Automated back-in-stock notifications are one of the best strategies to bring back customers lost to stockouts. But turning an intent to buy into a purchase takes perfecting the time - especially when the restock requires a few days from your business. This is where the timing of your notifications becomes crucial.
In this post, we’re going to discuss the best times to send back-in-stock notifications to bring back shoppers and turn them into customers.
Similar to how abandoned cart recovery works, we recommend creating a workflow for back-in-stock notifications too. Here’s a step-by-step framework we recommend to merchants using STOQ for restock alert automation:
Automated back-in-stock notifications are one of the best strategies to bring back customers lost to stockouts. But turning an intent to buy into a purchase takes perfecting the time - especially when the restock requires a few days from your business. This is where the timing of your notifications becomes crucial.
In this post, we’re going to discuss the best times to send back-in-stock notifications to bring back shoppers and turn them into customers.
Similar to how abandoned cart recovery works, we recommend creating a workflow for back-in-stock notifications too. Here’s a step-by-step framework we recommend to merchants using STOQ for restock alert automation:
These are back-in-stock notifications that get triggered right after a restock occurs. This timing capitalizes on the customer’s peak interest and increases the chance of conversion. When planning the campaign, consider the following:
- Trigger - As soon as the product is sufficiently restocked (ensure there is enough to meet the collected demand).
- Channel - Send the notification over the preferred or opted-in channel (email, SMS, push notification).
- Content - Personalize the message with consumer and product name. Include a clear product image, price and a clear call-to-action button.
Online shoppers receive several notifications and promotions in a day across channels. This is why you should follow up the first back-in-stock notification with a reminder. Automating this reminder keeps the product top-of-mind and leverages urgency or FOMO to prompt an action. When planning the campaign, consider the following:
- Trigger - If the customer does not make the purchase after the initial notification.
- Channel - Same as the initial or an alternate opted-in channel (eg. if sent on email first, follow it up on SMS).
- Content - Structure your message like a friendly reminder, with urgency prompts like ‘limited stock available’ or a small incentive.
A consumer can be busy. Taking that into account, we recommend automating another reminder for your back-in-stock notification. This acts as a final nudge before the customer’s interest fades, maximizing the chance to recover the sale. It also helps clean your subscriber list to those who are more likely to convert after. When planning the campaign, here’s what you should consider:
- Trigger - If the customer does not make a purchase on initial notification or the first reminder.
- Channel - Alternate channel or repeat on the most engaged one.
- Content - We recommend creating copy with stronger urgency (only a few left, offer valid for 24 hours, etc), highlighted product benefits and customer reviews.
If the same product is quickly getting sold out, we recommend adding another layer of an automated notification. The low stock alert focuses on creating urgency and leverages scarcity to drive an immediate action from those subscribed. Here’s what you should consider for the campaign:
- Trigger - If the restocked item is selling fast and the inventory is running low again.
- Channel - Any channel that the customer has opted in for.
- Content - Focus on simply highlighting how the product is running out of stock; for example ‘hurry, (product name) is almost sold out again’.
Also read: Best Shopify apps for back-in-stock notifications.
In addition to the framework above, here are some best practices to follow for the restock alert automation:
- Easy opt-in - Make the ‘notify me’ button prominent and easy to opt in through on the product page.
- Personalization - Address customers by their name and reference the product they opted in for to receive a restock alert.
- Multi-channel approach - Allow customers to choose their preferred notification channel (email, SMS, push notifications, etc).
- Timing - Send the first alert as soon as there’s enough stock to meet consumer demand.
- Monitor and optimize - Track open rates, click-throughs and conversions to fine tune the timing, and messaging of your restock notifications.
- Create urgency - Use language that encourages quick action from the subscriber; especially in reminders. For example, ‘only a few items left’.
- Segment and target - Categorize notifications based on customer behavior to tailor the messaging further.
- Offer assistance - When a customer comes back to the store, ensure you also offer shopping assistance to address possible queries.
PS. Did you know that we have recently published a State of Back-in-Stock Notifications Report for Q1? It deep dives into how Shopify stores are recovering lost sales with restock alerts along with industry benchmarks, examples and more
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to automations.
The same holds true for back-in-stock notifications too.
This is where using a Shopify app like STOQ comes into play. We help you set up ‘notify me’ buttons, customize them to match your store’s branding, activate alerts through multiple channels and create the workflow above to drive maximum conversions through back-in-stock notifications.
Want to drive more sales through restock alerts? Install STOQ now.