Shopee Pre-Order: How to create a successful pre-order listing on Shopee

Accepting orders from customers for a product that isn’t currently available helps e-commerce sellers generate hype and a smarter way to build up a new product lineup. Pre-ordering is an effective means that e-commerce sellers use to secure customer orders before the products hit the shelf. They have emerged as a strategic tool for sellers to effectively manage inventory, optimise sales, and gain a competitive edge. By allowing customers to place orders for products before they are physically available, sellers can gauge demand, secure sales upfront, and ensure that they are producing or procuring the right quantity of goods. This approach not only reduces the risk of overstock and deadstock but also provides valuable insights into customer preferences and purchasing trends. 

This article delves into the intricacies of pre-order listings on Shopee, guiding sellers through the process of creating successful pre-order campaigns that minimise risks and maximise profits.

What is a pre-order listing on Shopee?

A pre-order listing on Shopee is a product listing that allows sellers to offer items that are not yet physically available in their inventory. This feature enables buyers to purchase these products in advance, and sellers will secure their orders and deliver them at a specified date in the future. These orders generally require a longer time to shift, sometimes as long as 7 days or more. Pre-order listings are particularly useful for highly anticipated products or those that require a longer production or shipping time.

What are the pre-order criteria?

To create pre-order listings on Shopee, sellers must meet certain criteria, including:

• Maintaining a Consistent Order Volume: Sellers should demonstrate a steady stream of orders to establish their reliability in fulfilling customer orders.
• Upholding a Positive Seller Rating: A strong seller rating reflects a seller’s commitment to customer satisfaction and timely order fulfilment.
• Adhering to Shopee’s Policies: Sellers must strictly adhere to Shopee’s policies and guidelines to ensure a fair and transparent marketplace for both buyers and sellers.

Types of Pre-Order Listing?

Shopee offers three different types of pre-order listings to cater to sellers’ diverse needs:

• Single Listing Pre-Order: This option allows sellers to list individual products as pre-order items, providing flexibility in managing inventory and demand for specific products.
• Multiple Listings Pre-Order: For sellers offering a variety of pre-order items, the Multiple Listings Pre-Order option is ideal. This approach enables sellers to group multiple pre-order items under one listing, streamlining the ordering process for customers.
• All Listings Pre-Order: This option enables sellers to set their entire store as pre-order. This method is particularly useful when launching a new product line or temporarily transitioning the entire store to a pre-order model.

When should sellers enable pre-order listing?

There may be several instances when a pre-order listing can be useful for an e-commerce seller. However, it is especially in the following circumstances that sellers should consider enabling pre-order listings:

• New Product Launch: Pre-order listings can be effectively utilised for launching new products, allowing sellers to gauge initial demand and secure sales before the product’s official release.
• Seasonal Demand Fluctuations: To anticipate and cater to seasonal demand spikes, sellers can leverage pre-order listings to ensure they have sufficient stock to meet customer expectations.
• Stock Shortages: In the event of temporary stock shortages, pre-order listings can help sellers maintain sales momentum and keep customers informed about product availability.
• Enhanced Cash Flow: Pre-order listings enable sellers to secure upfront payments from buyers, providing a valuable boost to cash flow and facilitating business operations.

How to add a pre-order listing

To effectively manage inventory and gauge customer demand, sellers can leverage Shopee’s pre-order listing feature. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to add a pre-order listing:

1. Access Seller Account: Begin by logging in to your Shopee seller account.
2. Create New Listing: Navigate to the “Add Product” or “Create Listing” section located within the Seller Centre.
3. Enable Pre-Order Option: Select the “Pre-Order” option from the available listing types.
4. Provide Product Details: Follow the prompts to provide essential product details, including product name, description, images, and pricing.
5. Specify Delivery Date: Clearly indicate the estimated delivery date for the pre-order item. This information should be accurate and realistic to set appropriate expectations for buyers.
6. Additional Information: Include any relevant information or notes concerning the pre-order item, such as production timelines or limited quantity availability.
7. Review and Submit: Once all details have been entered, carefully review the listing for any inaccuracies or omissions. Upon confirmation, submit the listing for publication.

These steps can help sellers create pre-order listings seamlessly on Shopee and effectively manage their product inventory while gauging customer demand and securing sales in advance.

How is the Pre-Order Listing Percentage calculated?

The Pre-Order Listing Percentage is a crucial metric for Shopee sellers, representing the proportion of pre-order listings relative to the total number of listings in their store. It is calculated using the following formula:

Pre-Order Listing Percentage = (Number of Pre-Order Listings / Total Number of Listings) x 100%

This percentage provides valuable insights into the impact of pre-orders on a store’s product mix and helps sellers make informed decisions regarding their inventory management strategies.

• Shopee Mall and Preferred + sellers have to maintain a pre-order listing below 5%. 
• Preferred sellers on Shopee cannot list more than 5% of their pre-order listing for more than 5 days over the last 30 days.
• Non-Preferred Sellers on Shopee should maintain a pre-order listing of less than 10% at all times.

Moreover, sellers should strive to maintain a relatively low pre-order listing percentage for several reasons:

• Buyer Trust and Satisfaction: Excessive reliance on pre-order listings can erode buyer trust, as prolonged delivery times may lead to order cancellations and negative customer reviews.
• Inventory Management: An overly high pre-order listing percentage can hinder effective inventory management, making it challenging to accurately forecast demand and avoid stockouts or overstocking.
• Seller Performance: Shopee considers the pre-order listing percentage when evaluating seller performance. A consistently high pre-order listing percentage may negatively impact a seller’s rating and visibility on the platform.

Therefore, sellers should aim to balance the use of pre-order listings with readily available products to maintain a healthy product mix and foster customer satisfaction.

What is expected of sellers to avoid exceeding the pre-order criteria?

Sellers on Shopee must adhere to specific criteria to ensure the smooth operation of pre-order listings and maintain buyer satisfaction. Here are the key expectations to avoid exceeding pre-order criteria:

1. Timely Delivery: Sellers must uphold their commitment to the delivery dates specified in their pre-order listings. Failure to meet these deadlines can lead to customer frustration, order cancellations, and potential penalties from Shopee. To achieve better fulfilment, sellers can consider partnering with a 3PL that extensively covers the region they wish to sell, offers flexible inventory and storage options that reduce costly overheads, and access to expert last-mile partners who deliver products safely at relatively shorter timelines.
2. Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication with buyers throughout the pre-order process is essential. Sellers should provide regular updates on the status of pre-ordered items, addressing any concerns or questions promptly.
3. Adherence to Pre-Order Percentage Limits: Shopee enforces pre-order listing percentages to maintain a balance between pre-orders and readily available products. Sellers should strive to keep their pre-order listing percentage within the acceptable range to avoid penalties or restrictions on pre-order listings.

How to Change Pre-Order Listings

Sellers have the flexibility to modify their pre-order listings if necessary to accommodate changes in product availability, delivery timelines, or other relevant factors. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change a pre-order listing:

1. Access Seller Account: Begin by logging in to your Shopee seller account.
2. Manage Products: Navigate to the “Manage Products” section within the Seller Centre.
3. Locate Pre-Order Listing: Identify the pre-order listing you wish to modify and select it.
4. Make Adjustments: Edit the pre-order listing as needed. This may involve updating the product description, adjusting the estimated delivery date, or providing additional information.
5. Save Changes: Once all modifications have been made, save the changes to apply the updates to the pre-order listing.

Remember to communicate any changes to the pre-order listing to buyers promptly to maintain transparency and manage expectations effectively.

Benefits of pre-order listing for your e-commerce store

Pre-order listings offer a range of benefits for Shopee sellers, enabling them to effectively manage inventory, optimise sales, and gain a competitive edge in the dynamic e-commerce landscape. Here are some key advantages of utilising pre-order listings:

1. Gauging Demand and Securing Sales in Advance

Pre-order listings provide a valuable mechanism for sellers to gauge customer demand for new products or products with anticipated high demand. By allowing buyers to place orders in advance, sellers can secure sales upfront and ensure that they are producing or procuring the right quantity of goods. This approach not only reduces the risk of overstock and deadstock but also provides valuable insights into customer preferences and purchasing trends.

2. Enhancing Cash Flow

Pre-order listings enable sellers to collect payments from buyers before the products are physically available. This upfront cash flow can be used to finance production, purchase inventory, or invest in marketing efforts. Improved cash flow can strengthen a seller’s financial position and provide greater flexibility in managing their business operations.

3. Building Customer Anticipation and Excitement

Pre-order listings can generate buzz and excitement around new product launches or limited edition items. By allowing customers to secure their desired items in advance, sellers can foster a sense of anticipation and exclusivity among their clientele.

4. Managing Inventory More Effectively

Pre-order listings provide valuable insights into product demand, enabling sellers to make informed decisions regarding inventory procurement and production. By understanding customer preferences and purchase patterns, sellers can minimize the risk of overstocking or stockouts, leading to more efficient inventory management practices.

5. Testing New Products and Product Variations

Pre-order listings can serve as a testing ground for new products or product variations. By gauging initial demand and customer feedback, sellers can refine their offerings and make adjustments before committing to large-scale production or inventory purchases.

6. Gathering Valuable Customer Insights

Pre-order listings can provide sellers with valuable insights into customer preferences and purchasing trends. By analysing pre-order data, sellers can identify popular products, understand seasonal demand patterns, and optimise their product offerings to better meet customer needs.

Closing Thoughts

Pre-order listings on Shopee offer a strategic approach for sellers to maximise sales, generate customer interest, and optimise inventory management. By carefully adhering to Shopee’s pre-order criteria and maintaining open communication with buyers, sellers can successfully utilise pre-order listings to enhance their business operations and achieve greater success on the platform. 

Sellers should thoughtfully consider the advantages and potential challenges of pre-order listings to determine their suitability within their overall e-commerce strategy. By strategically implementing pre-order listings, sellers can effectively manage demand, secure sales upfront, and gain a competitive edge in the dynamic e-commerce landscape.