Sometimes, a product is not yet ready to be shipped, but customers are already inquiring about it. Rather than keeping them on hold, you can allow them to pre-order. They purchase now and get the product when it’s ready.
It is an easy method to maintain customers in anticipation and prevent losing out on sales. Shopify allows setting up the pre-order functionality with minimal adjustments or add-ons. In case you do not know how to do it, it is recommended to hire Shopify experts who can assist you in the process.
In this blog, we’ll explore the process of setting up pre-orders on Shopify and how to manage them effectively. So, let’s dive in!
Why Pre-Orders Make Sense for Your Business?
Pre-orders let your customers get the first chance to buy your popular products while allowing you to determine the demand. For products that are in high demand or limited in quantity, pre-orders generate hype even before the product hits the market. Customers appreciate knowing exactly when they will receive their purchase, making it simpler for them to plan ahead.
It’s a win-win. Consumers are able to reserve the items they desire, and you have a better idea of how much to produce. Sharing clear delivery dates helps you prevent disappointing your consumers and gaining their trust. Also, you’re able to promote your products before they’re ready, which keeps excitement high.
For special releases or products with questionable demand, pre-orders eliminate the uncertainty of advance planning. Your customers have confidence, and you receive some cash flow before even shipping the product.
How to Set Up Pre-Order on Shopify With or Without Apps?
There’s more than one way to allow pre-orders on your Shopify store. The method you choose depends on your store’s setup, your needs, and how much control you want over the process. Some options are quick and simple, while others offer more flexibility and features.
There are two primary methods to enable pre-orders on Shopify:
Using Shopify Pre-Order Apps
Manual Setup via Shopify Admin
Using Shopify Pre-Order Apps
Shopify’s ecosystem offers several apps designed to facilitate pre-orders. Here are some of the most popular and highly rated pre-order apps as of April 2025:
WOD: PreOrder Now This app allows you to easily set up pre-order buttons on your product pages, customize messaging, and manage inventory settings. It also supports partial payments and offers analytics to track pre-order performance.
Preorder Wolf | Pre order now Known for its user-friendly interface, Preorder Wolf enables seamless integration of pre-order buttons, customizable texts, and the exclusion of specific options like in-store pickup. Merchants appreciate its responsive customer support and straightforward setup.
Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify This app offers automatic replacement of the “Add to Cart” button with a “Pre-Order” button for out-of-stock items. It provides flexible settings to enable or disable pre-orders for specific products or variants, aiding in efficient inventory management.
Preorderly – Preorder PreSale PreOrderly allows for customizable pre-order settings, including availability dates and quantity limits. It integrates seamlessly with your store’s theme and provides detailed reports on pre-order sales.
PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock This app supports pre-orders and backorders with features like countdown timers, mixed cart alerts, and customizable buttons. It also offers multilingual support, making it suitable for international stores.
How to Install and Configure a Pre-Order App:
Install the App: Visit the Shopify App Store, search for your chosen pre-order app, and click “Add app” to install it.
Configure Settings: Follow the app’s setup wizard to customize pre-order buttons, messages, and payment options according to your preferences.
Assign Products: Select the products or variants you want to offer for pre-order and apply the pre-order settings.
Test the Setup: Ensure that the pre-order button appears correctly on the product pages and that the checkout process functions as intended.
Manual Setup via Shopify Admin
If you prefer not to use third-party apps, you can set up pre-orders manually through your Shopify admin:
Enable “Continue Selling When Out of Stock”:
From your Shopify dashboard, go to Products, and under the Inventory section, select the desired product.
In the Inventory section, check the box labeled Continue selling when out of stock.
Modify the Add to Cart Button Text:
Access your theme’s code by navigating to Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit code.
Locate the product template file (usually product.liquid) and find the code for the “Add to Cart” button.
Edit your theme’s code by navigating to the Online Store > Click (…) Three dots option > Edit default theme content.
Replace the button text with “Pre-Order” for products that are out of stock.
Inform Customers About Pre-Order Terms:
Add a note in the product description or at checkout specifying the expected shipping date and any other relevant information.
Note: Manual setup requires familiarity with Shopify’s Liquid code and may not offer as many features as dedicated pre-order apps.
No matter which method you go with, the goal is the same – to give customers a smooth buying experience, even when the item isn’t available yet. Once set up properly, pre-orders can run in the background and help your business grow without extra hassle.
Master pre-orders on Shopify with this simple guide
To help you understand the setup process better, here’s a step-by-step example using the WOD: PreOrder Now app. The following screenshots show how to activate the app, select products, and display the pre-order option on your storefront.
Navigate to the App Dashboard
Under Settings > Apps and sales channels, you can open the WOD: PreOrder Now from the installed apps list. From the app’s main dashboard you access Shopify’s theme editor, manage pre-order products, and explore additional features available within the app interface.
Enabling the App in Theme Editor
By clicking on the Open Theme Editor button from the previous step, you will be taken to Shopify’s theme editor interface. From here under the App embeds section, you can toggle to enable the WOD: PreOrder Now app so it becomes active on your storefront.
Adding Products for Pre-Order
By clicking the Add Preorder Product button from the Products page under the WOD: PreOrder Now app it will show a product selection modal. From that, you can choose the products you want to set as pre-order by checking the boxes next to the items and their respective variations.
Pre-Order Product Confirmation
At this stage, you can confirm that the selected product is now set up for pre-order. The message saying “Product status is enabled” in the pre-order product page interface indicates it’s successfully configured.
Frontend View of Pre-Order Button
Check how the product looks on the storefront. The Pre-Order button is clearly visible, Showing that the setup is working as intended.
Note: For ease and reference here, the button is highlighted using an outline.
It’s easy to create pre-orders through an app such as WOD. After setting everything up and enabling it, your customers can easily place pre-orders from your product pages hassle-free.
Benefits of Offering Pre-Orders to Your Customers
Selling products before they are available may sound risky, but it can really be a great idea. A lot of online shops use pre-orders to engage consumers and drive early interest. If you are releasing something new or restocking a popular product, selling pre-orders can really make a difference in your sales and stock management.
Secure Sales Upfront: Rather than waiting for the product to be in stock, you begin receiving orders immediately. That means cash flows in quickly, which can be used to pay for production or restocking.
Test Demand for Products: Unsure of how well a product will sell? Pre-orders demonstrate how many are actually interested before you invest heavily. It’s a risk-free way to introduce something new.
Prevent Overstock and Waste: With pre-orders, you only make or order what’s required. This prevents excess stock and avoids storage problems or unnecessary spending.
Build Hype Around New Products: Allowing customers to pre-order provides your product with an exclusive feel — as if they’re getting advanced access. This can create a buzz and urge people to hurry.
Improve Inventory Planning: Pre-orders provide you with more accurate figures on what to anticipate, allowing you to plan more effectively. You’re less likely to run out too soon or sit on too much stock.
Pre-orders aren’t just about early sales–they give you better control over stock, help build trust, and create buzz around your products. When used right, this feature can boost your store’s performance without adding pressure to your operations.
How to Manage Pre-Orders in the Shopify Store?
Managing pre-orders in your Shopify store is crucial. Pre-ordering is not just allowing a customer to buy an item early, it is also about communication, organization, and keeping customers satisfied while they wait.
Clearly Indicate Shipping Dates: Give an estimated shipping date to the customer. Even if this is only an estimate, setting an expectation builds trust and prevents any confusion later.
Mark Pre-Order Products Clearly: Pre-order products should be labeled clearly with terms such as “Pre-Order Now” or “Ships in [X] Weeks” on product pages to prevent any misunderstandings.
Keep Customers Updated: Notify your buyers about delays and progress in the production of their items. Short messages or emails keep customers informed and show that you care.
Limit Pre-Order Quantities If Needed: To stay in control, it’s smart to limit how many pre-orders you take-especially if your supply is limited. This avoids the stress of overpromising and under-delivering.
Use Pre-Order Application or Tool: Make sure that the application or tools being used for pre-orders better suit your organization’s requirements. While some apps provide more automation in handling your inventory and messages, others are more manual.
Pre-orders are a good concept to grow your business, but the management will ensure that customers return. A little extra care during the wait can go a long way in building loyalty and trust.
FAQs for Pre-Orders on Shopify
Can I enable pre-orders on Shopify without using an app?
Yes, you can manually enable pre-orders without an app. This involves editing the product availability, updating the “Add to Cart” button text to say something like “Pre-Order Now,” and clearly mentioning estimated shipping dates in the product description.
Can I let customers buy in-stock and pre-order items together?
Yes, this is possible with apps like Timesact and PreProduct, which support mixed cart checkout. This means customers can buy both available and pre-order items in one transaction. You should clarify in your shipping policy that pre-order items may ship separately or cause delays in combined orders.
How can I limit the number of pre-orders accepted?
Most pre-order apps allow you to set quantity limits or cut-off dates for accepting pre-orders. This helps prevent overselling and ensures that you don’t accept more orders than your inventory can fulfill when it arrives.
Let’s Conclude
Pre-orders are a smart way to keep your business moving even when products aren’t ready to ship. Whether you’re launching something new, restocking popular items, or testing customer interest, setting up pre-orders on Shopify gives you flexibility and control.
With the right tools and clear communication, you can offer a smooth experience that keeps your customers informed and excited.
Just make sure to manage orders carefully, set the right expectations, and choose a method that works best for your store. If you need custom pre-order functionality for your store, working with a Shopify development agency is the best choice.
Ankur Shah is a tech-savvy expert specializing in eCommerce solutions. With a deep understanding of WooCommerce and Shopify, he helps businesses optimize their online stores for success. Whether it's implementing new features or troubleshooting issues, Ankur is your go-to guy for all things eCommerce.
