8 Clever Tactics to Continue Selling When Out of Stock on Shopify (Part 1)
Ever clicked “Add to Cart” only to be met with the dreaded “Out of Stock” message? It’s a frustrating experience that can quickly turn potential customers away. But fear not, Shopify store owners! We’ve got 15 clever tricks to continue selling when out of stock on Shopify.
From visually stunning product recommendations to personalized shopping experiences, we’ll explore strategies that keep selling out of stock products on Shopify, preventing unexpected lost sales. Let’s dive into these powerful tactics and transform your out-of-stock challenges into opportunities for sales.
1. Use Visual Search to Suggest Alternatives
Firstly, visual search tools on Shopify enable stores to suggest similar products when an item is out of stock. These tools analyze the appearance and style of the unavailable item and display alternative options, keeping customers engaged on the product page.
When a customer lands on an out-of-stock product page, they’re presented with a “See Similar Items” option. Clicking this brings up a carousel or grid of visually similar products that match the style, color, or other features of the unavailable item. The visual search functionality can be embedded directly within the stock notification widget or through a pop-up, creating a seamless, uninterrupted shopping experience.
Examples of "Shop Similar Items" in Action:
- Alo Yoga: When a customer tries to select an unavailable size, a “back in stock” notification icon appears, and the interface could potentially lead to a “See Similar Items” suggestion. This way, if a customer cannot purchase the specific item they were looking for, they can view similar styles without leaving the product page.
- Princess Polly: When a product or size is unavailable, the product page includes a “Notify Me When Available” option. Integrated suggestions for similar items help customers find alternative styles without leaving the page, reducing frustration.
Recommended Shopify apps to show similar products/alternatives:
For an effective app recommendation to display alternatives for out-of-stock products on Shopify, we suggest:
Additionally, it lets merchants recommend similar products for out-of-stock items, with customizable suggestions based on specific products, collections, or tags, ensuring customers have alternative options readily available.
2. Show a Recommendations Drawer to Suggest Alternatives for Out-out-stock Items
A recommendations drawer is a dynamic pop-up or side panel that slides open when a customer lands on an out-of-stock product page. This feature offers a curated selection of similar or related products without requiring the customer to navigate away from the page.
When a customer selects a product that’s out of stock or clicks on an unavailable size, a recommendations drawer automatically appears on the side or bottom of the screen. This drawer can display similar products, popular items in the same category, or even items that are complementary to the original selection. The goal is to provide a seamless, in-context suggestion that keeps the customer engaged and reduces the likelihood of abandonment.
Examples of Recommendations Drawer in Action:
- When a product is out of stock, Boots shows a “more like this” drawer on the product detail page (PDP) that provides a range of similar items, keeping customers browsing without interrupting their shopping flow.
Recommended Shopify apps to show similar products/alternatives:
We recommend Wiser Product Recommendations to meet your need for an effective recommendations drawer. Wiser uses AI to show personalized product recommendations directly in a slide cart or on product pages, keeping customers engaged if their chosen item is unavailable. It supports upselling with features like “Frequently Bought Together,” related products, and post-purchase upsells, all of which help increase average order value.
3. Provide an Estimated Arrival Date for Restocks
Instead of the typical “Notify Me When Back in Stock” button, providing an estimated restock date gives customers a clearer idea of when they can expect the item to be available again. By including a specific date or time range, you manage customer expectations more effectively and reduce the likelihood of them leaving your store in search of similar products elsewhere.
When an item is out of stock, the product page displays a restock date or estimated arrival range (e.g., “Expected back by December 15” or “Restocking in 2–3 weeks”). This information can be shown alongside the “Notify Me” option, allowing customers to either wait for the item or receive an alert when it becomes available. The estimated arrival date should automatically update as new stock data comes in, ensuring accuracy for the shopper.
Examples of Notify me when back-in-stock with a estimated arrival date:
- Lulus effectively handles out-of-stock situations by clearly indicating unavailable sizes, offer a waitlist option, along with an estimated arrival date. This transparency helps customers decide whether they want to wait or explore other options.
Recommended Shopify apps for Notify me when back-in-stock with a estimated arrival date:
To save out-of-stock sales, we recommend using KB Back In Stock Restock Alert or Preorder, Back In Stock – Stoq to add a “Notify Me” button with a waitlist feature on your Shopify store. These apps let customers sign up for back-in-stock notifications or preorders. Include an estimated restock date in the waitlist pop-up (e.g., “Expected by [Date]”) to manage customer expectations, reduce abandonment, and encourage sign-ups.
KB Back In Stock Restock Alert | Preorder, Back In Stock - Stoq |
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4. Try a Live Help Call to Action (CTA) for Out-of-Stock Products
When a customer encounters an out-of-stock product, a Live Help CTA, such as a “Need Help? Chat Now” or “Ask Our Team,” appears on the product page. Clicking this opens a live chat window or connects the customer with a support agent who can provide alternative product recommendations, estimated restock times, or additional details based on the customer’s preferences. For example, a customer looking for a specific size might be guided to similar items that are in stock or shown how to subscribe to restock notifications.
Examples in Action of A Live Help CTA
- Aritzia: When a product or size is sold out, Aritzia’s product page suggests contacting their “Concierge” service. A call to their dedicated support line (1-855-Aritzia) allows customers to get help finding alternative products or similar styles, ensuring they don’t abandon their search.
Recommended Shopify apps for Notify me when back-in-stock with a estimated arrival date:
To implement a Live Help CTA for out-of-stock products on your Shopify store, you can simply add a CTA button on the out-of-stock product page to direct customers to a chat service or automatically trigger a chatbot pop-up when a product is unavailable. This allows customers to access real-time support or be guided to similar products, reducing the chance of cart abandonment. Here are two great options for adding live chat functionality to your store:
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5. Use “Find Similar” for OOS Wish List Saves
When a customer returns to their wish list and sees an item is out of stock, the “Find Similar” option displays a curated selection of products with comparable style, color, or category. This can be a pop-up, a carousel, or a dedicated section within the wish list itself, making it easy for customers to view and engage with alternative options that match their preferences.
Examples of Find Similar” Feature for Out-of-Stock Wish List Items:
- ASOS: ASOS has a similar feature for their “Saved Items” functionality. When an out-of-stock item is saved to a customer’s wish list, ASOS displays a set of visually similar items, providing alternatives to the unavailable product. This keeps customers engaged with the store by offering them options that match their style.
Recommended Shopify apps for Notify me when back-in-stock with a estimated arrival date:
We suggest you try these apps like Wishlist Plus by Swym, which allows customers to save items to a wish list and can be configured to recommend similar items for out-of-stock items. Other apps, like Rebuy Personalization Engine or Syte.ai, can enhance the visual similarity aspect by leveraging AI to analyze product appearance and suggest alternatives that closely match the saved item.
6. Use “Try Another Variant” for OOS Cart Items
“Try Another Variant” is a strategy that helps customers find similar versions of an item that’s gone out of stock after it’s already in their cart. When a customer attempts to check out an item that is no longer available in their chosen size, color, or style, this feature proactively suggests other in-stock variants (like a different size, color, or pattern) to encourage completion of the purchase.
Examples of using “Try Another Variant” for out-of-stock cart Items:
- Lululemon: If a product in a customer’s cart goes out of stock, Lululemon automatically suggests other sizes and colors of the same item. This feature not only saves the sale but also makes the process convenient by minimizing the steps needed for the customer to find a similar item they want.
Recommended Shopify apps to display “Try Another Variant”:
To implement the “Try Another Variant” feature for out-of-stock cart items on your Shopify store, we’ve tested a few apps and have identified two that best meet the requirements:
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7. Enable “Notify Me” for Back-in-Stock Alerts on Preorders
When a customer adds a product to their cart, and it later goes out of stock, a prompt appears suggesting other available options. For instance, if a medium-sized dress in blue is unavailable, the system will suggest other sizes of the same dress in blue or different colors in the same size. This way, the customer doesn’t have to manually search for alternatives and is more likely to make a substitution rather than abandon their cart.
Examples of using “Try Another Variant” for out-of-stock cart Items:
- Wayfair, a popular home goods retailer, effectively uses a “Notify Me” feature. When a product is out of stock, a prominent “Notify Me” button is displayed. Clicking this button prompts the customer to enter their email address and optionally subscribe to the Wayfair newsletter. Once the item is back in stock, Wayfair sends a timely email notification to the customer.
Recommended Shopify apps to display “Try Another Variant”:
We’ve found two top solutions to enable a “Notify me” button on your Shopify store for out-of-stock items: a free app and a paid app. Try out to determine the best fit for your needs.
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8. Preorder Solution with Pay Now/Partial Payment or Pay Later Options
Offering a preorder option with flexible payment plans is an effective way to capture early demand and make high-ticket items more accessible. By providing options like “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) for preorder items, you can encourage customers to commit to a purchase even if they are not ready to pay the full amount upfront. This approach appeals to a broader customer base by reducing the immediate financial burden, which is especially beneficial for expensive or limited-edition items.
Examples of using "Buy Now, Pay Later":
- While not specifically used for preorders or out-of-stock items, Charlotte Tilbury‘s integration with Klarna is an excellent example of how flexible payment options can boost customer engagement and conversions.
- Charlotte Tilbury integrates Klarna’s “pay in 3” on product pages, in the cart, and at checkout, reminding customers they can split payments interest-free. This strategy reduces price hesitation and appeals to a broader audience, making luxury items feel more affordable.
Recommended Buy Now, Pay Later apps for Shopify:
To enable flexible partial payments for preorders on Shopify, we recommend you consider these top Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service providers:
- Affirm: Easy to use, with no fees, making it straightforward for customers to finance their purchases.
- Afterpay: Flexible, with no minimum loan amount, allowing customers to pay in four interest-free installments.
- Klarna: Provides multiple payment options, including “pay in 3” and “pay later,” to suit different customer preferences.
- PayPal Pay in 4: Widely available across merchants, allowing customers to split payments into four parts with no interest.
😄 If you’re looking for Shopify apps that offer partial payment options for pre-order products, check out our article: “Top 10 Best Shopify Pre-Order Apps in 2024 (Review & Comparison Chart)“
Turn Out-of-Stock into Sales Opportunities Today!
Out-of-stock situations don’t have to mean lost sales. By using tactics like Visual Search for Alternatives, Recommendations Drawers, Estimated Restock Dates, Live Help CTAs, “Find Similar” for Wish Lists, and Alternative Variants for Cart Items, your Shopify store can keep customers engaged, manage expectations, and convert interest into sales.
Which tactic are you most excited to try on your store? Or, if you’ve used some of these strategies, which one has worked best for you? Drop a comment below to share your experience or questions with the community!
In Part 2, we’ll explore even more strategies to capture out-of-stock demand, including preorders with flexible payment options. Stay tuned for more ways to make every stockout a sales opportunity!
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