Create a campaign and pick what to sell
Add the products, collections or individual variants that should stay on sale at zero stock.
Use case
Keep selling when products are out of stock
Pick the products and variants you want to keep selling. When stock reaches zero, Preorder & Back in Stock swaps the dead Add to cart for a preorder button, so shoppers can still order.
Apps used
Preorder & Back in StockMain app
Goal
Lost sales recovery
Works for
Fashion & ApparelHealth & SupplementsFood & Beverage
The problem
A sold-out page sends shoppers away
Popular items run out before the next shipment lands. Each problem below has a matching fix in this setup.
Who it is for: stores whose best sellers sell out between restocks, and stores that sell by size or color.
Problem 01
Shoppers reach a sold-out product page and leave, and the sale goes to another store.
How it gets fixed
Offer a preorder instead of a dead end
Create a preorder campaign in Show when out of stock mode. When stock is zero, the preorder button replaces Add to cart, so interest turns into an order.
Problem 02
Only one size or color has run out, but the whole product looks unavailable.
How it gets fixed
Apply it to the variants you choose
Select the exact variants when you add products to a campaign. Sizes that are in stock keep their normal Add to cart.
Problem 03
Shoppers do not know when a sold-out item will come back.
How it gets fixed
Tell them when to expect the order
Set an estimated ship date and a short note under the preorder button, so buyers know what they are ordering before they check out.
Set it up
Four moves to keep selling
Each card shows what the result looks like. Start with the campaign, because the products you pick decide where the button appears.
Show it only when stock is zero
Choose the Show when out of stock mode, so the preorder button appears only once inventory hits zero.
Add a ship date and a note
Pick an estimated ship date and write a short note that appears under the preorder button.
Test with one product
Set one variant to zero stock in Shopify admin, then open its product page and check the button.
Tips
Before you go live
You choose what switches over
A preorder campaign covers the products, collections or variants you add to it. It does not turn every sold-out product into a preorder on its own, so add new sellers as they appear.
The button follows your stock
When a variant has stock again, shoppers see the normal Add to cart. Keep inventory counts in Shopify accurate so the switch happens when you expect it.
Set honest expectations
A preorder is not the same as in stock. Use the ship date and the note under the button so shoppers know they are ordering ahead of stock.
What to measure
Check these after launch
Orders that include preorder itemsShopify admin orders
Conversion rate on product pages that were sold outShopify Analytics
Variants still at zero stockShopify inventory
Campaign end dates for products you still want to sellCampaign list in the app
FAQ
Common questions
Does the preorder button replace Add to cart?
Yes. In Show when out of stock mode, the preorder button replaces Add to cart when stock reaches zero. Once the variant has stock again, the page switches back.
Can I do this for one size or color only?
Yes. Select only the variants you want when you add products to the campaign.
Will every sold-out product switch automatically?
No. You choose the products, collections or variants in each campaign. Back in Stock alerts can cover every sold-out product, as the next use case shows.
Can shoppers pay a deposit?
You can take full payment or a deposit. Deposits need Shopify Payments, and the presales use case below explains how they work.
What if shoppers would rather wait for the restock?
Add a Notify me button with Back in Stock, so shoppers can sign up and get an email when the item returns.
Related use cases
Fund production and inventory with presales and deposits
Preorder & Back in Stock Take full payment or a deposit at checkout for products that are not in stock yet. See how
Launch a new product or limited drop without losing momentum
Preorder & Back in Stock · Banner & Pop-up · Product Labels Take presale orders, count down to launch and mark the new products. See how
Bring shoppers back the moment items are restocked
Preorder & Back in Stock Notify me buttons and automatic restock emails. See howSet this up on your store.
Every Tech Arms app installs from the Shopify App Store in minutes.