Shopify makes it easy to use pre-orders so you can start offering this exciting purchasing option in your store today. In this guide, poland email list you’ll learn how pre-orders work and what makes them interesting for your business so you can get started with this effective strategy as soon as possible.
What are pre-orders?
Pre-orders allow you to reserve and pre-order products that have not yet been released or are currently out of stock. They guarantee the earliest possible access to the product and at the same time help retailers improve their cash flow, strengthen customer loyalty and better predict demand.
Why Pre-Orders Make Sense for Your Business
Selling on pre-order offers some great benefits that impact not only your profits, but also your operations and customer loyalty .
increase in sales
Customers have more options when shopping than ever before. Any product – from handmade one-of-a-kind pieces to high-end luxury goods and electronics – can be ordered with a single click.
For retailers, improving customer satisfaction this means that competition has never been fiercer. If your items are unavailable or out of stock, customers will simply browse to the nearest store.
Pre-orders give you a clear advantage here, as you can secure more sales – regardless of whether the goods are already in your warehouse or not.
Reading tip: Increase sales just through discounts? ch leads That doesn’t have to be the case! We’ll show you how you can sell your ideas without discounts .
Predicting demand by meeting it
Selling a physical product inherently carries risks. Retailers want to know exactly how much demand there is for each product they offer.
If you as a retailer want to make final fine-tuning of your product before launch, pre-orders are a good way to understand exactly what the customer wants before production begins.
This allows you to be confident in what sizes, colors and options you should produce to meet existing customer demand. At the same time, it helps you reduce the risk associated with uncertain supply chains and storing unused inventory by effectively predicting the minimum quantity needed to fulfill your orders.
Arouse enthusiasm and promote growth
Between targeted advertising and the dozens of screens the average consumer sees every day, it can be hard for retailers to cut through the noise and grab their attention. This makes it especially difficult to get the word out and generate excitement about a new product release or the relaunch of a classic.
But just as movie trailers create slow hype before a film’s release , pre-orders can serve to build excitement and anticipation for your product.
Another strategy is to offer exclusive access to pre-orders to customers on your mailing list or through a loyalty program. This not only increases the likelihood that these customers will return, but also builds brand loyalty and shows that you value their trust and understand their wants and needs.
Risks of Pre-Orders
Of course, there is also the risk that your customers will make little or no use of the pre-order option. The effort involved in promoting the pre-order offer should not be underestimated. If you want to receive pre-orders, you have to promote the option and the associated products using a marketing strategy. You also have to convince your customers of the benefits of pre-ordering and already have a certain level of customer trust so that they are actually willing to pay for products in advance.
What should I keep in mind when pre-ordering?
If you want to promote products as pre-order, it is not enough to place high-quality product images and product descriptions on your website. You should come up with a concrete concept that highlights your specific product as a pre-order and tells potential customers why they need this product.
Here are some things to consider:
- By offering limited-time discounts for pre-orders, you can optimize your conversion rate.
- Promote pre-orders as part of your sustainability campaign. Pre-orders help minimize waste and protect the environment. In addition, a sustainability approach offers a positive purchasing incentive for potential customers.
- Check your local regulations for pre-orders. For example, some countries do not allow you to offer products that are out of stock.
- Use your social media channels consciously and enter into partnerships with relevant influencers . You should start early enough to make your customers aware of your product and create a sense of urgency. Influencers can be very helpful here.
Which products are suitable for pre-orders?
Finding your pre-order products can also be quite difficult. Unlike mass production, products are often only manufactured after the order has been received. For this reason, products that exist in individual or small series are particularly suitable.
But products in large quantities can also be offered as pre-orders. In this case, you should use Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). These can be a new version of a product or products, such as software, that are in the development stage.
Products that you want to sell independently under your own brand are also suitable for pre-orders. This way, you can offer your products independently of suppliers and gain additional control over the quality and price.
