Running out of stock can feel like a success — your product is in demand. But for many Shopify store owners, “Sold out” also means something else: lost sales, wasted traffic, and missed opportunities.

When customers land on a product page and see it’s unavailable, most of them leave. Many never return. That’s exactly why Shopify restock alerts are so powerful.

Instead of losing interested shoppers, you give them a way to stay connected and come back the moment the product is available again. In this guide, you’ll learn what Shopify restock alerts are, why they matter, how to set them up, and which apps are considered the best for implementing this feature.

What Are Shopify Restock Alerts?

Shopify restock alerts are notifications sent to customers who sign up to be informed when an out-of-stock product becomes available again.

When a product is sold out, instead of only showing a “Sold out” label, your store displays a message like:

“Notify me when this item is back in stock.”

Customers can enter their email address (and sometimes their phone number). Once you restock the product, they automatically receive a message letting them know it’s available again.

This turns a disappointing experience into a future sales opportunity.

Why “Sold Out” Without Alerts Hurts Your Store

Imagine a customer clicks on your ad, a Google result, or an Instagram post. They are interested. They are ready to buy. But the product is sold out.

Without Shopify restock alerts:

• The customer leaves your website

• They search for alternatives

• They may buy from a competitor

• You lose both the sale and the relationship

You already paid for the traffic. But you didn’t capture any long-term value.

With restock alerts, you can:

• Capture their email

• Stay in touch

• Bring them back when inventory is available

That’s a massive difference in customer lifetime value.

Key Benefits of Using Shopify Restock Alerts

1. Capture High-Intent Customers

Not all email subscribers are equal. Someone who signs up for a restock alert is highly interested in a specific product.

They have already:

• Visited the product page

• Considered buying

• Taken action to be notified

These leads are extremely valuable and often convert at a much higher rate than general newsletter subscribers.

2. Increase Revenue From Restocked Products

When you restock without sending alerts, customers may never know the item is available again.

With Shopify restock alerts:

• Emails go out automatically

• Customers return quickly

• Many products sell out again shortly after restocking

Some stores recover a large portion of their restock revenue directly from notification emails.

3. Grow a High-Quality Email List

Every restock signup adds a verified, product-interested contact to your email list.

Later, you can use this list to send:

• Related product recommendations

• New arrivals in the same category

• Special offers

• Exclusive early access

This improves the performance of your overall email marketing strategy.

4. Improve Customer Experience

Seeing “Sold out” with no alternative feels frustrating.

Seeing “Notify me when back in stock” feels helpful.

It shows that your brand:

• Cares about the customer’s interest

• Plans to restock

• Makes it easy for them to come back

This builds trust and professionalism.

Does Shopify Have Built-In Restock Alerts?

Shopify’s default system is limited.

When a product is out of stock, Shopify typically:

• Shows a “Sold out” label

• Disables the Add to Cart button

There is no strong built-in feature to collect emails and send automatic restock notifications in most standard setups.

That’s why store owners use Shopify restock alert apps to add this functionality.

How Shopify Restock Alerts Work

Here’s the typical process:

1. A product goes out of stock

2. A “Notify me” or “Email me when available” button appears

3. The customer enters their email

4. The app saves their request

5. You update inventory in Shopify when the product is restocked

6. The app detects the inventory change

7. Automatic emails (or SMS) are sent to subscribers

8. Customers return and purchase

Once set up, this process runs automatically.

How to Set Up Shopify Restock Alerts

Step 1: Choose a Restock Alert App

Go to the Shopify App Store and search for:

• “Shopify restock alerts”

• “Back in stock notification”

• “Restock alert app”

Look for apps that offer:

• Automatic email notifications

• Easy theme integration

• Customizable forms and buttons

• Analytics and reporting

• Optional SMS alerts

Step 2: Install the App

After choosing an app:

• Click Add app

• Follow the setup instructions

• Allow it to integrate with your theme

Most apps automatically place a notification form on out-of-stock product pages.

Step 3: Customize the Notification Form

You can usually adjust:

Button text examples:

• “Notify me when available”

• “Email me when back in stock”

• “Get restock alert”

Design elements:

• Button color

• Font style

• Placement (near Add to Cart area)

Make sure the form is clearly visible, especially on mobile devices.

Step 4: Set Up Restock Emails

Your restock email should be exciting and clear.

Include:

• Product name

• Product image

• A message that it’s back in stock

• A strong call-to-action button

Example subject lines:

• “It’s back! Your favorite item is available again”

• “Back in stock — don’t miss out this time”

CTA button examples:

• “Shop Now”

• “Buy Before It Sells Out Again”

Best Shopify Restock Alert Apps

There’s no single “perfect” app for every store, but several are widely considered top choices.

1. NotifyEZ – Messaging & Alerts

NotifyEZ – Messaging & Alerts is an all-in-one notification powerhouse designed for Shopify merchants who want complete control over how back-in-stock alerts are delivered. Unlike most apps that limit you to their own email or SMS gateway, NotifyEZ allows stores to use their own SMTP or SMS providers, ensuring better deliverability, lower messaging costs, and full brand consistency.

It is the perfect choice for businesses that need advanced automation, multi-channel notification options, and a robust system for both customer and internal staff alerts.

Why NotifyEZ Is the #1 Back in Stock Notification Shopify App

Most restock notification apps only support email or charge extra for SMS. NotifyEZ stands out by offering multi-channel notifications with your own gateways, giving businesses full ownership over messaging and unlimited scalability.

Key Features (Simplified & Optimized for This Topic)

• Multi-channel restock alerts via email and SMS

• Use your own SMTP or SMS gateway, reducing cost and improving deliverability

• Automated triggers when a product or variant is restocked

• Customizable templates for professional branding

• Internal staff notifications for inventory teams

• Full delivery logs & resend options to ensure message reliability

• No-code automation builder for creating flexible notification workflows

With these capabilities, NotifyEZ provides the most complete back in stock notification Shopify solution — ideal for stores that want flexibility, reliability, and enterprise-level performance.

Get the Shopify app here.

2. Back in Stock – Restock Alerts

This is one of the most popular Shopify restock alert apps.

Key features:

• Automatic back-in-stock emails

• Easy integration with most Shopify themes

• Customizable signup forms

• Detailed analytics

• Integration with email marketing tools

It’s a strong all-around choice for stores of all sizes.

3. Notify Me! Back in Stock Alerts

This app is known for flexibility and extra features.

Key features:

• Email and SMS notifications

• Custom popup or inline forms

• Multi-language support

• Advanced automation

It’s especially useful for stores with high traffic or international customers.

4. Restock Alerts by Webkul

Webkul delivers a professional stock alert tool with strong customization.

Key Features

• Variant-level tracking

• Multi-language support

• Customizable alert forms

• Customer subscription management

Best For:

Merchants targeting international customers or needing advanced customization.

Get the Shopify app here.

5. Back in Stock: Sold Out Notifications

A polished and user-friendly app designed for higher engagement.

Key Features

• Email & SMS alerts

• Stylish popup signup form

• Customer tracking dashboard

Best For:

Stores in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

Get the Shopify app here.

How to Choose the Best App for Your Store

The “best” Shopify restock alert app depends on your needs.

Choose a simple app if:

• You run a small or medium store

• You want quick setup

• You mainly need email alerts

Choose a more advanced app if:

• You have high traffic

• Products sell out quickly

• You want SMS notifications

• You need detailed analytics and automation

Start with a free plan or trial to test performance before committing to a paid plan.

Best Practices for Shopify Restock Alerts

1. Create Urgency in Emails

Restock emails perform better when customers feel the product might sell out again.

Use phrases like:

• “Limited quantities available”

• “Back for a short time only”

• “Selling fast again”

Urgency increases click-through and conversion rates.

2. Send Notifications Immediately

Timing matters. The moment inventory is updated, notifications should go out.

The first customers to receive alerts often buy first.

3. Use Follow-Up Emails

Not everyone buys from the first message.

Set up:

• A reminder email after 24–48 hours

• A final “last chance” email if stock is low again

This can significantly increase recovered sales.

4. Keep the Signup Form Simple

Ask only for essential information, usually just:

• Email address

The fewer fields, the higher the signup rate.

5. Optimize for Mobile

Most Shopify traffic comes from mobile devices.

Make sure:

• The “Notify me” button is easy to tap

• The form is readable

• Emails look good on small screens

Advanced Strategies to Boost Results

Segment by Product Interest

If a customer signs up for a specific product, they are likely interested in similar items.

You can later send:

• Related product launches

• Category-based promotions

• Personalized recommendations

This makes your marketing more targeted and effective.

Combine Restock Alerts With Pre-Orders

If restocking takes time, you can email subscribers:

“You asked to be notified — we’re now offering pre-orders before official restock.”

This helps you secure sales even before inventory arrives.

Use SMS for High-Demand Products

SMS notifications have higher open rates than email. For limited or fast-selling items, SMS alerts can drive very fast conversions. Just make sure customers clearly opt in.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Hiding the Notification Button

If customers can’t find the signup option easily, they won’t use it. Always place it near the Add to Cart area.

❌ Writing Weak Email Copy

A boring message like “Product available” doesn’t motivate action. Use excitement, urgency, and a clear CTA.

❌ Not Testing the System

Always test by:

• Signing up with your own email

• Restocking a test product

• Checking if notifications arrive correctly

A broken system means lost revenue.

❌ Ignoring Analytics

Check your app’s data to see:

• Which products get the most signups

• Which emails convert best

Use this information to guide inventory and marketing decisions.

How Shopify Restock Alerts Support SEO and Ads

For SEO

Instead of removing out-of-stock product pages (which can hurt rankings), you can:

• Keep the page live

• Collect restock signups

• Capture demand even when inventory is low

This helps maintain organic traffic value.

For Paid Advertising

If ads drive traffic to sold-out products, restock alerts help you still capture leads from that traffic.

Without alerts = wasted ad spend
With alerts = future revenue

Final Thoughts

“Sold out” doesn’t have to mean the end of the customer journey.

With Shopify restock alerts, you can:

• Capture high-intent shoppers

• Recover lost sales

• Boost restock revenue

• Build a powerful email list

• Improve customer experience

It’s one of the most effective and underused tools in Shopify optimization.

Instead of letting customers walk away when a product is unavailable, give them a reason — and a reminder — to come back and buy.