Running an e-commerce store can be exciting, but sometimes you’ll face a common challenge: products going out of stock. When an item is temporarily or permanently unavailable, it’s important to manage it wisely in your e-commerce listings. This helps you keep your customers happy, maintain good search rankings, and avoid losing sales.
In this blog, we’ll go through some effective ways to handle out-of-stock products in your online store and keep everything running smoothly.
Why Managing Out-of-Stock Products is Important
Out-of-stock products can frustrate customers if they show up only to find the item they want isn’t available. This can lead to a poor user experience, loss of trust, and even lower sales. A well-managed product listing can avoid these issues and even turn out-of-stock situations into opportunities.
1. Display Stock Status Clearly
When a product is out of stock, make sure to show this information clearly on the product page. It should be easily visible, so customers don’t have to dig around to find out if they can order it. A simple “Out of Stock” or “Currently Unavailable” message works well. This transparency builds trust with your customers and shows that your store is honest and straightforward.
2. Enable Back-in-Stock Notifications
One great way to keep potential buyers interested is by offering back-in-stock notifications. With this feature, customers can enter their email address or phone number to be notified as soon as the product is available again. This shows customers that you care about their interests, and it also helps you recover sales when the item is restocked.
How to Set Up Back-in-Stock Notifications:
Use an e-commerce platform feature or plugin to add a “Notify Me When Available” option on your products listing.
Send an email or SMS notification to customers who signed up once the item is back in stock.
This keeps interested customers in the loop and increases the chance they’ll return to make a purchase.
3. Suggest Similar Products
If an item is unavailable, a good way to keep customers engaged is by suggesting similar products. This helps redirect their attention to other items they may like.
For example, if a customer is looking for a specific type of sneaker and it’s out of stock, you can display similar styles or brands on the same page. This way, customers don’t have to leave the site disappointed; instead, they might discover something else they like just as much.
How to Display Similar Products:
Show a section like “You May Also Like” or “Similar Products” directly on the out-of-stock product page.
Use related keywords in the products listing to improve the chances of these suggestions matching customer interest.
4. Provide an Estimated Restock Date (If Possible)
If you know when the product will be restocked, let your customers know. Displaying an estimated restock date is very helpful for customers who are willing to wait. Even a rough estimate like “Restocking in 2-3 weeks” can make a big difference. Customers are more likely to return and make a purchase if they have a timeline in mind.
Tips for Displaying Restock Information:
Include a short message like “Expected back in stock by (date)” under the out-of-stock label.
Only display restock dates when you’re confident about them to avoid disappointing customers with delays.
5. Allow Pre-Orders for Popular Items
If the item is in high demand, consider offering a pre-order option. This is particularly useful for products that are temporarily out of stock but will be restocked soon. With pre-orders, customers can secure the item now and have it shipped as soon as it’s available. This also helps you gauge customer demand and plan your inventory better.
How to Implement Pre-Orders:
Display a “Pre-Order” button instead of “Out of Stock” on the product page.
Include details about the estimated delivery date and any applicable terms for pre-orders.
6. Use “Out of Stock” Products to Drive Interest in Other Products
When a popular item is out of stock, you can take advantage of its popularity to showcase other items in your store. For instance, you can highlight similar products in your email newsletters or social media. It’s also a good idea to display a list of related products on your site that might catch the attention of customers who came looking for the out-of-stock item.
Ways to Promote Related Products:
Include related items in any email or social media posts announcing the out-of-stock status.
Feature similar products in a special section on the homepage or in targeted ads.
7. Remove Permanently Out-of-Stock Products
If a product is permanently out of stock and won’t be restocked, it’s best to remove it from your site or clearly mark it as “Discontinued.” Leaving it up with no further action may confuse or frustrate customers.
For SEO, consider redirecting the page to a similar product, a category page, or a new version of the item if you have one. This can help retain any search engine ranking the page had while still directing customers to other options.
How to Handle Permanently Out-of-Stock Products:
Use a 301 redirect to send traffic from the out-of-stock product page to a relevant category page or similar product.
Add a message like “This item has been discontinued, but check out similar options” to maintain a positive user experience.
8. Communicate Clearly with Customers
Communication is key when dealing with out-of-stock items. Be proactive and let your customers know about the product’s availability and any restocking plans through email, social media, or even a banner on your website. Clear communication helps manage expectations and reduces any frustration customers may feel if their favorite item isn’t available.
Summary
Managing out-of-stock products in your e-commerce listings effectively can help maintain customer satisfaction and even boost sales. By following these strategies—such as enabling notifications, suggesting similar items, offering pre-orders, and communicating clearly—you can create a smooth shopping experience that keeps customers happy.
If you’re looking to optimize your e-commerce product listings and streamline your inventory management, Expand Ecom offers solutions that can help you manage out-of-stock products with ease.
Ready to create a seamless shopping experience? Discover how Expand Ecom can help improve your products listing and inventory management for better results.