How to Create Draft Orders in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What Are Draft Orders?
3. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Draft Order in Shopify
4. Customization Options for Draft Orders
5. Managing Customer Information
6. Utilizing Draft Orders for B2B Transactions
7. Summary of Key Points
8. Conclusion
9. FAQs

Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of e-commerce, providing a seamless purchasing experience is vital for retaining customers and driving sales. Did you know that nearly 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned? This staggering statistic underscores the importance of addressing customer needs, especially when they prefer personalized purchasing options. One effective solution for merchants is the ability to create draft orders in Shopify.

Draft orders empower merchants to manage orders that are initiated outside of the online store environment—be it through phone calls, emails, or in-person sales. This flexibility allows businesses to cater to specific customer preferences and facilitate the sales process effectively.

In this blog post, we will explore the ins and outs of creating draft orders in Shopify, including the steps involved, potential benefits, and best practices to enhance your e-commerce operations. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to utilize this feature to improve customer satisfaction and potentially increase your revenue.

Our discussion will cover the following key aspects:

• Understanding what draft orders are and their significance.
• Step-by-step guidance on creating draft orders.
• Customization options available within draft orders.
• Managing customer information and payment terms.
• Tips for using draft orders in B2B transactions.
• Addressing common questions and concerns regarding draft orders.

Let’s dive into the world of draft orders and see how they can transform your Shopify store into a more customer-centric platform.

What Are Draft Orders?

Draft orders are a feature in Shopify that allows merchants to create orders on behalf of customers without requiring them to complete the purchase through the storefront. This capability is particularly useful for businesses that interact with customers directly, allowing for more personalized service.

Why Use Draft Orders?

1. Flexibility in Sales: Draft orders enable merchants to handle sales via multiple channels—be it phone, email, or in person. This flexibility can lead to higher conversion rates as customers appreciate the ease of placing orders in their preferred manner.
2. B2B Transactions: For businesses engaging in B2B sales, draft orders provide a way to streamline the ordering process. Companies can request quotes, place bulk orders, or negotiate terms directly, facilitating a smoother transaction.
3. Customization and Control: Merchants can customize draft orders by adding discounts, modifying pricing, and managing inventory allocation, ensuring that each order aligns with the customer’s needs.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Draft Order in Shopify

Creating a draft order in Shopify is straightforward. Follow these steps to set up your first draft order:

Step 1: Navigate to the Draft Orders Section

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Click on “Orders” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Select “Drafts” from the submenu.

Step 2: Create a New Draft Order

1. Click the “Create Order” button, typically located at the top right of the Drafts page.
2. You will be redirected to a new order screen.

Step 3: Add Products to the Draft Order

1. In the “Products” section, you can search for existing products or add new custom items.
2. Once you find the desired item, select the quantity and click “Add.”
3. To ensure inventory is reserved for this draft order, check the option to reserve inventory if necessary.

Step 4: Customize the Order

1. Discounts: If you wish to apply discounts, locate the Discounts section and input the discount amount or percentage.
2. Shipping: Choose the shipping method by clicking “Add shipping” to set the delivery options.
3. Taxes: Confirm that the tax settings reflect the applicable rates based on the customer’s location. This is crucial for compliance and transparency.

Step 5: Add Customer Information

1. In the “Customer” section, you can either select an existing customer or create a new profile.
2. Input the customer’s contact details, shipping address, and any other relevant information.
3. Ensure the customer’s information is accurate to avoid any delivery issues.

Step 6: Set Payment Terms

1. Navigate to the Payment section. Here, you can choose to collect payment immediately or set payment terms for later.
2. If you opt for later payment, select the desired terms from the dropdown menu (e.g., payment due within 30 days).

Step 7: Review and Save

1. Before finalizing, review all the details to ensure accuracy.
2. Click “Save” to create the draft order.
3. You can then either send an invoice directly to the customer or complete the order later.

Customization Options for Draft Orders

One of the key benefits of draft orders is the level of customization they offer. Here are some options to consider:

Adding Custom Items

Merchants can add custom items that may not be part of the existing inventory. For example, if a customer requests a unique service or product, you can add it as a custom line item in the draft order.

Locking Product Pricing

If you want to protect your pricing from future changes, you can lock the prices in your draft order. This prevents any potential price increases from affecting the order until it is finalized.

Applying Shipping Discounts

Offering shipping discounts can be a great incentive for customers. You can easily apply various shipping rates or create custom shipping options tailored to your customer’s needs.

Adding Tags for Better Organization

Tags help categorize orders for easier management. You can add tags based on customer type, product category, or any other criteria that supports your workflow.

Managing Customer Information

Customer relationship management is critical in e-commerce. Draft orders allow you to modify customer information directly within the order interface.

Editing Customer Details

If a customer’s contact information changes, you can easily edit it directly from the draft order. This ensures that communications regarding the order are sent to the correct email address and shipping details are accurate.

Adding or Removing Customers

You can also remove a customer from a draft order if necessary. This flexibility ensures that you maintain control over who is associated with the order, particularly in cases of B2B transactions where multiple stakeholders may be involved.

Utilizing Draft Orders for B2B Transactions

Draft orders are particularly beneficial for B2B sales. Here’s how you can leverage them for your business:

Creating Draft Orders for Companies

When dealing with business clients, you can create draft orders that reflect company-specific pricing and payment terms. This ensures that the order aligns with the company’s policies and preferences.

Requiring Approval for Draft Orders

You have the option to require that all orders from certain customers be submitted as drafts for approval. This process helps in managing larger transactions and ensures that orders align with company budgets.

Sending Invoices for Draft Orders

Once a draft order is finalized, you can send an invoice to the customer that includes a secure checkout link. This streamlines the payment process and enhances the customer experience.

Summary of Key Points

Creating and managing draft orders in Shopify provides merchants with enhanced flexibility and control over the sales process. By utilizing draft orders, you can cater to diverse customer needs and preferences while ensuring that each transaction is tailored to maximize satisfaction.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored, the ability to create draft orders in Shopify opens up new avenues for merchants to engage with customers and enhance their buying experience. Whether through direct sales, personalized offerings, or B2B transactions, draft orders represent a powerful tool in your e-commerce toolkit.

By implementing the steps discussed in this guide, you can effectively utilize draft orders to improve customer satisfaction and potentially increase your revenue stream.

FAQs

What are draft orders in Shopify?

Draft orders in Shopify allow merchants to create orders on behalf of customers outside of the traditional online checkout process, enabling more personalized sales interactions.

How do I send an invoice for a draft order?

After creating a draft order, you can click on the “Send Invoice” option to email the customer a secure checkout link for payment.

Can I customize draft orders?

Yes, you can customize draft orders by adding products, applying discounts, setting shipping rates, and managing customer details.

Are draft orders suitable for B2B transactions?

Absolutely! Draft orders are ideal for B2B transactions, allowing businesses to handle bulk orders, negotiate terms, and streamline the purchasing process.

How do I manage customer information in draft orders?

You can add new customers, edit existing customer details, or remove customers directly from the draft order interface.

By understanding and implementing the features of draft orders, we can enhance our e-commerce operations and better serve our customers. If you're ready to explore how to create draft orders in Shopify, we encourage you to take action today!