Pre orders are more than just a sales tool, they’re a way to keep your Shopify store alive and continue selling even when you’re out of stock. By offering pre orders for customers to reserve products in advance, you’ll generate buzz, sell more, and build anticipation and long-term trust. Whether you’re out of stock or launching a new physical product, pre orders let you keep selling without interruption. Pre orders can be particularly beneficial for limited-edition items, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity.
But there’s one problem many Shopify sellers face: adding a delivery date to preorders. This small detail can make a big difference in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. That’s where PULPO WMS comes in. Let’s get into how preorders work, why delivery dates matter and how PULPO makes it easy for you and your customers.
Preorders are basically reservations for highly sought-after products that aren’t yet available. Customers order now with the pre order button and wait to receive the product when it’s in stock or launched. This is an ecommerce strategy many Shopify merchants use and for good reason:
Sell More: Capture demand before your products hit the shelves. Preorders mean you don’t miss out on sales even when products are out of stock.
Manage Inventory Better: By looking at preorder data you can forecast demand more accurately and avoid overstocking or understocking.
Keep Customers Happy: Offering preorders shows your brand is forward thinking and customer focused. It turns a potential disappointment into an opportunity to build trust and anticipation.
Pre-orders also provide valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences.
Setting up pre-orders on Shopify is a straightforward process that can keep your store selling even when items are out of stock. To start, businesses need to install a pre-order app from the Shopify App Store. There are several pre-order apps available, each with its own features and pricing plans. Some popular pre-order apps include Early Bird, Pre-Order Manager, and Pre-Order Now.
Once the app is installed, businesses can set up pre-orders by following these steps:
Go to the product page and click on the “Edit product” button.
Scroll down to the “Inventory” section and click on the “Continue selling when out of stock” checkbox.
Set the pre-order start and end dates, as well as the pre-order quantity.
Customize the pre-order button and messaging to fit your brand’s style.
By following these steps, Shopify stores can continue selling products even when they are out of stock, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers.
One of the most important parts of managing preorders is providing customers with the right delivery information. Tagging preorders with a delivery date is key for:
Transparency and Trust
Customers want to know when to expect their product. A delivery date sets expectations and builds trust so your brand looks professional and reliable.
Customer Satisfaction
An informed customer is a happy customer. Delivery date tagging means customers don’t need to contact you for updates saving time for both parties.
Operational Efficiency
With delivery dates tagged your team knows exactly what to ship and when. Reduces confusion, streamlines logistics and avoids costly delays.
Fewer Refunds and Cancellations
Unclear delivery times can lead to frustrated customers who will cancel their orders or request refunds. Delivery date tagging eliminates that risk.
Brand Loyalty
A seamless preorder process leaves a lasting impression. When customers feel you can deliver on your promises they’ll come back for more.
Here’s the issue: Shopify’s default settings don’t allow you to add delivery dates to preorders automatically. For merchants with high demand and out of stock products this is a pain.
Manually managing delivery dates is not only time consuming but also error prone. Imagine forgetting to update a customer about their preorder timeline—it could lead to frustration, bad reviews and lost sales.
That’s where PULPO WMS comes in. Unlike relying on order dates, PULPO focuses on shipment dates—the actual dates when your products will leave the warehouse. This means you can provide customers with the right delivery information every time.
With PULPO WMS tagging delivery dates for preorders is a breeze. Here’s how:
Set Shipment Dates in PULPO When a preorder is placed log the estimated shipping date in the PULPO app. This way your team knows exactly when the product needs to ship.
Sync with Shopify PULPO will sync the shipment date with Shopify and tag each preorder with the exact delivery date. Customers can see this in their order details so they’re informed and happy.
Work with Shopify PULPO integrates with Shopify so you can manage preorders, inventory, and shipping all in one place. Whether it’s a preorder for an out-of-stock product or a new launch, PULPO ensures a seamless experience for managing pre-orders, making your Shopify store run smoothly.
One common issue with pre-orders is managing delivery dates. Here are some tips to help you avoid common issues with pre-order delivery dates:
Clearly communicate pre-order delivery dates to customers to set accurate expectations.
Set realistic delivery dates based on production and shipping times to avoid delays.
Provide regular updates on pre-order status and shipping dates to keep customers informed.
Offer flexible shipping options, such as expedited shipping or in-store pickup, to meet different customer needs.
Use pre-order apps to automate the pre-order process and reduce errors, ensuring accurate delivery information.
By following these tips, businesses can effectively manage pre-orders on their Shopify store and improve customer satisfaction, ensuring a positive shopping experience for all customers.
Here’s what you get when you enable preorders with delivery date tagging through PULPO:
✅ Better Customer Experience: Transparency on delivery times builds trust and happiness.
✅ More Sales: Keep selling even when stock is out of stock. Preorders let you keep the momentum and capture demand.
✅ Operational Efficiency: Avoid last minute stress by coordinating preorder shipments.
✅ Brand Strength: Stand out by having a smooth and reliable preorder process.
✅ Inventory Insights: Use preorder data to restock and manufacture smarter, reduce waste and improve cash flow. Pre-order data provides valuable insights for inventory management and understanding customer preferences.
Preorders aren’t just a sales tactic—they’re a business growth tool, demand testing tool and anticipation builder. With PULPO WMS you can turn preorders into a smooth and happy experience for your team and your customers.
Don’t let out of stock products or delayed launches hold you back. With PULPO’s integration you can tag delivery dates in seconds, keep your customers happy and your Shopify store ahead of the game.
Preorders are your chance to boost sales, manage inventory better and get customers back for more.
Install our app in Shopify app store.
Q1: How does the preorder process work for merchants?
Merchants can enable preorders for products that are currently unavailable, allowing customers to pay now and receive the item once it’s in stock. This process helps manage demand and ensure shelves are restocked efficiently.
Q2: Why should retailers enable preorders for their store?
Preorders allow retailers to manage inventory better, test demand, and create anticipation for upcoming product releases. It’s a smart strategy to boost revenue even when stock is limited.
Q3: How can I ensure customers are notified about shipping dates for preorders?
Use tools like PULPO WMS to log and communicate shipment dates automatically. This keeps customers informed and minimizes wait times for updates.
Q4: Can I customize the preorder cart button for my store?
Yes, most preorder apps enable merchants to customize the cart button with labels like “Preorder Now” to clearly inform customers about preorder availability.
Q5: Do customers need to pay upfront for preorders?
It depends on the merchant’s settings. Some merchants enable a “pay later” option, while others require upfront payment to secure the preorder. Offering flexible payment options like 'pay later' can attract more customers and make the preorder process more appealing.
Q6: How can preorder transactions help boost revenue?
Preorders generate cash flow in advance, allowing businesses to invest in manufacturing or restocking shelves without delay.