Unlock Anticipation: Customizing Your Shopify Theme for "Coming Soon" Products

Hey there, fellow store owners! Navigating the ins and outs of Shopify can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially when you want to do something a little outside the standard features. One common request we've seen pop up in the community, and it's a really smart one for building anticipation, is how to effectively mark products as "Coming Soon."

Recently, a thread on the Shopify community caught our eye. Our friend adhoclondon was looking for a way to display a "Coming Soon" badge on product images when browsing collections and, crucially, prevent customers from purchasing these items until they're officially launched. They were using the Spotlight theme (version 16.0.0, specifically) and were finding that simply marking products as "sold out" wasn't cutting it – it just didn't convey the right message!

This is a brilliant idea for pre-launch buzz, isn't it? Instead of just hiding upcoming products or showing them as unavailable, you can generate excitement and let your customers know something new is on its way. The good news? The community rallied with some fantastic, app-free solutions!

Why a "Coming Soon" Feature is a Game Changer for Your Shopify Store

Implementing a "Coming Soon" status isn't just about changing a label; it's a powerful marketing strategy that can significantly impact your product launches and customer engagement. Here's why it's a game changer:

• Generate Buzz & Hype: Tease new products before they're available, creating anticipation and a sense of exclusivity. This can lead to higher engagement rates upon launch.
• Gauge Interest & Demand: By showcasing upcoming products, you can indirectly gauge customer interest. High traffic to a "Coming Soon" product page might indicate strong demand, helping you refine inventory or marketing strategies.
• Improve SEO Readiness: Even before a product is purchasable, its page can start getting indexed by search engines. This gives your new products a head start in search rankings, driving organic traffic from day one of availability.
• Enhance Customer Experience: Prevent frustration from customers trying to buy an unavailable item. A clear "Coming Soon" message manages expectations and provides a positive browsing experience, encouraging them to return.
• Build a Waitlist: While not covered in this specific code, a "Coming Soon" page is the perfect place to integrate an email signup for notifications, allowing you to build a targeted list of interested customers.

The Community's Consensus: Tags + Code for Spotlight Theme (and Beyond)

The experts in the thread, particularly Ploqo and websensepro, quickly pointed out that this functionality is entirely achievable with some straightforward Liquid code modifications. This method leverages Shopify's product tagging system, offering a robust and flexible solution without relying on third-party apps.

Important Pre-Requisite: Backup Your Theme!

Before making any code changes to your live Shopify store, it's absolutely crucial to duplicate your theme. This creates a backup that you can easily revert to if anything goes wrong. Go to Online Store > Themes, click the three dots (...) next to your current theme, and select "Duplicate." Always work on a duplicated theme first!

Step 1: Tag Your Product as "Coming Soon"

This is the simplest part. For any product you want to mark as "Coming Soon":

• Go to your Shopify Admin > Products.
• Select the product you wish to modify.
• In the "Tags" section on the right sidebar, add the tag coming-soon.
• Click "Save."

Step 2: Display the "Coming Soon" Badge on Collection & Search Pages

This modification ensures that customers browsing your collections or search results immediately see the "Coming Soon" status on the product image.

• From your Shopify Admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
• On your duplicated theme, click the three dots (...) and select "Edit code."
• Under the "Snippets" folder, open card-product.liquid. This file controls how individual product cards are displayed across your store.
• Search for the following line (it typically appears twice):

{%- if card_product.available == false -%}

• Replace both instances with this code:

{%- if card_product.tags contains 'coming-soon' -%}
  Coming soon
{%- elsif card_product.available == false -%}

This code block checks if the product has the coming-soon tag. If it does, it displays a badge with "Coming soon." Otherwise, it proceeds to check if the product is simply unavailable (sold out).

Step 3: Modify the Buy Button on the Product Page

This step is crucial for preventing purchases and clearly communicating the product's status on its dedicated page.

• Still in the "Snippets" folder, open buy-buttons.liquid. This file manages the logic for the add-to-cart and dynamic checkout buttons.
• First, disable dynamic checkout for "Coming Soon" products. Find this block near the top:

      if block.settings.show_dynamic_checkout and gift_card_recipient_feature_active == false
        assign show_dynamic_checkout = true
      endif

• Add these three lines directly underneath it:

      if product.tags contains 'coming-soon'
        assign show_dynamic_checkout = false
      endif

• Next, change the button text and prevent adding to cart. Search for this line (it appears twice):

{% if product.selected_or_first_available_variant.available == false

• Replace both instances with:

{% if product.tags contains 'coming-soon'
              or product.selected_or_first_available_variant.available == false

• Finally, ensure the "Coming soon" text is displayed correctly. Find this line (appears once):

{%- if product.selected_or_first_available_variant == null -%}

• Replace it with:

{%- if product.tags contains 'coming-soon' -%}
                Coming soon
              {%- elsif product.selected_or_first_available_variant == null -%}

• Click "Save."

These changes collectively ensure that if a product has the coming-soon tag, the buy button is disabled, the dynamic checkout option is hidden, and the button text clearly states "Coming soon."

No-Code Alternatives: Shopify Apps

While the code-based solution offers maximum control and avoids app subscription fees, not everyone is comfortable diving into Liquid files. For those who prefer a plug-and-play approach, several Shopify apps can provide similar functionality:

• Preorder Now: Often includes robust coming soon features alongside pre-order management.
• PreProduct: Specializes in pre-orders and waitlists, which can be adapted for coming soon products.
• Coming Soon Product: A more direct app focused specifically on this functionality.

These apps typically offer more features like countdown timers, email notifications, and customizable designs, but come with a monthly cost.

Conclusion: Empower Your Product Launches

Implementing a "Coming Soon" feature on your Shopify store is a smart move for any merchant looking to build excitement and manage customer expectations effectively. Whether you opt for the DIY code approach or leverage a dedicated app, this functionality transforms how you introduce new products.

For those just starting their e-commerce journey or considering a platform switch, remember that starting a Shopify store provides a robust foundation for growth, offering unparalleled flexibility for customization like the one discussed here. At Shopping Cart Mover, we specialize in seamless migrations and custom development, ensuring your store is not just functional, but optimized for success from day one.

By taking control of your theme's code, you empower your store to do more, creating unique experiences that resonate with your audience and drive sales. Happy launching!