How to Do Pre-Orders on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide for Merchants

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Benefits of Pre-Orders
3. How to Set Up Pre-Orders on Shopify Without an App
4. Enhancing Your Pre-Order Strategy With Tevello
5. Best Practices for Managing Pre-Orders
6. Case Study: Real-World Example of Successful Pre-Orders
7. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that 64% of consumers are willing to pay upfront for a product they want to order? This growing trend indicates a massive opportunity for Shopify merchants looking to enhance their sales strategies. Imagine being able to accept orders before your products officially launch or even while they are out of stock. This approach not only increases revenue but also fosters a sense of anticipation among your customers.

As e-commerce evolves, diversifying revenue sources has become crucial for maintaining competitiveness and customer loyalty. The rise of the knowledge economy and the shift towards online learning have also highlighted the importance of creating multiple engagement avenues. Pre-orders present an excellent strategy for merchants on Shopify to boost their sales while nurturing a dedicated customer base.

In this blog post, we will explore how to do pre-orders on Shopify effectively, equipping you with practical insights and step-by-step instructions. Our unique all-in-one approach through Tevello showcases how we empower you to harness this powerful tool on your store without relying on external applications. Are you ready to rethink your sales strategy? Let's dive in!

Understanding the Benefits of Pre-Orders

Before we delve into the mechanics of setting up pre-orders on Shopify, it's essential to understand the myriad benefits this strategy offers.

1. Increased Cash Flow

By allowing customers to order products that aren't yet available, you can generate cash flow upfront. This can help in covering production costs or investing in new inventory. In essence, pre-orders effectively enable you to fund your product launch.

2. Building Anticipation

Pre-orders create excitement and anticipation around your products. Engaging your customers early can lead to higher conversion rates. When customers feel they are part of something exclusive, their loyalty deepens.

3. Gathering Market Insights

Another significant advantage of pre-orders is the opportunity to gauge demand. By analyzing pre-order quantities, you can refine your marketing strategies and adjust your production numbers to meet customer expectations more accurately.

4. Risk Reduction

Pre-orders minimize the risk associated with unsold inventory. By knowing how many units customers are willing to purchase, you can produce only what is necessary, thereby reducing waste and maximizing profitability.

5. Product Validation

If you’re launching a new product, pre-orders serve as a form of market validation. If customers are ready to pre-order, it’s an excellent indication that you’re on the right track with your product offering.

How to Set Up Pre-Orders on Shopify Without an App

While Shopify does not have a default pre-order feature, merchants can easily set up a pre-order system manually. Below, we’ll walk through the detailed steps you need to follow to get your pre-order system up and running.

Step 1: Configure Payment Setting to Manual Capture

The first step in setting up a pre-order system is configuring how you will capture payments. Switching from automatic to manual payment capture allows you to authorize payments without needing to charge customers until the product is available.

1. Log into your Shopify Admin Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Settings.
3. Click on Payments in the left-hand menu.
4. Under the Payment capture method section, click on Manage.
5. Select Manually and click Save.

This manual setting allows you up to seven days to capture a payment from the time the order is placed, giving you breathing room before the product needs to be shipped.

Step 2: Allow Customers to Order Out-of-Stock Products

To enable pre-orders effectively, your store needs to allow customers to order products that are currently out of stock. Here’s how to activate this setting:

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Products.
2. Click to edit the product you want to be available for pre-order.
3. Scroll down to find the Continue selling when out of stock option.
4. Check the box to enable it and click Save.

By enabling this option, you can invite customers to purchase products that haven't yet been produced or are currently out of stock.

Step 3: Create a Pre-Order Product Page Template

To manage pre-orders more efficiently, creating a dedicated product page template is essential. This customization will distinguish pre-order products from standard ones.

1. Go to Online Store > Themes from the Shopify admin.
2. Click on the three dots next to the Customize button and select Edit Code.
3. In the left menu, click on Add a new template.
4. Select Template type as product and JSON type, then enter a name for it (e.g., "pre-order").
5. Click on Done.

You will now have a new template ready to be customized based on the pre-order requirements. Here’s a simple example of what the code structure could look like (ensure you adapt it to your theme):

{
  "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"]
}

Once this code is in place, make sure to click Save.

Step 4: Assign Products to the Pre-Order Template

The final step is to assign the relevant products to your newly created pre-order template.

1. Go to the Products section in your Shopify admin and select the product you want to designate for pre-orders.
2. In the Theme template dropdown options, select the newly created pre-order template.
3. Click Save.

Once you perform these actions, the chosen product will appear as a pre-order item on your storefront, complete with the dedicated page layout that you’ve customized.

Enhancing Your Pre-Order Strategy With Tevello

While the steps outlined above provide a foundational approach to setting up pre-orders on Shopify, we understand the need for a more sophisticated and integrated solution. That's where Tevello comes in.

Our platform empowers Shopify merchants with an all-in-one solution for creating, managing, and selling online courses and digital products. Through Tevello, not only can you implement pre-orders, but you can also cultivate an engaging community around your products, ensuring consistent customer interaction and loyalty.

Key Features of Tevello

• User-Friendly Interface: Our platform is designed with user experience in mind, making it simple for merchants to set up their courses and digital products, including pre-order functionality.
• Robust Community Features: Build and engage a vibrant community of learners and customers directly within your Shopify store. Interaction drives retention, and our tools make it easy to foster this connection.
• Integrated Course Management: Alongside product pre-orders, you can offer enriching educational content that complements your product offerings, opening up further avenues for revenue.
• Transparent Pricing: With our simple, flat-rate pricing model, you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees or unexpected costs.

Ready to leverage these benefits and optimize your Shopify store with Tevello? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and unlock the power of pre-orders!

Best Practices for Managing Pre-Orders

Once you have successfully set up your pre-order system, it’s crucial to manage those pre-orders effectively. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Clear Communication

Always keep your customers informed about the progress of their pre-orders. Send out updates when orders are placed, when the products are in production, and when they are ready to ship. Communicating anticipated delivery dates can also set the right customer expectations.

2. Customer Support

Offer exceptional customer support for pre-order inquiries. Customers may have questions or concerns about delays, so ensure your support team is knowledgeable about the pre-order mechanics.

3. Quality Assurance

If you’re using pre-orders to validate new products, maintain strict quality assurance standards. An overwhelming response may tempt you to cut corners, but delivering high-quality products is vital to your long-term success and reputation.

4. Use Testimonials

If you’ve previously offered pre-orders successfully, share customer testimonials. This can instill confidence in new customers considering a pre-order purchase and enhance their overall experience with your brand.

Case Study: Real-World Example of Successful Pre-Orders

Consider a fictional Shopify merchant selling crafting supplies named "Craftly Delights." They introduced a new line of eco-friendly knitting kits and decided to offer them as pre-orders. By following the steps outlined above, they created a dedicated pre-order product page and promoted it through their newsletter and social media channels.

They informed customers that the kits would ship in four weeks and created a sense of urgency by limiting the number of kits available for pre-order. Through effective communication and by sharing customer testimonials from previous successful products, they generated significant interest.

Within a week, Craftly Delights sold out their pre-order stock, securing funding for the initial production run while cultivating a loyal customer base eager for the official launch. They earned rave reviews for their proactive customer communication, and as a result, they saw a considerable increase in brand trust and customer loyalty.

Conclusion

Implementing pre-orders is a powerful strategy to boost your Shopify sales and engage your customers more effectively. With our comprehensive guide on how to do pre-orders on Shopify, you now have the knowledge to create an effective pre-order system without relying on third-party applications.

As you embark on this journey, remember the importance of communication and community engagement. By harnessing Tevello’s integrated all-in-one solution, you can elevate your Shopify store and unlock new revenue streams.

Are you ready to transform your e-commerce strategy with pre-orders and community-driven engagement? Start your free 14-day trial with Tevello today and take the first step towards growth!

FAQ

1. Can I offer pre-orders for any product on Shopify?

Yes, you can offer pre-orders for any product by configuring the settings in your Shopify admin. Just ensure that your payment capture method is set to manual and that you've allowed customers to order out-of-stock products.

2. Will pre-orders affect my store’s SEO?

Setting up pre-orders should not negatively affect your store’s SEO. However, ensure that your product pages are well-optimized with relevant keywords, quality images, and engaging descriptions.

3. How do I handle delays in shipping pre-orders?

Clear communication is vital. Always inform customers about their order status. If there are delays, a proactive message explaining the situation and offering assistance can go a long way in maintaining customer trust.

4. Can I use Tevello for managing online courses alongside my products?

Absolutely! Tevello allows you to manage and sell both courses and digital products from your Shopify store, giving you a comprehensive solution to nurture customer engagement.

5. What if I encounter technical issues while setting up pre-orders?

If you run into technical challenges or need assistance in customizing your pre-order process, consider reaching out to Shopify experts or utilizing Tevello’s robust support resources for guidance.

By answering these questions, we reinforce Tevello's expertise and support network, helping you successfully implement pre-orders on Shopify. Let’s take your e-commerce journey to the next level!