How to Add a Coming Soon Product on Shopify: Boost Engagement and Sales

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Add 'Coming Soon' Products?
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a 'Coming Soon' Product
4. Integrating Pre-Orders
5. Promotional Strategies for Out-of-Stock Products
6. Best Practices for Managing Coming Soon Products
7. Conclusion
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction

Have you ever faced the frustration of a product being out of stock, only to feel disappointment when you find it unavailable? You’re not alone; countless customers experience a similar letdown. What if we told you that this scenario could be transformed into an opportunity for engagement and anticipation? Leveraging the "coming soon" functionality in your Shopify store can turn potential disappointments into excitement, allowing customers to look forward to new products that they'll soon have the chance to purchase.

Adding "coming soon" products is more than a simple inventory update; it’s an effective marketing strategy that not only maintains customer interest but also generates buzz and boosts conversions. Our goal in this blog post is straightforward: we aim to empower you with the tools and knowledge necessary to implement "coming soon" products on your Shopify store, helping you build anticipation around new launches and even manage sold-out items effectively.

We will delve into the benefits of adding "coming soon" products, provide a step-by-step guide on how to set them up, and share some best practices for marketing these items. By the end of this article, you'll have the insight needed to create a successful "coming soon" strategy that enhances your customer experience and builds trust in your brand.

Why Add 'Coming Soon' Products?

Maintaining Brand Engagement

When customers encounter a "sold out" label on a popular item, it can lead to frustration or even a decision to leave your store entirely. By strategically labeling these items as "coming soon," we can foster ongoing engagement and stimulate excitement. Customers are inherently curious beings, and when they know something is on the horizon, it provides a compelling reason to visit your store regularly.

Building Anticipation

Research suggests that around 70% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product when they know it's coming soon. The anticipation created by this strategy can make the difference between a hesitant browser and a committed buyer. By incorporating countdowns, sneak peeks, and email notifications, we can engage our audience more effectively and keep them informed.

Fostering Loyal Customer Relationships

Implementing a "notify me when available" feature can build a waitlist of eager customers. This not only captures leads for future marketing campaigns but establishes a deeper connection with customers. They feel included in the journey of the product’s release, making them more likely to choose your store when the item is available.

Enhancing Brand Recognition

Promoting upcoming products fosters awareness and can generate excitement. When you share product teasers through social media, email campaigns, or on your store, it can attract potential customers. In a crowded ecommerce landscape, creating buzz around new products can significantly improve your brand visibility.

Creating Exclusivity

Offering exclusive previews or limited-release items can also enhance the perceived value of your products. Knowing they’re among the first to explore "coming soon" items can drive urgency and make customers feel part of an exclusive community.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a 'Coming Soon' Product

Creating a "coming soon" product in Shopify is a straightforward process. Let’s break it down into a simple guide.

Step 1: Create a New Product Listing

1. Log in to Your Shopify Admin Panel: Start by navigating to your Shopify admin dashboard.
2. Select Products: Click on the "Products" section in the left sidebar.
3. Add a New Product: Click the "Add product" button to create a new listing.

Step 2: Set Inventory and Pricing

1. Product Title: Craft a compelling title that reflects the exclusivity of the product, such as "Coming Soon: Limited Edition Backpack."
2. Product Description: Write an engaging description detailing what makes the product exciting and mention expected availability. Phrases like "Be the first to get this exclusive product" can work wonders.
3. Set Pricing: While you may not have stock yet, displaying a price can reinforce the product's value. If pre-orders aren't allowed, set the inventory to zero and make sure it’s marked as unavailable.

Step 3: Categorize the Product

1. Tags and Collections: Use tags like "Coming Soon" or "New" to categorize the product effectively. This organization improves searchability on your store.
2. Create a Dedicated 'Coming Soon' Collection: To streamline customer navigation, set up a collection for "coming soon" products.

Step 4: Add a 'Coming Soon' Badge

1. Design the Badge: Create or choose a recognizable badge for your "coming soon" products. This can be done using a tool like Canva or through Shopify apps that offer badge functionalities.
2. Overlay the Badge: Use product images to overlay the badge clearly on both product and collection pages.

Step 5: Save and Publish the Product

1. Preview the Product Page: Before publishing, review your product page to ensure everything is clear, especially the "coming soon" message.
2. Publish the Product: Once satisfied with all details, save the product listing. Decide whether to publish immediately or schedule it for a strategic release date.

Step 6: Promote the Coming Soon Product

1. Utilize Banners and Newsletters: Adding banners to your website and using email newsletters effectively helps generate excitement about the upcoming product.
2. Engage on Social Media: Share teasers and countdowns on your social media channels to build anticipation. Consider potential customer prompts by asking for their excitement or opinions about the new product.

Integrating Pre-Orders

To maximize the potential of your "coming soon" products, offering pre-orders can lead to immediate sales. Here are some best practices for integrating pre-orders effectively:

1. Enable Pre-Order Functionality: Use Shopify's settings or apps allowing customers to pre-order items. This also helps gauge demand.
2. Set Clear Expectations: Be upfront with customers by clearly communicating expected launch or shipping dates in the product description.
3. Incorporate a 'Notify Me' Button: This button can remind customers about restock updates, ensuring they're the first to know when the product becomes available.
4. Provide Incentives: Offering a discount for pre-orders can also drive sales and encourage customers to take action sooner.
5. Market the Pre-Order Opportunity: Use graphics and compelling language across your marketing channels to make the pre-order option exciting.

By following these steps, we can capitalize on customer anticipation and really kickstart sales before the product has officially launched.

Promotional Strategies for Out-of-Stock Products

Transforming out-of-stock products to "coming soon" opportunities has its own set of strategies. Here are some promotional methods to keep customers engaged:

Using Countdown Timers

Adding countdown timers directly on product pages amplifies urgency. Consumers are encouraged to return to your site when they see a countdown nearing zero, keeping them engaged in the process.

Leveraging Email Marketing

Craft dedicated email campaigns highlighting "coming soon" items, featuring engaging visuals and enticing descriptions. Collect sign-ups and reward early subscribers with early access or exclusive deals.

Encouraging Social Sharing

Create shareable graphics or a hashtag for customers excited about upcoming products. Encourage them to spread the word on their own social media, building organic buzz around your upcoming launches.

Utilizing Customer Engagement

Engagement doesn't end at promotional campaigns. Use this time to solicit feedback about what customers hope to see, making them feel part of the creative process.

Best Practices for Managing Coming Soon Products

To ensure a streamlined and effective strategy, keep these best practices in mind:

1. Clear Communication: Always keep customers informed about product timelines. Transparency here fosters trust.
2. Consistent Branding: Match all promotional materials with your brand’s identity to reinforce brand recognition.
3. Engagement Opportunities: Allow customers to connect with you through comments or social media interactions.
4. Feedback Collection: After a product launch, gather insights on customer experiences to enhance future strategies.
5. Sales and Trend Monitoring: Analyze sales performance to understand which products create the most intrigue, refining future launches accordingly.

Conclusion

Implementing "coming soon" products into our Shopify stores is not merely a strategy but an opportunity to enhance customer engagement, build excitement, and drive sales. As we dive deeper into the ecommerce era, employing this tactic effectively can set us apart as innovative and customer-centric brands.

By following the steps outlined above, we can navigate our product launches with confidence, transforming curious browsers into loyal customers eagerly awaiting that next great purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I create a "Coming Soon" page for specific products only?
Yes, you can set up "Coming Soon" pages for select products, tailoring your marketing strategy to maximize engagement and visibility.

Will I need third-party apps for setting up a "Coming Soon" page?
While it’s not mandatory, third-party apps can offer helpful features like countdown timers, email notifications, and enhanced customization options.

How long in advance should I set up a "Coming Soon" page?
Typically, setting it up 1-2 months before the launch will create enough buzz and collect pre-orders effectively.

Is it possible to collect emails on my "Coming Soon" page?
Absolutely! Collecting emails is essential for building a pre-launch mailing list, which you can leverage for updates and marketing purposes.

What if my product launch is delayed?
Honesty is key; be transparent with your audience about delays. Keeping them informed helps maintain trust and can heighten anticipation for the eventual launch.

Now that we’ve explored how to make the "coming soon" concept work beautifully for your store, let’s get ready to transform your upcoming product launches into memorable occasions!