Ever felt the frustration of trying to buy a product online only to find it’s out of stock Or maybe you’ve eagerly awaited the pre-order or pre-launch or pre-booking of a new item and wanted to be one of the first to get your hands on it.

These challenges are common in the world of ecommerce. But what if there was a way to keep your customers informed, engaged, and excited, even when products are out of stock or yet to be released?

That’s where WhatsApp marketing comes in. In this post, we’ll show you how to use WhatsApp to:

• Handle out-of-stock situations with personalized notifications and alternative options.
• Build anticipation for upcoming products with exclusive offers and sneak peeks.

Let’s dive into the blog now and explore!

📌So, what is in reality a product out of stock?

A product out of stock means that a particular item is currently unavailable for purchase. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:

• High demand: The product is very popular, and the current inventory has been depleted.
• Supply chain issues: There may be problems with the manufacturing, transportation, or distribution of the product.
• Seasonal fluctuations: Some products may be more in demand during certain times of the year.
• Limited production: The product may be produced in limited quantities or maybe a seasonal item.

In an ecommerce context, when a product is listed as out of stock:

• Customers cannot add it to their cart for purchase.
• It often leads to missed sales opportunities.
• Businesses may need to notify interested customers when the product becomes available again.

When a product is out of stock, it can be frustrating for customers who want to purchase it. However, businesses can use strategies like backorders, waitlists, or alternative product suggestions to manage out-of-stock situations and maintain customer satisfaction.

📌Then, what is a product on pre-order, or pre-launch, or pre-booking?

A product on pre-order, pre-launch, or pre-booking is a product that is not yet available for immediate purchase but can be reserved by customers in advance. This is often done for highly anticipated or limited-edition products.

Here’s a breakdown of each term:

👉 1) Pre-order

• Definition: A pre-order is when customers can place an order for a product before it has officially been released or is available for sale. It allows customers to secure a product ahead of time.
• How It Works: Customers make a purchase commitment and may pay in advance, with the product being shipped once it becomes available.
• Common Uses: This is commonly used for tech gadgets, gaming consoles, and special edition products, where high demand is expected.

👉 2) Pre-launch

• Definition: Pre-launch refers to the period before the official release or availability of a product, during which marketing efforts focus on building anticipation and awareness.
• How It Works: Businesses may offer early access, sneak peeks, or special deals during the pre-launch phase to generate excitement.
• Common Uses: This is typical for product lines or major releases where the brand wants to build a buzz, such as new fashion collections or innovative gadgets.

👉 3) Pre-booking

• Definition: Pre-booking allows customers to reserve a product or service before its release or availability, ensuring they get access as soon as it’s available.
• How It Works: Customers provide their details, make a partial or full payment, and the product or service is booked for them upon release.
• Common Uses: Pre-booking is often used for limited-edition products, event tickets, and services like holiday bookings.

By offering pre-orders, pre-launches, or pre-bookings, businesses can generate excitement and anticipation for new products, build a customer base, and potentially increase sales.

📌Now WhatsApp Marketing offers a highly effective way for ecommerce businesses to address common challenges like out-of-stock products and pre-order/pre-launches.

Here’s how:

👉 1. Addressing Out-of-Stock Products

• Instant Alerts & Notifications: When a product is out of stock, customers can subscribe to WhatsApp notifications to receive instant alerts as soon as the item is restocked. This builds anticipation and improves the chances of a quick purchase once it’s available.
• Wishlist & Waitlist Integration: Through WhatsApp, customers can be placed on a waitlist for out-of-stock items, receiving automated updates on stock status without needing to check the website repeatedly.
• Back-in-Stock Reminders: A WhatsApp chatbot can automatically send a personalized back-in-stock message to interested customers, ensuring they are informed immediately and increasing the likelihood of a sale.
• Offer Alternative Products: If a product is unavailable, WhatsApp can be used to send alternative product recommendations with similar features, ensuring customers have options instead of leaving the site without making a purchase.
• Exclusive Early Access: Once stock is replenished, offer early access to customers via WhatsApp, enhancing engagement and building loyalty by making them feel valued.
• Hyper-Personalized Recommendations: If a product is out of stock, WhatsApp can be used to suggest similar products, offering alternatives to keep customers engaged.

👉 2) Managing Products Pre-order, Pre-launch, or Pre-booking

• Pre-order Reminders: Use WhatsApp to send reminders to customers who have shown interest in pre-ordering products, creating anticipation and ensuring they don’t miss out on the pre-order period.
• Exclusive Launch Notifications: Send personalized messages to your customer base notifying them about upcoming product launches, giving them exclusive access to pre-order or pre-booking opportunities.
• Automated Pre-booking via Chatbot (Collect Pre-Orders): A WhatsApp chatbot can handle pre-booking requests, collecting essential customer information and confirming pre-orders seamlessly.
• Engaging Pre-launch Campaigns: Build excitement by sending teaser messages, videos, and sneak peeks of the upcoming products through WhatsApp. This creates a sense of exclusivity and anticipation among your customers.
• Pre-order Discounts or Offers: Send WhatsApp messages promoting exclusive discounts or offers for customers who pre-order or pre-book. This not only drives early sales but also fosters customer loyalty.
• Product Launch Teasers & Countdowns: WhatsApp is an effective platform for sending teasers, videos, and countdowns leading up to a product pre-launch. This builds excitement and keeps customers engaged, leading to higher conversion rates on launch day.

✅ This is one crucial use case highly used by eCommerce Businesses on Shopify. Check out more details here➡️ How to set up the pre-order function for out-of-stock products?

📌 Here are some use cases with examples of how WhatsApp marketing can help ecommerce businesses handle “products out of stock” and “products pre-order, pre-launch, or pre-booking” effectively:

📦1) Products Out of Stock of Order

🛒Use Case 1: Instant Back-in-Stock Alerts

👉 Scenario: A customer is interested in a specific pair of shoes, but it’s out of stock.

• WhatsApp Solution: The ecommerce business allows customers to subscribe to back-in-stock alerts via WhatsApp. When the shoes are restocked, an automated message is sent to notify customers:
  • “Good news! The shoes you were looking for are back in stock! Click here to buy before they’re gone again: [link].”
• Result: The customer is instantly notified and can make a purchase, reducing the chances of losing sales due to stock issues.

🛒Use Case 2: Alternative Product Suggestions

👉 Scenario: A customer wants to buy a specific product, but it’s out of stock.

• WhatsApp Solution: A WhatsApp chatbot automatically responds to queries about out-of-stock products by offering alternative recommendations:
  • “The product you’re interested in is currently unavailable. However, here are some similar items you might like: [links to other products].”
• Result: This keeps the customer engaged and encourages them to explore other available products, preventing lost sales.

🛒Use Case 3: Early Access for Loyal Customers

👉 Scenario: A highly popular product is frequently out of stock.

• WhatsApp Solution: The business creates a VIP list via WhatsApp for loyal customers to get early access to restocked products before they are available to the public:
  • “Exclusive for our WhatsApp subscribers: Your favorite item is back in stock! Shop now before it’s listed online: [link].”
• Result: This builds loyalty and ensures repeat customers can purchase the item before stock runs out again.

📦2) Stock of Products in Pre-order, Pre-launch, or Pre-booking

🛒Use Case 1: Pre-order Notifications and Updates

👉 Scenario: A new smartphone is about to launch, and many customers are eager to purchase it.

• WhatsApp Solution: The ecommerce business uses WhatsApp to send pre-order notifications to customers who have signed up for alerts:
  • “Pre-orders for the latest [smartphone model] are now open! Secure yours today: [link].”
• Result: This creates urgency and ensures customers can secure the product in advance, driving early sales and creating buzz.

🛒Use Case 2: Teaser Campaigns for Pre-launch

👉 Scenario: An online clothing store is preparing to launch its fall collection.

• WhatsApp Solution: In the weeks leading up to the launch, the business sends out sneak peeks and teaser images via WhatsApp:
  • “Here’s a first look at our exclusive fall collection! Stay tuned for pre-order details: [image of new collection].”
• Result: This builds excitement and anticipation, creating a sense of exclusivity that encourages customers to stay engaged for the pre-order announcement.

🛒Use Case 3: Automated Pre-booking via Chatbot

👉 Scenario: A new gaming console is available for pre-booking, but the ecommerce store is receiving a high volume of inquiries.

• WhatsApp Solution: The business uses a WhatsApp chatbot to handle pre-booking requests automatically. Customers can pre-book the console by chatting with the bot, which collects their details and confirms the booking:
  • “Thank you for your interest in the [gaming console]! Please confirm your pre-booking by providing your name, address, and preferred payment method.”
• Result: The business automates the pre-booking process, reducing the manual workload while ensuring customers can easily secure their orders.

🛒Use Case 4: Exclusive Pre-launch Offers

👉 Scenario: A beauty brand is about to launch a limited-edition skincare line.

• WhatsApp Solution: The brand offers an exclusive pre-launch discount to WhatsApp subscribers:
  • “Be the first to try our new skincare line! Pre-order now and get 10% off: [link]. Offer valid for WhatsApp customers only.”
• Result: This drives early sales, generates excitement, and makes customers feel valued for being part of the exclusive WhatsApp community.

📌Final Thoughts on How can WhatsApp marketing help to solve the below for ecommerce businesses products out of stock and products pre-order or pre-launch or pre-booking

In today’s competitive ecommerce landscape, solving challenges like stock shortages and pre-orders is crucial to maintaining customer satisfaction and driving sales. By leveraging WhatsApp marketing, you can keep your customers engaged, offer personalized communication, and automate key processes—all of which lead to a smoother shopping experience.

Ready to take your ecommerce business to the next level?

Try the powerful WhatsApp marketing automation tools from hello24.ai Book a free demo today and see how easy it is to boost customer engagement and streamline your operations.

If you're a Shopify store owner, don't miss out!

Download the hello24.ai Shopify app to unlock the full potential of WhatsApp marketing for your store.