How to Setup Pre-Orders for Your Shopify Store in 2026

Setting up pre-orders on Shopify is now much clearer than it used to be. In 2026, you have two realistic options: use Shopify's built-in inventory settings for a simple manual setup, or install a dedicated pre-order app for proper automation, messaging, and order handling.

As someone who builds Shopify apps and spends a lot of time inside merchant stores, I have seen pre-orders work brilliantly for launches, restocks, made-to-order products, and seasonal demand spikes. I have also seen them create support headaches when the messaging is vague, the shipping date is missing, or the checkout flow is not tested properly.

This guide covers the app-free method, the app-based method, the latest Shopify limitations, and the best pre-order apps worth considering right now. If you are deciding whether pre-orders are the right fit for your store, this should give you a much more practical answer than the thin tutorials currently ranking.

What is a pre-order on Shopify?

A Shopify pre-order lets customers buy a product before it is in stock or before it is ready to ship. You can use pre-orders to validate demand, secure revenue earlier, and avoid losing sales on products that are temporarily unavailable.

In practice, merchants use pre-orders in a few common ways. The first is for product launches, where stock arrives in a few weeks. The second is for out-of-stock bestsellers, where you still want to capture demand. The third is for made-to-order or customised products, where fulfilment naturally takes longer.

Shopify now officially supports pre-orders through the broader purchase options framework, but for most merchants, an app is still the easiest and safest route. The manual route works, but it is more limited and easier to get wrong.

How do I setup pre-orders for my Shopify store?

The quickest way to set up pre-orders on Shopify is to either enable “Continue selling when out of stock” for a product or install a dedicated pre-order app. The right choice depends on whether you need basic functionality or proper automation.

If you only want to sell a handful of products before stock arrives, the manual method can be enough. If you need variant-level control, deposits, launch scheduling, back-in-stock alerts, or clearer checkout messaging, use an app.

In my experience building Shopify apps, merchants usually start with the manual setup and then switch to an app once pre-orders become a regular part of their catalogue. That is usually the right progression.

Can you do Shopify pre-orders without an app?

Yes, you can create a basic Shopify pre-order setup without an app by allowing out-of-stock purchases and updating your product messaging. However, it is a workaround, not a full pre-order system.

This matters because Shopify's native setup does not automatically give you all the things merchants expect, such as dynamic pre-order buttons, launch windows, deposit logic, or clear customer notifications. If you want those features, an app is the better option.

Still, for simple use cases, the manual route works surprisingly well.

How do I setup Shopify pre-orders manually?

The manual setup uses Shopify's inventory settings to keep selling when stock reaches zero. Then you add clear messaging so customers understand they are placing a pre-order rather than buying something ready to dispatch today.

This is the lowest-cost way to test demand. It is especially useful if you are launching a small batch, validating a new product, or handling a short restock delay.

Step 1: Enable sales when the product is out of stock

The core manual setting is Continue selling when out of stock. This allows customers to keep purchasing even when inventory hits zero.

1. In Shopify admin, go to Products.
2. Open the product you want to sell as a pre-order.
3. Find the Inventory section.
4. Tick Continue selling when out of stock.
5. Save the product.

This alone does not make the product a proper pre-order experience. It just allows the transaction to happen. You still need to make the product page extremely clear.

Step 2: Add obvious pre-order messaging to the product page

Your product page should clearly say the item is on pre-order and when it is expected to ship. The most important thing is clarity, not fancy design.

I recommend updating at least three areas: the product title, the product description, and a visible block near the add-to-cart button. A simple line like “Pre-order now - ships from 18 September” usually works better than vague wording like “coming soon”.

You can also use product metafields to store an estimated shipping date or pre-order note, then render that in your theme. That keeps things cleaner if you have multiple pre-order products.

Step 3: Change the add-to-cart button text

Changing the button text from “Add to cart” to “Pre-order now” makes the intent much clearer. This usually requires a small theme edit unless your theme already supports custom product templates or blocks.

For a simple conditional button, a common pattern looks like this:

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

Be careful here. On modern Shopify themes, especially Online Store 2.0 themes, button markup often lives inside snippets rather than one obvious product template file. If you are not comfortable editing Liquid, use a duplicate theme first.

Step 4: Create a dedicated pre-order product template if needed

A separate product template gives you more control over messaging and button labels. It is the best manual approach if only some products should be available for pre-order.

The original version of this article used a classic theme workflow, and the principle is still valid. You create a separate product template, duplicate the relevant product section, and then customise the content for pre-order items only.

1. Go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Click the three-dot menu on your live theme and choose Edit code.
3. Create a new product template or JSON template depending on your theme structure.
4. Duplicate the main product section or relevant snippets.
5. Change the button text and add a visible pre-order notice.
6. Assign that template to the relevant products.

On older themes, this might look like the classic product.pre-order.liquid approach. On newer themes, it is more likely to involve a JSON template plus section blocks. The exact file names vary by theme, which is why many merchants now prefer an app for this part.

Step 5: Review payment capture settings carefully

If you are taking payment for pre-orders, you need to understand when the payment is captured. This is one of the most misunderstood parts of pre-orders on Shopify.

In the older workaround approach, merchants often used manual capture. That can still be useful in some cases, but it has limits. For example, Shopify Payments authorisations do not stay open indefinitely, so you cannot rely on a long delay and expect the original authorisation to remain valid.

Go to Settings > Payments and review whether your store captures payments automatically or manually. Then check how that aligns with your shipping timeline, payment provider rules, and refund policy.

Important: If you promise a future shipping date, make sure your payment flow, fulfilment workflow, and customer communication all match that promise.

What are the limitations of Shopify pre-orders without an app?

The manual method works for simple pre-orders, but it has clear limitations. The biggest gaps are automation, customer communication, and operational control.

• No automatic pre-order badges or button switching across all products and variants.
• No built-in launch scheduling for future pre-order windows.
• No deposit or partial payment logic unless you use a dedicated solution.
• No native back-in-stock flow tied to the same setup.
• Theme dependency if you want custom labels and notices.
• Higher risk of customer confusion if the product page is not explicit enough.

In my experience, the manual route is fine for one product launch or a temporary stock gap. It becomes messy once you have multiple collections, different fulfilment dates, or variants that should behave differently.

What Shopify restrictions and checkout limitations should you know about?

Shopify pre-orders come with some platform restrictions, especially around checkout methods and sales channels. These limitations matter because they affect the customer experience and can reduce conversion if you do not plan for them.

According to Shopify's current help documentation, pre-orders are not supported in every scenario. The exact details can change, so I always recommend checking Shopify's latest pre-order setup guide before launch.

• Accelerated checkouts may not support pre-orders in the same way as standard checkout.
• Some local payment methods are not available for pre-order purchases.
• Pre-orders are mainly supported on Online Store and custom storefronts.
• Customers cannot always combine multiple purchase options in one checkout.
• You need a reasonable basis for the estimated shipping timeline.

This is also where good legal and customer-service practice matters. If you say an item will ship in two weeks, you need to be able to justify that estimate. If the timeline slips, you need to update customers promptly and explain their cancellation or refund options.

If you are tightening up customer communication more broadly, my guide on how to manage Shopify customer data without losing sales is relevant here too, especially if you plan to segment pre-order customers for updates.

When should you use a Shopify pre-order app instead?

You should use a pre-order app when you want less manual work, better customer messaging, and more control at scale. For most established stores, an app is the better option.

That is especially true if you need any of the following:

• Variant-level pre-orders
• Automatic button changes when stock reaches zero
• Pre-order scheduling for upcoming launches
• Partial payments or deposits
• Back-in-stock alerts
• Collection-wide rules
• Cart and checkout messaging

Apps are also safer if you do not want to touch theme code. From a time-to-value perspective, paying for a good app is often cheaper than spending hours patching together a manual solution and then debugging it on launch day.

What is the best Shopify pre-order app in 2026?

The best Shopify pre-order app depends on your store size, launch style, and whether you need deposits, notifications, or simple stock-based pre-orders. There is no single winner for every merchant.

That said, I usually look for clear theme compatibility, strong support, variant control, and clean customer messaging before anything else. A flashy dashboard means very little if the product page experience is confusing.

Best Shopify pre-order apps compared

This comparison focuses on the apps mentioned in the original article plus newer options surfaced in current research. I have prioritised practical fit over hype.

One note on the data above: some of the verified URLs provided for older apps point to broader category or shared listing pages rather than a unique current app listing. I have linked only to the verified URLs supplied.

1. Pre-order Now (WOD)

Pre-order Now (WOD) is a long-standing name in this category and is still familiar to many Shopify merchants. It is generally best for stores that want a known option and a fairly standard pre-order setup.

The appeal here is simple: swap the out-of-stock button, label items clearly, and let customers order before stock lands. For merchants who do not need anything especially bespoke, that can be enough.

• Simple button replacement for out-of-stock products
• Useful for launches and back-orders
• View Pre-order Now (WOD)

2. Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify

Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify is aimed at merchants who want pre-order controls plus notification features. It is best for stores that want one tool for both pre-orders and customer alerts.

Historically, Amai has focused on replacing the add-to-cart button and supporting common Shopify theme elements. If your store relies on quick-view, collection pages, or AJAX carts, that compatibility matters more than a long feature list.

• Automatic pre-order enablement when stock is low or gone
• Notification-oriented workflow
• View Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify

3. PreProduct - Next-Gen Pre-Orders

PreProduct - Next-Gen Pre-Orders is one of the more interesting modern options if you want more than a simple text swap. It is best for brands that take launches seriously.

From what I have seen across merchant setups, this type of app is better suited to stores that need launch windows, stronger messaging, and more deliberate control over when and how pre-orders appear. That matters when you are coordinating inventory arrivals, creator campaigns, or email drops.

• More advanced launch handling
• Useful for scaling pre-order campaigns
• View PreProduct

4. PreOrder Me

PreOrder Me is a simpler option for merchants who want to get live quickly without overcomplicating the setup. It is best for small stores and straightforward presale workflows.

If you are testing pre-orders for the first time, a simpler app can actually be the better choice. Too many merchants install a very powerful app, configure half of it, and then end up with inconsistent messaging across product pages.

• Good for basic pre-order launches
• Easier learning curve
• View PreOrder Me

5. PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock and STOQ

PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock and Preorder, Back In Stock - STOQ are worth considering if your real problem is not just pre-orders but also demand capture. They are best for stores that want waitlists and restock alerts alongside presales.

 

This combination can work well if you are not always sure whether you should open pre-orders immediately or collect interest first. In some niches, especially fashion, collectibles, and limited drops, a waitlist-first approach is the smarter move.

• Combines pre-orders with back-in-stock demand capture
• Useful for launch planning
• View Globo / STOQ listing

How should you choose the right pre-order app?

The best pre-order app is the one that matches your operations, not the one with the longest feature list. Start with your fulfilment process and work backwards.

Ask yourself these questions before installing anything:

• Do I need pre-orders only when stock is zero, or also before launch?
• Do I need deposits or full payment only?
• Do I need variant-specific rules?
• Do I want back-in-stock alerts in the same app?
• Will this work with my theme and cart drawer?
• Do I need clear messaging in cart and checkout, not just on the product page?

If your store already uses upsells, bundles, or cart customisation, test carefully. Pre-order apps can affect product forms, cart drawers, and purchase flows. If that is relevant, you might also want to read how to create Shopify cart drawer upsells that boost AOV and how to maximise revenue from your Shopify product pages.

What are the best practices for running pre-orders successfully?

The best pre-order strategy is simple: be clear, be realistic, and communicate often. Most pre-order problems are not technical. They come from weak expectations and poor follow-up.

1. Show the estimated shipping date clearly. Put it near the buy button, in the description, and ideally in the cart too.
2. Explain what the customer is buying. Say “pre-order” plainly. Do not hide it in small print.
3. Set realistic timelines. If your supplier says 2 to 4 weeks, do not promise 7 days.
4. Segment pre-order customers in your email platform. They need different post-purchase messaging.
5. Prepare support macros. Customers will ask when their order ships.
6. Test checkout on mobile. This is where messaging often gets lost.
7. Review your refund and cancellation policy. It should be easy to understand before purchase.

In my experience, stores that handle pre-orders well treat them as an operational workflow, not just a button change. That includes inventory planning, support, fulfilment, and post-purchase communication.

Should you use pre-orders, back-in-stock alerts, or a waitlist?

Pre-orders are not always the best choice. Sometimes a waitlist or back-in-stock alert performs better, especially if your supply dates are uncertain.

This is particularly relevant for stores with customised or made-to-order products. If that sounds like your business, my guide on tracking customised orders in Shopify can help you build cleaner workflows around longer lead times.

How can pre-orders affect conversion rate and average order value?

Pre-orders can protect conversion rate by preventing lost sales when products are unavailable. They can also increase average order value if you pair them with the right merchandising.

For example, if a customer is willing to wait for a hero product, they are often willing to add in-stock accessories, matching variants, or higher-margin add-ons too. But you need to be careful with mixed carts and shipping expectations.

If you are actively working on AOV, these guides are worth reading next: how to upsell on Shopify in 2026, how to cross-sell matching variants, and how to upsell subscription products on Shopify.

What is my recommended setup for most Shopify stores?

For most Shopify stores, I recommend using a dedicated pre-order app rather than relying entirely on the manual workaround. It is usually the better long-term choice.

If you are a very small store with one upcoming launch, start manually and validate demand first. If pre-orders become a repeatable part of your business, move to an app quickly so you can improve messaging, reduce support tickets, and keep the storefront consistent.

My practical recommendation looks like this:

• Use manual setup for one-off tests, tiny catalogues, and short stock gaps.
• Use an app for recurring launches, multiple variants, or any store doing serious volume.
• Always show a shipping estimate and make the pre-order status obvious.
• Test product page, cart, checkout, and confirmation emails before going live.

If you are also preparing your store for modern search and AI discovery, I would pair that work with how to optimise your Shopify store for AI shopping agents and how to get your Shopify store into ChatGPT.

Final checklist: how to setup pre-orders for your Shopify store properly

The best way to set up pre-orders is to combine the right tooling with clear customer communication. If you only remember one thing from this guide, remember this: pre-orders fail when expectations are unclear.

• Choose manual setup or a pre-order app
• Enable Continue selling when out of stock if using the manual route
• Change the product messaging to clearly say pre-order
• Add an estimated shipping date
• Review your payment capture settings
• Check Shopify's current pre-order restrictions
• Test product page, cart, and checkout on desktop and mobile
• Prepare post-purchase emails and support replies

Done well, pre-orders can help you validate demand, smooth out stock gaps, and recover sales you would otherwise lose. Done badly, they create confusion and refund requests. The difference is usually in the setup details.