Website Building » Shopify » Can You Do a Pre-Order Option on Shopify?

Can You Do a Pre-Order Option on Shopify?

Last updated on January 12, 2023 @ 10:14 am

Pre-ordering products has become a popular way for customers to ensure they don’t miss out on the latest release. Many major retailers offer a pre-order option on their website, and Shopify is no different. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up a pre-order system on your Shopify store.

What is pre-ordering?

Pre-ordering is when customers pay for an item before it’s available to ship. This allows them to guarantee they will receive the product as soon as it’s released. Pre-orders are common for items that are in high demand, such as new video games, books, and movies.

Why offer pre-orders?

There are several reasons you might want to offer pre-orders on your Shopify store:

PRO TIP: We strongly recommend against using a pre-order option on Shopify. There are several reasons for this:

1. It can be confusing for customers, who may not understand that they are not ordering the item immediately.

2. There is a risk that the item will not be in stock when the customer’s order is placed, which could lead to disappointment and frustration.

3. Pre-orders can be difficult to manage from a inventory standpoint, as you will need to keep track of both incoming stock and customer orders.

4. There is also a risk that customers will cancel their orders after the item has been released, which could leave you with excess inventory.

  • You can generate interest and excitement for a new product release.
  • You can get an idea of how many products you need to produce or order.
  • You can increase your cash flow by collecting payments upfront.

How to set up pre-orders on Shopify

Setting up a pre-order system on your Shopify store is easy. Just follow these steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products. Then, click Add product. Enter the name of the product you want to offer for pre-order.
  2. In the “Inventory” section, uncheck the box next to “Track quantity”. This will allow customers to order more than you have in
  3. “Save and continue
  4. “Add variant”, then enter the variant details (price, SKU, etc.). In the “Inventory” section, uncheck the box next to “Track quantity”.
  5. Then, click “Save variant”. Repeat this step for each variant you want to offer for pre-order.
  6. “Publish product”. Your product is now available for pre-order!

Customers can now visit your store and pre-order the product! When the product is released, Shopify will automatically charge their credit card and begin fulfillment.

That’s all there is to it! Setting up a pre-order system on your Shopify store is a great way to generate excitement for new products and increase your cash flow.
Can You Do a Pre-Order Option on Shopify?
Yes, you can do a pre-order option on Shopify! Follow the steps above to learn how.

Kathy McFarland

Kathy McFarland

Devops woman in trade, tech explorer and problem navigator.