Preorder vs backorder vs back in stock alerts
A preorder sells a product before it is released, a backorder sells a product while it is temporarily out of stock, and a back in stock alert takes no order at all: the shopper leaves an email address and is told when the product returns. EZ Preorder & Back In Stock, the Shopify app, does all three. Preorders and backorders take payment now and use the preorder button; back in stock alerts (restock alerts) collect a waitlist with a Notify Me button and email it when inventory goes back above 0.
Available on: All plans, including Free.
Preorders, backorders and back in stock alerts compared
| Preorder | Backorder | Back in stock alert | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product state | Not released yet, or made to order | Normally stocked, sold out for now | Sold out |
| Shopper pays now | Yes (in full or a deposit) | Yes (in full or a deposit) | No |
| Button shoppers see | Preorder button | Preorder button | Notify Me |
| EZ Preorder rule | Always (or Specific inventory level for a set number) | Sold out | Product on the Restock Alerts list |
| What you get | Orders and cash before stock exists | Sales you would otherwise lose | A list of interested shoppers and demand data |
| Your commitment | Ship every order | Ship every order | None; shoppers decide when they get the email |
When to use preorders
Use preorders in EZ Preorder when you are confident you can deliver and want the revenue now:
- A new product launch with a known ship window.
- Made-to-order or custom products.
- A limited drop where you set the number available with Specific inventory level.
Preorders use the Always rule so the button shows whatever the stock. See How to take preorders on Shopify.
When to use backorders
Use backorders when a product you normally stock sells out and more is on the way. In EZ Preorder, give the variant the Sold out rule: the preorder button appears only when inventory is 0 or less and the theme's normal add to cart button comes back once you receive stock. Add a custom note with the expected ship date so shoppers know what they are buying.
When to use back in stock alerts
Use back in stock alerts (restock alerts) when you are not sure when, or whether, a product will return, or when you do not want to take money before you have stock. Shoppers sign up with the Notify Me button; EZ Preorder emails them when the variant's inventory goes back above 0, and the Restock Alerts page shows how many people are waiting for each product. See What are restock alerts and how do they work?.
Using preorders and back in stock alerts together
A variant shows either the preorder button or the Notify Me button, not both at once. With the Always or Sold out rule, a variant never shows Notify Me, because it is never sold out to shoppers. A common pattern is:
- Collect restock signups while you decide whether to reorder.
- Once a reorder is confirmed, switch the product to preorders with the Sold out rule to take orders for the incoming stock.
- When stock arrives, preorder customers get their orders. Restock signups get their alert emails once the variant's available inventory goes above 0, which happens only if you receive more units than you sold as preorders.
Frequently asked questions
Is a backorder the same as a preorder?
Not quite. A preorder is for a product that is not released or not made yet; a backorder is for a product that normally sells but is temporarily out of stock. In EZ Preorder & Back In Stock both use the preorder button: Always for preorders and Sold out for backorders.
Should I take preorders or use a waitlist?
Take preorders when you know you can deliver and want the revenue now. Use a waitlist (back in stock alerts) when the restock date is uncertain or you want to measure demand before reordering.
Do back in stock alerts charge the shopper?
No. A back in stock alert in EZ Preorder only collects the shopper's name and email address. The shopper buys at the normal price after the alert email brings them back.
Can one product have both a preorder button and a Notify Me button?
Not at the same time on the same variant. A variant on the Always or Sold out preorder rule never shows Notify Me. Different variants of one product can use different approaches.
Related articles
- How to take preorders on Shopify: set up preorders step by step.
- What the preorder rules do: Always, Sold out and Specific inventory level.
- What are restock alerts and how do they work?: the Notify Me waitlist.
- EZ Preorder glossary: definitions of preorder, backorder and restock terms.
- How preorders work in EZ Preorder: what happens after the order.