Offering a pre-sale to your customers can be a great way to generate excitement and gauge demand for items you'll be selling. Some Creators will even use the proceeds from a pre-sale to fund the purchase of their production runs! Orders taken during a pre-sale are called pre-orders.
In this article, we'll walk you through the process of setting up pre-orders on the Shopify eCommerce platform, which integrates with Pietra's Fulfillment Services.
Note: to set up your pre-sale, you'll create your Shopify store on shopify.com. This step is completed outside of Pietra. We recommend following this walkthrough from the Shopify Help Center.
What is a Pre-order?
A pre-order is a sales model that enables customers to purchase and pay for products before they become available for shipping. Creators can use pre-order apps to facilitate this process and provide customers with information on the product page and during the checkout process.
Requirements and Restrictions
Before diving into pre-orders, it's essential to be aware of some of Shopify's requirements and restrictions:
Shipping Timeframes: Sellers must have a reasonable basis for specifying when a product can be shipped.
Shipment Delays: If a delay occurs, a revised shipment date must be provided to customers, along with information about their right to cancel or obtain a refund.
Accelerated Checkouts: Pre-orders aren't supported with accelerated checkouts like Shopify Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Meta Pay.
Local Payment Methods: Customers can't use local payment methods for pre-orders.
Sales Channels: Pre-order products are only supported on the Online Store and Custom Storefront sales channels.
Setting Up Pre-Orders
To start offering pre-orders on your Shopify store, you must use a pre-order app available on the Shopify App Store. Once installed, you'll gain access to pre-order information in key areas of your Shopify admin, including the product page and orders list.
Customer Checkout Experience
During the checkout process, pre-order apps display relevant information to customers. This includes details such as partial deposit amounts, if applicable, and the remaining balance due at a later date.
At the payment step of checkout, customers are required to confirm their understanding that they are purchasing a product with a pre-order option. This ensures a transparent and informed purchasing experience.
Conclusion
Setting up pre-orders on your Shopify store can be a strategic move to engage customers and boost sales. By following these steps and being mindful of requirements, you can seamlessly incorporate pre-orders into your e-commerce strategy, providing a valuable experience for both you and your customers. If you encounter any challenges or have questions, our customer support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Happy selling!