Mastering Draft Orders in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Create Draft Orders in Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is a Draft Order?
3. Benefits of Using Draft Orders in Shopify
4. How to Create Draft Orders in Shopify
5. Advanced Draft Order Features
6. Avoiding Common Issues
7. Leverage Tevello for Enhanced Operations
8. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that as of 2023, nearly 70% of B2B buyers prefer to make purchases online? This significant shift towards digital transactions underscores the need for e-commerce platforms like Shopify to accommodate diverse selling methods, including draft orders. At Tevello, we understand the importance of streamlining your online selling process to meet customer expectations while maximizing your store's potential.

The ability to create draft orders on Shopify has never been more essential. Whether you're handling special requests from customers directly over the phone or providing discounts for VIP clients, draft orders offer flexibility and control that can enhance your business operations.

In this blog post, we aim to delve deep into how to create and manage draft orders in Shopify. We'll explore everything from basic creation to advanced features tailored for B2B transactions. We also highlight Tevello’s robust capabilities that can further enhance your Shopify store, allowing you to integrate course offerings and engage with your audience. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your Shopify store?

Let’s dive into the comprehensive details of how to create draft orders in Shopify and explore the numerous benefits they can bring to your e-commerce strategy.

What is a Draft Order?

Before we journey into the practical steps of creating draft orders, let's first clarify what a draft order is. Essentially, a draft order is an order created manually by merchants on behalf of customers. Draft orders allow merchants to include products, discounts, and any necessary customer information while reserving inventory until the order is completed.

Draft orders are beneficial for:

• Direct Sales: Allowing customers to place orders over the phone or via email.
• B2B Transactions: Facilitating orders for businesses that require special arrangements, such as invoicing and payment terms.
• Limited-Time Offers: Enabling merchants to create tailored orders during promotions.

Benefits of Using Draft Orders in Shopify

Using draft orders can significantly enhance your Shopify store’s operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Here are some benefits to consider:

1. Flexibility in Payment Options: Draft orders allow you to send invoices directly to customers, giving them the ability to pay through various methods, including credit card payments and checks.
2. Customization: You can customize every aspect of a draft order, from product selections to payment terms, ensuring that your customers receive exactly what they need.
3. Inventory Management: Draft orders allow you to reserve inventory while the order is being processed, preventing stockouts and lost sales.
4. Customer Relationship Management: By creating draft orders tailored to specific customers’ needs, you can enhance your relationships and improve customer loyalty.
5. Streamlined Operations: Draft orders can simplify the order management process, especially for businesses dealing with multiple channels and customers.

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to optimize their operations. Our application is designed not only for course creation but also integrates seamlessly with your current Shopify store management practices. If you’re looking to implement this functionality, start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today.

How to Create Draft Orders in Shopify

Creating draft orders in Shopify can be accomplished through the Shopify admin interface or directly through the Shopify mobile app. In this section, we'll outline the step-by-step process for both methods.

Creating Draft Orders via the Shopify Admin

Step 1: Access the Drafts Page

1. From your Shopify admin dashboard, navigate to Orders.
2. Click on Drafts from the submenu.

Step 2: Start a New Draft Order

1. Click on Create Order in the top right corner.
2. Add products to the order by searching for them in the product picker or selecting them from your catalog.

Step 3: Customize the Order

Utilize the following options to customize your draft order:

• Add a Customer: Enter customer details by searching or creating a new customer profile.
• Apply Discounts: Enter discount codes to provide special pricing.
• Adjust Tax Settings: Toggle tax inclusion on or off as needed.
• Tags and Notes: Add tags for better organization or include notes for the customer.

Step 4: Review and Send Invoice

After finishing the customization, you can:

• Send an Invoice: Click on Send Invoice to email customers directly a link where they can complete their purchase.
• Accept Payment: If the customer is present, you can accept their payment immediately.
• Save as Draft: If you are not ready to finalize, you can save it as a draft to modify it later.

Creating Draft Orders via the Shopify Mobile App

Creating draft orders can also happen conveniently through the Shopify mobile app on both iPhone and Android devices.

For iPhone and Android:

1. Tap the Order icon in the app.
2. Tap the + button to create a new draft order.
3. Add products similarly to how you do it on the desktop.
4. Customize the order with customers, discounts, and other options.
5. Finally, you can either send an invoice, accept payment, or save it as a draft.

Duplicate Existing Orders

One of the advanced features of creating draft orders is the ability to duplicate existing orders. This can be particularly useful when dealing with returning customers or when specific orders need to be adjusted slightly. Here’s how:

Step 1: Find an Existing Order

1. Navigate to Orders in your Shopify admin.
2. Select the order you wish to duplicate.

Step 2: Duplicate

1. Click on the Duplicate button on the order details page.
2. Make modifications as needed for the new draft order.

This option streamlines the process, ensuring that you don’t have to re-enter similar information repeatedly.

Advanced Draft Order Features

In addition to basic order creation, Shopify supports several advanced features to enhance the draft ordering process—especially valuable for B2B transactions.

Payment Terms

When dealing with B2B applications, you can create draft orders with specific payment terms. These terms can specify due dates and deposit requirements, making transactions smoother for both you and your customers.

1. Select a B2B customer in the Customer section.
2. Under the Payment section, choose Payment Due Later and set your desired terms.

Local Delivery and Pickup Options

For businesses that have physical locations, the option for local pickup or delivery can significantly improve customer experience.

1. When creating or customizing a draft order, select either a Custom Shipping Rate or Local Pickup.
2. This feature lets customers collect their orders directly from your storefront, saving on shipping fees and time.

Avoiding Common Issues

While managing draft orders can streamline your operations, some common pitfalls can disrupt the process. Here are a few tips to ensure your success:

1. Check Inventory Levels: Ensure that items you include in draft orders are available; using the inventory reserve feature can prevent overselling.
2. Customer Communication: Make sure to clearly communicate any terms or conditions to customers receiving draft orders.
3. Follow-Up on Invoices: After sending invoices, a follow-up can often improve your payment rates. Consider integrating automated reminders.
4. Utilize Tags Effectively: Tags can keep your draft orders organized; ensure you employ them strategically.

As we manage our own offerings at Tevello, we've focused on providing user-friendly features that allow merchants to sell digital products and conduct effective community engagements. Explore our powerful, all-in-one feature set for course creation, communities, and digital products before diving deeper into your draft orders with Shopify—learn more today.

Leverage Tevello for Enhanced Operations

While Shopify provides the basic infrastructure for draft orders, we at Tevello offer you an opportunity to integrate even more functionality into your store. Our app is designed not only for creating and managing online courses but also for fostering vibrant communities around your products. By coupling course creation with your product offerings, you can enhance customer engagement and loyalty.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to start your 14-day free trial of Tevello and explore how our solutions can streamline your online business.

Conclusion

Draft orders present a significant opportunity for Shopify merchants to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer relationships, and diversify sales channels. By understanding how to create and manage draft orders effectively, you can align your business practices with the growing demands of your customers while ensuring a seamless ordering experience.

As e-commerce continues to evolve, leveraging tools like Shopify and Tevello can help you stay ahead of competition. By implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes draft orders, you can better serve your customers and unlock new revenue streams.

Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today to experience firsthand how these features can transform your business operations and enhance customer engagement.

FAQ

What is the main purpose of creating draft orders in Shopify? Draft orders allow merchants to handle special requests, provide direct sales, and customize orders for specific customers, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and operational flexibility.

Can I use draft orders for subscriptions or recurring sales? Draft orders are primarily designed for one-off transactions. However, you can use them effectively in conjunction with apps designed for subscriptions.

Are discounts applicable on draft orders? Yes, you can apply discounts to draft orders just as you would with regular orders. This feature can help in managing loyalty programs or special promotional pricing.

Will my inventory automatically adjust when a draft order is created? Inventory levels remain unchanged until a draft order is completed and payment is accepted. However, you can reserve inventory through the draft order settings to prevent overselling.

Can customers create their own draft orders? Currently, draft orders must be created by the merchant through the Shopify admin interface or mobile app. However, merchants can allow customers to submit special requests, and then create draft orders based on those requests.

By incorporating draft orders into your Shopify strategy and leveraging powerful tools offered by Tevello, you can ensure your e-commerce business stays competitive and meets evolving customer needs effectively.