Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Exactly Are Draft Orders in Shopify?
- Creating and Managing Draft Orders
- Going Beyond Basics: The Advanced Use of Draft Orders
- Common Concerns With Draft Orders
- Conclusion
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Have you ever found yourself wondering how to handle special orders or presales in your Shopify store? Or perhaps, you've wanted to know the best way to manage invoices when selling wholesale. Draft orders could be your solution. These are a powerful yet often overlooked feature within the Shopify ecosystem—they could revolutionize how you conduct business on your platform. This comprehensive guide will walk you through what draft orders in Shopify are, how you can create and utilize them, and will answer some commonly asked questions you might have. Prepare to enhance your Shopify mastery with the ins and outs of using draft orders effectively!
What Exactly Are Draft Orders in Shopify?
Draft orders, simply put, are preliminary orders that you can create on behalf of your customer. They are not finalized sales, but instead something akin to save points for transactions that are not yet complete. This feature gives merchants the flexibility to create orders that can be adjusted before payment, perfect for custom orders, phone orders, or for selling items not available online. They enable you to:
- Send personalized invoices with secure checkout links
- Accept payments for orders taken over the phone or in person
- Save orders to be completed at a later time
- Apply discounts, taxes, and adjust shipping costs before finalizing a sale
- Add tags to organize and track orders more efficiently
In essence, a draft order is a tool that bridges the gap between a merchant's interaction with the client and the client's completion of a purchase.
Creating and Managing Draft Orders
Starting a New Draft Order
Creating a draft order is straightforward:
- In the Shopify admin, navigate to the Orders section and click on 'Create Order'.
- You can then add products, apply discounts, adjust quantities, and set taxes and shipping options.
- Within the order, it's also possible to add or change customer details or apply specific terms of payment.
Sending Invoices and Accepting Payment
Once a draft has been created, you can send your customer an invoice directly. This invoice includes a link to a checkout page where they can enter their details and complete the payment process. Shopify makes it convenient for global businesses as invoices and checkout can automatically display in the customer’s local currency, which significantly boosts conversion rates.
Adjustments and Customizations
With draft orders, adjustments are easy:
- Discount Applications: You can apply fixed-amount or percentage discounts either to individual line items or to the entire order.
- Shipping Rates and Taxes: You can choose preset shipping rates or create a custom one. Taxes are calculated based on your store's tax settings and the customer’s shipping or billing address.
- Customer Details: You can add existing customer information or capture new details, changing them as needed before finalizing the order.
Special Conditions
An advantage of draft orders is that they accommodate unique business needs:
- Reserve Items: You can reserve items specifically within a draft order so they're not available for purchase by other customers, ensuring inventory for that sale.
- Payment Methods: You can specify various payment methods and set terms on when the payment is due. This is particularly useful for wholesales or B2B transactions.
Going Beyond Basics: The Advanced Use of Draft Orders
Once familiar with the standard functionalities, it's time to delve deeper:
- API Accessibility: Shopify's Draft Orders API allows for custom solutions through app development. This facilitates seamless integrations with outside sales channels.
- Custom Line Items: For products or services not listed on your online store, you can add custom line items to draft orders, enabling sales for unique offers or bespoke items.
Common Concerns With Draft Orders
Limitations
While immensely flexible, there are a few limitations to draft orders. For example, discount codes and automatic discounts might not be compatible with certain custom checkout experiences without upgrading specific features in Shopify Plus.
Handling Customer Information
When entering customer details for a draft order, especially payment information, make sure you adhere to PCI compliance requirements. This ensures customers' sensitive data is handled securely.
Order Amendments
What if a customer wants to change something in a draft after it's been created? No problem. Draft orders can be modified anytime until the payment is completed.
Inventory Management
It's worth noting that the Draft Order resource doesn't expose reserve inventory information; a point to consider if you are heavily reliant on precise inventory tracking.
Conclusion
Draft orders are a powerful and flexible tool within Shopify's suite of features. They can enhance your sales strategy, especially when dealing with custom or wholesale orders. Diving into the world of draft orders will reveal many functionalities that streamline both your workflow and improve the customer experience. Remember, understanding and utilizing draft orders is key to unlocking their full potential and growing your Shopify business efficiently.
FAQ Section
How do I create a draft order on mobile Shopify?
On the mobile Shopify app, navigate to the Orders section, then tap the '+' symbol to create a new order. From there, you can add items, apply discounts, and set shipping just as you would in the desktop version.
What's the best way to handle a customer who wants to make changes to a draft order?
Simply access the draft order in your Shopify admin and make the changes requested by your customer. You can adjust product quantities, add or remove items, apply different discounts, and update customer details before finalizing the order.
Can I send invoices in different currencies through draft orders?
Yes, with Shopify Payments, invoices can automatically be sent in the customer's local currency based on their shipping address and the 'Market' setting for that customer.
Are draft orders suitable for B2B transactions?
Absolutely, draft orders are particularly beneficial for B2B transactions as they allow for the setting of payment terms, custom pricing, and the reservation of inventory, offering a customizable ordering process suitable for wholesale and business clients.
What happens if a draft order is never completed or paid for?
A draft order can remain in your Shopify admin until it's either completed or manually removed. This allows flexibility in handling long-term negotiations or awaiting customer confirmations.
