How to Make a Product Out of Stock on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Importance of Inventory Management
3. How to Mark a Product Out of Stock on Shopify
4. Best Practices for Managing Out-of-Stock Products
5. The Role of ShipAid in Your E-commerce Journey
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

Introduction

Have you ever clicked on an online product only to find out it’s out of stock? The frustration is real—not just for the consumer, but for the merchant too. We recognize the importance of inventory management in e-commerce. It can make or break customer satisfaction and even impact our bottom line. In fact, a staggering 24% of customers will abandon their cart if they discover that their chosen item is out of stock.

Understanding how to make a product out of stock on Shopify is crucial for maintaining a seamless shopping experience. Whether you're dealing with seasonal items, limited-edition releases, or products awaiting new stock, knowing the right way to mark items as unavailable can save us from potential disappointments and lost sales in the long run.

In this blog post, we are here to equip you with all the knowledge you need about marking products as out of stock on Shopify. We'll dive into various methods to help us manage our inventory more effectively, discuss best practices, and share tools and strategies that can simplify the process. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of managing out-of-stock products effectively while enhancing customer relationships.

Are you ready to turn your approach to inventory management into a strategic advantage? Let’s explore the various techniques you can employ to mark products as out of stock on Shopify!

Understanding the Importance of Inventory Management

Managing inventory is more than just monitoring stock levels; it's about honoring our commitment to customer satisfaction and profit margins. Here are several reasons why effective inventory management is vital for our Shopify store:

Customer Frustration

Customers don’t like surprises, especially when they’re met with “out of stock” messages after they've invested time selecting products. This can lead to frustration and, ultimately, lost sales as they may choose to visit a competitor's site instead.

Lost Revenue

Every moment a product is marked as available but then is not, we risk losing revenue. Visitors may be ready to purchase and find themselves unable to do so, which creates an opportunity for competitors to swoop in.

Brand Reputation

Consistent poor inventory management can bog down our brand’s reputation. Low customer trust can arise when shoppers are led to believe that products are available when, in fact, they are not, leading to higher bounce rates on our sites.

Increased Engagement

On the flip side, effective inventory management can serve as a powerful tool for boosting customer engagement. When consumers see that we care about their shopping experience, they're more likely to return, given a positive impression from their previous visits.

By ensuring product availability is transparent, we can cultivate trust and ultimately improve customer retention.

How to Mark a Product Out of Stock on Shopify

Now that we have a grasp on why it matters, let's transition into the various methods for marking a product as out of stock on Shopify. Here are four primary methods we can use:

Method 1: Manual Inventory Adjustment

This is the simplest and most direct method. Here’s how we can manually mark a product as out of stock:

1. Log into Shopify Admin Panel: Start by navigating to the Shopify admin panel.
2. Go to the Products Section: On the left side, click on 'Products' to view your catalog.
3. Select Your Product: Click on the specific product you want to mark as out of stock.
4. Adjust Inventory Level: In the Inventory section, change the quantity to 0.
5. Save Your Changes: Don’t forget to hit the ‘Save’ button to confirm the changes.

While straightforward, this method can be labor-intensive if we have multiple products to update, making it more suitable for individual items or small batches.

Method 2: Using Inventory Tracking

We can enhance our inventory management capabilities by enabling inventory tracking, allowing for more effective stock management:

1. Navigate to Products: In your Shopify admin, go to the Products section.
2. Select Your Product: Choose the product you’d like to track.
3. Check the 'Track Quantity' Option: In the Inventory section, check 'Track quantity.'
4. Adjust the Quantity: Set it to 0 to indicate it's out of stock.

Enabling inventory tracking also provides the option to allow sales when sold out, which can be useful for items that will be replenished soon.

Method 3: Utilize Shopify Apps

For larger stores or those with specific needs, employing third-party Shopify apps can automate inventory management. Apps like "Out of Stock Police" or "Stocky" can help streamline this process:

1. Visit the Shopify App Store: Go to the App Store from your Shopify admin.
2. Search for Relevant Apps: Look for apps designed for inventory management.
3. Choose and Install an App: Follow the app's installation instructions and set up your preferences based on your needs.

These apps can save us a significant amount of time and reduce manual entries, contributing to an efficient inventory management process.

Method 4: Customized Code Solutions

For those of us comfortable with coding, customizing our Shopify theme allows us more control over how products appear on our store. This requires editing theme code, so we recommend proceeding with caution:

1. Go to Online Store > Themes: Click on 'Online Store' and then 'Themes.'
2. Edit Code: Click on 'Actions' next to your active theme, then select 'Edit Code.'
3. Locate Product Template: In the Sections folder, find the product-template.liquid file.
4. Edit Add to Cart Button Code:
   • Change the code that generates the "Add to Cart" button so that it indicates out-of-stock status.
   Example:

   {% if product.available %}
       <button>Add to cart</button>
   {% else %}
       <p>Out of stock</p>
   {% endif %}
   

This method allows us to customize how products display but requires familiarity with programming logic.

Best Practices for Managing Out-of-Stock Products

Effectively marking products as out of stock is only one part of the equation. Here are some best practices that can enhance our management of out-of-stock inventory:

Communicating Clearly with Customers

Clear communication is paramount when dealing with out-of-stock items. If an item is unavailable, it should be stated outright. Simple messaging like “Currently unavailable” or providing an expected restock date can keep customers informed.

Offer Alternatives

Suggesting similar or alternative products can retain customer interest. Rather than letting a customer walk away with nothing, provide complementary options to maximize sales opportunities.

Enable Back-in-Stock Notifications

Using apps that allow customers to sign up for alerts when a product is back in stock can be beneficial. This engages customers and keeps them in the loop while gauging demand for popular items.

Monitor Inventory Levels Regularly

Regularly setting alerts for low stock can prevent running into situations where a popular product goes out of stock unexpectedly, helping us replenish items proactively.

Utilize Pre-Order Options

If we know that an item will be restocked soon, enabling pre-orders can secure sales and maintain customer relationships while operational issues are being addressed.

The Role of ShipAid in Your E-commerce Journey

At ShipAid, our mission is to empower e-commerce merchants by ensuring every package matters. We provide a suite of innovative tools to mitigate the negative impacts associated with lost, stolen, or damaged orders while providing a transparent and customizable shipping protection solution.

While you navigate your Shopify inventory strategies, consider how robust shipping protection can reduce the friction associated with order fulfillment. By working with us, you can create a more streamlined and trustworthy shopping experience for your customers.

Ready to see it for yourself? Explore our interactive demo and experience how our shipping protection works in real-time here.

Conclusion

Mastering how to make a product out of stock on Shopify is not merely a technical task; it's a core part of enhancing customer experiences, maintaining sales, and ensuring sustainable operational practices.

Through manual adjustments, inventory tracking, third-party apps, and customized coding solutions, we’ve explored numerous methods for effectively managing out-of-stock items. We've also discussed best practices that enhance customer engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction.

By taking a proactive approach to inventory management and considering how we at ShipAid can support you in offering shipping protection, we can all work towards a more organized, customer-centric e-commerce approach.

Ready to elevate your Shopify store's inventory management? Start today by installing our free-to-use app and unlock a new revenue stream with our innovative tools!

FAQ

How do I hide out-of-stock products on Shopify?

To hide out-of-stock products, you can unpublish them from the sales channel in your Shopify admin. Simply go to the product details page, click on "Manage" next to "Sales Channels," uncheck the 'Online Store' option, and save your changes.

Can I allow backorders for out-of-stock items?

Yes! You can enable backorders by checking the "Track quantity" box in the product details and selecting "Continue selling when out of stock." This allows customers to place orders for items that are temporarily unavailable.

How can I notify customers when a product is back in stock?

You can utilize apps from the Shopify App Store designed for back-in-stock notifications. These apps allow customers to sign up for alerts, helping to keep them connected to your brand.

What should I do if a product is permanently discontinued?

If a product is permanently discontinued, we recommend marking it as out of stock and considering removing it from your store. Redirecting customers to similar or related products can help maintain their interest in your offerings.

By implementing effective inventory management and marking products as out of stock when necessary, we can enhance our customers' shopping experience while improving our overall e-commerce strategy.