Setting Up Pre-orders on Your Wix Store
Pre-orders let you start selling products before they're actually in stock. It's a smart way to gauge demand, secure early sales, and keep customers engaged with upcoming releases. Here's how to get it working properly on your Wix ecommerce site.
TL;DR:
- Create a product listing with 'Pre-order' clearly marked in the title
- Set inventory to allow sales when stock is zero or unavailable
- Configure payment processing to handle pre-order transactions
- Add clear shipping dates and expectations on the product page
- Keep customers updated if timelines change
Creating Your Pre-order Product
Start by adding a new product to your Wix store through your dashboard. Fill in all the usual details like description, images, and pricing, but here's where it differs from regular products.
Add 'Pre-order' to your product title so customers know exactly what they're buying. Something like "iPhone Case – Black (Pre-order)" works well. This removes any confusion at checkout.
Set your release date in the product details. Wix doesn't have a dedicated pre-order date field, so add this information prominently in your product description. Be specific about when customers can expect their item to ship.
Configuring Inventory Settings
This is the bit that trips most people up. You need to adjust your inventory settings so customers can still buy when stock shows as zero.
In your product settings, look for the inventory tracking options. You'll want to either set inventory to "unlimited" or enable the option to sell when out of stock. The exact wording varies depending on which version of Wix you're using, but the option will be in your product's inventory section.
If you're planning to take a limited number of pre-orders, set your stock quantity to that number instead.
Payment Processing Setup
Your payment settings need to handle pre-order transactions. Most payment processors (PayPal, Stripe, etc.) work fine with pre-orders, but you should check their terms to make sure you're compliant.
Some businesses prefer to take a deposit rather than full payment upfront. Wix doesn't have built-in partial payment functionality, so you'll need to either charge the full amount or look into third-party apps if deposits are important to your business model.
Customer Communication
Be upfront about shipping timelines. Add expected dispatch dates to your product description, and consider adding this information to your checkout process too.
Set up email templates for order confirmations that specifically mention the pre-order status and expected shipping dates. Your standard order confirmation emails might confuse customers if they don't clearly explain the delay.
Send update emails if shipping dates change. It's better to over-communicate than leave customers wondering where their order is.
Managing Expectations
Your product pages should clearly explain what customers are buying. Include information about:
- When the item will be available
- When it will ship
- Your refund policy for pre-orders
- Any potential delays or changes
Consider adding a banner or notice to your pre-order products that stands out visually. This helps avoid customer service headaches later.
Testing Your Setup
Before you go live, test the entire process. Place a test order to make sure:
- The checkout process works smoothly
- Payment processing completes
- Confirmation emails send correctly
- Inventory tracking behaves as expected
Check how your pre-order products appear in your order management system too. You'll need to be able to identify and manage these orders separately from regular stock items.
FAQs
Can I limit the number of pre-orders?
Yes, set your inventory to the maximum number of pre-orders you want to accept. When that number is reached, the product will show as out of stock.
What happens if I need to delay the shipping date?
Contact your customers immediately with the new timeline. Consider offering a small discount or free shipping as compensation for the delay.
Should I charge full payment upfront?
This depends on your business model and cash flow needs. Full payment upfront is simpler to manage, but some customers prefer deposits for expensive items.
Can customers cancel pre-orders?
This depends on your refund policy. Make sure your terms are clear on your product pages and during checkout.
Jargon Buster
- Pre-order: Selling products before they're available to ship
- Inventory tracking: System that monitors stock levels and availability
- Dispatch date: When an item will be sent to the customer
- Order management: Backend system for processing and tracking customer orders
Wrap-up
Pre-orders can be a solid revenue strategy when set up properly. The key is clear communication with customers and making sure your technical setup works smoothly. Test everything before launching, keep customers informed about timelines, and be prepared to handle any delays professionally.
Ready to take your ecommerce skills further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more detailed tutorials and ongoing support.