Brief description

The pre-order button allows customers to express their interest in a product by placing an order before it is officially released or available for purchase.

By using a pre-order button on your website or social media platforms, you can gauge the level of demand for your product or service without having to fully develop it. This method of validation can save you from investing resources in a product that may not sell well, or that customers may not be interested in.

Case-study

By using the pre-order button, Pebble, smartwatch company, was able to gauge demand for their product and validate their business idea before investing significant resources into development.

In 2012, Pebble launched a Kickstarter campaign offering pre-orders of their smartwatch, which had not yet been fully developed. The campaign was a huge success, raising over $10 million in pre-orders within a month. The success of the Kickstarter campaign also generated buzz and excitement around the product, leading to further pre-orders and a successful launch.

Tools

• Typeform - Create a survey to collect feedback and gauge interest in your product or service.

• Shopify - Use the pre-order feature to allow customers to place orders for your product before it is officially released.

• Unbounce - Create a landing page with a pre-order button to generate interest and encourage pre-orders.

Pros & Cons

👍

• Allows businesses to gauge demand for a product or service before investing significant resources into its development

• Can provide valuable feedback from customers, such as their expectations and preferences

• Can help build anticipation and buzz for the product, potentially leading to a successful launch

• Helps businesses minimize risk by ensuring there is demand for the product before investing resources

👎

• May not accurately reflect demand for the product, as some customers may not follow through with the purchase

• Can be a potential source of disappointment if the product does not live up to customer expectations

• May require businesses to disclose more information about the product than they are comfortable with, such as pricing and features

• Can create a sense of urgency or pressure for businesses to deliver the product within the expected time frame

Quick how-to

1. Define your idea: Clearly define the product or service you are considering offering, including its features and benefits. This will help you communicate the idea effectively to potential customers.

2. Create a landing page: Create a landing page on your website or social media platform that highlights the product or service and includes a pre-order button. Make sure to provide enough information about the product to generate interest and encourage pre-orders.

3. Promote the landing page: Use social media, email marketing, or other methods to promote the landing page and generate traffic. Consider using targeted advertising to reach your ideal customers.

4. Monitor pre-orders: Keep track of the number of pre-orders you receive and use this information to gauge demand for the product or service.

5. Review feedback: Consider offering a survey or other feedback mechanism to collect information from customers who pre-order. Use this feedback to refine the product or service before it is officially launched.

6. Launch the product: Once you have enough pre-orders to justify the investment, launch the product or service. Make sure to deliver on your promises and provide a high-quality experience for customers who pre-ordered.