Be transparent about estimated release dates, production delays, and shipping times. Keep customers informed about when they can expect to receive their orders.

• Display pre-order terms, including shipping dates and any delays, on product pages, checkout screens, and confirmation emails. 

• Handle delays responsibly—if your pre-order release date changes, let your customers know right away. Offer compensation, such as a small discount or free shipping, to maintain goodwill.

By setting realistic expectations and being upfront with your customers, you’ll build loyalty and reduce the likelihood of cancellations.

4. Leverage Multiple Marketing Channels

Maximize the impact of your pre-order campaign by getting the word out across various channels:

• Use email newsletters that highlight the product’s value and the benefits of pre-ordering.
• Post teaser content, countdowns, and product reveals on social media.
• Use communication apps with high engagement rates (like WhatsApp).
• Collaborate with influencers in your target demographic to spread your message and reach potential customers.
• Run targeted advertising campaigns to make sure users who have shown interest in similar items know about your upcoming product release.

Use the channels where your audience is most active, and you’re a lot more likely to create widespread excitement and drive pre-order conversions.

5. Offer Flexible Payment Options

Set up your Shopify pre-order process, offering flexible payment options from the outset. For buyers, this is instantly more appealing and accessible. 

• Installment Plans: Let customers pay in installments instead of paying the full price upfront. This makes your product more accessible and can increase conversion rates.

• Partial Payments: For larger-ticket items, offering a partial payment option can reduce barriers to pre-ordering. Customers pay a deposit upfront, with the balance due when the product is released.

These options provide customers with increased choice and, as a result, instantly boost your pre-order sales. It’s a solid way to encourage those hesitant about committing fully upfront.

6. Track and Manage Your Pre-Order Inventory

Efficient inventory management is the only fast track to fulfilling pre-orders on time. 

Shopify allows you to track your pre-order inventory separately, so you can monitor how many pre-orders you’ve received and adjust stock levels accordingly. Just make sure to set up inventory alerts so you never run out of stock without realizing it. Use this data to make informed decisions about restocking and shipping. This way, customers always get their products as promised.

Learn More About How To Set Up a Pre-Order on Shopify With Website On Demand

With all the tools and knowledge at your fingertips, mastering how to set up a pre-order on Shopify opens a world of opportunities to supercharge your online business. By understanding the essentials, employing time-tested strategies, and following best practices, you can get customers pumped about your newest products before they hit shelves.

Leverage the power of pre-orders and propel your brand to the next level with Website on Demand. Get started with the Pre Order Now app today for a successful, friction-free launch.