Setting Up Pre-Orders on Wix
TL;DR:
- Wix handles pre-orders through standard product settings with some tweaks
- Change your buy button to say "Pre-order Now" to make things clear
- Add ribbons or badges to highlight pre-order products visually
- Be upfront about shipping dates in your product descriptions
- Stripe and PayPal both work fine for pre-order payments
- Clear communication prevents customer confusion and complaints
Wix doesn't have a dedicated pre-order feature, but you can set up pre-orders using the existing store tools. The key is making everything crystal clear for your customers.
Setting Up Your Pre-Order Product
Start by adding a new product to your Wix store like you normally would. Then make these adjustments:
Change Your Button Text: Head to your product settings and change the buy button to say "Pre-order Now." This immediately tells customers they're ordering something that isn't available yet.
Manage Your Inventory Numbers: You can set inventory levels to show limited availability if that fits your product. Some businesses find this creates urgency, but only do this if it's genuine.
Add Visual Cues: Use Wix's ribbon or badge feature to add a "Pre-order" label to your product images. This helps pre-order items stand out from regular stock.
Write Clear Descriptions: This is where most people mess up. Your product description needs to spell out exactly when the item will ship or become available. Don't be vague about dates.
Here's what works well in descriptions:
- "Expected shipping: March 2024"
- "Pre-orders will ship within 2-3 weeks of purchase"
- "Release date: 15th February 2024"
Payment Setup
Wix's standard payment options work fine for pre-orders:
Stripe and PayPal: Both handle pre-order payments without any special setup. Just make sure they're already configured in your Wix dashboard.
Be Clear About Payment Timing: Tell customers exactly when their card will be charged. Some businesses charge immediately, others charge when the item ships. Pick one approach and stick to it.
Set Up Your Terms: Write out your refund policy for pre-orders. People change their minds, especially when there are delays, so have a clear policy ready.
Consider adding an FAQ section to your pre-order product pages. Common questions include shipping dates, payment timing, and what happens if there are delays.
FAQs
Can I run pre-orders for multiple products?
Yes, just repeat the same setup process for each product you want to offer as a pre-order.
Can I customize how the pre-order buttons and ribbons look?
Wix gives you plenty of design options for buttons and ribbons, so you can match your brand style.
Do Stripe and PayPal work properly with pre-orders?
They work the same as regular purchases. The payment processors don't know the difference between a pre-order and regular sale.
What happens if my shipping date changes?
Email your customers immediately with updates. Wix's customer management tools can help you send bulk updates to pre-order customers.
Jargon Buster
Pre-order: Purchasing a product before it's officially available or in stock
Payment Gateway: The service that processes online payments securely (like Stripe or PayPal)
Product Ribbon/Badge: A visual label that appears on product images to highlight special offers or status
Inventory Level: The number of items you have available for sale
Wrap-up
Pre-orders can boost your sales by letting customers buy before official launch dates. Wix's existing tools handle this well once you know which settings to adjust.
The most important part is communication. Be specific about shipping dates, payment timing, and what happens if there are delays. This prevents most customer service headaches down the line.
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