• A backordered product is an item in the selection that is not currently in stock or has run out, but is nevertheless kept available in the online store. Backorders are often given an alternative delivery time.
  • A pre-order product is a product that will be added to your range, which customers can order before it becomes available.

When a customer orders a product that is not yet in stock, the order is recorded in the store as usual, and the alternative delivery time you set is shown to the customer in the order details.

The stock balances of products can go negative if you process orders before adding products to stock with a stock entry.

See also availability notifications.

Availability notifications let customers receive an email notification when a product that was out of stock becomes available again.

Marking a product or variation as a backorder

  1. Enable stock tracking for the product or variation.

    The stock settings open for editing.

  2. In the stock settings, select .
  3. Optional: If needed, set the backorder time in days.
  4. Save settings.

Marking a product or variation as available for pre-order

Products available for pre-order are set up the same way as backorder products, but you can also set them to appear in the online store before pre-orders begin, for marketing purposes:

  1. Select a product from the admin panel's Products page by pressing the product's name or image.

    The product card's Stock tab opens.

  2. Optional: If you want to promote a product before its pre-sale begins, set its visibility settings:
    1. Click the button on the product card.

      The product form opens.

    2. In the Set visible from field, enter the date on which the product will appear in the online store, but not yet be available for purchase.
    3. Set the pre-order start date in the Set purchasable from field.
    4. Save the product.
  3. On the product card, set the product as a backorder product following the instructions in the previous section.

    As needed, leave the backorder time empty, or set it so that it matches the delivery time for pre-orders.