What is a backorder?

A backorder is an order for a product that is temporarily out of stock but that you expect to restock soon. You accept the order and ship once your inventory is replenished, so you don't lose the sale. With clear communication about the lead time and solid inventory management, backorders stay manageable.

A backorder is an order for a product that is out of stock at the moment of purchase but that you expect to restock soon. Instead of turning the order away, you accept it and ship once your inventory is replenished. For you as a seller, that means you don't lose the sale even though the item isn't on the shelf right now.

Backorder versus out of stock

The difference comes down to expectation. With a backorder, a product is temporarily gone but a delivery date is set or new stock is on the way. The customer can order and simply waits a little longer. An item that is out of stock often can't be ordered at all because there is no visibility on a restock. Sellers who use backorders deliberately keep selling while competitors mark the same product page as unavailable.

Handling backorders the right way

A backorder lives or dies by clear communication and tight inventory records. These steps keep it manageable:

1. Be honest about the lead time. Show a realistic expected delivery date on the product and update it as soon as you have new information from your supplier.

2. Keep the customer in the loop. Confirm the order, send an update if there's a delay, and notify them the moment the package ships.

3. Reorder from your supplier on time. Use purchase advice per supplier so you know what to reorder and when.

4. Ship as soon as stock arrives. With pick lists and one-click shipping labels, you can clear open backorders the moment they become available again.

Preventing backorders with inventory management

Backorders are a normal part of doing business, but too many of them cost you customers. The best prevention is control over your stock. ShopLinkr syncs your inventory in real time across all your sales channels, so you never sell more than you can deliver and avoid overselling. Stock forecasting shows which products are about to run low, so you reorder before the shelves are empty.

For cases where you do want to keep selling anyway, you can work with fictional or unlimited stock. That keeps a product orderable based on your supplier agreements, while you track exactly what still needs to ship per order.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a backorder take?

It depends on your supplier. Always give an expected delivery date based on the restock lead time and update it the moment anything changes. A clear timeframe prevents frustration and cancellations.

Can I charge for a backorder?

Many online stores only charge at the time of shipping rather than at the time of order. That lowers the barrier to buy and avoids disputes if delivery takes longer than expected.

Does this work across multiple sales channels?

Yes. ShopLinkr processes orders from bol, Shopify, WooCommerce, Kaufland, and other channels in one place. Check the integrations to see which channels and carriers are supported.

Want to handle backorders without the hassle and keep your inventory accurate across every channel? Try ShopLinkr free for 14 days and manage your stock and orders in one place.