Send preorder SMS confirmations

STOQ can send an SMS confirming a preorder immediately after the customer checks out. A text lands faster and gets opened more than email, and it can include the shipping timeline so customers know when to expect their order. This is a paid feature and carries a per-message cost.

Note

SMS carries an additional per-message cost, billed on top of your plan and varying by country. See SMS alert pricing and charges and How SMS segments work.

Before you begin

Requirement	Detail
A paid plan	Preorder SMS confirmations require a paid plan. On a free plan the toggle is disabled with an upgrade prompt.
Carrier verification	Before SMS can send, STOQ must verify your store with network carriers. Customers can still preorder in the meantime; sending is paused until verification completes.
A phone number at checkout	The customer must provide a phone number, otherwise there’s nothing to text.
Toll-free registration	US and Canada stores may need to register a toll-free number with carriers before SMS can send.

Turn on preorder SMS

On a phone, this menu is collapsed. In the Shopify mobile app, tap the STOQ logo at the top of the screen to open it, then choose the section named below. There is no hamburger icon. See Finding the STOQ menu.

1. Open the preorder notifications

   In the left menu bar of the STOQ app, click Preorders, then open Settings > Notifications.

   

2. Open Customize SMS

   On the ‘Preorder confirmed’ notification card, click Customize SMS to open the SMS editor.

   

3. Turn on Preorder SMS alerts

   In the SMS editor, next to Preorder SMS alerts, click Turn on and confirm the notice about per-message SMS charges. The Settings list below then shows Send SMS through and Content.

4. Choose how it sends

   Under Settings, click Send SMS through and pick your SMS platform: STOQ (built-in), Klaviyo, or Postscript.

   

   

5. Write the message

   Go back, then under Settings click Content. Edit the SMS Body, using the Variables link to personalize it (see below).

   

   

6. Save

   Click Save changes at the top right. Customers who preorder with a phone number now get a confirmation text.

Variables you can use

Insert variables in the SMS body to fill in each order’s details. The editor lists the full set; common ones:

Variable	Inserts
{{ customer.name }}	The customer’s name
{{ first_product }}	The first preordered product
{{ products }}	All preordered products as a comma-separated list
{{ products_count }}	How many preordered products are in the order
{{ shipping_timeline }}	The offer’s shipping timeline message
{{ order.name }}	The order name, like #1001
{{ shop.name }}	Your store’s name

Note

Keep the message short. SMS is billed in segments of about 140 characters, and emojis or accented characters split it into more segments, which costs more. See How SMS segments work.

Send through Klaviyo or Postscript instead

If you’d rather send from Klaviyo or Postscript, choose that provider under Send SMS through and set up the flow in that platform. See Send SMS alerts through Klaviyo and Send alerts through Postscript. Those platforms deliver and bill the SMS, so STOQ’s per-segment pricing doesn’t apply.

Resend a confirmation manually

To re-send a confirmation for a single order, open Reports > Preorders, open the order, and choose Send SMS confirmation from the Notify menu.

Troubleshooting

The Preorder SMS alerts toggle is disabled

You’re on a free plan, or your store hasn’t submitted its toll-free registration where that’s required. Upgrade, or complete registration. The toggle’s tooltip shows which applies.

Customers preorder but no text arrives

Sending is paused until carrier verification completes. Check the SMS panel for a verification banner; sending resumes automatically once it’s done. Also confirm the customer actually provided a phone number.

The message looks cut off or costs more than expected

The body is over one segment. Shorten it, and avoid emojis and accented characters, which use more segments. See How SMS segments work.

Related guides

Send preorder confirmation emailsThe email version of the preorder confirmation.

Send SMS alerts through KlaviyoRoute preorder and back in stock SMS through Klaviyo.

SMS alert pricing and chargesHow STOQ's built-in SMS is priced.

Personalize Klaviyo preorder emailsThe full preorder variable reference.