How to Create a Pre-Order Product on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Offer Pre-Orders on Your Shopify Store?
3. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Pre-Order Product on Shopify
4. Best Practices for Pre-Ordering on Shopify
5. Conclusion
6. FAQs

Introduction

Did you know that the average consumer spends nearly 20% of their annual income on pre-ordered items in various categories, from electronics to fashion? This startling statistic underscores the growing consumer trend toward securing products before they officially launch. In the ecommerce realm, pre-orders have emerged as a powerful tool for both maximizing sales opportunities and managing inventory more effectively.

In a competitive online marketplace, implementing pre-orders can distinguish your Shopify store by offering customers an exclusive opportunity to reserve products even before they hit the shelves. This strategy not only generates early revenue but also fosters customer loyalty and engagement. However, many Shopify merchants either overlook the pre-order option or are unsure how to implement it effectively due to its absence in Shopify's default settings.

This blog post aims to demystify the process of setting up pre-orders on Shopify, presenting a clear, step-by-step guide to help you capitalize on this lucrative sales strategy. We will explore the benefits of pre-orders, guide you through the technical steps to create a pre-order product, and highlight best practices for engaging your customers throughout the pre-order process. By the end, you'll have a thorough understanding of how pre-orders can enhance your business's revenue potential, all while maintaining seamless customer experiences.

Why Offer Pre-Orders on Your Shopify Store?

Increased Sales Opportunities

One of the most compelling reasons to offer pre-orders is the immediate boost in cash flow. Consumers are usually eager to secure high-demand items before they become available, which gives businesses a unique opportunity to lock in sales ahead of the launch.

• Lock in Revenue: Instead of waiting for products to arrive and hoping for sales, pre-orders enable merchants to capture that interest upfront.
• Anticipation Builds Sales: As customers begin to pledge their purchases, it builds hype around the product. Limited editions or exclusive items especially benefit from this strategy, as buyers feel they are part of something special.

Demand Forecasting

Understanding your customer demand can be transformative for managing inventory.

• Reduce Overstocking: With pre-orders, you can better understand demand before making large investments in inventory, which ultimately leads to significant cost savings.
• Effective Production Planning: This data helps merchants fine-tune their production processes, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

Enhanced Customer Engagement

Pre-orders help to create a sense of belonging among your customers.

• Exclusive Access: Customers appreciate being the first to know about new product releases; exclusive access fosters loyalty.
• Community Vibes: Encouraging buyers to share their pre-order experiences or reviews creates organic buzz and strengthens community around your brand.

By making the right moves, pre-orders can serve as a strategic element in your overall ecommerce strategy, enhancing both customer relationships and revenue potential.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Pre-Order Product on Shopify

Step 1: Define Your Pre-Order Strategy

Before diving into the technical aspects of creating a pre-order product on Shopify, we must first lay down a solid strategy. Several factors should be contemplated:

• Payment Structure: Decide whether you want customers to pay the full amount, a deposit, or nothing until the product ships.
  • Full Payment: Provides immediate cash flow but might deter customers if delays occur.
  • Partial Payment: Lowers the barrier for customers, especially for pricier items.
  • Pay Later: Charges customers only upon fulfillment, which can boost conversion rates.
• Timeline and Expectations: Clearly communicate anticipated shipping dates to build trust; offering transparency is key here.
• Targeted Products: Identify the products you believe will generate interest and ensure those are the ones made available for pre-order.

Step 2: Set Up Shopify for Pre-Orders

Since Shopify does not provide built-in pre-order settings, we must adjust some configurations to facilitate pre-orders effectively.

1. Switch to Manual Payment Capture:
   • Log into your Shopify admin.
   • Navigate to Settings, then to Payments.
   • Find the Payment capture method and set it to Manually. This change allows you to process payments only when products are ready for shipment.
2. Enable Orders for Out-of-Stock Products:
   • Go to your Products page.
   • Select the product you wish to enable for pre-order.
   • In the product details, check the box that allows selling even when out of stock ("Continue selling when out of stock"). Save your changes.

Step 3: Create a Pre-Order Product Page Template

Now we need to create a specific template that denotes products as available for pre-order.

1. Navigate to Online Store > Themes.
2. Click the three dots next to the Customize button and select Edit Code.
3. In the left menu, create a new template by selecting Add a new template; choose Product, set it to JSON type, and give it a suitable name (e.g., "pre-order").
4. Paste the appropriate template code, which we will supply below. You can adjust and customize the code according to your needs:

{
  "sections": {
    "main": {
      "type": "main-product",
      "blocks": {
        "vendor": {
          "type": "text",
          "settings": {"text": "{{ product.vendor }}", "text_style": "uppercase"}
        },
        "title": {
          "type": "title",
          "settings": {}
        },
        "pre_order_note": {
          "type": "text",
          "settings": {"text": "This item is available for pre-order. Please check the description for the expected availability date.", "text_style": "italic"}
        },
        "price": {
          "type": "price",
          "settings": {}
        },
        "variant_picker": {
          "type": "variant_picker",
          "settings": {"picker_type": "button"}
        },
        "quantity_selector": {
          "type": "quantity_selector",
          "settings": {}
        },
        "buy_buttons": {
          "type": "buy_buttons",
          "settings": {"show_dynamic_checkout": true, "show_gift_card_recipient": true}
        },
        "description": {
          "type": "description",
          "settings": {}
        },
        "share": {
          "type": "share",
          "settings": {"share_label": "Share"}
        }
      },
      "block_order": ["vendor", "title", "pre_order_note", "price", "variant_picker", "quantity_selector", "buy_buttons", "description", "share"],
      "settings": {
        "enable_sticky_info": true,
        "color_scheme": "background-1",
        "media_size": "medium",
        "constrain_to_viewport": true,
        "media_fit": "contain",
        "gallery_layout": "stacked",
        "media_position": "left",
        "image_zoom": "lightbox",
        "mobile_thumbnails": "hide",
        "hide_variants": false,
        "enable_video_looping": false,
        "padding_top": 24,
        "padding_bottom": 24
      }
    },
    "related-products": {
      "type": "related-products",
      "settings": {
        "heading": "You may also like",
        "heading_size": "h2",
        "products_to_show": 4,
        "columns_desktop": 4,
        "color_scheme": "background-1",
        "image_ratio": "adapt",
        "image_shape": "default",
        "show_secondary_image": false,
        "show_vendor": false,
        "show_rating": false,
        "columns_mobile": "2",
        "padding_top": 36,
        "padding_bottom": 68
      }
    }
  },
  "order": ["main", "related-products"]
}

5. Save the new template.

Step 4: Assign Products to Pre-Order Template

With your new pre-order template ready, you’re poised to assign products to it.

1. In your Shopify admin, navigate back to Products.
2. Edit the product you wish to offer as a pre-order.
3. Under Theme template, select the pre-order template you created and save your changes.
4. If you’re creating a new product, select the pre-order template during the setup.

Step 5: Communicate Effectively with Your Customers

It's essential to keep your customers informed throughout the pre-order process.

• Set Clear Expectations: Through the product description, specify shipping timelines and any changes that may occur.
• Send Notifications: Once the product is ready to ship, send a notification to your customers, confirming their order and informing them on what to expect next. This action builds trust and enhances customer experience.

Step 6: Promote Your Pre-Order Product

With your pre-order product live, it's time to generate excitement.

• Social Media Buzz: Utilize your social media platforms to tease the product launch. Create countdowns or exclusive sneak peeks to engage your audience.
• Email Marketing: Launch an email campaign to notify subscribers of the new pre-order product and offer discounts for early birds.
• Website Banners: Feature your pre-order product prominently on your Shopify store’s homepage, using banner ads to attract attention.

Summary of Steps to Set Up Pre-Orders on Shopify

1. Define pre-order objectives and strategy.
2. Configure Shopify settings for pre-orders.
3. Create a pre-order product page template.
4. Assign products to this template.
5. Establish communication protocols for customer notifications.
6. Promote pre-order products via social and email marketing.

Best Practices for Pre-Ordering on Shopify

To maximize the effectiveness of your pre-orders, consider the following best practices:

Be Transparent

Transparency is critical when it comes to managing customer expectations. Clearly communicate any potential delays based on item availability and production timeframes. Consistently updating customers during the process will improve trust.

Focus on Customer Experience

Ensure that the pre-order process is as smooth as possible. From an intuitive user interface to easy checkout, every step should reflect thoughtfulness towards the customer experience.

Leverage Analytics

As pre-orders progress, utilize Shopify analytics to gather data on customer behavior, conversion rates, and item popularity. This data can help you refine future pre-order strategies and stock levels.

Plan for Fulfillment

As the pre-order launch date approaches, prepare your logistics for fulfillment. Track your inventory carefully and communicate with suppliers to ensure timely deliveries.

Gather Feedback

Once the product ships, request customer feedback. This engagement can not only provide you with insights into their experience but also foster long-lasting relationships. Positive testimonials can lead to increased trust and higher conversions for your subsequent launches.

Conclusion

In summary, creating a pre-order product on Shopify is an effective way to upscale your business strategy. By harnessing the power of anticipation and exclusivity, you can not only improve cash flow but also increase customer engagement and loyalty. Remember to structure your pre-order strategy thoughtfully, communicate proactively with customers, and prepare for smooth fulfillment.

By employing these strategies and best practices detailed here, your Shopify store can stand out in today’s competitive ecommerce landscape. Don't let the absence of pre-order functionality be a barrier; instead, embrace the opportunity to transform every product launch into a revenue-generating affair.

Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level with pre-orders? Start setting up your products today and realize the potential of this exciting sales strategy. If you need more assistance or want to see how our shipping solutions can enhance your post-purchase experience, explore our interactive demo or install our free app at ShipAid shipping protection and take the first step toward empowered ecommerce.

FAQs

1. What types of products are best suited for pre-orders?

Products that are high in demand, limited editions, collectibles, or seasonal items work best for pre-orders. They create urgency and exclusivity, which encourages customers to secure their purchases in advance.

2. How do I inform my customers about shipping timelines for pre-orders?

Be upfront about expected availability and shipping timelines in the product description and at checkout. Consider automating follow-up notifications as the release date approaches.

3. Can I set different payment options for pre-orders?

Yes, you can configure payment structures to suit your business needs. Whether full payment, deposits, or pay-later options, ensuring payment flexibility can enhance conversion rates.

4. How do pre-orders affect my inventory management?

Pre-orders provide valuable data on product demand that can inform inventory decisions and mitigate risks of overstocking or stockouts. This predictive capability allows for smarter investment and resource allocation.

5. Is there a way to add a countdown timer for my pre-order launch?

Yes, utilizing countdown timers can foster urgency and excitement among your potential customers. You can integrate various apps available in the Shopify App Store that offer this functionality or customize it on your product page template.

By fully understanding how to create pre-order products and implementing these strategies, you can successfully leverage one of the most effective sales tactics in the evolving landscape of ecommerce. Are you ready to embark on your pre-order journey?