E-commerce has rapidly adapted to the surge in mobile usage, shifting towards responsive design to meet user expectations. Today’s consumers don’t just browse online—they shop, compare, and buy directly from their phones. In this fast-moving space, a seamless mobile experience is essential. One crucial feature that often gets overlooked—but holds significant revenue potential—is the prestashop pre order function.

When your PrestaShop store is built with mobile-first responsiveness, integrating a pre-order feature ensures that customers never encounter a dead end—even when items are out of stock or not yet released. Instead of showing a frustrating “Out of Stock” label, you offer an opportunity: “Pre-Order Now.”

What Is the Pre-Order Function in PrestaShop?

The pre-order feature allows customers to place orders for items that are not yet available. This is especially useful for:

• Upcoming product launches

• Restocking of high-demand items

• Limited edition releases

• Seasonal inventory

Rather than losing sales while waiting for inventory, the pre-order function captures demand in real-time. When optimized for mobile and desktop, it becomes a vital tool for maximizing conversions and revenue.

Why Use Pre-Orders to Increase Revenue?

Many stores wait for stock to arrive before accepting orders, missing out on eager customers ready to buy. Here’s why pre-orders are a smart financial move:

• Early Revenue Generation: Get paid before the product arrives.

• Inventory Planning: Pre-orders offer real-time insights into product popularity.

• Lower Marketing Costs: Once a customer pre-orders, you’ve already closed the sale.

• Reduced Cart Abandonment: A pre-order option keeps interest alive for temporarily unavailable products.

All these benefits compound when the user experience is intuitive and responsive across all devices.

Mobile-Optimized Pre-Orders: A Competitive Edge

More than half of e-commerce traffic comes from smartphones, making mobile optimization essential. To drive revenue with pre-orders, make sure:

• Pre-order buttons are visible and tappable on small screens

• Text is legible, concise, and informative

• Delivery dates or stock arrival estimates are clearly stated

• Confirmation messages are responsive and mobile-friendly

With a mobile-first design, pre-order features don't just exist—they perform.

How to Set Up Pre-Orders in PrestaShop

Setting up the pre-order function in your PrestaShop store is straightforward. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Open Your Product Page in Back Office

Navigate to Catalog > Products and choose the item.

2. Set Quantity to Zero

Under the Quantities tab, set stock to zero if it’s not currently available.

3. Allow Orders When Out of Stock

Enable the option to allow ordering even when stock is depleted.

4. Customize the Availability Message

Instead of “Out of Stock,” show “Pre-Order Now” or a specific launch date.

5. Display Estimated Shipping Dates

Use the Availability Date field or a custom message block to communicate clearly.

For better control and advanced features like partial payments or countdowns, PrestaShop modules can extend pre-order capabilities while remaining mobile-compatible.

Making Pre-Orders a Smooth Experience

To avoid disappointing customers and losing trust, be transparent and reliable:

• Be Honest About Delivery Dates: Don’t promise what you can’t fulfill.

• Keep Customers Updated: If there's a delay, notify them promptly.

• Offer Refund Options: Always allow easy cancellations if timelines shift.

• Use Order Tracking: Let customers see their pre-order status at any time.

These trust-building elements help convert pre-orders into long-term loyalty.

Boost Pre-Order Conversions with Smart Layout

A well-designed layout improves conversion rates. Here are layout suggestions with a mobile-first mindset:

• Sticky CTA Buttons: “Pre-Order Now” should remain accessible as users scroll.

• Trust Icons: Show secure payment badges and estimated delivery timelines.

• Tabbed Sections: Use collapsible tabs for pre-order FAQs, shipping details, and return policy.

Mobile users, especially, benefit from these features as they reduce screen clutter while still providing all essential information.

Leveraging Pre-Orders for Marketing Campaigns

Pre-orders pair naturally with email and social media marketing. Use them to:

• Launch new products with early access for loyal customers

• Offer time-limited pre-order discounts

• Collect leads from users who want notifications for restocks

• Build urgency with countdown timers or “Limited Spots Available” banners

Ensure that these elements are designed responsively so they appear clean and legible on all devices.

SEO Tips for Pre-Order Product Pages

Even though your product isn’t physically available yet, it can still bring in traffic through search. Here’s how:

• Use Keywords Naturally: Include terms like “pre-order,” “coming soon,” or “available on [date]” in the product title and description.

• Optimize Meta Tags: Make sure your meta title and description reflect the product’s status.

• Add Structured Data: Use schema markup to show availability and release dates in search results.

• Avoid Duplicate Content: Customize each pre-order product page to avoid SEO penalties.

Remember: responsive design isn’t just about looks—it enhances SEO too by improving mobile usability scores.

Analytics: Measure Your Pre-Order Performance

Track and optimize your pre-order strategy with the right metrics:

• Conversion Rate on Pre-Order Products

• Bounce Rate from Out-of-Stock Pages vs. Pre-Order Pages

• Revenue Generated from Pre-Orders

• Mobile vs. Desktop Pre-Order Conversions

Use these insights to fine-tune your offer, layout, and marketing messages.

Conclusion

The prestashop pre order function is more than just a workaround for unavailable products—it’s a revenue-generating tool that keeps your store active even when stock is not. By allowing customers to pre-order, you maintain momentum, build demand, and improve cash flow.

In today’s mobile-first landscape, it’s essential to ensure that your pre-order experience is responsive and intuitive. From setup to delivery, every step should work seamlessly across all devices. When implemented correctly, pre-orders don’t just bridge inventory gaps—they build stronger customer relationships and drive consistent growth.