The power of a Shopify waitlist during the pre-launch of a product

Rebecca Anderson

The power of a Shopify waitlist during the pre-launch of a product

Businesses constantly seek innovative ways to enhance customer engagement, streamline inventory management, and boost overall success. Launching products with the support of a Shopify waitlist can be an effective technique to achieve these goals.

A waitlist allows customers to sign up for updates on product availability and get early access to purchases, creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency.

A Shopify waitlist is a feature that can be added to your online store using various apps or plugins. Customers can join the waitlist by entering their email address when a product is out of stock. As soon as the product becomes available again, those on the waitlist will be notified via email.

They will also receive a unique link to purchase the product before it is officially released to the public.

This article will explore the advantages of incorporating a Shopify waitlist, the step-by-step process of setting up a pre-launch waitlist, strategies for creating an engaging waitlist, and how to seamlessly integrate it into your Shopify e-commerce strategy.

Advantages of Shopify waitlist in product pre-launch

By allowing customers to sign up for a waitlist, you are creating a direct line of communication with them. This builds trust and keeps them engaged and excited about your product.

Customers feel valued when they have early access to products, which can increase brand loyalty and advocacy. Moreover, a waitlist can help you accurately gauge demand for your product before it is officially released. This enables you to manage inventory effectively and avoid overstocking or understocking.

Whether your shop is new or established, a waitlist can help increase brand awareness and generate buzz for your product.

By creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency, customers are more likely to share about your product, creating a snowball effect of interest. Additionally, a waitlist can be used as a marketing tool to collect customer data for future marketing strategies.

How can a waitlist truly benefit your business during the pre-launch phase? Let's explore some of the key advantages.

Build anticipation and hype: Creating a sense of anticipation is a potent marketing strategy. A Shopify waitlist generates excitement around your product, turning potential customers into eager enthusiasts who are more likely to convert once the product is officially launched.
Access to valuable customer data: By having customers sign up for a waitlist, you can collect their email addresses and potentially other information such as demographics or interests. This data can be used for future marketing efforts and to better understand your target audience.
Accurately gauge demand: By monitoring the number of customers on your waitlist, you can accurately gauge demand for your product. This can help you plan inventory levels and avoid costly mistakes such as overstocking or understocking.
Create a sense of exclusivity: A waitlist creates a sense of exclusivity for your product, making customers feel like they are part of an exclusive group that will gain access to the product before anyone else. This can generate even more excitement and anticipation for your product.
Encourage customer loyalty: By offering a waitlist, you show customers that their interest and loyalty are important to you. This can help foster a sense of customer loyalty and potentially lead to repeat purchases in the future.
Opportunity for feedback: A waitlist also provides an opportunity for customers to give feedback or suggest features they would like to see in the product. This can be valuable information for improving your product before it officially launches.
Optimized inventory management: Efficient inventory management is crucial for the success of any e-commerce business. A pre-launch waitlist helps businesses align their inventory with demand, preventing overstock or stockouts and maximizing profitability.

Although creating a waitlist for your product may seem counterintuitive, it can actually have a positive impact on your inventory management and overall sales. With a clear understanding of demand, you can make smarter decisions about production and avoid costly mistakes.

How to create a waitlist landing page

To grow your waitlist, you'll need to create a waitlist landing page (sometimes called an email capture landing page). This is a page that teases your new launch and collects emails via an embedded form.

For example, check out this pre-launch waitlist page for Rare Beehive:

This Shopify waitlist page was built using Instant Page Builder and uses an embedded Klaviyo form.

How to add a form to your waitlist page built with Instant:

Here's a quick tutorial showing how to recreate Blake Lively's Shopify waitlist page in Instant:

If you already have Klaviyo or Omnisend set up within your Shopify store, the integrations will work out of the box without any additional configuration.

Here's how it works:

Drag the "Form" element onto the visual canvas
Select the integration (Klaviyo or Omnisend)
Add the Form ID of any of the forms you have created

This is an easy and efficient way to build a custom waitlist landing page.

From shops that sell limited edition items to tech startups releasing innovative products, the waitlist strategy has been proven successful in creating buzz and driving sales. Using a Shopify page builder is a quick and efficient way to build a waitlist page.

Setting up a pre-launch waitlist

Waitlists can be set up in various ways, depending on the product type and business model. Before setting up a waitlist, consider the following factors:

Pre-launch marketing: A pre-launch waitlist is only effective if customers know its existence. Use social media, email marketing, and other channels to promote your waitlist and generate interest in your product.
Wait time: Determine how long you want customers to wait before gaining access to the product. This can vary depending on the product and demand, but it is important to set a realistic timeline to keep customers engaged.
Incentives: Offering incentives for joining the waitlist can further motivate customers to sign up and spread awareness about your product. This could include discounts, freebies, or early access to new features.
User-friendly sign-up process: Make sure the sign-up process is quick and easy for customers. The last thing you want is for potential buyers to give up on joining the waitlist due to a complicated or time-consuming registration process.

To offer a waitlist for individuals to provide their email, name, and more, you can employ a Shopify app that provides this functionality. One highly regarded app for establishing waitlists is "Pre-Order Manager" by Omega.

Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up a waitlist using the Pre-Order Manager app:

Install the "Pre-Order Manager" app from the Shopify App Store.
Customize the app settings to align with your specific requirements.
Create a pre-order product or generate a hidden product to represent your waitlist.
Personalize the product page or waitlist form by including fields for customers to enter their email, name, and additional details.
Configure automated emails to deliver passwords to customers who sign up for the waitlist.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly implement a waitlist system for your business using the Pre-Order Manager app.

How to create a waitlist that engages customers

Creating a waitlist is one thing, but engaging customers and keeping them interested while they wait is another. Here are some tips on how to create a waitlist that keeps customers engaged:

Regular updates: Keep your waitlist subscribers in the loop by regularly updating them on the progress of your product or service. This could include sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes footage, or development updates.
Personalized content: Make your waitlist subscribers feel special by sending them personalized content, such as exclusive discounts or early access to new features.
Social media engagement: Encourage your waitlist subscribers to engage with you on social media by using a unique hashtag or hosting a Q&A session related to your product/service.
Compelling product descriptions: Craft enticing product descriptions that highlight your upcoming product's unique features and benefits. Communicate the value proposition to pique customer interest.
Exclusive incentives: Encourage customers to join the waitlist by offering exclusive incentives such as early access, special discounts, or limited edition perks. This not only boosts sign-ups but also creates a sense of exclusivity.
Seamless user experience: Ensure the waitlist sign-up process is user-friendly and straightforward. Minimize friction by requiring minimal information and providing clear instructions.

Integrating waitlist with your Shopify eCommerce strategy

Coordinate your waitlist with your overall marketing strategy. Use social media, email campaigns, and other channels to promote the waitlist, generate buzz, and drive traffic to your Shopify store. A waitlist can be a valuable tool for Shopify store owners looking to generate interest and build a loyal customer base.

Leverage Shopify analytics to monitor the performance of your waitlist. Track sign-up rates, customer engagement, and conversion metrics to optimize your pre-launch strategy continuously. Experiment with different messaging, incentives, and promotions to determine what resonates best with your audience.

When the product is officially launched, ensure a smooth transition from the waitlist to the checkout process. Implement features that allow waitlisted customers to seamlessly complete their purchases, minimizing drop-offs.

Conclusion

The power of a Shopify waitlist during the pre-launch of a product cannot be overstated. From gauging customer interest to optimizing inventory management, the benefits are vast. By following the outlined steps and strategies, businesses can harness the full potential of a Shopify waitlist, creating a win-win situation for both the business and its customers. Embrace the waitlist strategy and propel your e-commerce venture to new heights on the Shopify platform.