Boost Sales with Pre-Ordering

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Importance of Pre-Ordering in E-commerce
3. Methods for Making Products Available Even When Out of Stock
   • 3.1 Ordering Products Even if Out of Stock
   • 3.2 Pre-Order Settings for Products
4. Implementing Pre-Ordering in Your Shopify Store
   • 4.1 Enabling the "Continue Selling Even When Out of Stock" Setting
   • 4.2 Using an App for Pre-Order Options
5. Configuring the Pre-Order App
   • 5.1 Enabling Pre-Order Option for Specific Products
   • 5.2 Enabling Pre-Order Option for All Products
   • 5.3 Enabling Pre-Order Option for Products with Specific Tags
6. Customizing the Pre-Order App Settings
   • 6.1 Customizing Pre-Order Buttons and Messages
   • 6.2 Setting Pre-Order Periods
   • 6.3 Sending Pre-Order Emails to Customers
   • 6.4 Offering Discounts for Pre-Orders
   • 6.5 Managing Stock Warnings and Mixed Cart Orders
   • 6.6 Displaying Pre-Order Badges on Collection Pages
   • 6.7 Adding Pre-Order Labels in the Cart
7. Conclusion

Pre-Ordering: A Strategy to Retain Customers in E-commerce

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, managing product availability and customer satisfaction can be challenging. No business wants to lose potential sales when a product goes out of stock. However, there are methods to keep customers engaged and encourage them to make purchases even when products are temporarily unavailable.

1. Introduction

In this article, we will explore the concept of pre-ordering and how it can help online retailers retain customers during periods when products are out of stock. By providing alternative options for purchasing, businesses can maintain customer interest and loyalty, ultimately benefiting their bottom line.

2. The Importance of Pre-Ordering in E-commerce

Pre-ordering has become a critical strategy for e-commerce businesses. It allows customers to reserve products in advance, even when they are not currently in stock. This practice not only ensures that customers do not miss out on their desired items but also serves to generate excitement and anticipation.

Pre-ordering offers several advantages for both businesses and customers. For businesses, it guarantees sales and allows for better inventory management. It also provides valuable insights into customer demand, aiding in production planning and marketing strategies. For customers, pre-ordering ensures they have access to in-demand products and reduces the risk of missing out on limited edition or popular items.

3. Methods for Making Products Available Even When Out of Stock

There are two primary methods e-commerce businesses can use to make products available for purchase, even when they are temporarily out of stock.

3.1 Ordering Products Even if Out of Stock

One method is to allow customers to place orders for products that are currently out of stock. This approach informs customers that their desired items may experience a delay in fulfillment. However, it gives them an opportunity to secure the product as soon as it becomes available, reducing the risk of the product selling out upon restocking.

Pros:

• Provides customers with the assurance that they will receive the product once it is back in stock.
• Reduces the likelihood of customers turning to competitors in search of the same product.
• Allows businesses to maintain sales momentum even when products are unavailable.

Cons:

• May result in longer lead times and potential customer frustration.
• Requires effective communication with customers to manage expectations.
• Potential risk of cancellation or change of mind from customers during the waiting period.

3.2 Pre-Order Settings for Products

Alternatively, businesses can implement pre-order settings for their products. With pre-order functionality, customers can reserve products that are yet to be released or restocked. This strategy creates a sense of exclusivity and anticipation, which often leads to increased customer engagement and satisfaction.

Pros:

• Builds excitement and anticipation among customers for upcoming products.
• Allows businesses to gauge interest and demand before production or restocking.
• Helps businesses better manage inventory and production to meet customer demands.

Cons:

• Requires efficient communication with customers regarding pre-order release dates and fulfillment timelines.
• May lead to cancellations or dissatisfaction if the product does not live up to expectations.
• Requires careful planning to ensure smooth fulfillment and delivery once the product is available.

4. Implementing Pre-Ordering in Your Shopify Store

For businesses using Shopify as their e-commerce platform, implementing pre-order functionalities can be easily accomplished.

4.1 Enabling the "Continue Selling Even When Out of Stock" Setting

Shopify offers a built-in setting that allows businesses to continue selling products even when they are temporarily out of stock. By enabling this setting, customers can still place orders for the product, ensuring they won't miss out on the opportunity to purchase it.

4.2 Using an App for Pre-Order Options

To enhance pre-order capabilities within a Shopify store, businesses can leverage pre-order apps. These apps provide additional features and customization options to tailor pre-order experiences to specific business requirements. By installing a pre-order app from the Shopify App Store, businesses can expand their pre-order functionalities and offer customers a seamless purchasing experience.

5. Configuring the Pre-Order App

Once a pre-order app is installed, businesses can proceed to configure the app settings according to their needs and preferences.

5.1 Enabling Pre-Order Option for Specific Products

Using the pre-order app, businesses can enable the pre-order option for individual products. This allows customers to place pre-orders for those specific items even when they are out of stock.

5.2 Enabling Pre-Order Option for All Products

Alternatively, businesses can enable the pre-order option for all products in their store. This mass-enabling feature ensures that every out-of-stock product has a pre-order option available, providing a consistent customer experience.

5.3 Enabling Pre-Order Option for Products with Specific Tags

The pre-order app also allows businesses to enable the pre-order option for products with specific tags. By tagging products accordingly, businesses can easily manage different pre-order settings for various collections or product categories.

6. Customizing the Pre-Order App Settings

The pre-order app offers various customization options to tailor the pre-ordering experience to match a business's branding and requirements.

6.1 Customizing Pre-Order Buttons and Messages

Businesses can customize pre-order buttons and messages to align with their brand identity and effectively communicate the pre-ordering process to customers. This includes specifying pre-order availability dates, estimated delivery times, and any other relevant information.

6.2 Setting Pre-Order Periods

To control pre-order availability, businesses can define specific start and end dates for products. This ensures that customers can only place pre-orders within a designated period, preventing confusion and managing customer expectations.

6.3 Sending Pre-Order Emails to Customers

To keep customers informed about their pre-orders, businesses can take advantage of pre-order email settings provided by the app. These emails can include details about the pre-ordered product, estimated delivery dates, and any other relevant updates. Personalizing these emails helps maintain a strong relationship with customers and keeps them engaged throughout the pre-ordering process.

6.4 Offering Discounts for Pre-Orders

To incentivize customers to place pre-orders, businesses can consider offering exclusive discounts or promotions. By providing a discount for pre-orders, businesses can encourage early purchases and increase customer satisfaction.

6.5 Managing Stock Warnings and Mixed Cart Orders

The pre-order app allows businesses to set stock warnings for pre-order items. When the pre-order stock reaches a certain threshold, customers can be informed to prevent excessive orders or disappointment due to availability constraints. Additionally, the app can handle mixed cart orders, notifying customers when their cart contains a combination of pre-order and in-stock items.

6.6 Displaying Pre-Order Badges on Collection Pages

To highlight pre-order availability, businesses can display badges or labels on their collection pages. This visually indicates which products are available for pre-order, creating a consistent and engaging shopping experience for customers.

6.7 Adding Pre-Order Labels in the Cart

To further inform customers about pre-order items, businesses can add labels or notifications in the cart. This alerts customers to the presence of pre-order items and encourages them to complete their purchase even if some items are not immediately available.

7. Conclusion

Implementing pre-ordering capabilities in an e-commerce store can significantly benefit businesses by retaining customers and generating excitement around upcoming products. By allowing customers to place orders for out-of-stock items or pre-order upcoming releases, businesses can minimize potential sales loss and keep customers engaged. Through the use of pre-order apps and customization options, businesses can create unique and enjoyable pre-order experiences for customers, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.