1. Introduction

Pre orders are a marketing strategy used by e-commerce businesses to encourage customers to purchase a product before it is officially released or available for purchase. Understanding how to do pre orders on Shopify can be very valuable & useful for your business. 

Pre orders on Shopify can be a great way to generate buzz and anticipation for a new product or variant, as well gauging demand and ensuring there is sufficient interest in a new product before investing in production.

Additionally, pre-orders can help to secure early sales and revenue, which can be very important for smaller or newer businesses.

Types of pre orders on Shopify:

There are 4 main types of pre orders you can offer on Shopify; Capture only pre orders, charge later pre orders, deposit pre orders, charge upfront pre orders.

• Capture only pre orders – this type of pre-order involves changing the buy now/add-to-cart button to a pre order button, and capturing the customers details/order in the pre-order system.
• Charge later pre orders – this type of pre-order involves changing the buy now/add-to-cart button to a pre order button, the customer goes through the check-out at the time of placing the pre order and authorises a deferred charge. Shopify vaults the card details, and then the store triggers the deferred charge at a later stage.
• Deposit pre orders – this type of pre order allows you to charge the customer for a portion of the purchase price up-front, and then the remaining at a later stage via a deferred charge.
• Charge upfront pre orders – for this type of pre order the payment is taken upfront.

2. Setting up Pre Orders on Shopify 

2.1 Enabling pre orders in your Shopify store

2.2 Setting up Pre Order products

Once you have added the snippet or app block to your store you will be ready to list pre-orders on your Shopify store. 

You will need to list any products you wish to have on pre-order, in your chosen app. You will also be able to choose whether or not to offer an early bird discount, what variants to list for pre-order, along with pre-order limits and shipping timeframe.

3. Best Practices for Pre Orders on Shopify 

3.1 Promoting pre orders effectively

3.2 Setting realistic pre order timelines and delivery dates

It is important to ensure pre order customers are aware of approximate shipping timelines and that there may be some delay. With pre orders, shipping times are never certain, due to potential manufacturing and freight delays, which is often out of your control.

Pre order apps should allow you to regularly communicate via email with your pre order customers, so you can ensure they are kept up to date with shipping timeframes.

3.3 Communicating with pre order customers

A multi pronged approach is the best way to communicate effectively with pre order customers.

This can include the following methods:

• Front end wording; this communicates to the customers pre order details/shipping time frames etc on the store front/on page cart
• Email campaign; this can be used to keep customers updated
• Customer portals; allows customers to check on the progress of their order, and can communicate shipping updates etc.

3.4 Managing refunds and cancellations of pre orders

Pre orders can be cancelled in Shopify in the same manner normal orders can be cancelled. Some pre order apps that feature a customer portal, also allow customers to cancel their pre order via the portal.

Refunding customers is at your discretion and can done as per the usual process in Shopify.

4. Conclusion