Pre Orders

Pre-Orders Generator

Generate pre-order configuration guides, launch timeline templates, and marketing coordination plans for App Store pre-orders.

When This Skill Activates

Use this skill when the user:

• Asks about "pre-orders" or "App Store pre-order"
• Wants to "build anticipation" before a launch
• Mentions "pre-launch strategy" or "launch countdown"
• Asks about making their app available before release date
• Wants to collect day-one downloads

How Pre-Orders Work

• Unreleased app: release date can be set up to 180 days out
• Users can order your app before it's available
• On release day customers are notified and the app auto-downloads within ~24 hours — the queue converts itself
• Pre-orders count toward your launch day download numbers
• Your app appears in search and browse during pre-order period
• Price can be set to "Free" or any paid tier during pre-order
• Three edit options stay open anytime: change the date, release immediately, or pull a region; changes propagate within 24 hours

Key Benefits

1. Accumulate downloads: Pre-orders count toward day-one velocity
2. Search visibility: App is searchable before release
3. Featuring eligibility: Apple can feature pre-order apps
4. Marketing anchor: Give audiences a concrete action ("Pre-order now")
5. A working ASO period: Custom Product Pages and PPO tests both run during pre-order — launch day should land on an already-tested page

Not Just for Launches: Regional Pre-Orders

An existing app entering new storefronts can run a pre-order in just those territories — with a longer runway: the release date can be up to 365 days out (vs. 180 for an unreleased app), and any date change is capped at 365 days from when the pre-order first published. Accumulated pre-orders convert on day one in the new market — the same velocity spike a launch gets, aimed at the new market's chart entry.

⚠️ One-shot per territory: once released in a region, you can never run a pre-order there again.

Limitations

• Cannot change app name or primary category after pre-order starts
• Price increases require 7-day notice to pre-order customers
• App must be ready for review before pre-order goes live
• Release date can be moved earlier but not more than 180 days out (365 for a published app's regional pre-order, measured from first publication)
• Once released in a region, a pre-order can never be re-run there

Configuration Questions

Ask user via AskUserQuestion:

1. Pre-order reason?

   • Brand new app launch
   • Major version update (new app listing)
   • Seasonal launch timing (holiday, back to school)
   • WWDC/new OS tie-in

2. Pre-order duration?

   • Short (1-2 weeks) — urgency-driven
   • Medium (4-6 weeks) — time to build awareness
   • Long (2-6 months) — major marketing campaign

3. Pricing strategy?

   • Free app (maximize pre-orders)
   • Paid at final price
   • Paid with launch discount (raise price after launch week)

Output Format

# Pre-Order Plan: [App Name]
## Configuration
| Setting | Value ||---------|-------|| Pre-Order Start | [Date] || Release Date | [Date] || Pre-Order Duration | [X weeks] || Price During Pre-Order | [Free / $X.99] || Post-Launch Price | [$X.99] |
## App Store Connect Setup
1. Go to App Store Connect > Your App2. Under "Pricing and Availability":   - Set the release date to your planned launch date   - Enable "Pre-Order" availability3. Under "App Information":   - App name, category, and description must be final   - Screenshots should show the final app (or close to final)4. Submit app for review:   - App must pass review before pre-order goes live   - Prepare a TestFlight-ready build for review
## Launch Timeline
### [X] Weeks Before Launch: Pre-Order Goes Live- [ ] Submit app for App Store review- [ ] Prepare pre-order announcement- [ ] Schedule social media posts- [ ] Send press kit to media contacts- [ ] Configure In-App Event for launch day
### [X-2] Weeks Before: Build Anticipation- [ ] Share development updates/behind-the-scenes- [ ] Release app preview video on social channels- [ ] Follow up with press contacts- [ ] Share pre-order link in email newsletter
### 1 Week Before: Final Push- [ ] Countdown posts on social media- [ ] Featuring nomination follow-up- [ ] Prepare launch day communications- [ ] Verify build is ready for release
### Launch Day- [ ] Release the app (automatic for pre-orders)- [ ] Publish launch In-App Event- [ ] Send launch announcement to email list- [ ] Post across all social channels- [ ] Monitor reviews and respond quickly- [ ] Track download velocity
### Launch Week- [ ] Start Product Page Optimization test- [ ] Monitor conversion rates- [ ] Adjust marketing based on initial data- [ ] Submit second featuring nomination if not featured
## Pre-Order Marketing Assets
### Landing Page- Apple's official **localized pre-order badge** (per-storefront artwork — don't hand-roll the button)- App preview screenshots- Feature highlights- Release date and countdown
### Social Media- Announcement post with pre-order link- 3-5 countdown posts leading to launch- Feature highlight posts (one feature per post)- Behind-the-scenes development content
### Email- Pre-order announcement to existing audience- 1-week reminder before launch- Launch day celebration email
## Measurement
| Metric | Target | Track In ||--------|--------|----------|| Pre-order count | [Goal] | App Store Connect || Day 1 downloads | [Goal] | App Store Connect || First week downloads | [Goal] | App Store Connect || Conversion rate | [X%] | App Store Connect Analytics |

Pre-Order Best Practices

Timing

Pricing Strategy

References

• Related: generators/in-app-events — Launch event for release day
• Related: generators/featuring-nomination — Featuring during pre-order
• Related: generators/app-store-assets — Asset specs for pre-order page
• Related: app-store/marketing-strategy — Pre-launch as part of overall strategy