6 Steps to Set Up Pre-Orders in Your Shopify Store
Are you quietly losing revenue every time a product goes out of stock? Or missing the chance to build anticipation before a launch? Pre-orders fix both problems. They let customers commit to buying and give you cash flow and demand clarity before inventory arrives.
For stores built on Shopify, pre-orders are possible, but not complete out of the box. That’s where a focused third-party solution likeBluePeacock Pre‑Orders App earns its keep, by handling the messy details Shopify doesn’t.
This guide breaks down why pre-orders matter, what Shopify can and can’t do natively, and a clean six-step, no-code path to launching pre-orders the right way.
Why Pre-Orders Matter for E-Commerce Stores
Pre-orders aren’t a gimmick. They’re a demand-capture strategy.
They allow you to:
- Keep selling when inventory is temporarily unavailable.
- Validate demand before manufacturing or restocking.
- Forecast inventory more accurately.
- Create launch momentum and scarcity.
- Reduce customer frustration caused by “Sold Out” dead ends.
The key is clarity. Customers are happy to wait if they know what they’re waiting for. Clear pre-order messaging and realistic ETAs protect trust and reduce support tickets.
What Shopify Supports for Pre-Orders (and What It Doesn’t)
Shopify lets you continue selling products when inventory hits zero and change button text in your theme. That’s the shallow end of the pool.
What Shopify does not handle well:
- Pre-order badges and labels across themes
- Variant-level ETAs
- Mixed carts (pre-order + in-stock items together)
- Payment logic (charge now vs authorize and capture later)
- Quantity caps and per-customer limits
- Automated tagging and notifications
Trying to manage this manually usually ends in theme hacks, inconsistent messaging, and fulfillment confusion. This is precisely why dedicated pre-order apps exist.
6 Steps to Set Up Pre-Orders in Your Shopify Store
Step 1: Decide Which Products Should Be Available for Pre-Order
Not every product needs pre-orders. Use them for upcoming launches, seasonal restocks, high-demand items with predictable replenishment, or made-to-order products. Decide whether pre-orders apply to the entire product or specific variants.
Step 2: Choose Your Pre-Order Payment Model
There are two common approaches:
- Charge now: Best for limited drops, strong demand, or when inventory arrival is certain.
- Authorize now, capture later: Safer for longer timelines or supply-chain uncertainty.
This decision affects cash flow, refunds, and customer expectations. A proper pre-order setup lets you choose this per product or variant.
Step 3: Install a Dedicated Pre-Order App (Recommended)
To avoid theme edits and manual workarounds, install a pre-order app designed for Shopify. With the BluePeacock Pre-Orders App , setup is straightforward:
- Install from the Shopify App Store
- Select products or variants for pre-order
- Define start and end dates for the pre-order window
- Choose payment behavior (charge or authorize)
- Set quantity limits and customer caps
- Configure mixed-cart behavior
Step 4: Customize Pre-Order Messaging and Buttons
Customers should never have to guess. Key elements to configure:
- Replace “Add to Cart” with “Pre-Order”
- Display estimated shipping or release dates on the product page
- Add cart-level notices explaining delayed fulfillment
- Include pre-order details in order confirmation emails
Consistent messaging across the product page, cart, and checkout dramatically reduces confusion and cancellations.
Step 5: Control Inventory and Mixed-Cart Behavior
This is where many stores stumble. Decide how your store should behave when customers add a mix of pre-order and in-stock items.
A pre-order app allows you to:
- Allow mixed carts
- Warn customers before checkout
- Automatically split orders
- Block mixed carts entirely
You should also set hard caps to avoid overselling beyond inbound inventory.
Step 6: Test Before You Go Live
- Place test orders on a password-protected theme
- Confirm button text and ETA visibility
- Verify payment behavior
- Check order tags and admin visibility
- Test fulfillment and payment capture (if authorizing)
Best Practices for Managing Pre-Orders on Shopify
- Clear timelines beat optimistic ones. Under-promise and over-deliver.
- Tag all pre-order orders automatically to separate them from regular fulfillment.
- Communicate delays early if timelines shift.
- Limit quantities aggressively for first-time launches.
- Keep pre-order rules consistent across all sales channels.
Avoiding Common Pre-Order Mistakes
Unclear messaging
If customers don’t see “Pre-Order” and an ETA, they’ll assume immediate shipping. That’s a support nightmare waiting to happen.
Wrong payment flow
Charging immediately for uncertain delivery timelines leads to refunds and disputes. Choose deliberately.
No inventory limits
Unlimited pre-orders sound great until you oversell and can’t fulfill. Always cap.
Wrapping Up
Pre-orders are one of the simplest ways to unlock revenue before inventory lands, but only when implemented with intention. Shopify gives you the foundation, not the full structure. A purpose-built app fills the gaps, handling automation, clarity, and edge cases that manual setups miss.
If you want pre-orders that scale without breaking your store operations, a dedicated solution like the BluePeacock Pre-Orders App is the practical route.