Preorders are a popular marketing strategy used by businesses to generate buzz and increase sales for upcoming products. By allowing customers to purchase products before they are officially released, businesses can gauge demand and build excitement among their audience.
Shopify, one of the leading e-commerce platforms, offers a built-in preorder feature that allows merchants to set up preorders for their products. This feature can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to increase sales and generate buzz for new products.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to set up preorders on Shopify, including step-by-step instructions, best practices, and examples. We’ll also explore the advantages and disadvantages of preorders, as well as tips for making informed decisions about preorders.
Can you set up preorders on Shopify?
Shopify makes it easy for merchants to set up preorders for their products. By enabling the preorder feature, businesses can offer their customers the option to purchase products before they are officially released.
It can help generate buzz and create excitement for new products, as well as provide valuable insights into customer demand.
One of the key advantages of using Shopify for preorders is that it offers a built-in preorder feature, which eliminates the need for third-party apps or plugins.
It makes it simple for businesses to set up and manage preorders on their website.
In addition, Shopify’s preorder feature allows merchants to set up payment options, such as full payment or partial payment, as well as manage inventory levels and product visibility.
It can help businesses optimize their preorder strategy and minimize the risks of over or under-stocking products.
How to set up a preorders on Shopify
Now that we’ve discussed the advantages of setting up preorders on Shopify, let’s dive into how to set up a preorders on Shopify.
Step 1: Enable the preorder feature
- To enable preorders on your Shopify store, go to the product page for the item you want to set up for preorder.
- Under the “Inventory” section, select the “Manage” button next to the “Inventory policy” field.
- From there, select the “Continue selling when out of stock” option, and then select the “Allow preorders” option.
Step 2: Set up payment options
- Next, you’ll want to set up payment options for your preorders.
- You can choose to require full payment at the time of preorder, or you can offer partial payment options, such as a deposit.
- To set up payment options, go to the “Variants” section of your product page and select the variant you want to set up payment options for.
- Under the “Pricing” section, you can choose to require full payment or set a deposit amount.
- You can also choose to automatically charge the remaining balance when the product becomes available, or manually charge customers when you’re ready to fulfill their preorder.
Step 3: Manage inventory levels
- When setting up preorders, it’s important to manage your inventory levels carefully to avoid over or under-stocking products.
- Shopify allows you to set a maximum quantity for preorders, as well as specify when the preorder ends.
- To manage inventory levels, go to the “Inventory” section of your product page and set a maximum quantity for preorders.
- You can also set a date when preorders will end, which can help you plan for production and fulfillment.
Step 4: Manage product visibility
- Finally, you’ll want to manage the visibility of your preorder products on your website.
- You can choose to display the preorder status on the product page, as well as in search results and collections.
- To manage product visibility, go to the “Online Store” section of your Shopify dashboard and select “Themes.”
- From there, select the “Customize” button next to your active theme, and then select “Product pages.”
- Under the “Product details” section, you can choose to display the preorder status and customize the messaging for preorder products.
By following these steps, you can set up preorders on Shopify and start generating buzz and sales for your upcoming products.
Shopify preorders without the app
While there are several apps available to help you set up preorders on Shopify, it’s also possible to set up preorders without using an app.
Here's how:
- Go to the product page for the item you want to set up for preorder.
- Under the “Inventory” section, select the “Manage” button next to the “Inventory policy” field.
- From there, select the “Continue selling when out of stock” option, and then select the “Allow preorders” option.
- Next, set up payment options for your preorders. You can choose to require full payment at the time of preorder, or you can offer partial payment options, such as a deposit.
- To set up payment options, go to the “Variants” section of your product page and select the variant you want to set up payment options for.
- Under the “Pricing” section, you can choose to require full payment or set a deposit amount.
- Finally, manage inventory levels and product visibility as outlined in the previous section.
While using an app can offer additional features and customization options, setting up preorders without an app can be a simpler and more cost-effective solution for smaller businesses or those with limited resources.
However, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both options to determine which is best for your specific needs.
The advantages of using an app for preorders include access to advanced features such as
- Customizable preorder forms
- Integration with other apps and services
- Automatic fulfillment of preorders.
Disadvantages may include,
- Additional costs
- Potential compatibility issues with other apps
- Increased complexity in the setup process.
Ultimately, the decision to use an app or set up preorders manually will depend on your specific business needs and resources.
Best Shopify preorder app
While it’s possible to set up preorders on Shopify without using an app, many businesses choose to use a preorder app to streamline the process and offer additional features. Here are some of the top-rated preorder apps available on the Shopify app store:
This app offers the ability to add preorder buttons to products and set up preorder discounts. It costs $9.99 per month and has a rating of 4.8 stars based on user reviews.
This app allows customers to preorder out-of-stock products and get notified when they’re restocked. It has a free plan and a paid plan starting at $6.99 per month. It has a rating of 4.9 stars based on user reviews.
This app lets businesses create pre-sale campaigns, add countdown timers and offer preorder discounts. It costs $4.99 per month and has a rating of 4.9 stars based on user reviews.
This app provides businesses with the ability to create custom preorder badges, add preorder buttons to product pages and offer preorder discounts. It has a free plan and a paid plan starting at $7.99 per month. It has a rating of 4.9 stars based on user reviews.
When choosing a preorder app, it’s important to consider factors such as pricing, user reviews, and the specific features that are most important to your business.
Some apps may be better suited for businesses with high-volume preorders, while others may be better suited for smaller businesses with more limited needs.
Before committing to a preorder app, it’s a good idea to test out the app with a small number of preorders to ensure that it meets your needs and works seamlessly with your existing Shopify store.
Shopify preorder template
Shopify provides a preorder template that businesses can utilize to create a designated preorder page for their products. This page enables customers to view product specifications, make preorder purchases, and check the estimated shipping dates.
Here is how to utilize the preorder template on Shopify:
- Select the product you want to set up for preorder and go to its product page in your Shopify dashboard.
- Click on “Edit” to edit the product details.
- Under “Product Availability,” select “Available for Preorder” from the drop-down menu.
- Set the date when the product will be available for preorder and the date when it will be available for regular purchase.
- Under “Inventory,” select “Continue selling when out of stock” to allow customers to continue making preorders even when the product is out of stock.
- Save your changes and preview the preorder page to make sure everything looks good.
Shopify’s preorder template is easy to use and can help businesses set up a dedicated preorder page quickly and easily.
By providing a seamless preorder experience for customers, businesses can increase sales and generate buzz for their products.
Advantages and disadvantages of preorders
Advantages of preordering:
- You can secure a product that might sell out quickly or have limited availability.
- You may be able to take advantage of special preorder pricing or promotions.
- You can be among the first to receive the product when it becomes available.
- Preordering can help you plan and budget for upcoming purchases.
Disadvantages of preordering:
- You may not know exactly what you’re getting, as product details and specifications can sometimes change between the preorder period and the actual release.
- The release date of the product may be delayed, leaving you waiting longer than expected.
- You may have to pay upfront for the product, which can be a financial burden.
- If the product turns out to be disappointing or not what you expected, you may be stuck with it since preorder purchases are often final.
To make informed decisions about preorders, it’s important to do your research and carefully consider the pros and cons.
Ultimately, whether preordering is better for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Final Lines
Setting up preorders on Shopify can be a great way to generate buzz and increase sales for your products.
With Shopify’s built-in preorder feature and the availability of third-party apps, it’s easier than ever to offer preorders to your customers.
By following the step-by-step guide provided and considering the advantages and disadvantages of preorders, you can make informed decisions about how to implement this strategy for your business.
If you need further assistance in setting up preorders or optimizing your Shopify store, consider reaching out to V2 Web Solutions. Our team of Shopify experts can provide personalized support and guidance to help you get the most out of your online store. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more!
