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

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Importance of Managing Out-of-Stock Products
3. Understanding Shopify's Inventory System
4. How to Make a Product Out of Stock on Shopify
5. Considerations for Selling Out-of-Stock Products
6. Managing Inventory Across Multiple Locations
7. Leveraging Tevello for Inventory Management
8. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that an estimated 75% of online shoppers abandon their carts if the product they are interested in is out of stock? This statistic highlights a crucial challenge for e-commerce businesses: managing inventory effectively while keeping customer satisfaction high. As Shopify merchants, we often find ourselves navigating the delicate balance between maintaining an appealing storefront and managing our product availability.

In our journey to empower Shopify merchants, we at Tevello understand the significance of inventory management in enhancing customer experience and ensuring business efficiency. With the rise of the knowledge economy and the increasing demand for seamless online shopping experiences, knowing how to manage out-of-stock products has become more important than ever.

In this blog post, we will explore various strategies and best practices to make products out of stock on Shopify, ensuring you maintain control over your inventory while optimizing customer satisfaction. We will also discuss how Tevello’s all-in-one solution can help streamline this process, allowing you to focus more on growing your business and engaging with your community.

So, how do you currently manage your Shopify store’s inventory? Are you facing challenges related to stock levels or customer expectations? By the end of this post, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to manage out-of-stock situations effectively and leverage Tevello’s features to enhance your e-commerce strategy.

The Importance of Managing Out-of-Stock Products

Effective inventory management is not just about ensuring products are available for purchase; it also involves strategic decisions about how to handle items that are out of stock. Here are a few reasons why managing out-of-stock products is crucial for your Shopify store:

1. Customer Experience

When customers encounter out-of-stock items, it can lead to frustration and disappointment. This not only impacts immediate sales but can also damage long-term customer relationships. By managing your inventory and informing customers of stock levels, you can enhance their shopping experience and maintain their loyalty.

2. Sales Opportunities

Out-of-stock products can represent lost sales opportunities. If a customer is interested in a product that is unavailable, they may turn to competitors. By implementing strategies to manage or promote out-of-stock items, you can keep potential sales within your store.

3. Marketing and SEO Benefits

Properly managing out-of-stock products can also have SEO benefits. Keeping customers informed about restock dates or offering alternative products can help maintain traffic to your store, even when specific items are unavailable.

4. Efficient Inventory Control

Managing stock levels helps you avoid overstock situations, reducing holding costs and ensuring efficient use of resources. This is particularly important for small businesses that may not have the luxury of extensive warehouses.

In summary, effective management of out-of-stock products is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction, maximizing sales opportunities, and ensuring your Shopify store operates efficiently.

Understanding Shopify's Inventory System

Before we delve into how to make a product out of stock, let's briefly discuss how Shopify’s inventory management system works. Understanding this system is vital to implementing effective strategies.

Inventory Tracking

Shopify allows merchants to track inventory levels automatically. When a product's stock level reaches zero, it is marked as out of stock. However, there are several nuances to this system:

• Multiple Locations: If you have multiple locations for your products, each location's inventory level affects whether an item is considered in stock or out of stock. If one location has stock but does not fulfill online orders, the product will still show as out of stock if the location that fulfills online orders has no stock.
• Overselling: If you have enabled overselling, customers can still purchase items that are technically out of stock, as long as there are available quantities at a location that fulfills online orders.

Understanding these intricacies will help you make informed decisions about your inventory management strategy.

How to Make a Product Out of Stock on Shopify

There are several methods to mark a product as out of stock on Shopify. Each method has its place depending on your inventory management strategy and customer communication preferences.

1. Manually Adjusting Inventory Levels

The simplest way to make a product out of stock is to manually adjust its inventory level. Here are the steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin Panel.
2. Go to Products in the left-hand navigation menu.
3. Select the product you wish to mark as out of stock.
4. Scroll down to the Inventory section.
5. Change the Quantity to 0.
6. Click Save.

This method is straightforward but can be time-consuming if you have many products to manage.

2. Using Automation Tools

For those with larger inventories, automating inventory management can save time and reduce the risk of human error. Automation tools can:

• Send Alerts: Set up alerts for low inventory, so you know when to adjust stock levels or restock items.
• Automatically Update Stock Levels: Use apps or tools that integrate with Shopify to automatically adjust stock levels based on sales and restock schedules.

Tevello's features can help automate these processes, allowing you to focus more on your business while maintaining accurate inventory levels.

3. Hiding Out-of-Stock Products

Sometimes, it may be beneficial to hide out-of-stock products from your storefront altogether. This can help prevent customer frustration and maintain a positive shopping experience. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to the product in your Shopify Admin.
2. In the Product Status section, change the status to Draft. This will remove the product from your online store without deleting it.
3. Alternatively, you can use the Online Store channel settings to hide products from the storefront based on inventory status.

Hiding out-of-stock products can keep your storefront looking fresh and stocked with only available items.

Considerations for Selling Out-of-Stock Products

While marking products as out of stock, consider various strategies that can help you continue engaging customers and driving sales:

1. Pre-Orders

If a product is out of stock but will be restocked soon, consider offering pre-orders. This allows customers to secure their purchase in advance. Here’s how to set it up:

• Adjust the product's inventory settings to allow for pre-orders.
• Clearly communicate the expected shipping date to manage customer expectations.

2. Notify Customers About Restocks

Implement a notification system that alerts customers when an out-of-stock item becomes available again. This can be done through:

• Email notifications.
• SMS notifications.
• A subscription system on product pages.

Tevello’s community features can facilitate this, allowing you to build meaningful connections with customers and keep them informed.

3. Offer Alternatives

When a product is out of stock, suggest alternative products that are similar or complementary. This can help retain sales and provide customers with options. You can achieve this by:

• Utilizing related product features in Shopify.
• Creating bundles that include items that are currently in stock.

Managing Inventory Across Multiple Locations

If your Shopify store operates across multiple locations, managing inventory can become more complex. Here’s what you need to know:

Locations and Fulfillment

Each location can have different inventory levels, and Shopify prioritizes fulfillment based on location settings. Here are some key points:

• Ensure that your online orders are assigned to locations that can fulfill them effectively.
• Understand the priority list for locations to avoid overselling.
• Regularly monitor stock levels at each location to maintain optimal inventory.

This understanding of location-based inventory management will enable you to make informed decisions when marking products as out of stock.

Leveraging Tevello for Inventory Management

At Tevello, we are committed to empowering Shopify merchants by providing a robust and user-friendly solution for managing courses, digital products, and communities. Our features can seamlessly integrate into your Shopify store, simplifying the inventory management process while eliminating the need for external platforms.

Key Features to Consider

1. Automated Inventory Management: Save time and reduce errors with our automated inventory tools.
2. Community Engagement: Build vibrant online communities that keep customers informed and engaged.
3. Transparent Pricing: Our flat-rate pricing model means no hidden fees, allowing you to budget effectively for your e-commerce needs.

Ready to experience the benefits of Tevello? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and take your Shopify store to the next level.

Conclusion

Managing out-of-stock products is a critical component of maintaining a successful Shopify store. By implementing effective inventory management strategies, you can enhance customer experience, retain sales opportunities, and ensure your business operates efficiently.

Remember, whether you choose to manually adjust stock levels, automate the process, or hide out-of-stock items, it’s essential to communicate with your customers and keep them informed about their options.

With Tevello, you have the tools at your disposal to streamline this process and empower your e-commerce strategy. As you explore ways to manage your inventory, consider how our all-in-one solution can help you build a thriving online community and unlock new revenue streams.

Don't wait—install the all-in-one course platform for Shopify and start maximizing your e-commerce potential today!

FAQ

Q: How do I know when to mark a product as out of stock?
A: Monitor your inventory levels closely. If a product’s stock level reaches zero, it should be marked as out of stock. Additionally, consider customer demand and sales trends.

Q: Can I automate the process of marking items as out of stock?
A: Yes, using inventory management tools or apps can help automate this process, making it easier to manage stock levels and prevent overselling.

Q: What are the benefits of hiding out-of-stock products?
A: Hiding out-of-stock products can improve customer experience by preventing frustration. It ensures that customers only see items that are currently available, maintaining a positive shopping environment.

Q: How can I notify customers when an out-of-stock product is restocked?
A: Implement notification systems such as email alerts or SMS notifications. You can also create a subscription feature on your product pages.

Q: Why is inventory management important for an e-commerce business?
A: Effective inventory management helps maintain customer satisfaction, maximize sales opportunities, and ensure efficient operation of your e-commerce store. It’s critical for sustaining long-term business growth.