How to Do Pre Orders on Shopify Store: Manual + App Methods

If you’re customizing your storefront, also check out our Shopify Product Page Customization Guide for better UI and messaging.  

What Are Pre Orders on Shopify?

Pre order products are the products that let customers buy products before they are in stock. It allows the customers to place an order, pay for the product, and receive the product later when it comes in stock.

You can even enhance customer trust by showing extra purchase details like delivery estimates (see Add Estimated Delivery Date for Shopify).   

Why Offer Pre Orders?

Pre order provides different benefits to the Shop owner, such as:

• It allows you to collect payments before products are in stock.
• It allows you to create upcoming launches.
• It gives you an idea of how many people are interested in buying a product before they are in stock for future production.
• It helps to improve inventory planning by reducing overstock.

How to do Pre Orders on Shopify Store

There are two main ways to offer pre order products in Shopify. These are listed here.

1. Set Up Pre Orders Manually
2. Install a Shopify Pre Order App

Method 1: Set Up Pre Orders Manually

In this method, you can set up pre order products manually using the Shopify built-in features.  Follow these steps to add pre order products manually.

Step 1: Navigate to Shopify Admin > Products.

Step 2: Select the product you want to offer for the pre order product.

Step 3: Scroll down to the inventory section.

Step 4: Check the box to continue selling when out of stock.

Step 5: Save the changes.

Step 6: Change the product title, description, or add to cart button text to avoid confusion between sold-out and pre order products.

Step 7: Add this code to change the Add to Cart button text.

  
    {% if product.available == false %}
      <button type="submit" class="btn">Pre Order Now</button>
    {% else %}
      <button type="submit" class="btn">Add to Cart</button>
    {% endif %}
  

Step 8: Optionally, if you want to show some message related to pre-order products, then you can use the Product Metafields for that as well.

Method 2: Install a Shopify Pre Order App

If you are looking for a no coding solution, then Shopify apps are there for you. Just install the app from the Shopify app store and integrate with your store. Follow these steps to install an app to offer pre order products. using shopify apps.

Step 1: Navigate to Shopify Admin > Apps.

Step 2: Click on the app and sales channel button.

Step 3: Visit the Shopify app store.

Step 4: Search for an app like Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ

Step 5: Install the app.

Step 6: Reconfirm the installation process from the Shopify admin.

Step 7: Click on the enable app embed button.

Step 8: Create your first offer.

Step 9: Add the different details according to the requirements and make sure its status is active.

Step 10: Navigate to the Products tab and add products to the offer.

Step 11: Confirm if you want to show the pre order button on your product page.

Some popular apps are listed below:

• Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ
• Preorder | Notify Me Timesact
• Essential Preorder & Presale
• Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder
  
  

Also Read: How to Add Raw Code in Shopify

Conclusion  

Offering pre orders on Shopify is a smart way to launch products early, validate customer demand, and generate guaranteed revenue before inventory arrives. Start building momentum for new launches, improve forecasting, and turn interest into real sales before stock even hits your shelves!

If you’d like us to set up pre orders, optimize UI messaging, or automate inventory workflows: Shopify Website Maintenance & Support Services

We make sure every product launch converts at its highest potential!