How To Set Up Shopify Pre-Order Button: With vs. Without Apps – What's Right for You?

Comprehensive Comparison: Shopify Pre-Order Without App Vs. App Options

Before diving into the comparison table, let’s expand on the key differences between setting up pre-orders without an app and using a dedicated app:

 

Feature	Without App	With App
Setup Time	Time-consuming	Quick and easy
Cost	Free	App subscription fee
Features	Limited	Extensive (depends on app)
Customization	High	Varies by app
Technical Expertise	Required	Minimal
Customer Experience	Basic	Enhanced (e.g., progress bars, countdown timers)
Automation	No	Automated (e.g., email notifications, inventory updates)
Support	None	App provider support
Maintenance	Manual updates and fixes	Automatic updates and maintenance

When deciding between setting up pre-orders on Shopify without an app or using a dedicated pre-order app, it’s essential to consider your specific business needs, technical capabilities, and budget. Stay tuned, we will provide you with a verdict at the end of the article.

 

Alright! Now, let’s move to the detailed guide on setting up pre-orders on Shopify with the two methods.

 

How to Set Up Pre-order On Shopify With Built-in Features?

Setting up pre-orders on Shopify without using an app involves a manual process where you’ll need to adjust product settings, customize your theme, and manage inventory strategically.

 

This method is cost-effective and gives you full control over how pre-orders are handled, but it requires some familiarity with Shopify’s admin interface and possibly some basic coding.

 

Below is a step-by-step guide to setting up pre-orders without using any third-party apps.

 

Step 1: Capture Payments Manually

1. 1. Log in to Your Shopify Admin: Access your Shopify admin dashboard.

1. 1. Navigate to Settings: Click on Settings from the bottom-left menu.

1. 1. Select Payments: In the Settings menu, click Payments.

1. 1. Manage Payment Capture Method:
      
      • • Scroll to the Payment capture section and click Manage.
      • • Set the payment capture method to Manually and click Save.

Note: Shopify has a default 7-day authorization period for capturing payments. If you need a longer period, consider using a third-party payment provider.

 

 

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

1. 1. Navigate to Products: From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

1. 1. Select a Product: Click on the product you want to enable for pre-orders or create a new product.

1. 1. Enable Out-of-Stock Selling:
      
      • • Scroll down to the Inventory section.
      • • Check the box for Continue selling when out of stock.
      • • Click Save.

 

Step 3: Create a Pre-Order Product Page Template

Access Themes: Go to Online Store > Themes > “…” > Duplicate (to protect your live store from potential issues when editing code).

 

 

Edit Code: Click the three dots “…” next to your active theme and select Edit Code.

 

 

Add a New Template:

• • In the left sidebar, click Add a new template.

• • Select product as the template type, JSON as the format, and give it a name (e.g., pre-order).

• • Click Create a Template.

1. 1.  

Insert Pre-Order Template Code:

• This is an example code 

{
  "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"
  ]
}

 

5. Save the Template: Click Save to save the new pre-order template.

 

 

Note: Enter this password “wizzdemostore” to view the demo store for pre-orders

 

Step 4: Assign Products to Pre-Order Template

1. 1. Edit a Product: Go to Products and select the product you want to offer as a pre-order.

1. 1. Assign Pre-Order Template:
      
      • • In the Theme templates section on the right, select the pre-order template you created from the dropdown menu (Remember to Publish the theme before you assign it).
      • • Click Save.

 

Note: If you’re creating a new product, you can select the pre-order template during the product creation process.

 

• • Note: You can customize the code to meet your needs. If you’re not a professional coder, there are two other options.
    
    
    • • 1. Hiring a Shopify expert to help you code. We highly recommend you send a request to HappyPoints. They will provide free consulting and define the solutions.
    • • 2. Finding pre-order app options. Let’s keep reading; in the next section, we will walk you through the best app available.

Set Up Shopify Pre-Order Using Free App: Snap Preorder & Backorder

For a hassle-free solution that packs advanced features and business strategies, consider using the Snap Preorder & Backorder app. This FREE app (rated 5.0 out of 5 by users) is designed to help you capture sales, manage inventory, and keep your customers engaged—even when products are not immediately available.

 

 

Why Choose Snap Preorder & Backorder?

• • Boost Demand with Scarcity: Set up a “Preorder Now” button for upcoming or custom products and display eye-catching preorder badges to leverage scarcity and drive demand.

• • Flexible Payment Options: Offer both full and partial payment options along with presales discounts (e.g., 20% or 50% off) to keep cash flow steady and capture accurate market demand.

• • Customer Alerts: Enable a “Notify Me” button that automatically alerts customers when out-of-stock items are replenished, reducing the chance of lost sales.

• • Effortless Management: Easily manage all pre-order and back-in-stock requests with CSV export functionality, so you can track and analyze customer interest.

• • Enhanced Customer Experience: Keep shoppers engaged with similar product recommendations and an attractive display of preorder badges.

With Snap Preorder & Backorder, you can streamline your pre-order process on Shopify while offering a robust and engaging customer experience—all without a hefty price tag.

 

Read More: Top 10 Best Shopify Pre-Order Apps in 2024 (Review & Comparison Chart)

 

 

Verdict: Choosing the Right Approach for Your Shopify Pre-Orders

While setting up pre-orders manually gives you complete control and is cost-effective, it demands technical expertise and time. In contrast, using an app like Snap Preorder & Backorder not only simplifies the process but also enhances customer engagement with advanced features.

 

Consider manual setup if you:

• • Have technical skills and are comfortable with manual customization

• • Prefer full control over every aspect of the process

• • Have sufficient time for setup and maintenance

Opt for Snap Preorder & Backorder if you:

• • Value time efficiency and a streamlined process

• • Want to leverage advanced features like partial payments and customer alerts

• • Need an all-in-one solution to drive demand and manage orders without the hassle

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your business needs, technical comfort level, and the resources you can dedicate to pre-order management.

 

The Bottom Line

So, there you have it! You now have a clear understanding of how to set up pre-orders on Shopify, both manually and with the help of dedicated apps. Whether you’re a tech-savvy merchant or prefer a more hands-off approach, there’s a solution to fit your needs. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each method to determine the best fit for your business.

 

I encourage you to experiment with different strategies and find the best for you. Remember, planning, preparation, and clear customer communication are key to successful pre-orders.

 

Have you chosen your path to pre-order success? Share your experiences and tips with fellow Shopify merchants in the comments below!