Accept orders for products before they’re in stock, or use a waitlist to notify your customers when the product is available for purchase.

Squarespace doesn’t have a dedicated pre-order feature, but you can setup pre-orders in two ways:

• Create a "pre-order" item, and change the button and description to show the pre-order.
• Use a waitlist to notify your customers when the product is in stock.

When the product is in stock, fulfill the orders from the Orders panel.

Set up a pre-order product

Your customers can purchase the item they’re pre-ordering. They’ll pay for the item at checkout, and you can let them know when their order will be fulfilled.

Follow these steps to create a pre-order item:

1. Add the product the same way you add any product to your store.
2. Set the stock level above zero so the product doesn't show as sold out. If you're using pre-orders to gauge demand, set a high number so you don't cut off orders early.
3. In the product description, say when the product ships or will become available. Link to your store's terms and policies so customers can check your cancellation, shipping, and return rules before they buy.
4. Change the “Add to cart” button to “Pre-order”:
   • In the product editor, go to Details.
   • Enter Pre-order in the Button text field.
   • Click Save.

Set up a waitlist to tell customers when your product is available

Some customers would rather wait and buy after the product is available. Enable product waitlists so they get an email the moment stock returns.

After your pre-order launches

• Fulfill the orders from the Orders panel.
• Promote pre-orders with a promotional pop-up or an announcement bar.
• Contact customers with order status updates.
• Create a blog about the production process to keep customers posted—it's also an SEO best practice.