Pre Order Now for Shopify: The Cleanest Way to Run Pre-Orders (Without Overselling)

Pre Order Now is a Shopify pre-order app that helps you sell products before they’re ready to ship — without confusing customers or accidentally overselling inventory.

If you’re currently using Shopify’s “continue selling when out of stock” setting and hoping for the best… this guide will help you build a safer, more professional pre-order experience.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase via our links. This helps support BestGrowthApps.

What Pre Order Now does (in plain English)

Pre Order Now helps you run pre-orders in a way that feels intentional and clear to customers.

• Shows a clear pre-order message so buyers know it’s not shipping today
• Helps reduce overselling risk by making pre-orders a controlled workflow
• Improves the product page experience with pre-order-specific labels
• Works great for launches + restocks where demand spikes fast

Why Shopify merchants use Pre Order Now

Most merchants don’t need pre-orders all the time — they need them when it matters most:

• New product launches
• Restocks with limited supply
• Made-to-order products
• Seasonal drops (Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, back-to-school)
• Small-batch items where you don’t want to guess demand

Pre Order Now setup (quick steps)

If you’ve never used a pre-order app before, don’t worry — this setup is simple.

Step 1: Install the app

1. Install Pre Order Now from the Shopify App Store
2. Approve permissions
3. Open the app dashboard

Step 2: Choose the products you want to pre-sell

Most stores start with just one product (or one collection) until they confirm the workflow is working.

Step 3: Set your pre-order messaging + ship window

At minimum, your pre-order message should include:

• Pre-order status (this is not shipping today)
• Estimated ship window (example: ships in 2–3 weeks)
• Shipping behavior (ships separately or together)

Step 4: Test it end-to-end (don’t skip this)

1. Add the pre-order product to cart
2. Confirm the pre-order messaging is visible
3. Go through checkout (test order)
4. Verify confirmation email wording (optional but recommended)

Best practices to avoid overselling (and reduce refunds)

1) Be specific about ship dates

“Ships soon” creates frustration. A window like “Ships Feb 15–20” builds trust.

2) Separate pre-orders from in-stock items

Customers assume everything ships together. If that’s not true, say it clearly on the product page.

3) Keep your pre-order message consistent everywhere

• Product page
• Cart
• Checkout
• Order confirmation email

4) Don’t run pre-orders forever

If a pre-order stays live too long, customers stop trusting the timeline. Use pre-orders as a controlled window (launch → ship → close).

5) Do a “soft launch” before a big drop

Test with a small audience first (email list or VIP customers) to confirm your messaging and workflow are solid.

Who Pre Order Now is best for

• Great fit if: You run launches/restocks and want a clean pre-order flow.
• Also great if: You sell made-to-order items and need clearer expectations.
• Not ideal if: You never sell out or you only ship instant digital products.

FAQs

Does Shopify allow pre orders?

Yes. Shopify allows pre-orders using inventory settings like “continue selling when out of stock,” but many merchants use a pre-order app for clearer messaging and a smoother customer experience.

Can I do Shopify pre order without an app?

Yes. You can run pre-orders manually, but you’ll need to carefully manage inventory and clearly communicate ship dates to avoid cancellations and overselling.

What’s the biggest mistake with pre-orders?

The biggest mistake is unclear expectations. If customers don’t understand the ship timeline, you’ll see more refund requests, chargebacks, and “where is my order?” tickets.

You might also like

• How to set up pre-orders on Shopify (step-by-step)
• Does Shopify allow pre-orders?