Back in Stock Alerts Are a Winning Formula to Retain Sales

When a product is out of stock, it doesn’t have to mean a lost sale. Instead, it can become an opportunity to keep the customer engaged and bring them back to your store. Imagine if a store could let you know the moment that item is back on the shelves. That’s exactly what back-in-stock alerts do. 

Back-in-stock alerts are a very common tool in the ecom world used to boost sales and improve customer relationships. They let customers sign up to be notified when an out-of-stock item becomes available again.  

They’re a sales saver. Instead of losing a customer when an item’s out of stock, you’re giving them a reason to come back. Plus, these alerts give you valuable data on which products are in high demand.

By bringing customers back to the store at the perfect time, when the item is available again, you’re ensuring you never lose a sale due to stockouts. 

These notifications turn what could have been missed opportunities into successful transactions, maximizing your sales potential and keeping your business running even with “Sold out” or “Not available” items.

When you alert someone that an item they wanted is available, you’re reaching out to a person who’s already shown interest in buying. It’s targeted marketing at its finest.

Back in stock alerts are tools for maintaining customer engagement, showing them that their interest is valued. Instead of leaving them disappointed when an item is unavailable, you’re offering a solution. 

These notifications improve customer experience. They save customers time and effort by providing needed information instead of repeatedly checking the store site for a restock.

The easier it is for customers to sign up for alerts, the more likely they are to do it. Try adding a clear “Notify Me” button right where the “Add to Cart” button would usually be. 

Asking for just an email address reduces friction and increases the likelihood that customers will sign up. Remember, every extra step is a chance for a customer to change their mind.

Generic alerts are so last season. Personalization is the name of the game. It makes the message feel more relevant and important.

One of the most personalized and common communication channels for eCommerce businesses are email notifications. Use the customer’s name in the alert email. Remind them why they wanted the item in the first place. Add product image for a better recall. This image will help the shopper remember the product faster, inciting a quicker response to the message.

The more personal you make it, the more likely they are to come back and buy. Personalized emails have a 39% higher average open rate than emails that aren’t personalized.

Back-in-stock doesn’t mean “back forever.” Use your alerts to create a sense of urgency.

Let customers know if there’s limited stock available. Consider phrases like “Only 5 left!” or “Back for a limited time.” You could even offer a special discount or reward for quick action.

Set up your system to automatically send alerts as soon as an item is restocked, without any manual intervention needed. You can set notifications to be sent at optimal times when customers are more likely to check their emails or messages.

Automating your back-in-stock notifications can save you time and make your in-stock updates efficient.

These days, people are glued to their phones. Make sure your alerts look good and work well on mobile devices.

Ensure your alert notifications are mobile-friendly. If you have an app, consider push notifications for instant alerts. The faster and easier you make it for customers to act on your alert, the better your chances of making that sale.

If a customer doesn’t purchase after the first alert, don’t give up just yet. It’s time for a gentle follow-up strategy. Consider sending a friendly reminder a day or two later, highlighting the item’s availability and perhaps its popularity. You might want to sweeten the deal with a limited-time discount or free shipping offer to encourage action. 

Sometimes, timing is everything, and your second alert might catch the customer at just the right moment to make the purchase.

Creating dedicated back-in-stock pages on your website can be a game-changer for your sales strategy. These pages can showcase all your recently restocked items in one place. It’s a great way to generate excitement and encourage browsing. Plus, it’s perfect for those window shoppers, eager to snag recently restocked items. 

You can promote these pages through your social media channels or email newsletters, driving traffic directly to your dedicated restocked items page.

Your social media followers are often your most engaged customers. Use these platforms to your advantage.

Announce restocked items on your social channels. Consider doing “back in stock” roundups or even live videos showcasing new arrivals. You could demonstrate the product, answer questions in real-time, and create a sense of urgency. It’s a great way to create buzz and drive traffic to your site.

Back-in-stock alerts aren’t just about immediate sales. They’re real-time demand forecasts. 

By tracking which items generate the most alert sign-ups, you’re getting a direct line into customer demand. This can inform your purchasing decisions and help you optimize your inventory. Pay attention to how quickly items sell out after alerts are sent – it can help you get data about true demand.

Sometimes, an item might be so popular that it sells out again quickly. Why not offer a pre-order option?

When an item sells out, instead of just offering a back-in-stock alert, you give customers the option to preorder for the next batch. This approach is particularly effective for items that fly off the shelves quickly.

By offering preorders, you’re not just notifying customers about availability – you’re securing sales even when you’re out of stock.

Timesact’s Back-in-Stock feature allows Shopify merchants to capture customer interest even when products are out of stock. 

Easily set up notify me buttons that are automatically triggered when items are sold out, and seamlessly transition to pre-orders for products coming soon.

“I am impressed with the functionality of the app. It combines pre-order & notification of back-in-stock functionality, saving the cost of two apps.” – Rusk, USA

With the Timesact Shopify preorder app, you can recover lost sales and ensure you’re always engaging potential customers, whether products are available now or in the future.

There is a free plan to get you started, and paid plans offering unlimited usage.

Book a 30-minute guided setup call to get you ready for the holiday season and start immediately.