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Shopify Pre Order Without App: The Manual Setup
You can set up basic pre-orders on Shopify without any apps. This guide covers the setup process and when to consider apps instead.
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Manual Setup Steps
- Create product with inventory set to 0
- Enable “Allow selling when out of stock” in Settings
- Add expected ship date to description
- Add cart note for email updates
When Manual Works
- One-time pre-order campaign
- Low order volume
- Simple products
When to Use an App
- Ongoing pre-order needs
- Multiple pre-order products
- Deposit payments needed
Limitations: No automated notifications, no countdown timers, manual inventory tracking.