Transform Add to Cart to Pre-Order: No Apps Needed!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Transform Add to Cart to Pre-Order
3. The Downside of Using Apps
4. Steps to Transform Add to Cart to Pre-Order 4.1. Duplicating the Live Theme 4.2. Editing the Code 4.3. Adding a Pre-Order Tag 4.4. Changing the Add to Cart Button Text 4.5. Hiding Dynamic Buttons 4.6. Adding a Note for Pre-Sale Terms 4.7. Creating Translations (Optional) 4.8. Hiding Dynamic Buttons on Pre-Sale Products 4.9. Adding Additional Text or Links
5. Conclusion
6. FAQs

How to Transform You Add to Cart to a Pre-Order Button Without Using Fancy Apps

Are you looking to continue selling products even when they are out of stock? If you know that you'll be getting inventory soon, you can pre-sell your products by transforming the usual "Add to Cart" button to a "Pre-Order" button. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of transforming the add to cart button into a pre-order button without the need for any fancy apps. By using this technique, you can avoid the slowdowns caused by apps and eliminate the monthly fees associated with them. So, let's get started and transform your store's shopping experience in just a few minutes!

Why Transform Add to Cart to Pre-Order

Once a customer leaves your site, there's a high chance they may never return. By offering a pre-order option for out-of-stock products, you can keep the customers interested and capture their sales even before you have the inventory available. This strategy allows you to continue selling products and receive orders, maximizing your revenue potential. However, many methods available in the market require using apps, which can slow down your store and add an extra monthly cost. In the following steps, we will show you how to transform the add to cart button to a pre-order button without relying on any apps, ensuring a faster store performance and cost-saving benefits.

The Downside of Using Apps

While apps can be useful for adding functionality to your Shopify store, it's essential to be mindful of their impact on your store's performance. Installing too many apps can slow down your store's loading time, leading to a poor user experience. Additionally, apps often come with monthly fees, which can quickly add up if you rely on multiple apps for different features. By avoiding unnecessary app usage and optimizing your store's code, you can provide a faster shopping experience for your customers and save money in the long run.

Steps to Transform Add to Cart to Pre-Order

1. Duplicating the Live Theme

Before making any changes to your theme, it's crucial to create a duplicate of your live theme. This allows you to work on the changes without affecting the live version of your website, ensuring a smooth transition. To duplicate your live theme, go to your Shopify dashboard, navigate to the Online Store section, and click on the "Duplicate" option next to your current theme. Rename the duplicated theme, adding the suffix "-pre-order" at the end, making it easily distinguishable from the live theme.

2. Editing the Code

To transform the add to cart button to a pre-order button, you need to edit the code of your theme. From the Shopify dashboard, go to the theme editor by clicking on the three dots next to your duplicated theme and selecting "Edit code." Once in the editor, search for the relevant code section based on your theme. This may vary depending on your theme, but look for terms like "product," "product form," or similar labels. It's essential to identify the correct code section to modify the add to cart button accurately.

3. Adding a Pre-Order Tag

To mark a product as available for pre-order, you need to add a pre-order tag. This tag will serve as an identifier for products that can be pre-ordered by customers. In the theme editor, find the code section that handles the product tags and implement a for loop to check for the pre-order tag. If the tag is present, set a pre-order variable to true. By adding the pre-order tag to specific products, you can control which items have the pre-order functionality enabled.

4. Changing the Add to Cart Button Text

Once you have the pre-order tag functionality in place, you can modify the text displayed on the add to cart button. Utilizing Liquid Logic, you can conditionally change the display text of the button based on the pre-order variable. If the pre-order variable is true, you can set the button text to "Pre-Order." Otherwise, set it to the standard "Add to Cart" text. This modification ensures that customers understand the availability status of the product before making a purchase.

5. Hiding Dynamic Buttons

In some cases, you might want to hide additional dynamic buttons when a customer is viewing a pre-order product. To achieve this, locate the code section responsible for displaying the dynamic buttons, typically containing a class or form tags. Surround this code section with an "unless" tag, checking if the pre-order variable is true. By using the "unless" tag, the dynamic buttons will only be shown for products that are not marked as pre-order, enhancing the pre-order experience for your customers.

6. Adding a Note for Pre-Sale Terms

To provide transparency to your customers, it's beneficial to add a short note or link announcing the terms of your pre-sale. This note can include information about the estimated delivery times, refund policies, and any other relevant details. Inside the code section responsible for the add to cart button, insert a span tag containing a paragraph or anchor tag with the necessary text or link. Customize the note according to your store's pre-sale policies and ensure it aligns with your brand's messaging.

7. Creating Translations (Optional)

If your store supports multiple languages, it's important to consider creating translations for the pre-order text. This ensures a seamless experience for customers regardless of their language preference. To create translations, copy the translation ID for the add to cart button, then locate the relevant translations file in the theme editor. Look for the theme's main language file and search for the translation ID. Create a new translation entry and provide the translated text for the pre-order button. Save your changes and adjust the translation text from the Shopify dashboard if needed.

8. Hiding Dynamic Buttons on Pre-Sale Products

To maintain consistency, it's recommended to hide the dynamic buttons on products marked as pre-order. This prevents customers from adding pre-order products to their cart using these buttons. Locate the code section responsible for displaying the payment buttons, usually containing a "payment_button" class. Surround this code section with an "unless" tag, checking if the pre-order variable is true. By implementing this logic, the dynamic buttons will remain hidden on pre-order products, streamlining the pre-order process for your customers.

9. Adding Additional Text or Links

To provide further information or specific instructions for pre-order products, you can add additional text or links below the add to cart button. Inside the code section responsible for the button, use an inline if statement to check if the pre-order variable is true. Then, add a span or anchor tag to display the desired text or link. This allows you to customize the messaging for each pre-order product, offering a comprehensive pre-sale experience.

Conclusion

Transforming your add to cart button to a pre-order button can significantly enhance your store's sales potential, especially when dealing with out-of-stock products. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can avoid the complexities and resource-heavy requirements of using apps. Instead, you can easily modify your theme's code and offer a seamless pre-order experience for your customers. Increase your sales, maintain customer engagement, and optimize your store's performance by implementing the pre-order functionality today!

FAQs

Q: Is it necessary to duplicate my live theme before making changes? A: Duplicating your live theme is highly recommended to avoid any disruptions to your live site and perform changes safely. This way, you can work on the pre-order functionality without affecting the customer's shopping experience.

Q: Will transforming the add to cart button to a pre-order button slow down my store? A: No, by avoiding the use of unnecessary apps, you can ensure a faster loading time for your store. Optimizing your code to include the pre-order functionality will not significantly impact your site's performance.

Q: Can I hide specific elements on the product page for pre-order products only? A: Yes, by implementing conditional logic and surrounding the relevant code with appropriate tags, you can hide specific elements, such as dynamic buttons, for products marked as pre-order. This allows you to create a tailored experience for your pre-ordering customers.

Q: How can I provide translations for the pre-order text? A: If your store supports multiple languages, you can create translations for the pre-order text. By utilizing the translation functionality in Shopify, you can ensure a consistent and localized experience for your international customers.

Q: How do I add a pre-order tag to a product? A: To mark a product as a pre-order, you simply need to add a pre-order tag to the product within your Shopify dashboard. By editing the product's details, you can assign the pre-order tag, enabling the pre-order functionality for that specific product.