How To Increase sales and customer loyalty with Pre-Order Module

Pre-orders not only generate revenues early but also establish brand loyalty as buyers become part of the limited pool, enjoying access to new or exclusive items.

Pre-orders are especially useful for PrestaShop store owners. They assist in predicting demand, avoiding inventory risk, and turning anticipation into sales. But success isn’t about enabling pre-orders alone. If you want to reach your results at scale, you have to respect best practices that will urge customers on the one hand, and facilitate their efforts while motivating them on the other.

Speaking of which, this interesting blog post looks into some amazing benefits of Prestashop Pre-orders and how it can help you generate more sales. 

Building a Sense of Urgency

Pre-orders are one of the best ways to trigger urgency in the customers. People are more likely to act fast when they believe that the opportunity is slipping away. There are 2 ways to create urgency: countdown timers and limited stock.

Countdown Timers

A countdown timer on your pre-order product page offers a daily reminder that time is ticking away. 

For instance, “Pre-order closes in 3 days, 12 hours” has a stronger call to action than prompting buyers to make the purchase decision another time. Countdown timers are particularly effective for product launches or seasonal items that benefit from the urgency created by a deadline.

Timers also provide clarity. For the customers, they get precise information on when they can expect their product, and that eliminates uncertainty and creates trust. 

Limited Quotas

Another method of generating urgency is through limited pre-orders. For example, you could say: “Pre-order now only 500 units.” This scarcity effect leads to ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out), which encourages people to get in on the deal before it ends.

Quotas also make it easier for merchants to manage their inventory. When you cap pre-orders, you avoid overselling and keep fulfilment manageable.

Combining Both Tactics

Simply put, the best performing pre-order campaigns combine a countdown timer and a limit in combination. When they see both a ticking clock and limited stock, customers are driven to act fast, resulting in massive improvements to conversion rates.

Communication With Pre-Orders

Customers are prepaying for goods they haven’t gotten, so they need clarity about what will actually reach them. In PrestaShop, store owners need to pay attention to communicate two main things: dates of stock availability and payment details.

Stock Availability Dates

Always state when pre-ordered products will be dispatched or become available. Statements such as “Estimated shipping: Oct. 15” manage expectations and avoid confusion. 

If the due date changes, update the product page immediately, then use automatic emails to tell everyone who has subscribed why that happened. This openness actually prevents disappointment, as well as provides trust in the future.

These dates could be incorporated into the product description, banner, or message. Most PrestaShop pre-order modules come with dynamic messages that are based on your product's configuration. That way, the information will be consistently correct.

Payment Terms

Just as important is revealing the process of paying. Will customers fork over the entire sum in advance, or a deposit? If you allow deposits, explain the balance owed and when it will be charged. Ambiguity here can result in disputes and cancellations.

For example:

In order to avoid disappointment, pre-order now with a 30% deposit and pay the remainder upon dispatch.

Full payment required at checkout; shipping starts October 15.

Consistency Across Channels

Ensure your copy is consistent from the website through to confirmation emails and social media promotions. Regular communication avoids confusion and promotes professionalism.

And by defining the times and payment in a clear way, you assure them that their money is safe, the order is guaranteed, and your brand can be trusted.

Rewarding Pre-Orders

Action, by its nature, urgency, and clarity, compels action, but there are additional things you can do to impact your pre-order strategy further. Customers love to know that they’re getting extra value if they pre-order, and for PrestaShop merchants, there are a number of strong strategies in place to pull in the early sales.

Discounts

The early-bird discount is still one of the most popular tactics. By providing 10–15% off for pre-orders give your customers the incentive to buy in advance of when a product becomes available to everyone. This approach increases conversions and gives you a solid sales baseline before your product has launched.

Exclusive Access

Exclusivity can be more powerful than discounts. For instance, reward early birds who pre-ordered with exclusive colours, bonus items, or early delivery before the product becomes available to all. These advantages can create a feeling of exclusivity; they make pre-order customers insiders.

Loyalty Rewards

You can also tie pre-orders to your loyalty program. Providing incentives, such as bonus points or store credit for purchasing in pre-order, gives reason to return and lays the foundation of long-term repeat business.

Balance Between Incentives and Profit

Incentives work, but watch your margins. Leverage discounts, maybe you sell only in small lots or during a narrow launch window, so that you’re not eroding your profits. Incentives based on exclusivity are often low-cost with high perceived value.

With incentives built into your pre-order strategies, you turn them from mere transactions into dynamic experiences that reward early birds and foster enthusiastic followers.

Conclusion

Pre-orders are not just about selling a product before you have to pay for it; they’re also a tool to create anticipation, loyalty, and trust. With the power of pre-orders and some imaginative strategies, like leveraging urgency through timers/quotas, communicating sensibly regarding timelines/cost, and incentivising early purchases, PrestaShop merchants can turn pre-orders into a force of growth!

The trick is to marry strategy with the appropriate tools. Two registering modules guarantee automation, professionalism, and customer confidence at any point during the pre-order process.

Find out these, and more, in our Ultimate Pre-Order Guide, or get into the FME Pre-Order Module now to begin increasing your sales and loyalty with intelligent pre-orders!