Customers shopping online want one thing above all else: certainty. They need to know not just what they are buying, but when it will arrive. That is where a delivery promise comes in. A delivery promise is the clear communication of when a customer can expect their order to ship or arrive. Adding this information to your Shopify store reduces cart abandonment, prevents “Where is my order?” inquiries, and builds trust that encourages repeat purchases.
In this guide, we will show you how to add a delivery promise to your Shopify store using the Essential Preorder & Presale App. Later, we will also look at how you can display estimated delivery dates for in-stock products with the Essential Estimated Delivery Date App.
Why a Delivery Promise Matters
Most abandoned carts happen because of uncertainty around shipping. Customers hesitate if they see vague messages like “Ships soon” or if delivery time is only revealed at checkout. By showing a delivery promise directly on product and cart pages, you increase conversions because a clear ship or delivery date gives customers confidence to purchase now. You also reduce support tickets, since expectations are set early and customers are less likely to contact you asking when their order will ship. Transparency builds trust and long-term customer loyalty, and it also helps you stay competitive, since marketplaces like Amazon have already trained customers to expect clear delivery dates.
For store owners, this is also a great opportunity to offer preorders or presales with deposits. Customers are reassured by the promised ship date, and you secure upfront partial payments while accurately gauging demand before committing to production or inventory. This combination of clarity for the customer and cash flow for the merchant makes delivery promises one of the most effective tools for sustainable growth.
How to Add a Delivery Promise in Shopify
You can add a delivery promise in Shopify by showing a ship date for preorder or backorder products. Here’s the step-by-step process with the Essential Shopify Preorder & Presale App.
Step 1: Enter the Ship Date
Open Essential Preorder & Presale, edit your preorder option, and set a ship or release date, for example, “October 15, 2025.”
Step 2: Choose Where to Show It
Toggle the option to display the ship date on product pages and in the cart. You can also enable “Show in order notes” so your operations team sees it in Shopify Admin.
Step 3: Add Helper Text
Add a short, unambiguous label next to the preorder button or cart line. Examples include:
- Ships by Oct 15
- Estimated ship: Oct 15
- Pre-order — dispatch by Oct 15
- Leaves our warehouse by Oct 15
- Expected shipping week of Oct 13
- Back in stock and ships Oct 15
- Your size ships no later than Oct 15
- Production window Oct 1–15; ships by Oct 15
- Releases Oct 15
- Pre-order today — shipping Oct 2025
Tip: pick one phrasing style and use it everywhere to avoid confusion.
Step 4: Test End-to-End
Place a test preorder and confirm that the ship date appears consistently in all touchpoints:
- On the product page near the preorder button
- In the cart, next to the line item
- In the order confirmation email
- In Shopify Admin order notes (if enabled)
This ensures your delivery promise is visible and consistent throughout the entire buying journey.
Email Confirmation Line
Use a clear line in your confirmation emails, such as:
Thanks for your preorder. This item is scheduled to ship by Oct 15 (EEST). If your order contains multiple items, some may ship earlier or separately.
Checklist Before You Go Live
- Date format is consistent (e.g., Oct 15, 2025)
- Timezone shown where relevant (e.g., EEST)
- Translations added for all storefront languages
- Mobile layout verified (product and cart)
- Cart drawer tested to ensure the note persists
- Order confirmation template checked for ship date
- Support macros updated so your team can reply quickly to preorder questions
Following this process gives your customers a clear delivery promise while reducing uncertainty and support workload.
Alternative: Estimated Delivery for In-Stock Products
If you are selling in-stock products and want to display estimated delivery windows (for example, “Arrives Oct 23–27”), the Essential Shopify Estimated Delivery Date App is the best option. It lets you configure processing and transit times so you can show realistic delivery ranges on product and cart pages. For example, you might display “Order today, ships in 2–3 business days, delivery by Oct 25–27” or simply “Arrives in 5–7 business days.”
By combining these two approaches, you can set delivery promises across your entire store:
- Use Essential Preorder & Presale App for preorder or backorder items where a promised ship date is critical.
- Use Essential Estimated Delivery Date App for in-stock products where customers want to know when their order will arrive.
Best Practices for Delivery Promises
Adding a delivery promise is powerful, but it must be done well. Be specific instead of vague, replacing “Ships soon” with “Ships by Oct 15” or “Delivery between Oct 23–27.” Stay consistent so the same date or range appears on the product page, cart, and confirmation email. Account for holidays and weekends by blocking them out so customers don’t see impossible delivery promises. Update dates immediately if delays occur, and email affected customers with the new timeline. Use one phrasing style, whether it is “Ships by,” “Dispatches on,” or “Expected delivery,” and apply it everywhere. Finally, test before going live by placing a real order and verifying that the promise appears correctly across all touchpoints.
Conclusion
A delivery promise is more than just a shipping estimate; it is a trust-building tool. By clearly communicating when a customer will receive their order, you increase conversions, reduce uncertainty, and create a smoother buying experience. With the Essential Shopify Preorder & Presale App, you can add promised ship dates to preorder and backorder products. With the Essential Shopify Estimated Delivery Date App, you can display delivery windows for in-stock products. Together, they help you keep your promises and deliver a better customer experience.
If you want to reduce “Where is my order?” messages and win customer trust, start adding delivery promises to your Shopify store today.
FAQs
What is a delivery promise?
A delivery promise is a clear commitment to the customer about when their order will ship or arrive.
What is the promise delivery date?
The promise delivery date is the specific date communicated to the customer for when the order will be shipped or delivered.
What does deliver the promise mean?
In e-commerce, delivering the promise means fulfilling the shipping or delivery expectations you set for the customer.
What is promise in shipping?
Promise in shipping refers to the guaranteed or expected timeline communicated to customers about when their order will arrive.
What is the delivery time promise?
The delivery time promise is the timeframe (exact date or range) you commit to for delivering an order.
What is the promise package?
The promise package is the overall delivery commitment, including processing time, shipping method, and expected delivery window.
