Back in stock emails on Shopify: what you need
Short answer: Shopify doesn’t collect “notify me” sign-ups or send customers back-in-stock emails by itself. You need an app from the Shopify App Store that adds a “Notify me” button to sold-out products, stores the sign-ups, and emails (or texts) those customers when stock comes back.
Shelfworks doesn’t make one. This page explains how they work so you can pick one, and how to run out less often in the first place.
How back-in-stock notifications work
- A shopper finds a sold-out product or size and clicks Notify me (the app adds this button to your theme).
- They leave an email address or phone number. The app stores it against that exact variant.
- When inventory for that variant goes above zero, the app sends the message, usually with a link straight to the product.
What to check before you install one
- Variant-level sign-ups. Someone waiting for a size M shouldn’t get an email when size S comes back.
- Consent. Sign-ups for a restock alert aren’t the same as marketing consent. Check how the app handles that, especially for texts.
- Location rules. If you sell from several locations, check whether it waits for stock at a location that ships online orders.
- Send in batches. If 200 people wait for 20 units, emailing everyone at once creates disappointed customers. Some apps send in waves.
- Your theme. Check the button appears on your theme and on mobile before you rely on it.
Sell out less often
The best back-in-stock email is the one you never need to send. Two habits help:
- Get a low stock alert early enough to reorder before you hit zero.
- Track what’s on order, so you can tell customers roughly when it’s coming back.
Where Shelfworks fits: Backstock
Backstock won’t email your customers, but it helps you restock before you sell out: reorder points per variant and location turn into draft purchase orders by supplier, and each purchase order shows when it’s expected.
- Suppliers with contacts, lead times and payment terms.
- Purchase orders you receive in full or in part; received units are added to inventory at the order’s location.
Status: Submitted to the Shopify App Store; in Shopify's review now.