Quick answer: Yes, Shopify can do pre-orders, but you need a pre-order app from the Shopify App Store to set them up (Shopify Help Center). Shopify’s native “Continue selling when out of stock” setting lets customers buy at zero stock, but it isn’t a full pre-order option.
TL;DR: To set up pre-orders on Shopify, install a pre-order app (e.g. Snap Preorder & Backorder), create a pre-order campaign for your products, change the button text and show the expected ship date.
- Pre-orders can collect full, partial or no payment upfront; Shopify says they currently require Shopify Payments or PayPal Express.
- No-app workaround: turn on Continue selling when out of stock and edit the button text, but you lose deposits, caps and automation.
- For button setup with vs without apps, see our pre-order button guide.
Pre-Sales on Shopify Made Easy: Strategies, Apps, and Tips
Here’s the thing about Shopify pre-sales: they’re not just for big brands anymore. While some store owners are still doing things the old way – crossing their fingers and hoping products will sell – savvy entrepreneurs are using pre-sales to fund production, guarantee sales, and build crazy hype around their launches.
Ready to join them? I’m breaking down all the pre-sale secrets that are working right now, from payment strategies to marketing tricks that’ll make your launches irresistible.
Why Should You Even Care About Pre-Sales?
A pre-sale lets customers order products before they’re officially available. Think of it as building hype while locking in sales early. Here’s why they’re awesome:
- You get money upfront (hello, better cash flow!)
- You can test if people actually want your product
- You create buzz around your launch
- You avoid getting stuck with tons of inventory
- You know exactly how much to produce
The Best Free Shopify Pre-order &
Back-in-stock App
Turn “sold out” into “sold now” with Snap Preorder & Backorder! Effortlessly set up preorders, backorders, and “Notify Me” alerts directly in Shopify.
Free to 200 First Install
Winning Pre-Sale Strategies for Your Shopify Store
Want to make the most of pre-sales? Here are the best ways to get it done:
1. Add a “Preorder Now” Button
Let your customers know they can snag your product before anyone else. Highlight it with badges or labels like “Coming Soon” or “Preorder Now.”
💡 Pro Tip: Limited quantities? Let them know! Phrases like “Only 50 available” can drive more sales.
2. Offer Flexible Payment Options
Not everyone wants to drop the full amount upfront. Offering partial payments gives customers more flexibility and makes your store look legit. Plus, you’ll still get some cash flow rolling in.
3. Use “Notify Me” for Out-of-Stock Items
Customers hate it when their favorite item is out of stock. But instead of losing them to a competitor, use a “Notify Me” button. It sends them an alert when the item’s back, and you’ll be their hero.
4. Run Pre-Sale Discounts
Offer early-bird deals like 20-50% off to create urgency. Limited-time discounts can get those carts filled faster.
5. Cross-Sell Similar Products
While customers wait for their pre-order, recommend similar items they can buy now. It’s an easy way to keep them engaged and boost their cart value.
6. Keep Customers in the Loop with Back-in-Stock Alerts
Not every customer will act fast enough to snag a preorder. That doesn’t mean you’ve lost the sale! Use “Notify Me” buttons to capture their email address and send them an alert as soon as the item is restocked or becomes available for regular purchase.
💡 Pro Tip: Personalize your notifications with something like, “Hey [Name], your favorite item is back in stock—don’t miss it this time!”
How to Pick the Best Pre-Sale Strategy for Your Store
Not every strategy works for every business, so here’s what to consider:
- What are you selling? Pre-sales work best for new launches, custom-made items, or high-demand products.
- What do your customers value? Some shoppers love discounts; others appreciate flexibility like partial payments.
- How’s your inventory? If you’re struggling with stock, tools like “Notify Me” can help keep sales going without over-promising.
- Where do you market? Pre-sales shine when paired with email campaigns, social media, or SMS promotions.
The Best Shopify App for Pre-Sales: Snap Preorder & Backorder
Setting up pre-sales doesn’t have to be complicated, especially if you use the right tools. One of the top apps I recommend is Snap Preorder & Backorder. Here’s why:
- Preorder badges: Make your pre-sale products stand out.
- Full/partial payments: Flexibility for your customers, cash flow for you.
- “Notify Me” button: Perfect for out-of-stock or coming-soon products.
- CSV export: Easily manage and track preorders and alerts.
Oh, and did I mention it’s free to start? 🙌
Other options? Check out Top 10 Best Shopify Pre-Order Apps in 2024 for a detailed comparison.
The Best Free Shopify Pre-order &
Back-in-stock App
Turn “sold out” into “sold now” with Snap Preorder & Backorder! Effortlessly set up preorders, backorders, and “Notify Me” alerts directly in Shopify.
Free to 200 First Install
How to Set Up Pre-Sales on Shopify
Setting up pre-sales on Shopify is easier than you might think. Whether you want to use an app to make things easier or stick with Shopify’s built-in tools and do it all manually, you’ve got tons of options to fit your needs. Here’s a quick rundown on how to kick things off:
Option 1: Using an App (Recommended for Simplicity)
Apps make setting up pre-sales quick and hassle-free, even if you’re not super tech-savvy. One of the best options is Snap Preorder & Backorder because it’s free to start and loaded with features.
10 Easy Steps to Set Up Pre-Sales:
- Install Snap Preorder & Backorder for free > Active app on your theme
- In the Create campaign section > Pre-order > Click Create campaign
- Name your campaign
- Choose products >
-
Select specific products
-
Select specific collections
-
Select by quantity
-
- Pre-order display condition
-
Always show pre-order
-
Pre-order for in-stock products
-
Pre-order for out-of-stock products
-
- Continue selling when out of stock
-
I will manage manually
-
App will manage automatically
-
- Set up your Payment Plan
- Partial payment/Full payment > If you don’t want customers to pay upfront, in the Upfront payment > fill out as “0%.”
- Name your plan to nudge your customers
- Set up a discount for presale if you want
- Schedule your campaign (optional)
-
Set Pre-order limitation (optional)
- Save your campaign and test it
Customize The Pre-order Button, Notification Email, And Badge.
1. Customize campaign elements
- Snap Preorder & Backorder allows you to customize the maximum pre-order widget on the product page, including a Notify Me button, Notify Me popup by title, color options, and the option to show similar products.
2. Edit email template
- You can use the Snap preorder and backorder system to send emails, or opt for your own email provider.
- Additionally, you can customize notifications for back in stock items, partial payment invoices, and pre-order delays.
3. Display Pre-order badge
Moreover, you can now display a pre-order badge for products that are part of a campaign, allowing customers to easily identify them.
Option 2: DIY Without an App
If you’re not ready to use an app (or just prefer to keep things simple and app-free), you can still set up pre-sales on Shopify manually. It takes a bit more work, but it’s totally doable. Here’s a guide to help you decide what’s best for you.
Read now: How To Set Up Shopify Pre-Order Button: With vs. Without Apps – What’s Right for You?
- Pros: You’ll save money by not using an app, have complete control over customization, and it’s perfect if you only need basic pre-order functionality.
- Cons: It requires more manual work to set up and track orders, lacks advanced features like automatic alerts or partial payments, and editing theme code can be tricky if you’re not tech-savvy.
Steps to Pre-sale on Shopify with an App
Step 1: Create a Pre-Order Product
- Go to your Shopify admin and click Products > Add product.
- Add the product details (name, description, images, etc.) and make it clear that this is a pre-order product. Use phrases like:
- “Available for Pre-Order Now!”
- “Ships [specific date]” (e.g., “Ships January 30, 2025”).
- In the inventory section, uncheck Track quantity if you want unlimited pre-orders. If you want to limit the number, set a specific stock level.
- Under the Shipping section, add a note in the “Delivery Policy” or “Shipping Description” to inform customers about the pre-order timeline.
Step 2: Customize the Product Page
To make it clear this is a pre-order item:
- Add a banner or image overlay saying “Preorder Now” on your product images (you can use free tools like Canva to do this).
- Use bold, eye-catching text in your product description to emphasize:
- The estimated shipping date.
- Any special perks (like early-bird discounts).
Step 3: Adjust the Add-to-Cart Button Text
By default, the button on your product page says Add to Cart. For pre-sales, it’s better to change it to something like Pre-Order Now or Reserve Your Spot to avoid confusion.
To update the button:
- Go to Online Store > Themes in your Shopify admin.
- Click Actions > Edit code.
- Find the code for the product page template (usually under Sections > product-template.liquid in older themes, or a section such as
main-product.liquidin Online Store 2.0 themes; names vary by theme). - Look for the code that controls the “Add to Cart” button and replace the text with something like Pre-Order Now.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Always save a backup of your theme before making edits to the code!
With some effort, you can create a solid DIY pre-order system that works for most Shopify stores. but honestly, we don’t really recommend going that route. If you want a smoother setup with cool features like automatic stock tracking, email alerts, and partial payments, you should check out apps like Snap Preorder & Backorder. Plus, they’re free, so no worries there!
Can Shopify do pre-orders?
Yes. Shopify supports pre-orders where you collect full, partial or no payment at checkout, but you set them up through a pre-order app installed from the Shopify App Store. Shopify notes pre-orders are currently only available to merchants using Shopify Payments or PayPal Express (Shopify Help Center: Pre-orders).
How do I set up pre-orders on Shopify?
With an app (recommended): install Snap Preorder & Backorder, create a pre-order for your product or variant, choose full or partial payment, and show the expected shipping date on the product page. Without an app, follow the DIY steps above.
Pre-order apps replace the Add to Cart text for you. Doing it manually means editing your theme’s product template, as in Step 3 above. Our Shopify pre-order button guide (with vs without apps) walks through both.
How do I make a product pre-order on Shopify without an app?
Track inventory for the product and select Continue selling when out of stock in its Inventory section (Shopify Help Center), then label the product and button clearly with the ship date. This lets customers buy at zero stock but doesn’t limit quantities or take deposits.
How can I turn out-of-stock Shopify products into pre-orders?
Use a pre-order app on sold-out items, or collect “Notify me” signups if you don’t want to take payment yet. More tactics: how to keep selling when out of stock.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Promising delivery dates you can’t meet
- Going radio silent on updates
- Making it too hard to pre-order
- Selling more than you can actually make
- Not having enough customer support
How to Know If Your Pre-Sale Is Working
Keep an eye on:
- How many browsers actually buy
- How much people spend on average
- Whether customers are happy
- How many returns you get
- How many people sign up for restock alerts
Start Your Pre-Sale Strategy Today!
Pre-sales on Shopify are a total game-changer. It helps you drive more sales, manage cash flow, and create excitement around new products. Whether you decide to go the DIY route or use an app like Snap Preorder & Backorder, the important thing is to get started and test what works for your store.
By offering pre-order discounts, flexible payment options, and smart stock alerts, you can make your customers feel like they’re getting exclusive access to something special. Plus, it’s a great way to turn product delays or launches into a win for your business.
So why wait? Start building your pre-sale strategy now, and watch how it can take your store to the next level. Happy pre-selling!
The Best Free Shopify Pre-order &
Back-in-stock App
Turn “sold out” into “sold now” with Snap Preorder & Backorder! Effortlessly set up preorders, backorders, and “Notify Me” alerts directly in Shopify.
Free to 200 First Install
FAQs About Shopify Pre-Sales
What’s the best pre-sale app for clothing brands?
Snap Preorder & Backorder is awesome since it lets you place backorders and make partial payments. Plus, it’s free right now, so you definitely don’t want to miss out!
Can I set up pre-orders for single products?
Yes! Simply add a pre-order button to the product page. Snap Preorder and Backorder can help you do this in just a few steps. For a detailed guide, please scroll up; I have already provided it.
Can I limit the number of pre-sale orders?
Yes. Limiting pre-sale quantities is essential if you’re managing limited stock or testing demand. Shopify’s “Continue selling when out of stock” setting has no cap of its own, so use a pre-order app that lets you set a pre-order limit, such as Snap Preorder & Backorder, to prevent overselling.
Can Shopify do pre-orders?
Yes, through a pre-order app from the Shopify App Store. Shopify says pre-orders currently require Shopify Payments or PayPal Express.
How do I set up pre-orders on Shopify?
Install a pre-order app, create a pre-order for the product, pick full or partial payment and show the expected ship date.
Is there a free pre-order app for Shopify?
Yes, some pre-order apps offer free plans, including Snap Preorder & Backorder. Check each App Store listing for current pricing.