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Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

Last updated: October 07 2024

Written and researched by experts at Avada Learn more about our methodology

Good management of the number of units of each product customers can add to their cart prevents inventory headaches and maximizes sales potential.  

This concise guide will walk you through the simple yet powerful ways to set quantity limits on Shopify, ensuring a smoother shopping experience for your customers and greater control over your inventory. Read now if you are struggling with quantity management on Shopify.

How to limit product inventory quantity on Shopify

Shopify itself doesn’t have a built-in feature for setting per-product quantity limits. However, there are two main ways to achieve this:

Method 1: Using a Shopify App

Step 1: Choose a Quantity Limit App

Search the Shopify App Store for “quantity limits” or “order limits.” Popular options include:

  • Order Limits ‑ MinMaxify

Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

  • Limit Qty Purchase

Step 2: Install the App

  • Click the “Install” button on the app’s page.
  • Follow the prompts to install it on your store.

Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

Step 3: Configure the App

Each app has its own setup process, but generally, you’ll: 

  • Create a new rule

Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

  • Choose the product or collection you want to limit
  • Set the maximum quantity allowed per order
  • (Optional) Set additional conditions like customer groups or dates

Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

Method 2: Direct setup

Step 1: Proceed to the Inventory section

  • In your Shopify admin, go to Products > Inventory.

Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

Step 2: Change the number of products

Adjust the number of products you wish to change; the options include:

  • Number of products available
  • Number of products On hand

Set Limit Quantity on Shopify

Step 3: Save changes

  • Remember to click the Save button to finish

Why should you limit the quantity of your store on Shopify?

Here’s why I believe you should consider setting quantity limits on your Shopify store, backed by my own experience as an online seller:

  • Prevent Overselling: I once ran a flash sale without quantity limits and ended up with more orders than I had stock for. It was a logistical nightmare, resulting in delays, refunds, and unhappy customers. Quantity limits ensure you never promise what you can’t deliver.
  • Manage Limited-Edition or High-Demand Items: If you have products that are in short supply or highly sought-after, setting limits helps ensure fair distribution and prevents one customer from buying out your entire stock. This creates a sense of exclusivity and avoids disappointed customers.
  • Control Bulk Orders: Sometimes, you might want to limit bulk purchases to prevent resellers or ensure enough stock for individual customers. Quantity limits give you control over how much of a product can be purchased in a single order.
  • Protect Profit Margins: For products with thin profit margins or high shipping costs, quantity limits can help you avoid losing money on large orders. This is particularly important for dropshippers who might face higher shipping costs for bulk orders.
  • Enhance Customer Experience: By setting clear expectations about product availability and preventing overselling, you can create a smoother and more transparent shopping experience for your customers. This builds trust and fosters long-term loyalty.

While these are some key benefits, the specific reasons for implementing quantity limits might vary depending on your business model and product types. It’s always essential to carefully consider your inventory management strategy and choose the most appropriate approach for your Shopify store.

FAQs

Can I set different maximum order limits for different products or variants?
Absolutely! You can either create product-specific rules within your chosen app or adjust the inventory quantities directly for each variant in the Shopify admin.

Is it possible to set a minimum order quantity for certain products on Shopify?
Yes, some Shopify apps like “MinMaxify: Order Limits” allow you to set both minimum and maximum order quantities, providing more flexibility for your store’s inventory management.

Will customers be notified if they exceed the quantity limit during checkout?
Yes, most apps will display an error message or notification informing the customer that they’ve exceeded the limit and prompting them to adjust their cart quantity.

Can I set quantity limits for specific customer groups or based on customer tags?
While Shopify’s built-in functionality doesn’t support this, you can explore third-party apps that offer advanced order limits based on customer groups, tags, or other criteria.

What’s the impact on inventory levels when a customer places an order that exceeds the set limit?
The order won’t be processed until the customer reduces the quantity to the allowed limit. The inventory levels won’t be affected until the order is successfully placed with the correct quantity.

In conclusion

This comprehensive post has equipped you with the knowledge to efficiently set and manage product quantity limits on your Shopify store, enabling better inventory control and preventing overselling. Have you encountered any challenges or have specific questions regarding quantity limits on Shopify? Feel free to share your insights and experiences in the comments below!

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Sam
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Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.