Pre-Orders

Let customers buy products before they're in stock — perfect for new launches, made-to-order items, and high-demand restocks.

What are Pre-Orders?

Pre-orders let customers purchase a product even when you don't have it in stock yet. Instead of seeing "Out of stock" and leaving, customers can secure their item by paying now (or placing a reservation), and you fulfil the order when stock arrives.

This is useful for:

  • New product launches — build excitement and gauge demand before manufacturing
  • Limited runs — sell only what's ordered to avoid overproduction
  • Restocks — let customers reserve an item that's temporarily out
  • Made-to-order products — items you make individually after the order is placed

Marking a Variant as Pre-Order

Pre-orders are set per variant (e.g. a specific size or colour), so you can have one size on pre-order while another is available normally.

  1. Open your store from the dashboard
  2. Go to your product and open the variant you want to mark as pre-order
  3. Scroll to the Pre-Order section
  4. Toggle Enable Pre-Order on
  5. Optionally add a Pre-Order message — this is shown to customers on the product page (e.g. "Ships in 2–3 weeks" or "Available from June 1st")
  6. Save

Once enabled, that variant's "Add to Cart" button will work even when inventory is at zero. Customers can place orders and you'll fulfil them when stock arrives.

What Customers See

When a variant is on pre-order, your storefront shows a Pre-Order badge on the product page alongside the pre-order message you set. The add-to-cart button works normally — customers check out and pay just like a regular order.

Tip

Be specific in your pre-order message. "Ships in 2–3 weeks" is much clearer than "Pre-order available." Customers appreciate knowing when to expect their order.

Managing Pre-Order Inventory

Pre-order items appear in your orders list like any other order. When your stock arrives:

  1. Receive the stock into your inventory
  2. Go to Orders and filter by status to find unfulfilled pre-orders
  3. Process fulfilment as normal — pick, pack, ship
  4. Mark orders as fulfilled

When your stock is replenished and you no longer need pre-orders, simply:

  1. Go back to the variant settings
  2. Toggle Enable Pre-Order off
  3. Save

The product page will return to normal — "Add to Cart" for in-stock items, "Out of Stock" if inventory runs out again.

Tips for a Successful Pre-Order

Set a realistic ship date. Overpromising and then delaying damages customer trust. If you're unsure, give yourself extra buffer.

Communicate proactively. If your timeline changes, email pre-order customers immediately. Customers forgive delays much more readily when they're kept informed.

Limit quantities. If you only want to accept a certain number of pre-orders, set a maximum stock level. Once that limit is reached, the pre-order option will close automatically.

Add it to your homepage. Use the Page Builder to feature your pre-order product prominently — a dedicated section with the expected ship date creates urgency.

Next Steps